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Post by disneyjunkie on Aug 18, 2015 13:56:00 GMT
A dear friend of our family is being buried at Arlington National Cemetery in September. Dh and I are going up for the burial. I'm trying to decide if we just want to fly in that morning and out the next morning or spend the weekend in the city (ceremony is on a Monday).
So, if we just do the in and out, I figure we will fly into Regan (DCA) as I think it's the closest. We would stay at a hotel near the cemetery. Are there other things to see that are within walking distance?
If we go up for the weekend, I'm considering flying into BWI as it is quite a bit cheaper. Should we stay downtown and just commute (via Uber or some other method) to the cemetery on Monday? I'm trying to look at various things to do and maps etc and I am just getting confused as to where everything is. I do not want to rent a car, we'd prefer to walk around or Uber if needed. I'd love to do the "mall", see the White House, etc. Are museums/buildings open on the weekend? Do I need to schedule some things in advance? Any recommendations on where to stay? How about where to eat?
Sorry if these are silly questions. I've only ever been to DC for work and haven't spent anytime walking around the city other than to walk by the White House.
Thanks for any advice you can offer! |
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Loydene
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,639 
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
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Post by Loydene on Aug 18, 2015 14:11:30 GMT
We really loved our vacation in Washington DC. WE walked a LOT -- and found the metro (subway) easily navigable as well -- a taxis when all else failed!
I don't know specific distances, etc., but we pretty much walked everything. BUT NOT from the monuments area to Arlington. I think we took the subway.
We stayed at L'Enfant hotel -- just off the Mall -- sitting on top of a huge metro stop. WE were able to walk (or subway) to the Mall area or the Capitol area.
Think of the Mall as a big rectangle -- the Capitol buildings are a one end, the Washington Monument at the opposite end with the others of the monuments, still in a line, going beyond the Washington Monument. I think the distance from the Capitol to Lincoln is 2 miles. Along the Mall are Smithsonian buildings and other museums and office buildings. Branching off the Mall, before the Washington Monument, is a wing toward the White House. It is all very linear ... and easy to understand.
From Arlington Cemetery it is a straight shot across a bridge to the Lincoln Memorial.
If you want to see the White House - you can stand outside the fences. There is a new (since we were there) visitor center which, I believe, is open for visitors. If you want a White House tour, that must be arranged, well in advance, with your State Legislator. I got us Washington Monument tickets for a timed entrance on line -- it was a very small fee. I think you can get them in person there at the Monument. Otherwise the monuments are just walk up to, through and view. They are beautiful ... very moving ... you will probably have a favorite.
We found dining to be a chore. Most of the Smithsonian buildings have some sort of eating arrangements -- but they close REALLY early. Otherwise, dining is off the Mall and there was only a Parks snack building down by the Jefferson.
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Post by moveablefeast on Aug 18, 2015 14:13:34 GMT
BWI is pretty far afield so you have to save a lot of money to make it worth it.
Smithsonian is open all weekend and some museums will have extended hours.
Metro will be your best bet to get around wherever you stay. Uber is a good option but you may have traffic to contend with. Even on weekends.
If your plan is to sightsee a bit and go to Arlington for a funeral my suggestion would be to stay in Crystal City or Old Town Alexandria. Capitol Hill, or the Convention Center area would be good locations in the city. L'enfant dining is limited evenings and weekends and Dupont is lovely but you have to change trains to get to most of your stated destinations.
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Post by not2peased on Aug 18, 2015 14:18:41 GMT
we flew into BWI and took the train to DC. we stayed in Crystal City and took the subway everywhere (to arlington cemetary as well)
we didn't need a car at all.
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Jili
Pearl Clutcher
SLPea
Posts: 4,366
Jun 26, 2014 1:26:48 GMT
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Post by Jili on Aug 18, 2015 14:23:41 GMT
This summer we flew into BWI and rented a car. We drove to Silver Spring and stayed at a hotel near the metro. We bought cards for the metro and took it back and forth for our entire visit. It was easy to use and efficient. There is a metro stop right at Arlington. Whatever you do, do not walk from Arlington to the monuments! We did that after we visited the cemetery, and it was a LONG walk--much longer than it looks on maps. In hindsight we should have taken the Metro to another DC stop.
Later in the week we drive our rental to other areas--Williamsburg, Virginia Beach, etc. it was a great vacation and worth it for us in terms of flying into BWI.
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Post by bearmom on Aug 18, 2015 14:25:49 GMT
we flew into BWI and took the train to DC. we stayed in Crystal City and took the subway everywhere (to arlington cemetary as well) we didn't need a car at all. We did the same thing except we used a car service to/from the airport. We took the Metro to Arlington and then walked back to the mall area. |
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Post by gritzi on Aug 18, 2015 14:51:43 GMT
We stayed at the Hilton Garden Arlington/Shirlington & loved the location. We were very pleased with the hotel accommodations, too. It was relatively close to the cemetery. The hotel offered free shuttle service to/from the metro which made it easy going to the monuments & museum.
The hotel is in a neighborhood community. Just outside the lobby you are in a condo residential neighborhood with a whole foods type grocery store, a library, a myriad of dog friendly restaurants offering outdoor seating, boutiques, yogurt shops, etc all within walking distance. They were all just steps away. It was so nice to escape the DC area, go back to the hotel, sit on the outdoor benches before/after dinner. The hotel also offered free parking.
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Post by annabella on Aug 18, 2015 15:08:22 GMT
The money you save flying into BWI you make up paying for transportation into the city.
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Post by ilikepink on Aug 18, 2015 16:29:19 GMT
Just wanted to add that I was just in Arlington last weekend for the service to inter my dad, and it was one of the most moving events I've ever seen. The precision and care with which the Marines moved and conducted themselves is beyond admirable.
I stayed in Arlington at a Marriott Residence Inn and drove over to the cemetery, but no sight-seeing this trip.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 5, 2024 18:23:55 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2015 16:35:21 GMT
I'm living in DC for a few months and echo what others are saying about the outlying airports (Dulles & BWI). It was about $65 on Lyft to get into DC (Dupont Circle area) from Dulles and next time I'll just fly into DCA.
Arlington Cemetery has it's own metro stop so it's easy to get to. There is so much to see in DC that even after 3 weeks, it's overwhelming and I've barely scratched the surface. I'm recommending a hop on/hop off tour for friends who are coming out to visit so they can see some of the major sites and have transportation.
Loving DC but as a Seattle girl, I'm hating the weather! Too hot and humid for me.
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Post by Basket1lady on Aug 18, 2015 16:53:45 GMT
When in September? If it's mid to the end of the month, I think you will find the crowds much smaller. They will still be there, but there will be fewer kids and families, since school will be back in session. The weather can still be hot, but the humidity is generally better unless there is a hurricane off the coast. This week is pretty humid, but last week was mid 80s with low humidity. You just never really know!
One thing I recommend in the summer is to view the monuments at night. They are beautifully lit and well patrolled with security. And it's so much cooler to walk around. Don't let the construction fences in the Mall fool you--it seems like they are always up. If not for event, then for some project.
If you aren't big on walking and want to see a lot, I recommend a bicycle tour or a Segway tour. We've had friends do both and they highly recommend it. It really is a ton of walking. Everything is pretty much in one area, but it's a big area! If you did Mt Vernon, you could Uber out there or take the boat. It would take at least half a day either way, but I really love visiting there. The info is on the NPS website and I've heard good things about it (the boat portion). DH says we did it 20 some years ago, but I don't remember it. Old age is setting in! If you want to do the Washington Monument, online tickets are probably sold out by now. But they keep a good chunk of tickets back (I want to say 50%?) for each day and you can get same day tickets. Again, it's on the NPS website.
Personally, I'd fly into Reagan National instead of Baltimore. Sure BWI is doable without a car, but it's a bit of a pain with train changes and such. And you will have luggage with you. Unless you will save at least $100, I wouldn't do it. Reagan is right on the Metro line and is very accessible from downtown.
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Post by fridaynightscrapper on Aug 18, 2015 19:24:36 GMT
We just came back from our first visit to Washington D.C. We loved the Segway Tour of all the monuments. It was a three hour tour and was so fun! A great way to see a lot in three hours. Also take a small umbrella. It rained at least 15 to 20 minutes once every day! Guess that is why it is so green and beautiful. |
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