TankTop
Pearl Clutcher
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Jun 28, 2014 1:52:46 GMT
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Post by TankTop on Oct 28, 2018 12:59:11 GMT
Okay, not kids, but my babies...
June trip
Just the 3 of us
no car
kids are 14 and 19 when we go
comfortable with public transportation
comfortable navigating new cities
we would like to stay in a Hilton brand hotel to use some free nights. any advice on the best are to stay in?
Also, any advice on public transit?
Thank you!
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Post by mustlovecats on Oct 28, 2018 13:07:07 GMT
My advice on public transit is pick a hotel easy distance from a metro station and just use it. It’s clean and safe and gets you most places you want to go. Use the wmata trip planner or ask the concierge.
We like the HGI on 14th Street for good amenities and good location but the Capitol Hilton is super nice if you want to go that range.
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AmeliaBloomer
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,842
Location: USA
Jun 26, 2014 5:01:45 GMT
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Post by AmeliaBloomer on Oct 28, 2018 13:13:19 GMT
We once used points at the Hilton DuPont Circle. DuPont Circle is a great, vibrant neighborhood that my then-teens really liked. On your walk to-from the metro station (same main street as the hotel), you’ll pass tons of restaurants, fast-ish food, ice cream, shops. They'll all be “on point” trends-wise. LOL.
I really like the DC Metro. I’m always impressed with how rule driven the riders are: 1. Always stay on the right side of the escalator and pass on the left, and 2. When a train arrives, always stand back and let the passengers off before boarding, 3. Never sit on the aisle if nobody is sitting by the window. Would that I could bring all those rules home.
Also, it’s one of those systems where your fare depends on how far you’re traveling, so you have to make sure you have enough money loaded on your card. There are charts posted and people to ask.
Have fun!
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Post by monklady123 on Oct 28, 2018 13:18:04 GMT
This one is practically on top of a Metro station (the Orange line) which will take you directly downtown without any need to change trains. It's easy enough to change trains but it's also nice not to have to.  Arlington is also very close to DC so the train ride won't be long. -- Also, the area where this is located is very safe (pretty much all of Arlington is) and there are lots of shops, cafes, restaurants, even a grocery store. Nice to walk around also -- you could stay on the main road and walk toward Rosslyn where the Iwo Jima Memorial is (that would be a long-ish walk but doable, or the Metro goes right there), or walk back into the neighborhoods. Hilton at Ballston area of Arlington |
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Post by elaine on Oct 28, 2018 13:20:48 GMT
This one is practically on top of a Metro station (the Orange line) which will take you directly downtown without any need to change trains. It's easy enough to change trains but it's also nice not to have to. Arlington is also very close to DC so the train ride won't be long. Hilton at Ballston area of ArlingtonI second this suggestion. There are also plenty of good places to grab a bite to eat in the Ballston area. Dh worked in the neighborhood for several years. |
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Post by monklady123 on Oct 28, 2018 13:24:11 GMT
This one is practically on top of a Metro station (the Orange line) which will take you directly downtown without any need to change trains. It's easy enough to change trains but it's also nice not to have to. Arlington is also very close to DC so the train ride won't be long. Hilton at Ballston area of ArlingtonI second this suggestion. There are also plenty of good places to grab a bite to eat in the Ballston area. Dh worked in the neighborhood for several years. Lol. I was editing my reply to include food info while you were typing yours.  |
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TankTop
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1,871
Posts: 4,876
Location: On the couch...
Jun 28, 2014 1:52:46 GMT
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Post by TankTop on Oct 28, 2018 13:29:51 GMT
Man, I love the Peas!
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AmeliaBloomer
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,842
Location: USA
Jun 26, 2014 5:01:45 GMT
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Post by AmeliaBloomer on Oct 28, 2018 13:38:46 GMT
Even if odds are that you’ve just gotten advice from some of the 85% of us who are dull as dirt?  (There was a post last week where somebody said only 15% of the posts (posters?) here are interesting. She also opined about just getting your travel advice from Trip Advisor.) |
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TankTop
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1,871
Posts: 4,876
Location: On the couch...
Jun 28, 2014 1:52:46 GMT
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Post by TankTop on Oct 28, 2018 13:45:58 GMT
Even if odds are that you’ve just gotten advice from some of the 85% of us who are dull as dirt? (There was a post last week where somebody said only 15% of the posts (posters?) here are interesting. She also opined about just getting your travel advice from Trip Advisor.) I’m an elementary school teacher from rural America...talk about dull. Lol! |
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Post by pierkiss on Oct 28, 2018 14:41:30 GMT
Your kids are a fantastic age to go and do DC without a car. They can do all of the walking without whining for you to carry them or push them in a stroller because they’re tired! And you don’t have to carry all their stuff-they can! 😁Besides, trying to do DC with a car is a total pain in the ass. Take the Metro, and be ready to do a ton of walking. The Metro will get you pretty much everywhere you want to go (except Georgetown. There is no line that gets you right into Georgetown (unless that’s changed in the past 4 years)). Pick a hotel near a Metro station, and have fun! I loved using the Metro system while we lived there. It takes you everywhere, and is fairly easy to use. Have fun! I miss the DC area so much. I get jealous when I find out my friends are going out there. 😂
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Post by pierkiss on Oct 28, 2018 14:44:40 GMT
This one is practically on top of a Metro station (the Orange line) which will take you directly downtown without any need to change trains. It's easy enough to change trains but it's also nice not to have to. Arlington is also very close to DC so the train ride won't be long. Hilton at Ballston area of ArlingtonI second this suggestion. There are also plenty of good places to grab a bite to eat in the Ballston area. Dh worked in the neighborhood for several years. I third it. It’s a well taken care of area, easy to navigate, and not super congested. My husband also worked in Ballston for a couple of years. |
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Post by monklady123 on Oct 28, 2018 16:33:48 GMT
Your kids are a fantastic age to go and do DC without a car. They can do all of the walking without whining for you to carry them or push them in a stroller because they’re tired! And you don’t have to carry all their stuff-they can! 😁Besides, trying to do DC with a car is a total pain in the ass. Take the Metro, and be ready to do a ton of walking. The Metro will get you pretty much everywhere you want to go (except Georgetown. There is no line that gets you right into Georgetown (unless that’s changed in the past 4 years)). Pick a hotel near a Metro station, and have fun! I loved using the Metro system while we lived there. It takes you everywhere, and is fairly easy to use. Have fun! I miss the DC area so much. I get jealous when I find out my friends are going out there. 😂 From the hotel that I linked, in the Ballston area of Arlington, you can take the Metro to Rosslyn and then walk across the Key Bridge to Georgetown. Just on the DC side of the Key Bridge are the Exorcist Steps... you can walk up there and you'll be in upper Georgetown. It's a nice walk around, then you could loop around back down to the waterfront area and the shopping. There is a bus from there back to Rosslyn if you're too tired at the end to walk back. The Exorcist Stairs |
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Post by monklady123 on Oct 28, 2018 16:42:46 GMT
Okay, not kids, but my babies... June trip Just the 3 of us no car kids are 14 and 19 when we go comfortable with public transportation comfortable navigating new cities we would like to stay in a Hilton brand hotel to use some free nights. any advice on the best are to stay in? Also, any advice on public transit? Thank you! I should have asked how you're getting here? If you're flying, try to fly into National airport (Reagan National) not Dulles. From National it's maybe a 10-minute cab ride to Ballston, a few minutes more if you decide to stay somewhere in DC. Dulles is way out in Narnia (as my kids always say about anything far out west from us) and will cost you more money and time to get in closer. |
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Post by pierkiss on Oct 28, 2018 16:54:48 GMT
Your kids are a fantastic age to go and do DC without a car. They can do all of the walking without whining for you to carry them or push them in a stroller because they’re tired! And you don’t have to carry all their stuff-they can! 😁Besides, trying to do DC with a car is a total pain in the ass. Take the Metro, and be ready to do a ton of walking. The Metro will get you pretty much everywhere you want to go (except Georgetown. There is no line that gets you right into Georgetown (unless that’s changed in the past 4 years)). Pick a hotel near a Metro station, and have fun! I loved using the Metro system while we lived there. It takes you everywhere, and is fairly easy to use. Have fun! I miss the DC area so much. I get jealous when I find out my friends are going out there. 😂 From the hotel that I linked, in the Ballston area of Arlington, you can take the Metro to Rosslyn and then walk across the Key Bridge to Georgetown. Just on the DC side of the Key Bridge are the Exorcist Steps... you can walk up there and you'll be in upper Georgetown. It's a nice walk around, then you could loop around back down to the waterfront area and the shopping. There is a bus from there back to Rosslyn if you're too tired at the end to walk back. The Exorcist StairsI have an awesome picture of my oldest two in their Halloween costumes standing on the Exorcist stairs when they were toddlers! Such a fun spot, and not scary at all. If you go in the morning or evening, be on the lookout for runners and other athletes. The stairs are a very popular exercise location. |
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peaname
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,390 
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Post by peaname on Oct 28, 2018 17:27:15 GMT
We visited this summer and used Uber after our initial Metro trips. It's so convenient and it really saves time.
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Post by Skellinton on Oct 28, 2018 17:30:59 GMT
I have directional insanity, meaning I get lost in my local grocery store, but I was able to easily navigate the lovely color coded Metro. It is clean, safe and super efficient.
Have a wonderful trip, you and the kids are going to have so much fun. Perfect age for DC.
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eleezybeth
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,784
Jun 28, 2014 20:42:01 GMT
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Post by eleezybeth on Oct 28, 2018 17:51:38 GMT
Check out the Navy Yard (The Yards/Ball Park) area. There are three nearly brand new Hilton brands right there or within literally steps of the metro. It is the closest hotel to metro place I can name. Lots of good restaurants, this neighborhood has "come up." One (or maybe two) stops to the orange line but is right on the green line. The soccer stadium is a bit farther of a walk but still right there in DC walking terms. This is "in the district." You can walk up to 8th street for more good food but that would be a short hike.
If you want to save a bit of money, head for the ends of the rail lines. Orange/Silver lines are good with options but I don't know any that are AS close as the Navy Yard ones. I am sure they exist. Pentagon City is another option. Good shopping, easy access (right across from the Pentagon so close to Arlington too - again this is DC walking). I have stayed at the Double Tree there and it is a 2-3 block walk. So easy. Good eating there as well. There is a few others right there but I do not know if they are Hilton. I know the one is a Marriott.
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Post by Basket1lady on Oct 28, 2018 18:12:08 GMT
I'll third the Arlington hotel. Crystal City is good, and it's close, but sometimes it's harder to find things open for dinner, as it's mostly offices. I always recommend it if your'e in the area for work, but not if you're just sight seeing.
I recommend seeing the monuments at night during the summer, as it's cooler, well lit, and well patrolled by police. The weather has finally broken and it's gorgeous here right now. The trees are beginning to turn and the soul sucking humidity is finally gone. WTA: I see that you are coming in June. Your first fact on the list!
I recommend the Segway tours for teens--my kids loved it. And there is a haunted tour in Old Towne Alexandria if the kids like that. I'm not sure about winter hours, but you can find them online.
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Post by monklady123 on Oct 28, 2018 18:22:23 GMT
Check out the Navy Yard (The Yards/Ball Park) area. There are three nearly brand new Hilton brands right there or within literally steps of the metro. It is the closest hotel to metro place I can name. Lots of good restaurants, this neighborhood has "come up." One (or maybe two) stops to the orange line but is right on the green line. The soccer stadium is a bit farther of a walk but still right there in DC walking terms. This is "in the district." You can walk up to 8th street for more good food but that would be a short hike. If you want to save a bit of money, head for the ends of the rail lines. Orange/Silver lines are good with options but I don't know any that are AS close as the Navy Yard ones. I am sure they exist. Pentagon City is another option. Good shopping, easy access (right across from the Pentagon so close to Arlington too - again this is DC walking). I have stayed at the Double Tree there and it is a 2-3 block walk. So easy. Good eating there as well. There is a few others right there but I do not know if they are Hilton. I know the one is a Marriott. Pentagon City and the Pentagon *are* in Arlington.  |
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Post by brina on Oct 28, 2018 18:24:25 GMT
When I visit my son who is a student at American University I usually stay in Bethesda. It is a great neighborhood in its own right, only a few stops on the Metro from most DC sites, and is generally cheaper than being right in DC.
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Post by elaine on Oct 28, 2018 18:31:53 GMT
I'll third the Arlington hotel. Crystal City is good, and it's close, but sometimes it's harder to find things open for dinner, as it's mostly offices. I always recommend it if your'e in the area for work, but not if you're just sight seeing. When are you coming? I recommend seeing the monuments at night during the summer, as it's cooler, well lit, and well patrolled by police. The weather has finally broken and it's gorgeous here right now. The trees are beginning to turn and the soul sucking humidity is finally gone. I recommend the Segway tours for teens--my kids loved it. And there is a haunted tour in Old Towne Alexandria if the kids like that. I'm not sure about winter hours, but you can find them online. When my teenage niece and nephew visit from Israel, I take them on a Seqway tour downtown. We’ve done it a few times, but it never gets old. The tour leaders are generally local grad students and I always learn different bits of local history from them. There se are always Groupons available for them too! |
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Post by pierkiss on Oct 28, 2018 19:12:38 GMT
I'll third the Arlington hotel. Crystal City is good, and it's close, but sometimes it's harder to find things open for dinner, as it's mostly offices. I always recommend it if your'e in the area for work, but not if you're just sight seeing. When are you coming? I recommend seeing the monuments at night during the summer, as it's cooler, well lit, and well patrolled by police. The weather has finally broken and it's gorgeous here right now. The trees are beginning to turn and the soul sucking humidity is finally gone. I recommend the Segway tours for teens--my kids loved it. And there is a haunted tour in Old Towne Alexandria if the kids like that. I'm not sure about winter hours, but you can find them online. YES to the ghost tours in Old Town Alexandria! So much fun! Old Town was my favorite place out there. There are really great shops and yummy restaurants. And at the bottom of the street there is a park right on the river. And the Torpedo Art Factory is down there on the rivers edge and that is an awesome place to visit. So eclectic and full of artists and their various media. |
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Post by Basket1lady on Oct 28, 2018 21:08:05 GMT
I'll third the Arlington hotel. Crystal City is good, and it's close, but sometimes it's harder to find things open for dinner, as it's mostly offices. I always recommend it if your'e in the area for work, but not if you're just sight seeing. When are you coming? I recommend seeing the monuments at night during the summer, as it's cooler, well lit, and well patrolled by police. The weather has finally broken and it's gorgeous here right now. The trees are beginning to turn and the soul sucking humidity is finally gone. I recommend the Segway tours for teens--my kids loved it. And there is a haunted tour in Old Towne Alexandria if the kids like that. I'm not sure about winter hours, but you can find them online. YES to the ghost tours in Old Town Alexandria! So much fun! Old Town was my favorite place out there. There are really great shops and yummy restaurants. And at the bottom of the street there is a park right on the river. And the Torpedo Art Factory is down there on the rivers edge and that is an awesome place to visit. So eclectic and full of artists and their various media. My favorite place in Old Town! DD and I took a lot of cooking classes there when she was in HS and I'd always beg to go to the bottom of the hill to check out what was new at the Torpedo Factory. |
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Post by craftmepink on Oct 28, 2018 21:30:24 GMT
Everyone's ideas are great.
I live in Alexandria, VA and work in the Navy Yard area in DC, both places are great areas to stay in.
If I was a visitor though and not a local, I would stay at the Hilton in Alexandria, VA, which is right next to the King Street Metro Station. I love the Old Town area, nice restaurants, fun shops, and nice river cruises you can go on. Also, the area is walk-able and there are tons of things you can do during the day and at night. There's a free trolley that goes up and down King Street as well. You can take a river cruise to Georgetown, the Wharf, and also Mount Vernon (George Washington's house).
The metro ride is not too far away from DC (about 5 stops away from L'Enfant Plaza, which is right at the Mall and there are tons of museums for free). Taking the metro is very easy and everyone is very nice with helping out with directions if you get lost. And also, you can take an uber, since most things are pretty close to one another, it's pretty inexpensive.
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eleezybeth
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,784
Jun 28, 2014 20:42:01 GMT
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Post by eleezybeth on Oct 28, 2018 23:01:43 GMT
Check out the Navy Yard (The Yards/Ball Park) area. There are three nearly brand new Hilton brands right there or within literally steps of the metro. It is the closest hotel to metro place I can name. Lots of good restaurants, this neighborhood has "come up." One (or maybe two) stops to the orange line but is right on the green line. The soccer stadium is a bit farther of a walk but still right there in DC walking terms. This is "in the district." You can walk up to 8th street for more good food but that would be a short hike. If you want to save a bit of money, head for the ends of the rail lines. Orange/Silver lines are good with options but I don't know any that are AS close as the Navy Yard ones. I am sure they exist. Pentagon City is another option. Good shopping, easy access (right across from the Pentagon so close to Arlington too - again this is DC walking). I have stayed at the Double Tree there and it is a 2-3 block walk. So easy. Good eating there as well. There is a few others right there but I do not know if they are Hilton. I know the one is a Marriott. Pentagon City and the Pentagon *are* in Arlington. No tourist has ever thought I’m going to visit Arlington and said oh, it’s a town, let me check that out. Most tourists would see Arlington and say yes, let’s go see a famous cemetery. Sorry I wasn’t as clear as in my mind a tourist wouldn’t really need that distinction. |
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scrappinwithoutpeas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,215
Location: Northern Virginia
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Post by scrappinwithoutpeas on Oct 28, 2018 23:34:47 GMT
Everyone's ideas are great. I live in Alexandria, VA and work in the Navy Yard area in DC, both places are great areas to stay in. If I was a visitor though and not a local, I would stay at the Hilton in Alexandria, VA, which is right next to the King Street Metro Station. I love the Old Town area, nice restaurants, fun shops, and nice river cruises you can go on. Also, the area is walk-able and there are tons of things you can do during the day and at night. There's a free trolley that goes up and down King Street as well. You can take a river cruise to Georgetown, the Wharf, and also Mount Vernon (George Washington's house). The metro ride is not too far away from DC (about 5 stops away from L'Enfant Plaza, which is right at the Mall and there are tons of museums for free). Taking the metro is very easy and everyone is very nice with helping out with directions if you get lost. And also, you can take an uber, since most things are pretty close to one another, it's pretty inexpensive. Hey, craftmepink, me too! I didn't know we were local to each other. I used to work in Ballston, so I agree with the ideas of staying either there or the Hilton in Old Town Alexandria (which is also very close to Reagan National Airport - easy metro stop from the airport to King Street metro stop in Old Town). Also, from Old Town Alexandria you can take a water taxi over to National Harbor which has a lot of fun shops, restaurants, a Giant Wheel, and a little sandy park where the "Awakening" statue now lives ( National Harbor - the Awakening). OP, I see that you're planning this for June, so the Alexandria ghost tours will no longer be going on. If you get over to Georgetown, besides the Exorcist steps already mentioned, there are a lot of other interesting things to see there too. I believe they still offer a Georgetown chocolate tour, which takes you to some specialty "foodie" destinations. Although I agree that Pentagon City is a good central location, it's also where a large number of tour buses come in (think every HS class trip from all over the country), so it can get crowded and sort of generic. Personally, that's an area I would avoid staying in. Probably the only plus is that you could walk to the Pentagon memorial - but there's a metro stop at the Pentagon anyway (blue & yellow lines), so you can get there easily from anywhere. |
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TankTop
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1,871
Posts: 4,876
Location: On the couch...
Jun 28, 2014 1:52:46 GMT
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Post by TankTop on Oct 29, 2018 1:08:59 GMT
Thank you all so much! I can’t wait to get planning.
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Post by julieinmd on Oct 29, 2018 1:19:19 GMT
You might check into Groupon too. I live near DC and we have found some fun things to do in DC just by looking at Groupon. We found a really fun chocolate tour once and had a great time with that. We rarely drive into DC, the Metro is easy and convenient. I don't know about hotels, because I live a short distance away. I think you and your children will have a blast!
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Post by Basket1lady on Oct 29, 2018 1:54:15 GMT
Everyone's ideas are great. I live in Alexandria, VA and work in the Navy Yard area in DC, both places are great areas to stay in. If I was a visitor though and not a local, I would stay at the Hilton in Alexandria, VA, which is right next to the King Street Metro Station. I love the Old Town area, nice restaurants, fun shops, and nice river cruises you can go on. Also, the area is walk-able and there are tons of things you can do during the day and at night. There's a free trolley that goes up and down King Street as well. You can take a river cruise to Georgetown, the Wharf, and also Mount Vernon (George Washington's house). The metro ride is not too far away from DC (about 5 stops away from L'Enfant Plaza, which is right at the Mall and there are tons of museums for free). Taking the metro is very easy and everyone is very nice with helping out with directions if you get lost. And also, you can take an uber, since most things are pretty close to one another, it's pretty inexpensive. OP, I see that you're planning this for June, so the Alexandria ghost tours will no longer be going on. If you get over to Georgetown, besides the Exorcist steps already mentioned, there are a lot of other interesting things to see there too. I believe they still offer a Georgetown chocolate tour, which takes you to some specialty "foodie" destinations. Actually, they are year round. Well, not in January or February, but otherwise they are available. Ghost Tours |
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Post by birukitty on Oct 29, 2018 23:38:58 GMT
The subway system-The Metro in Washington DC and the outlaying area is very easy to follow. There are five colors that are used (red, yellow, orange, blue and green) that name the different lines. Along those lines are the different stops to get to where you want to go. I recommend downloading a map of this before you book your hotel so that when you are looking at different hotels to book you can more easily see and plot where the hotel is in regard to which stop it is close to along which line-and how far away the sights are that you want to visit. Does that make sense?
If you need any help just PM me. I live in Annapolis, MD which is 45 minutes away, but I used to live in Arlington, Va and I used to work in Washington DC years ago. I've gone to DC (and still do) many, many times for various things over the years. Was just there for a concert last month.
You've gotten a lot of good advice on this thread.
How long will your trip be?
You can get some idea on different sights to see by looking at tripadvisor.com and then look under Washington DC under Things to Do. Of course not to be missed are the Smithsonian Museums all of which are free.
I've been going to these since I was a little girl. My father had a job at night working in the computer department upstairs in the Natural History Museum. Back then it was housed in "The Castle" or the Smithsonian Institution Building. This was back in 1970-I was 10. He would take me to work with him at night once in a while. I'd play with the computer punch cards but one night I got bored and went downstairs to the exhibits. There was a display of the moon rock that the astronauts brought back from the moon landing in 1969. I remember standing there and staring at that rock-being so amazed that it was once on the moon and now it was there in front of me.
Anyway, there is a lot to see in Washington DC and I think the hardest part will be narrowing it down. I've taken lots of family visitors who visit us from far away touring around Washington DC so if you ever need any help choosing or have any questions like I said just PM me or ask on this thread or another as you continue your planning.
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Arlington is also very close to DC so the train ride won't be long. -- Also, the area where this is located is very safe (pretty much all of Arlington is) and there are lots of shops, cafes, restaurants, even a grocery store. Nice to walk around also -- you could stay on the main road and walk toward Rosslyn where the Iwo Jima Memorial is (that would be a long-ish walk but doable, or the Metro goes right there), or walk back into the neighborhoods. 
