Where should I stay next in DC? 2 week work trip.
June 29, 2024 5:44 PM Subscribe
I travel to DC a few times a year for work, and really like it there. Where should I stay for this next trip?
In the past I've stayed at the Wharf and in Old Town Alexandria. I've always taken Uber everywhere but this time I'll rent a car.
I loved the walkability when staying at the Wharf. I saw every major landmark and quite a few of the museums. The energy there was so high and vibrant in late spring, it was a great time even with just a few hours every evening (and half of a Saturday). I saw a little bit of Georgetown too but not much, just a dinner and a walk. On a visit in late fall I went to the Natural Gallery of Art, had a bit of spare time so popped over to see the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, then had a bit more so decided to return to the Natural History Museum on my way back to the hotel because I felt like seeing the gems and minerals again. All of this on a Saturday morning before an afternoon flight. Amazing!
However the Wharf was very difficult to get in and out of, not sure what the thinking was on the road planning. Even getting an Uber to find the pickup location seemed to be a bit of an ordeal. I can't see it being any better with a rental and dealing with hotel parking.
My only other issue (of my own making) was getting meals - everything was packed even at the bar and required reservations. I'm terrible about planning for meals in advance and have weird appetite patterns, and it's especially bad when I travel. I don't have any dietary restrictions but I can't eat very much at a time, and typically get appetizers. Taking up a table in a packed restaurant when the server could be making much more seems really selfish, so another reason I prefer to walk in and find a single seat at the bar.
Old Town was nice but I was there in winter and worked at the hotel every evening. Maybe it was because it was winter, but it was much easier to find places to eat on a whim. It helped that there was a grocery store nearby too. I'd happily try it again in summer but thought I'd ask here in case there are other areas I haven't considered.
My work is in both DC and just over the river in Virginia but I'm good to stay anywhere in the general region. I'll also happily take Ubers in and out of DC if I end up staying elsewhere, to avoid parking hassle.
I'm going to go to Udvar-Hazy on this trip for sure (by car), and I might go see more of the museums along the Mall if I feel like it, and I'm sure my next question will be what should I do instead of where should I stay.
The main things I'm interested in for a general area to stay are walkable green spaces, cool things to go wander about and see (both historical and modern), and if possible somewhere close to the water. For food, I love oysters and seafood and try to eat that as often as I can because my current home city is landlocked. Also works well for the small meal thing, lots of options.
Any recommendations on general areas that I should check out?
Thanks in advance!
In the past I've stayed at the Wharf and in Old Town Alexandria. I've always taken Uber everywhere but this time I'll rent a car.
I loved the walkability when staying at the Wharf. I saw every major landmark and quite a few of the museums. The energy there was so high and vibrant in late spring, it was a great time even with just a few hours every evening (and half of a Saturday). I saw a little bit of Georgetown too but not much, just a dinner and a walk. On a visit in late fall I went to the Natural Gallery of Art, had a bit of spare time so popped over to see the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, then had a bit more so decided to return to the Natural History Museum on my way back to the hotel because I felt like seeing the gems and minerals again. All of this on a Saturday morning before an afternoon flight. Amazing!
However the Wharf was very difficult to get in and out of, not sure what the thinking was on the road planning. Even getting an Uber to find the pickup location seemed to be a bit of an ordeal. I can't see it being any better with a rental and dealing with hotel parking.
My only other issue (of my own making) was getting meals - everything was packed even at the bar and required reservations. I'm terrible about planning for meals in advance and have weird appetite patterns, and it's especially bad when I travel. I don't have any dietary restrictions but I can't eat very much at a time, and typically get appetizers. Taking up a table in a packed restaurant when the server could be making much more seems really selfish, so another reason I prefer to walk in and find a single seat at the bar.
Old Town was nice but I was there in winter and worked at the hotel every evening. Maybe it was because it was winter, but it was much easier to find places to eat on a whim. It helped that there was a grocery store nearby too. I'd happily try it again in summer but thought I'd ask here in case there are other areas I haven't considered.
My work is in both DC and just over the river in Virginia but I'm good to stay anywhere in the general region. I'll also happily take Ubers in and out of DC if I end up staying elsewhere, to avoid parking hassle.
I'm going to go to Udvar-Hazy on this trip for sure (by car), and I might go see more of the museums along the Mall if I feel like it, and I'm sure my next question will be what should I do instead of where should I stay.
The main things I'm interested in for a general area to stay are walkable green spaces, cool things to go wander about and see (both historical and modern), and if possible somewhere close to the water. For food, I love oysters and seafood and try to eat that as often as I can because my current home city is landlocked. Also works well for the small meal thing, lots of options.
Any recommendations on general areas that I should check out?
Thanks in advance!
Shirlington, in Arlington comes to mind. Has a Harris Teeter, and restaurants.
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 6:43 PM on June 29
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 6:43 PM on June 29
I think the Dupont Circle area checks all of your boxes other than water: fairly close to Rock Creek Park, the zoo, a number of museums, and plenty of restaurants that should be amenable to popping in (including Hank's Oyster Bar). Lunasol's suggestion of Eastern Market is also a great choice!
posted by eponym at 6:51 PM on June 29 [4 favorites]
posted by eponym at 6:51 PM on June 29 [4 favorites]
I'll quote my response to another question about where to stay in D.C. that was posted about a week ago:
When I went to D.C. for a few days last year, I stayed at the Holiday Inn near the National Mall. It has a pool and parking (neither of which I used).
More importantly from my POV, it's just a couple of blocks from the Mall, and thus a pretty easy walk to most of the museums and monuments. It's also a couple of blocks from the L'Enfant Plaza Metro station.
Someone else mentioned seeing the monuments at night. I ended up walking from the hotel to the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial on my last night there. It was a magical experience, and staying in proximity to them was what made it practical to do.
The immediate neighborhood of the Holiday Inn is not particular picturesque and doesn't have a lot of restaurant options. But if you're willing to walk a bit, you'll have more to choose from. The main advantage is its very close proximity to the Mall and the museums.
posted by Artifice_Eternity at 7:21 PM on June 29
When I went to D.C. for a few days last year, I stayed at the Holiday Inn near the National Mall. It has a pool and parking (neither of which I used).
More importantly from my POV, it's just a couple of blocks from the Mall, and thus a pretty easy walk to most of the museums and monuments. It's also a couple of blocks from the L'Enfant Plaza Metro station.
Someone else mentioned seeing the monuments at night. I ended up walking from the hotel to the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial on my last night there. It was a magical experience, and staying in proximity to them was what made it practical to do.
The immediate neighborhood of the Holiday Inn is not particular picturesque and doesn't have a lot of restaurant options. But if you're willing to walk a bit, you'll have more to choose from. The main advantage is its very close proximity to the Mall and the museums.
posted by Artifice_Eternity at 7:21 PM on June 29
As always, if you have a car for a DC area visit and want something 20ish degrees F cooler, I recommend Brookside Gardens in Montgomery County, MD.
It's free, and free to park and is an amazing botanical gardens experience. Ponds, etc.
posted by atomicstone at 1:27 AM on June 30 [3 favorites]
It's free, and free to park and is an amazing botanical gardens experience. Ponds, etc.
posted by atomicstone at 1:27 AM on June 30 [3 favorites]
We always stay at Tabard Inn in DuPont Circle. Had our wedding brunch there 22 years ago when we lived in the area and now we stay whenever we visit.
posted by terrapin at 9:59 AM on June 30 [1 favorite]
posted by terrapin at 9:59 AM on June 30 [1 favorite]
There was a shooting at the Wharf early this morning (Monday) ... just leaving that there for you to consider.
There's a Hilton Garden Inn in Shirlington that's got everything you would need in walking distance, plus the drive into DC wouldn't be TOO bad so the Ubers wouldn't break you. I would recommend that if you don't want to go back to Old Town.
posted by mccxxiii at 6:35 AM on July 1
There's a Hilton Garden Inn in Shirlington that's got everything you would need in walking distance, plus the drive into DC wouldn't be TOO bad so the Ubers wouldn't break you. I would recommend that if you don't want to go back to Old Town.
posted by mccxxiii at 6:35 AM on July 1
Parking anywhere in DC can be an expensive nightmare...really depends exactly where you are and what time of day. If you're going to have a car, I would recommend *not* staying in DC proper.
posted by Thistledown at 11:59 AM on July 1
posted by Thistledown at 11:59 AM on July 1
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posted by lunasol at 6:01 PM on June 29 [5 favorites]