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Heading to Washington DC with my husband and kid this summer for a couple of days. I vastly, vastly prefer a hotel room that has the sitting room (w/ pull out sofa) divided from the bedroom with an actual door. Not a half-wall, not a doorless hallway, a real actual door that shuts. It's often impossible to tell from room descriptions and photos whether or not this is the case. Have you stayed in such a room in DC? If so, where? [more inside]
posted by soren_lorensen around Washington, DC at 11:38 AM - 18 answers

My parents have taken each of the grandchildren for a special trip to Washington, D.C. the summer between kindergarten and 1st grade with exciting things like hotel pools and room service and an itinerary of the special kid's choosing. My daughter's trip has been very delayed for (unimportant) Grown Up Reasons, but it's finally her turn in August and she's been waiting a whole year and she's so excited! Now what? [more inside]
posted by cheese around Washington, DC at 12:05 PM - 41 answers

I've got a few days in DC next week-- give me your recommendations! [more inside]
posted by geegollygosh around Washington, DC at 10:52 AM - 16 answers

We're taking a family vacation to D.C. this summer. We'd like to take a 3-day trip inside that vacation to a location within 3-4 hours drive. Where should we go? [more inside]
posted by mcstayinskool around Washington, DC at 9:21 AM - 20 answers

The Mister and I are in DC. He wants to go to some museums. I am having hip and back pain and mobility challenges so I’d rather find a cafe with a comfy chair where I can read for a few hours. Where should I go that is within 2 blocks of Metro or bus lines, near to the Smithsonian complex, Dupont Circle, or points between? I found this question that’s 5 years old.
posted by matildaben around Washington, DC at 8:42 PM - 9 answers

Our family will have this Friday afternoon and evening to spend in Washington, what should we do to keep our toddler entertained? We are staying a short walk from union station so can take the metro, but also have access to a car.
posted by skewed around Washington, DC at 6:26 PM - 15 answers

It's looking like I may have to move to DC from my beloved Philadelphia. Are there any areas in/around the city that remind you of Philly or Baltimore (I love Baltimore, too)? Ideally cheaper areas? [more inside]
posted by anonymous around Washington, DC at 7:59 AM - 21 answers

I run an annual event for academics where we hold a 1 day workshop. Next year it will be in Washington DC. Attendees will be from all over the world, but many will be staying in Dupont Circle. We need a space to meet for a day. We have traditionally done this on a university campus or in a public library. The space needs wifi, room for 30 people in one room, and breakout rooms/areas for groups of 6. We also need to either bring in catering or use the catering service of the site. Suggestions for safe venues in DC, fairly close to Dupont?
posted by k8t around Washington, DC at 4:15 PM - 6 answers

My mother is visiting the Virginia/Washington D.C. area the last week of July and would like some suggestions of interesting/beautiful things to do. [more inside]
posted by blueberry around Washington, DC at 3:19 PM - 26 answers

For various reasons, we are getting the chance to spend some time in Patagonia in early to mid January, and intend to spend some of it hiking. We are finalizing our plans -- but we have questions, specifically about the Perito Moreno Glacier and Torres del Paine. [more inside]
posted by kyrademon around Washington, DC at 8:21 AM - 4 answers

My wife and daughter and I are taking a fairly spontaneous trip to Washington DC over Christmas, after some plans to travel further to be with family fell through. We have a cool, luxe hotel booked, and are excited to take in the museums and holiday cheer, but I was hoping all you Capitol-centric MeFites could give us both some general recommendations (unique things to do, fun shopping, special holiday displays, how to do parking, etc) as well as some specific food/drink suggestions. [more inside]
posted by Rock Steady around Washington, DC at 8:48 AM - 15 answers

I'm taking a much-needed short vacation to Washington DC this weekend (I've been describing it to friends and family as "four glorious days during which no one will talk to me."). I'll be alone, which is sort of the whole point. I'm looking for food and drink locations that are especially pleasant for a lone woman with a book to pass some quiet late fall evening hours, around the Foggy Bottom and Georgetown areas (or farther afield if it's really worth it). [more inside]
posted by soren_lorensen around Washington, DC at 6:55 AM - 19 answers

I'm in Washington DC for a conference, staying near the national portrait gallery. Conference talks end at 5-6 but would like to make the most of the evenings. I also have an afternoon: I will see all the usual political landmarks and museums but interested in finding: 1. Cheap to mid-scale dining options, in particular hole in the wall korean/vietnamese thai places. Previous threads have mentioned that ethiopian food is a specialty - any others or specific recomendations? 2. Vintage/kitchenware shops? 3. Fun walks that I could do after 5pm when the conferences lets out?
posted by cacofonie around Washington, DC at 3:24 PM - 13 answers

I'm flying out of DCA on an upcoming Friday evening, returning on the following Monday evening, and looking for cheaper parking options. (It's a stretch to call the $17 you pay at the airport "economy" parking.) I'd rather not involve Metro if possible, and this is a non-holiday weekend. I've seen sites that sell discounted access to a nearby parking garages, like this one. Is this reliable, in your experience? Do you have another suggestion for me?
posted by zebra around Washington, DC at 3:14 PM - 6 answers

Weird to be asking this today of all days, but: my wife and I want to travel to DC to do general tourist stuff in late May/early June. For a bunch of reasons, a stretch of time that includes Memorial Day Weekend looks best for us. But we're worried about the city being unusually crowded/gridlocked/hectic with Memorial Day stuff. Is that a legit worry? Would we be better off being in town a week earlier or later?
posted by the phlegmatic king around Washington, DC at 7:26 AM - 8 answers

We'll be driving to the Women's March from the vicinity of BWI the morning of January 21. Should we reserve parking on Parking Panda, park at a Metro station, or? [more inside]
posted by john hadron collider around Washington, DC at 1:00 PM - 16 answers

I have several options for car registration in DC and none of them seem to work. Please help me navigate this process! [more inside]
posted by kingoftonga86 around Washington, DC at 8:59 AM - 5 answers

My 13-year old daughter and I will be in DC for the Womens' March. We have one play day, Saturday the 20th. We'd like to go to either the NMAAHC or the National Zoo. I've never been to DC and I have oh so many questions. [more inside]
posted by duckus around Washington, DC at 9:38 AM - 21 answers

I'd like to get out of DC for a day this weekend to see the last of the fall leaves. Difficulty: no car. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by une_heure_pleine around Washington, DC at 8:23 AM - 10 answers

I would like to spend a long weekend or perhaps full week, in mid to late October, alone or semi-alone in nature. An individual retreat that involves yoga, hiking, meditation and contemplation (and maybe even homesteading activities), but is not overly "woo" or religious, sounds ideal to me. Where can I do this within a (maximum) 3-4 hour drive of DC? [more inside]
posted by nightrecordings around Washington, DC at 10:08 AM - 5 answers