Washington DC trip big picture
June 21, 2024 2:18 PM Subscribe
My 8yo and I are going to Washington DC for a week this July. We have plans for what we want to see while we're there, but what are the big-picture travel & lodging logistics I should know?
We'll be driving in from the North. I'd love to stay at a hotel with easy parking, and which has a pool, and has decent public transit into DC proper for our touristy use. Where should I be looking? (OR is public transit a bad idea for this set of needs, and should we plan on driving around?)
(Sidebar to the main question: Although we have our attractions mostly planned out, I wouldn't be mad if anyone has addition suggestions beyond the Monuments, mall, Smithsonians, Udvar-Hazy, etc. This kid loves maps & landmarks & geocaching & science.)
Thanks all!
We'll be driving in from the North. I'd love to stay at a hotel with easy parking, and which has a pool, and has decent public transit into DC proper for our touristy use. Where should I be looking? (OR is public transit a bad idea for this set of needs, and should we plan on driving around?)
(Sidebar to the main question: Although we have our attractions mostly planned out, I wouldn't be mad if anyone has addition suggestions beyond the Monuments, mall, Smithsonians, Udvar-Hazy, etc. This kid loves maps & landmarks & geocaching & science.)
Thanks all!
Check the planned Metrorail track work site before committing to date / location.
If you are coming from the North, staying somewhere on red line might make sense. However, avoid the Glenmont side in July due to track work.
Are you envisioning “free hotel parking” in all its suburban glory, with say an hour’s commute to the Smithsonian? Or would you rather have a shorter commute say more like 30-45 minutes and pay maybe $20-$40 per night for parking? (To get an even shorter commute you would need to stay in the District).
posted by oceano at 3:13 PM on June 21 [2 favorites]
If you are coming from the North, staying somewhere on red line might make sense. However, avoid the Glenmont side in July due to track work.
Are you envisioning “free hotel parking” in all its suburban glory, with say an hour’s commute to the Smithsonian? Or would you rather have a shorter commute say more like 30-45 minutes and pay maybe $20-$40 per night for parking? (To get an even shorter commute you would need to stay in the District).
posted by oceano at 3:13 PM on June 21 [2 favorites]
I know this is obvious but - DC in July is hot hot. Muggy Hot. Plan less for your days than you normally would (esp if walking around a lot), and just be more relaxed about stopping for drinks and snacks and AC.
I would spend more and stay in the city so I could go back to my hotel sit in AC/nap/shower easily for an afternoon recharge, and then be able to easily go back out again. You can use SpotHero to find a parking garage near your hotel for the entire time, and chances are its cheaper than hotel parking. If you are in the city you never have to move your car between walking/metro/bus/uber. (except for Udvar-Hazy)
The Einstein Monument is one of my favorite lesser known places to take people, especially if you are going to the Lincoln memorial anyway. The platform detail (and sound in the middle) is super cool.
Def go to Udvar-Hazy, absolutely worth the drive.
posted by zara at 5:10 PM on June 21 [9 favorites]
I would spend more and stay in the city so I could go back to my hotel sit in AC/nap/shower easily for an afternoon recharge, and then be able to easily go back out again. You can use SpotHero to find a parking garage near your hotel for the entire time, and chances are its cheaper than hotel parking. If you are in the city you never have to move your car between walking/metro/bus/uber. (except for Udvar-Hazy)
The Einstein Monument is one of my favorite lesser known places to take people, especially if you are going to the Lincoln memorial anyway. The platform detail (and sound in the middle) is super cool.
Def go to Udvar-Hazy, absolutely worth the drive.
posted by zara at 5:10 PM on June 21 [9 favorites]
If bed time permits, seeing the monuments at night is much cooler in the literal and figurative sense.
I don’t disagree with the suggestion above to look for hotels in the District if that is financially possible.
posted by oceano at 5:54 PM on June 21 [2 favorites]
I don’t disagree with the suggestion above to look for hotels in the District if that is financially possible.
posted by oceano at 5:54 PM on June 21 [2 favorites]
The National Building Museum is very good. It's near the Spy Museum (which I've not been to).
posted by hoyland at 7:02 PM on June 21
posted by hoyland at 7:02 PM on June 21
Spy Museum is near the National Portrait Gallery which has easy to approach art. Planet Word is newer and free with timed entry tix. Downstairs food option was slooooow, so look elsewhere for a meal unless you’re out of options.
If you like the Spy Museum, visit the O Mansion and see how many secret entrances you can discern. Yes, it’s an active hotel, but very, very cool.
posted by childofTethys at 7:16 PM on June 21
If you like the Spy Museum, visit the O Mansion and see how many secret entrances you can discern. Yes, it’s an active hotel, but very, very cool.
posted by childofTethys at 7:16 PM on June 21
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.
posted by Artifice_Eternity at 7:39 PM on June 21 [1 favorite]
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.
posted by Artifice_Eternity at 7:39 PM on June 21 [1 favorite]
suggestions beyond the Monuments, mall, Smithsonians, Udvar-Hazy, etc. This kid loves maps & landmarks & geocaching & science
the Center for American Art & Portraiture is in a building that was once the patent office. some patent models are still there.
seconding hoyland: National Building Museum is an extraordinary landmark, dedicated to landmarks. they also currently have a lego exhibit...
posted by HearHere at 11:21 PM on June 21 [1 favorite]
the Center for American Art & Portraiture is in a building that was once the patent office. some patent models are still there.
seconding hoyland: National Building Museum is an extraordinary landmark, dedicated to landmarks. they also currently have a lego exhibit...
posted by HearHere at 11:21 PM on June 21 [1 favorite]
Your map-loving kid might enjoy the US Navy Memorial Plaza at 701 Pennsylvania Ave (near the Mall). The Plaza is a giant map of the world and your kid can run and explore it.
Teaism is nearby as a lunch option, they might still have a koi pond in the basement.
posted by champers at 2:32 AM on June 22
Teaism is nearby as a lunch option, they might still have a koi pond in the basement.
posted by champers at 2:32 AM on June 22
FYI The Spy Museum has moved and is now south of the Mall by l’Enfant Plaza Metro station (no longer near the Building Museum or the Portrait Gallery).
posted by sizeable beetle at 3:24 AM on June 22 [1 favorite]
posted by sizeable beetle at 3:24 AM on June 22 [1 favorite]
If you take Metro to the National Zoo, get off at Cleveland Park, not the Zoo stop, and go downhill on Connecticut Avenue to the Zoo! When you leave the Zoo, go left on Connecticut and walk downhill to the Zoo stop.
L'Enfant Plaza Metro stop is closer to the Air and Space Museum than the Smithsonian stop. Federal Triangle station is closer to the Museum of American History and the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
I strongly suggest getting little fans that hang around your neck, or cooling neckerchiefs. Don't wear denim; it will just suck up the humidity.
Nthing checking on Metro track work.
posted by jgirl at 4:02 AM on June 22 [2 favorites]
L'Enfant Plaza Metro stop is closer to the Air and Space Museum than the Smithsonian stop. Federal Triangle station is closer to the Museum of American History and the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
I strongly suggest getting little fans that hang around your neck, or cooling neckerchiefs. Don't wear denim; it will just suck up the humidity.
Nthing checking on Metro track work.
posted by jgirl at 4:02 AM on June 22 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Seconding that transit w/in DC itself is better than driving in almost every respect, especially when you factor in the aggravation of looking for parking in heavily-touristed areas in the July heat. WMATA's Trip Planner tool is very useful for routing. Don't pass up bus options, as they're often the fastest and cheapest option point to point.
Nthing checking on Metro track work.
Trip Planner incorporates service alerts, but an ongoing one to be aware of is that the Glenmont, Wheaton, Forest Glen, and Silver Spring stations on the Red Line will be closed in July.
This kid loves maps & landmarks & geocaching & science
The DC boundary stones are a fascinating if easily overlooked remnant of 18th century surveying that remain salted all around the perimeter of the city and mostly publicly accessible w/out too much hassle. In some cases you do need to hunt through their hidden-in-plain-sight nature, which might appeal to a geocacher.
I strongly recommend getting off the Mall and away from downtown and checking out some of neighborhood DC. Come up for the farmer's market in Mount Pleasant on Saturday morning, get Salvadoran food on the patio at neighborhood living room Don Juan and an ice cream at Mount Desert; Get Thai iced coffee or coconut juice and some incredible curries in Cleveland Park and then walk a few blocks to a shady, hidden trail along a creek that leads to a working artifact of DC's rural past; have breakfast in a 19th century public market on Capitol Hill then browse at the neighborhood's cool and dark local bookshop or hit one of the best game shops on the east coast. There are a lot of possibilities, and it's absolutely where you'll see the best of us.
posted by ryanshepard at 6:35 AM on June 22 [4 favorites]
Nthing checking on Metro track work.
Trip Planner incorporates service alerts, but an ongoing one to be aware of is that the Glenmont, Wheaton, Forest Glen, and Silver Spring stations on the Red Line will be closed in July.
This kid loves maps & landmarks & geocaching & science
The DC boundary stones are a fascinating if easily overlooked remnant of 18th century surveying that remain salted all around the perimeter of the city and mostly publicly accessible w/out too much hassle. In some cases you do need to hunt through their hidden-in-plain-sight nature, which might appeal to a geocacher.
I strongly recommend getting off the Mall and away from downtown and checking out some of neighborhood DC. Come up for the farmer's market in Mount Pleasant on Saturday morning, get Salvadoran food on the patio at neighborhood living room Don Juan and an ice cream at Mount Desert; Get Thai iced coffee or coconut juice and some incredible curries in Cleveland Park and then walk a few blocks to a shady, hidden trail along a creek that leads to a working artifact of DC's rural past; have breakfast in a 19th century public market on Capitol Hill then browse at the neighborhood's cool and dark local bookshop or hit one of the best game shops on the east coast. There are a lot of possibilities, and it's absolutely where you'll see the best of us.
posted by ryanshepard at 6:35 AM on June 22 [4 favorites]
You might consider the Hyatt Place Arlington/Courthouse Plaza, which is in Arlington, Virginia. Very close to the Courthouse Metro station on the orange or silver lines, only a couple stops to DC and on a direct line (no transfers) to get to the Smithsonian museums. Close to the Clarendon neighborhood with lots of restaurants. Nice farmer's market on Saturday mornings. (Also not a super long walk to the Iwo Jima Memorial). You can also catch a Circulator bus in Rosslyn (a little bit of a walk or one subway stop away) which will take you into Georgetown. I would skip driving into DC and take transit, though getting to Udvar-Hazy is easiest by driving. If you like nature, you can consider driving to Great Falls.
posted by gudrun at 8:03 PM on June 22
posted by gudrun at 8:03 PM on June 22
The Washington Plaza Hotel has a pretty big outdoor pool and an underground garage. It’s right on Thomas Circle, so you have easy access to the 14th Street bus line which takes you right to the Mall (as well as up into Mount Pleasant mentioned above), as well as several Metro stations including McPherson Square in walking distance. Lots of restaurants etc along the 14th Street corridor, as well.
posted by HonoriaGlossop at 9:14 PM on June 22 [1 favorite]
posted by HonoriaGlossop at 9:14 PM on June 22 [1 favorite]
I just did this with my 7 year old in April for two nights. We stayed at the Days Inn on Connecticut by the Van Ness Red line stop. they had parking and I think a pool as well. Very easy to get everywhere.
you need to book air and space and the zoo ahead of time online. (Free but need reservations.)
We walked from the zoo to DuPont circle along Connecticut and really enjoyed that. his favorite unexpected museum bit was the moving walkway between the national gallery buildings. We also took a Lyft to eastern market from the mall. He really liked comet ping pong for dinner. (Pizza and ping pong).
We also did old town Alexandria and walked king street. There’s a free bus that goes down to the river and a cool art place called the torpedo factory.
Have fun! This was our first trip together without the rest of the family and we had a blast.
posted by melodykramer at 4:27 AM on June 24 [1 favorite]
you need to book air and space and the zoo ahead of time online. (Free but need reservations.)
We walked from the zoo to DuPont circle along Connecticut and really enjoyed that. his favorite unexpected museum bit was the moving walkway between the national gallery buildings. We also took a Lyft to eastern market from the mall. He really liked comet ping pong for dinner. (Pizza and ping pong).
We also did old town Alexandria and walked king street. There’s a free bus that goes down to the river and a cool art place called the torpedo factory.
Have fun! This was our first trip together without the rest of the family and we had a blast.
posted by melodykramer at 4:27 AM on June 24 [1 favorite]
jeffjon: This kid loves maps & landmarks & geocaching & science.
You could high point DC together! DC's high point is Fort Reno, which also hosts a really fun free summer concert series.
posted by capricorn at 5:17 AM on June 24 [1 favorite]
You could high point DC together! DC's high point is Fort Reno, which also hosts a really fun free summer concert series.
posted by capricorn at 5:17 AM on June 24 [1 favorite]
I don't have much to add on sights/hotels/parking, but wanted to nth the advice about the heat and humidity in DC. If you are not from a hot/humid area, it will be an adjustment. Drink lots of water.
Also, the Mall is much longer than it looks; factor in more walking than you might anticipate if you are planning to museum hop.
posted by Preserver at 12:16 PM on June 24 [1 favorite]
Also, the Mall is much longer than it looks; factor in more walking than you might anticipate if you are planning to museum hop.
posted by Preserver at 12:16 PM on June 24 [1 favorite]
Planet Word is fairly new and therefore doesn't appear on as many lists of attractions, but it's really well designed and a ton of interactive fun.
posted by mosst at 5:26 AM on June 25 [1 favorite]
posted by mosst at 5:26 AM on June 25 [1 favorite]
You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments
Is a swimming pool absolutely necessary? I've stayed at the residence inn at dupont circle--which didn't have one-- but according to trip advisor the branch at the national mall does.
posted by brujita at 2:37 PM on June 21