DC trip March 23...ideas for hotels around smithsonian

[luckydriver]

Friday the 23rd for 2 or 3 nights. Just want to do some museum stuff. maybe the zoo or other nearby things... GF has to be gluten free so any suggestions on restaurants in the area would be nice. she has to eat too

 

hotel close enough to walk would be nice...but not averse to metro if the hotel is near some restaurants. also unsure if the festival will be an issue or not since i've never been there this time of year.

 

self park hotel would be nice too

Edited March 4, 2012 by luckydriver

[ICANHASMUNY?]

I would stay outside the beltway somewhere, and take the metro in - or you could take Amtrack in and not drive at all.

 

Amtrack and the Metro puts you right in on the mall - into union station

 

and you could take a taxi or bus to local restruants or use the hop on / off "old town trolley" to get around the mall.

 

I was there a few times but it was years ago, and stayed with brother outside the beltway.

 

didn't really try the food scene with a 4 year old....

 

try the WP "going out guide" for food - http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/dc-restaurants.html

 

and vistors guide - http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/dc-visitors-guide.html

 

 

 

Remember, Arliington NC is just across the bridge at the west end of the Mall.

[luckydriver]

i'm sure would be a lot cheaper out of town but i dont mind paying a bit for a nice room with a view in town. gf deserves it for all she's been thru lately. never is lavish on herself at all.

 

i guess ill have to study the metro map to see what is right on the route outside of town as well. but if i do stay in town dinner restaurants near the hotel are of importance..prefer a short walk

[ICANHASMUNY?]

i'm sure would be a lot cheaper out of town but i dont mind paying a bit for a nice room with a view in town. gf deserves it for all she's been thru lately. never is lavish on herself at all.

 

i guess ill have to study the metro map to see what is right on the route outside of town as well. but if i do stay in town dinner restaurants near the hotel are of importance..prefer a short walk

 

if you have google earth, just zoom in to the mall - it will show you all the hotels, resturants, and museums ( use the side bar to select what you want it to show. )

[luckydriver]

i never even thought of that..i actually had it on my machine already lol...now if i could just get an overlay of hotels, gluten free menu restaurants that would be great....i think dupont circle looks like the restaurants may be more accommodating

[cljohnr]

Last time I was there, we stayed here:

 

http://www.lenfantplazahotel.com/

 

It's right behind the museums, and the lowest level is a subway station with direct access to all but one of the lines. We didn't need a car the entire time. With the subway access, most any restaurant was easy to get to. Just don't try to order sweet tea.

[luckydriver]

wow thats close..rooms look big and clean..so whats the parking situation there...isnt readily visible on the site but their interactive map is really cool!

 

200ish isnt a bad price either...will def make it on the list

 

now to look up restaurants in walking distance

[ICANHASMUNY?]

wow thats close..rooms look big and clean..so whats the parking situation there...isnt readily visible on the site but their interactive map is really cool!

 

200ish isnt a bad price either...will def make it on the list

 

now to look up restaurants in walking distance

 

 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/washington-sightseeing-guide-museums-galleries-monuments-and-memorials/2012/02/16/gIQAj5uJzR_story.html

 

 

 

you should also check out google street view of where you are planning on staying.

[luckydriver]

im actually now leaning toward dupont circle hotel...can get a price same as embassy suites but ill never us the bfast buffet and mgr cocktail thing at ES so it would be a wasted stay. just gotta read more of the tripadvisor and other reviews...if u stay 3 nights you get 20% off if u do nonrefundable rate.

 

also the 'level 9' thing is a tad intriguing

Edited March 9, 2012 by luckydriver

[Doodah]

im actually now leaning toward dupont circle hotel...can get a price same as embassy suites but ill never us the bfast buffet and mgr cocktail thing at ES so it would be a wasted stay. just gotta read more of the tripadvisor and other reviews...if u stay 3 nights you get 20% off if u do nonrefundable rate.

 

also the 'level 9' thing is a tad intriguing

It's a great location, IMO.

[luckydriver]

reservation made

 

any info about local dupont circle would be appreciated

 

esp gluten free menu