Going to Washington DC

[Deleted]

I am planning a trip to Washington DC, and I was hoping y'all could help me out with some hotel recommendations. We are driving up I-95 from the south, so would like to stay somewhere around the southwest side of beltway. (Springfield, Alexandria, Arlington) We are fine with taking the Metro into the city. I see some hotels have outrageous parking fees! I'm hoping to stay in a nice place (not Econo Lodge!) around $150/night.... is that even possible? Thanks!
Also- any rec's for must go places, besides the obvious tourist places? Thanks!

[Wanderista]

I don't really have hotel recs except maybe the Hampton Inn in Old Town Area South. It has free parking, a free shuttle to the metro and Old Town, and also is in your price range. It's a pretty standard hotel.

I do recommend that you go to King St in Alexandria. You can take the free trolley to the waterfront and there are a lot of little shops, restaurants and a few bars.

Depending on what you are into, you should try to visit Chinatown in the evening and also take a cab (unless you REALLY like parallel-parking) to the H St/Atlas District area for nightlife and cool bars/restaurants.

[udscoobychick]

Groupon frequently has getaway deals for Washington DC hotels. BF and I stayed in a nice one right on Embassy Row for like $150 for the night--it included valet parking and welcome cupcakes and a bottle of wine, too.

[osumelissa]

You might want to consider Arlington (Pentagon City, Crystal City, or Rosslyn) - quick train rides into the city and all three locations are serviced by two Metro lines. Also all of those lines go to interesting parts of the city with things to do, food, bars steps away from the stops.

You could also Priceline a hotel for the actual city. Depending on when you come you can get really good deals (we have gotten 4 star hotels from anywhere from $50-80 per night). Then a parking fee of $30 per night doesn't hurt since it would keep you still under your $150/night budget.

[scout8]

I have had good luck with Hotwire in the DC area.

[Deleted]

Thanks everyone! Great suggestions-

I tried Priceline for the Crystal City area once, but didn't get it, so I have to go higher. I looked on Groupon, but nothing for DC right now.....I'll check out Hotwire.
I didn't even KNOW there was a Chinatown up there! We'll check it out, and I had already planned on going to the King Street area.

Aybody else have any ideas for hotels or cool places to go?

[osumelissa]

The H Street District is very popular for going out at night. Not really super Metro accessible, so you'd want to cab it.

If you want a cool cocktail experience, get reservations for Columbia Room. It is a 10 seat bar inside a bar - for $67/person you get three cocktails and a small appetizer. It is totally worth it. You can make reservations online - the bar is located just north of Chinatown near the Convention Center.

[notatree]

Monuments/Memorials

Capitol Building
Washington Monument
WWII Memorial
Korean War Veterans Memorial
Vietnam Memorial
Lincoln Memorial
Thomas Jefferson Memorial

Sites/Attractions

White House
Arlington Cemetery
Basilica
National Cathedral
Library of Congress
Old Post Office Pavilion (turned into a food court mostly, but there is an elevator to a great view)
Ford's Theatre
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
National Zoo

Museums

National Air & Space
National Museum of Natural History (Hope diamond)
National Gallery of Art
National Archives (Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence)
U.S. National Arboretum
Holocaust Museum
Library of Congress
International Spy Museum ($)
Newseum ($)
Madame Tussauds Washington D.C. - Wax Museum ($)

Places

Georgetown - shopping, bars, restaurants
Old Town - shopping, bars, restaurants
Leesburg Pike Outlets
Tyson's Corner Mall (huge mall)

[sunny]

do you have to have a hotel? we recently used vrbo.com and found an awesome basement condo for a killer price! it was great.