Trip to Washington DC in April - Need Advice

02/15/2016 06:20:54 PM · #1

They are everywhere and you can choose what level of service. I think they had 5/6 levels.

02/15/2016 08:30:58 AM · #2

Good idea.

02/14/2016 10:21:54 PM · #3

Uber

Load the app on your phone. Your first ride (up to $15) is free. Good people, reliable rides, lower prices.

02/14/2016 03:42:22 PM · #4

Thanks for all the help. We decided on the Fairfax at Embassy Row. It is near Dupont circle and 1 1/2 blocks from the red line metro. Found a good price on orbitz and a 15% off coupon that put the hotel maybe $40-$50 a night more than staying in Arlington but I figured it was worth the money.

Only issue we will have is getting to the hotel with our luggage which we plan to take the blue line metro from Reagan int. to the red line up to Dupont circle. We pack pretty light so it shouldn't be too bad.

I'm ready to go now.

MaryO

Nikon Z8

02/13/2016 07:02:11 PM · #5

I haven't stayed in any hotels around here so I can't steer you toward or away from a specific one. The areas you're talking about are Crystal City and Pentagon City. Many apartment buildings, offices, Metro station, and walkable shopping and dining, though I don't think that area is hopping at night. I drive through there; I don't stop ;-) Not because it's a bad neighborhood or anything. I just don't have a reason to visit there.

Another area to check would be Rosslyn or near the Court House or Clarendon metro stations in Arlington. Basically following the Orange line of the Metro. I don't know about shuttle service, but there are a ton of restaurants, especially near Clarendon. Might be a bit noisy in the evenings, though. The Pentagon is on the Metro (Blue Line, but Rosslyn is a hub for Blue and Orange) so it doesn't really matter that you be close to it. Come to think of it, the airport is on the Metro. But a lot of hotels will run shuttles to the airport, even if they're 5 or 10 miles away.

Old Town Alexandria is wonderful, but probably pricey, and there's only one Metro station I'd stay near (King Street, on the Blue Line). That station is kind of at one end of Old Town; the other end is near the Potomac River and that's where the bulk of the shopping and dining is. Bit of a hike, but lots to see on the way. Much history in Old Town.

02/13/2016 06:00:59 PM · #6

It's getting closer to the date that I leave and am looking into hotels near the airport and Pentagon in Arlington. Any areas to stay away from? Bad areas of town? We prefer something that offers free shuttle to and from the airport since we plan to utilize the metro and not rent a car and to be honest the hotels all have very mixed reviews.

Looking for something affordable (i.e. cheap) since we do not usually spend a ton of time in the hotel when we travel but also something close to the metro.

It's kind of frightening the more I look at the reviews though. Lot of comments of hotels being very rude to their customers and hotels being old or in the middle of remolding.

The 2 we are looking at right now are the Radison Hotel Reagon Airport and the Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel.

Message edited by author 2016-02-13 18:02:08.

01/22/2016 11:44:13 AM · #7

Awesome. Thanks.

01/21/2016 11:59:07 AM · #8

Louis...I just got this e-mail...Hotels We stayed at the Doubletree on 14th...it was nice a location was excellent.

GrillTowel

Nikon AF-S Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 VR

01/14/2016 11:46:31 PM · #9

Your profile photo makes me uncomfortable.

01/14/2016 09:54:40 PM · #10

I do enjoy a good Cannoli!!!

01/14/2016 09:09:52 PM · #11

Originally posted by NikonJeb:

Go to Mo's Fisherman's Wharf.

Best f*ckin' crabcakes in the world bar none.

Vaccaro's Italian Pastry Shop is virtually right next door for dessert.

Smashing eclairs!

You'll be right there in Inner Harbor as well where there's plenty to see and do.

Vaccaro's is a must if you're in Little Italy!

01/14/2016 06:28:57 PM · #12

Originally posted by NikonJeb:

You just mentioned one of my wife's favorite foods and my favorite dessert. I'm all in for this

As for the advice I can't thank everyone enough. I think there is enough info here to make an educated decision.

01/14/2016 06:03:20 PM · #13

Originally posted by MaryO:

Originally posted by LN13:

Originally posted by MaryO:
My daughter lived in Baltimore and still goes to school there. She drives in and out of the city each day and her school is in an interesting area of the city.

Where does she go? By that description, I'm guessing either MICA or UB?

Johns Hopkins medical school. Finally graduating this year after *10* years in their MD/PhD program (to be fair, she could have finished sooner if she hadn't slowed down the PhD research to have a baby). If things work out, she's going to be doing her residency in Neuropathology there after graduation. I'll stop bragging now (but you did ask ).

Oy. That's an even sketchier area. I used to work in the old Church Hospital in the same area (gone now). I never left the building except to go home.

And congrats! You have every right to brag. Not every parent gets to see their kid graduate from Hopkins Medical!

Message edited by author 2016-01-14 18:04:57.

MaryO

Nikon Z8

01/14/2016 04:47:09 PM · #14

Originally posted by LN13:

Originally posted by MaryO:
My daughter lived in Baltimore and still goes to school there. She drives in and out of the city each day and her school is in an interesting area of the city.

Where does she go? By that description, I'm guessing either MICA or UB?

Johns Hopkins medical school. Finally graduating this year after *10* years in their MD/PhD program (to be fair, she could have finished sooner if she hadn't slowed down the PhD research to have a baby). If things work out, she's going to be doing her residency in Neuropathology there after graduation. I'll stop bragging now (but you did ask ).

NikonJeb

Nikon D850

01/14/2016 04:16:34 PM · #15

01/14/2016 01:49:11 PM · #16

Originally posted by MaryO:

My daughter lived in Baltimore and still goes to school there. She drives in and out of the city each day and her school is in an interesting area of the city.

Where does she go? By that description, I'm guessing either MICA or UB?

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

01/14/2016 01:48:11 PM · #17

Originally posted by SEG:

Thanks for all the advice. I have another question as I really want to see an Orioles game. I know some have said that Baltimore is not safe but I did want to spend a day there, catch the game and head back after the game. Is it really that unsafe? I grew up in New Orleans and I always here that it's not a safe city but if your smart about what you do and don't wander around into non tourist areas you are absolutely fine. Is Baltimore the same?

Also, we are trying to figure out transportation if we go. Should we rent a car for about $50 and worry about parking in the city then parking at the game,a paying each time etc. or would these options that my wife looked up for public transport be safe and viable? Is there enough to see/do around Penn Station to fill a day before the game?

we could
(A)
*use the MARC train and leave from Union Station in DC (earliest it at about 9am) to Penn Station in Baltimore for $8/person
*then take light rail (which could be bus or possibly street car) for $3.40/per person for two trips (from the station to the game and back) or $4.00/per person for a day pass
*then take Amtrak back from Penn Station to Union Station for $13/per person

Option A would cost about $50

or (B)
*take Amtrak from Union Station to Penn Station (whatever time we want in the morning) and back that night for $26/per person round trip
*then take light rail, $4/per person for day passes

Option B would cost about $60

Not really a lot to do to fill a whole day around Penn Station. That's kind up north of the action. Whether you take the MARC or Amtrak from DC, you'll want to take the light rail south again. Along the way, you could hop off near the Walters Art Museum (if you're in to that), which is conveniently next to the Peabody Library I mentioned earlier. Camden Yards is right on the light rail line, so that's convenient.

Fells Point that others have mentioned is a great area for shops and eateries, but is way off the light rail line to the east of the Inner Harbor. If that interests you, I'd recommend driving.

With Harbor Place, the Aquarium and the Science Center, you could fill the day at the Inner Harbor. And it's not too far from the Bromo Tower (if you're there on Friday or Saturday, walk over to do the clock room tour for $5).

Safety-wise, as others have said, if you stay in the right areas and don't get involved with the drug dealers, you should come out alive. Only certain parts of the city are like The Wire.

dahkota

Canon EOS-7D

01/14/2016 11:57:53 AM · #18

Baltimore isn't really that unsafe if you know where you are going and watch when you go (I lived in DC/Balt area for over 30 years). If it was me, I would rent a car and do an entire day there. Some highlights (which having a car would make easier):

Baltimore Zoo - Penguins and Polar Bears up close
Druid Hill Park - great cemetery

Head over to Patterson Park to check out the Pagoda. Don't miss the churches on the way (Holy Rosary and the Ukrainian Church are stand outs)
Then drive over to Fells Point for some great houses, boats, and beer/lunch.

You can then go to inner harbor (park here for the game) and visit the aquarium, the ships, the science center...
Before the game, hit Pickles Pub for some local flavor, then head across the street to the game.

All of these areas are as safe as anywhere else, especially during the day. They are heavily 'touristed' so plenty of people will be there at the same time. When you leave Camden Yards, 30,000 of your new friends will be leaving with you and chances are, if you parked somewhere close like the inner harbor ($20) they will be walking in the same direction.

One could spend weeks exploring Baltimore but with only a day, these are a good start. Check Baltimore Neighborhoods for more information.

Also, A. Aubrey Bodine created some amazing images of Baltimore back in the day. Check him out if you get the chance.

MaryO

Nikon Z8

01/14/2016 11:52:08 AM · #19

I don't think any city is completely safe or completely unsafe. My daughter lived in Baltimore and still goes to school there. She drives in and out of the city each day and her school is in an interesting area of the city. One block may be well tended and the next a bit iffy and the one after that completely blighted. lather, rinse, repeat. It's an interesting place. I've never had an issue at the Inner Harbor, which is tourist central, or really anyplace else, and I have visited her in the city numerous times.

Camden Yards is not that far from the Inner Harbor, though I've never walked from one to the other. When I go to Baltimore, I drive. Parking hasn't been that hard to find and is not as expensive as DC. Baltimore also has some fun eateries near the Inner Harbor (Fells Point neighborhood). If you like seafood, don't pass up the opportunity to eat a genuine Maryland crabcake. Yum!

I've never actually been to Penn Station in Baltimore or availed myself of public transit there, so I can't speak to that.

01/14/2016 11:51:40 AM · #20

Thanks Ja.

We have been to New York and I can agree with you in the subways and bus travel. We did find ourselves in Somme unsavory areas. I never carry a load of cash and am pretty street smart so metros don't bother me. Love all the food suggestions. I'll be creating a list to make sure I hit most of them.

01/14/2016 11:28:13 AM · #21

I was just going to tell you about the Old Ebbitt Grill...amazing place...excellent food.

Founding Farmers - We did eat here...excellent food...MUST HAVE A RESERVATION.

Didn't go to these but their reviews are excellent - they are definitely high on our list next time.

MXDC Cocina Mexican Restaurant

Mozart's Café - We did not eat here but some friends recently went there and said the food was outstanding. It gets outstanding reviews. And definitely a "hole in the wall" kind of place. Funny thing...it was right around the corner from our hotel.

DC is a "Metro" city. You have Metro Trains/Bus' all running 24/7 (with lighter schedules in the wee hours) but still running. We didn't rent a car, stayed near the White house on 14th Street. Bus' are about $1 each way, We bought the metro card for $10 and got 3 rides out of it (each way so 6). We didn't rent a car but we did "Uber" it a few times...interesting, efficient and cheaper than renting a car and cabs. I was fine with the Uber Black...my niece wanted the more "upscale" cars...My fee from the airport to the hotel was about $11, the upscale ones were $16-25 (we tried all 3 tiers). I was going to use the metro but my sister was totally wigged out because I'd be alone. I've been all over DC on the Metro and never felt a bad vibe...it gets busy mind you and of course you have to be aware of things but I've never felt threatened. Now NYC was a different place for sure...some change stations were...shall we say..."unsavory". Parking fees in DC are STUPID!!!

If you haven't ever used Uber you can download the app and your first ride (up to $15) is free. Refer a friend (wife) and your next one is also free. When you pull up the app in DC you can get a pricing for the ride before you commit. Kind of a sweet deal.

Have fun and pack good walking shoes...in about 4 days we did over 25 miles!!! Your pictures should be amazing...all the Cherry Blossoms and Azaleas should be in their full glory.