Washington DC with 2 (almost) teenagers...

[selpats]

I have searched for recommendations but all threads are quite old now so ...

Can anyone recommend a hotel something along the lines of Premier Inns here i.e. reasonably priced and clean and fairly central?

What should we see/not miss/ avoid?

We are still at the early planning stage and nothing is booked apart from the flights.

Do we need a car? We are travelling by car from North Caroline but will we need it in Washington or will a car be a hinderance?

Thanks

'North Carolina' - sorry

Embassy Suites on 22nd Street is nice and central and is also situated near Dupont Circle which is also a nice area.

The National Air and Space Museum is a must. You may also want to do a tour of the Museum of Engraving and Printing in DC where the money is made (no free samples though) but for this you must get to the ticket booth early to line up because all the free tickets are long gon by 10am.

Car parking in DC is expensive, not worth using a car to see the sights in the city itself and you'll never park the car easily. You'd be better off using the Metro (their underground system) to get around.

Thanks Attila
Embassy Suites look nice but at $220 per night per room it is more than we wabnted to pay.

Anyone else??

Not central, but very convenient to a metro station
Marriot Courtyard

• its nearly 20 years since we stayed there but we found it worked well rather than trying to find our way into the middle by car (no sat nav then, and you wouldn't want to stray into some parts of Washington)

Hm - you've given me an idea what our next 'cultural' holiday should be!

I have used Priceline and Hotwire with success in DC, you might also try a Holiday Inn Express, they are usually good and have a free breakfast. You don't need a car if you are staying near the Metro.

The museums are all great, the Museum of the American Indian is newer and definitely worth adding to a list of all the old favorites. The National Gallery of Art, both the East and West wings are world class. I'd also take a look at the International Spy Museum, the FBI museum and make sure to visit the monuments - Lincoln, Jefferson, Washington, and FDR especially. If you want to tour the Capitol or White House, you need to book well in advance.

I'd also make a point of checking out possible restaurants online near whatever hotel you choose. Some areas have a lot more choices than others. There's a lot of good info about everything DC related on the Washington Post website. DC is a great city, hope you enjoy it.

How about the Holiday Inn in Georgetown? on a bus route.

Can I also recommend the Holocaust museum?

I stayed at the Marriott Residence (was central but a business district so quiet in the evening) when it first opened and would recommend it.

Thank you.

I will have a good look at these suggestions over the weekend.