Washington DC Autumn 25/Spring 26 (+)

[Yongala35]

Hello,
Last year I had some great advice and direction about my week in New York on my own- amazing trip including eclipse and earthquake. Big Apple Greeter service made my trip.....
My budget is generous but not mega money. Last year's hotel was provided by a friend with Marriot points. I paid for local taxes and something else. I will be paying for everything myself this year. I prefer to fly with Are Lingus so I can pre-clear arrival in Dublin for USA. I would be very grateful for some direction:
A fairly central hotel with easy access to public transport ($300-$400/night?)
B Recommendations for places to visit? Arlington Cemetery, African American History, Smithsonian, National Gallery
C Unfortunately I walk with a stick .....
I looked at BA to arrange whole expedition but their prices were 20% higher than arranging independently.
Many thanks if you are able to help.......

I loved Washington, and I have been all over the states. (boston, vegas, san fran, chicago, NY (3 times), NJ, philadelphia, baltimore (just don't) etc.). We stayed in Crystal City (for budget reasons, safe enough suburb) and got the metro in (at nice shopping centre with a food court), and to most places (arlington etc.). Best thing about Washington is all the museums were free, it felt safe enough (again, don't go to Baltimore) and there are so many that it would take you a week to get round them, and so many lovely monuments. Best tip is book into Capital, it is free, but you have to book. Other best tip is take mossy repellent and water, it is humid (we went in Oct) and got eaten alive in Arlington. It is also big, there is plenty of transport, but make sure you know where you want to go. I'd go back there above NY anytime. It is very cheap for accom in Aug / Sept but I bet it is unbearably hot. Happy travels x

Thanks!

The African American Museum is one of the best museums I've ever been to, so moving. It's free but you'll need to book in advance. The National Gallery is amazing too, the Air and Space Museum, American History Museum, Museum of American Art.

The city centre is fairly compact and its easy enough to walk between museums and to the monuments. You said you use a stick so I'd suggest Ubers - I found them very cheap, much cheaper than here.

If you want to go shopping then Georgetown in best, though you'll need to take a bus or cab there.

We stayed at the Residence Inn by by the Convention Centre. Nice big rooms with kitchens and a free breakfast that was much better than anticipated.

Central DC is VERY quiet at night - it's definitely not like NYC!

Have a look at the Hilton, Marriott and Embassy Suites chains, the latter do breakfast as part of the room rate.

The National air and space museum is still
under redevelopment and I think opens fully either later this year or next.

The National Bureau of Engraving and Printing in DC is also worth visiting. Check their website for current requirements and availability of tours.

The Crystal city mall sadly closed last October. There is however, a huge mall at Tyson’s Corner which is accessible from the metro station of the same name.

If you like hot dogs go to Ben’s Chili Bowl, it’s. DC institution!.

DCs metro is accessible and easy to use.

(Baltimore’s Inner Harbor is safe but I would not walk around the area near Baltimore’s Amtrak station. You would need to take a taxi from outside the Amtrak station to Inner Harbor).

We stayed in Homewood Suites by Hilton, Navy Yard. A bit out of the main bit but right next to metro line or get cheap taxis everywhere. Great free breakfast and super nice staff. Lots of nice restaurants nearby - mostly typical american stuff rather than anything fancy but all in a very short distance.
Book Capitol before you go. We hadn't booked the library but walked in the tunnel to get there and got straight in with no pre booking.
Museums great. Some advice i saw was go to the museums you dont get anywhere else like the African American one or the Indian one. Good advice.
We also went to an ice hockey game which was brilliant. Loved Washington.
Got there on train from NYC - super easy but pre book. People who have trouble walking or families are let on the train first so it is not stressful.
The train station at Washington is stunning.

Many thanks
1 I'm a magnet for mosquitoes.
2 Smithsonian, African-American History Museum,National Portrait Gallery and Capital Building will be my priorities. Realise Smithsonian is a huge complex.
3 Arlington Cemetery and Vietnam War Memorial are on the list too.
4 Thanks for hotel advice. thinking of Watergate Hotel for 2 nights then somewhere less expensive. I recall being glued to Nixon/Watergate Hearings.
5 Think I fly into Dulles Airport. Taxi marshals similar to NYC?

This UK based family are on a 20 day trip back to US. Starting off in Washington DC......updating daily
Mac and Blair Family Adventures

You would normally fly into Dulles if on an international flight.

Washington flyer taxi service operate out of there. There is also the Silver Line metro that goes into DC too.

If you go to DC for say a week I'd consider just staying in the one hotel rather than having to move on after a couple of nights.

I've been there in both July and August and have never been bitten. However, I used Jungle Formula max at the time on my legs and ankles.

https://www.flydulles.com/parking-transportation/washington-flyer-taxi-service/estimated-taxi-fares

https://www.si.edu/visit

Thanks...... no idea how I missed Plan Your Smithsonian Visit.
Agree changing hotels is silly for a 1 week visit.
Decided on mid October visit before it gets too cold.
ECT

Watch your dates in October as there's the Marine Corps marathon on one weekend and that will bump up hotel prices. It's a great city and so many free museums. The metro is really easy to get around and very reasonably priced, you can buy a card that you reload and then tap in n out as you travel. The Arlington side of the river may be a bit cheaper for accommodation. If you can find a serviced apartment type place then you could save a lot of money by not eating out for every meal. There's lots of pre-prepared food in the supermarkets and Whole Foods Market supermarket chain have lots of salad, veg, hot and cold food to go counters (like a UK supermarket salad bar but on speed!!)

If you want peace of mind for transfers to your hotel or back to the airport, I used DCAcar(^https://dcacar.com/^) and it was really good. The drivers were punctual and you can book in advance with a clear upfront price.

I absolutely love Washington DC. By far my favourite US city. So elegant and love how walkable it is! Unfortunately there is a big homeless problem there (well when I went in 2021, there was).

We stayed at Conrad which was decently priced back then and loved it.

I’m making lots of notes from this thread

I can recommend Planet Word museum
https://planetwordmuseum.org/ as well as the usual Smithsonian museums

Thanks again for your advice.
Flying with Aer Lingus via Dublin (6-13/10/25) so I can pre clear US customs and immigration. Treated myself to business class flights. Booked during a sale so a bit of a bargain. Staying in Watergate Hotel and will prebook taxi transfer to/from airport. Got a Halifax Clarity Mastercard so currency transaction fee free. I think will cost about £5k for week including flights, accommodation and entertainment - hopefully less but I'd rather over budget. £ has strengthened against $ since my adventure to NYC last year. I have pre-booked Museum of African American History-free timed entry but made a donation. I am a museum fan so I will be in my version of heaven. I've arranged to meet an old friend for dinner so I won't be on my own for entire trip. I will let you know how I get on.....