We're thinking of road tripping to DC in the fall, late September or early October. Can anyone recommend a hotel that is somewhat close to museums/national mall? This will be our only vacation this year so we don't mind splurging a bit. Also, if you have any tips or restaurant/sight seeing must-do's, please share!
Thanks!!
papaya / 10343 posts
I was there last Fall and stayed at the Grand Hyatt Washington Metro Center and really liked it. It was super easy to get to, to get around from, and it was nice. Also pretty cheap... I think I booked it on travelocity for like $180/night.
ETA: My fav free museum is the museum of natural history. The zoo is also free and I love it! My fav pay museum is the spy museum. 
wonderful pea / 17279 posts
I have stayed at the Washington Hilton a few times. The breakfast buffet is good and it's about a 10 minute walk to the metro. Top Chef DC filmed there.
pomegranate / 3863 posts
@Mae: The zoo is on our list and DH is all about going to the spy museum! Glad to know it's worth it And a room for $180/night? That's awesome, thanks!
blogger / coconut / 8306 posts
We've stayed at the Washington Plaza, the holiday in on C street and the Westin on M street.
The HI was closest to the museums, but the Plaza was by far the nicest. We always book thru hotels.com or expedia & usually get a room for $95/night. The plaza is really close to the metro too. We've walked to the museums from there, through china town.
GOLD / pomegranate / 3688 posts
There are a million hotels very close to the mall - I would personally check on Hotels.com and see if you can get a good deal at one of the really nice hotels (which you very often can, especially on weekends).
There was recently a great thread on things to do in DC that you might find helpful:
http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/suggestions-for-washington-dc-trip#post-1802898
coconut / 8498 posts
I don't have hotel recs. At this point you should be able to book just about anywhere. I'd just pick one near metro. There's so much free stuff that it's really easy to stay busy here! I recommend the Newseum over the Spy museum if you're going to pay, but it's really a matter of opinion/interests. The Newseum is incredibly well-done, though. FYI, the dinosaurs are gone from the Smithsonian for the next few years, so I wouldn't bank on that. I've talked to a number of folks recently that plan special trips for their kids to see the dinosaurs only to be disappointed 
GOLD / watermelon / 14076 posts
@petunia354: Check Travelzoo! They always have great deals on DC hotels. I did a quick search and found this downtown hotel for $99/night including breakfast.
cantaloupe / 6171 posts
Our wedding was at the hotel Monaco and I loooove it there!! Short walk from the mall and in a perfect location (gallery place) for out of towners-- lots of restaurants, at the metro, and close walk to the mall and museums. There are a bunch of hotel near there too if it's pricey; it's a small boutique hotel (one of the kimptons). A lot of downtown DC can be kind of ghost town during the weekends since so many people who work there live in the burbs or other neighborhoods, so that's why I like gallery place for out of towners, it's still vibrant/lots if people on the weekends
pomelo / 5866 posts
The zoo was not that great but the spy museum and newseum was really cool. I stayed at Loews (free Fiat rides) on work's dime and also got a great deal on the Westin City Center right behind it.
Also the SmithsoniN Art museum was awesome. Wish I would have time to see the new Builders Museum. Sorry I don't think those are the actual names.
pomegranate / 3904 posts
I'm staying at the Omni this weekend for $90/night. I got it on Priceline, and it's in a good, convenient area.
GOLD / squash / 13576 posts
I don't have any hotel recs but I second @Weagle: and @septca wrote.
cantaloupe / 6164 posts
Sight-seeing recommendation: head down to Virginia Beach to see me and Sadie! What's an extra 3 hours?! 
blogger / coconut / 8306 posts
@Weagle: get out! The dinosaurs are gone? We just saw them in December. We were hoping to go back this spring!
coconut / 8498 posts
@Mrs. Jump Rope: They are! A new one is being added and the older ones are being cleaned. I think it's closed for a crazy amount of time - like 5 years!
persimmon / 1343 posts
I also recommend the Newseum I have been there and to the Holocaust museum a few times and they are both good (although the latter is incredibly sad and probably not the best to take little kids to). also the museum of natural history is nice to just walk around to the monuments or on the mall, too. You're going to have a blast!
blogger / coconut / 8306 posts
@Weagle: whaaaat! Bummer! Chloe loved the zoo so we will do that again... Maybe we will actually catch the cherry blossoms this year?!
coconut / 8498 posts
@Mrs. Jump Rope: The zoo is always a good time! I've pretty much sworn off going to the cherry blossoms ever again, but I think it's probably a different experience when you're coming from out of town
pomelo / 5866 posts
Ok, I didn't actually go thru the Spy Museum (so I can't say for sure how great it was) but their gift shop was super huge and we spent a loooong time in there and given time, I would have participated in some of their spy adventures.
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