visiting D.C. (Washington: how much, hotels, house)
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We will be visiting Washington DC next summer. I have been there once before about 10 years ago, and we stayed in the Foggy Bottom area. I liked that location. We were only there a day and a half, so didn't get to do/see too much. Will stay a little longer this time. Is Foggy Bottom still an ok area? Or are there other areas that you would suggest that are safe for travelers, have nice hotels, easy walkability?
If you have hotel recommendations, please list them Nothing super over the top, but we dont want Motel 6 either.
We will be visiting Washington DC next summer. I have been there once before about 10 years ago, and we stayed in the Foggy Bottom area. I liked that location. We were only there a day and a half, so didn't get to do/see too much. Will stay a little longer this time. Is Foggy Bottom still an ok area? Or are there other areas that you would suggest that are safe for travelers, have nice hotels, easy walkability?
If you have hotel recommendations, please list them Nothing super over the top, but we dont want Motel 6 either.
Thank you!!!
Foggy Bottom is exactly the same. Just as safe as it was 10 years ago if not more safe.
Hard to give hotel advice without knowing more of what you want out of a hotel and what you plan to do in DC. The location of the hotel can make a big difference. Hotels downtown will be more expensive than hotels in residential areas. Likewise.. hotels near Metro stops will be more expensive than hotels far from metro stops.
Yeah, I guess I was kind of vague. We will want to be close enough to all the museums / white house / all the main attractions so that we could walk.
Here are some specific questions:
There are hotels by the Metro Center metro station that look like they are in a great location - but how safe is that area?
Are there areas we should avoid? I remember when we went last time someone said stay west of this street, north of that street, etc.
I guess where stayed last time was actually closer to Dupont Circle. We stayed at the Embassy Suites on 22nd st NW - but we always took the Foggy Bottom subway places. That area still ok?
Foggy Bottom is a safe location and has a metro stop.
Personally, I would prefer to stay east of the White House to have easier access to the museums and the Capitol. However, those hotels can be rather expensive to stay in.
There are hotels by the Metro Center metro station that look like they are in a great location - but how safe is that area?
Metro center is in the business district. Its safe.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SoCalMomma
Are there areas we should avoid? I remember when we went last time someone said stay west of this street, north of that street, etc.
The general rule is anything east of the river is a no-no. However, there are other areas that are a little sketchy such as the Petworth area and areas near NoMa and Rhode Island Avenue. I would say for someone not familiar with DC just stay in the Northwest areas of the city. Every DC address will specify its location in the city with a NW, NE, SW, SE abbreviation in it. Just look for an address that says "NW". This is not to say the rest of the city is unsafe. It is just tricky to know which areas to avoid in Northeast, Southeast and Southwest when you don't live here or know the city well.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SoCalMomma
I guess where stayed last time was actually closer to Dupont Circle. We stayed at the Embassy Suites on 22nd st NW - but we always took the Foggy Bottom subway places. That area still ok?
Yes it is still a very safe area. Overall, every area that was safe 10 years ago is still safe today. Most of the change in the last 10 years has been unsafe areas becoming more safe.
I will find us something in the NW area I am thinking maybe in that area by the Metro Center station. Looks like we could walk to a lot from that area.
When I lived in DC at 18th & T, I used the rule of thumb to pretty much stay west of 16th street in NW. As a previous poster noted, you should be good in Northwest (NW) DC. Adams Morgan, just up 18th street can go both ways. Dupont Circle is a great area and the Embassy on 22nd is a great place to stay. There are a few hotels in the circle you may want to check out also. All the best.
I will find us something in the NW area I am thinking maybe in that area by the Metro Center station. Looks like we could walk to a lot from that area.
You can walk to the White House and the National Mall from Metro Center. 10-15 minute walk to the White House and 15-20 minute walk to the Mall give or take.
When I lived in DC at 18th & T, I used the rule of thumb to pretty much stay west of 16th street in NW. As a previous poster noted, you should be good in Northwest (NW) DC. Adams Morgan, just up 18th street can go both ways. Dupont Circle is a great area and the Embassy on 22nd is a great place to stay. There are a few hotels in the circle you may want to check out also. All the best.
This is no longer the case and years out of date. 14th St is now one of the best areas of town, and H St NE and Shaw is pretty interesting. Dupont circle these days is pretty boring comparatively. What you are putting forth is dating yourself considerably. It sounds like you have not lived in the city for about a decade. Much of the development has moved deep into NE. Again west of the river there are few spots it has not hit at this point, and that will likely change over time.
The last time I was there I stayed in Crystal City, but that's not what you're looking for. The time before that, about ten years ago, it was the Courtyard Marriott at 9th St. NW and F St. NW. I liked that place. It's four blocks north of Constitution Ave. and about five blocks east of the White House. I don't remember how much it cost.
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