Because they are currently projecting the peak of the Cherry Blossoms in the middle of the month so depending when you go you may catch the tail end of that
What kind of budget? A few hotels like the Willard and Omni Shoreham have some nice weekend packags but are not cheap. Are you interested in museum, tourist attractions?
Many great restaurants all around the city
blew me away and while it isn't exactly uplifting, its absolutely must see. The Air/Space museum sucked in DC, IMO. Didn't make it out to the bigger ones in Dulles I believe, but I wouldn't recommend the one in DC, same with the History museum.
If you like art, the National Gallery is awesome. If you plan on doing a bunch of museums near the mall, check out the Native American museum for lunch. They have a cafeteria that serves all sorts of traditional Indian food. It's interesting.
I'll echo that Founding Farmers and Marvin are great choices for a wonderful meal. (If you go to Founding Farmers, try the corn bread. It's amazing).
If you like art, the National Gallery is awesome. If you plan on doing a bunch of museums near the mall, check out the Native American museum for lunch. They have a cafeteria that serves all sorts of traditional Indian food. It's interesting.
I'll echo that Founding Farmers and Marvin are great choices for a wonderful meal. (If you go to Founding Farmers, try the corn bread. It's amazing).
Yeah, definitely a preference thing, but the History Museum in NYC was a lot better from what I remember. But the Holocaust Museum is so well done that I can't recommend it highly enough (its also free). Need to go to the Newseum next time I go down in May.
Just walking around the mall is great if the weather is nice. I can spend a day just viewing all the monuments and memorials.
Last time I was there I saw MLK for the first time and WWII. There is a carving in a stone I believe at the WWII memorial that says "Freedom is not Free" and it's one of my favorite pictures I have ever taken.
Except for Georgetown but that is walkable from the nearest Metro stop. No need for a car. You should be around in time for the Cherry Blossoms at the Tidal Basin. I am also partial to the Phillips Collection near Dupont Circle
blew me away and while it isn't exactly uplifting, its absolutely must see. The Air/Space museum sucked in DC, IMO. Didn't make it out to the bigger ones in Dulles I believe, but I wouldn't recommend the one in DC, same with the History museum.
spring break that week but if they are (and they could be as far away as upstate NY, PA, etc) expect bus loads of kids at the museums.
Not a showstopper but something you may have to deal with.
where are you staying? Are you looking to go out to bars/clubs? Off the top of my head, I'd say you don't need/want a car. There's enough public transit as well as taxis/ubers to get around and certain neighborhoods are pretty annoying to park.
I'd recommend you pick something/ walk around 14th Street/U Street. There are a bunch of excellent restaurants: Le Diplomate, Birch & Barley, Estadio, Kapnos, Etto, Pearl Dive, Lupo Verde, Doi Moi,.. as well as fun bars like Bar Pilar, St Ex, Fainting Goat, the aforementioned Marvin (great rooftop, gets stupid crowded on weekends).
the one in DC is so dated and unorganized that it was just annoying to be in there. Didn't tell a story, was just all over the place.
In hindsight I think my reaction to it was ruined by how far superior the Holocaust Museum was put together. Not just because it was told chronologically, but its was impeccably clean with staff assisting in any questions you might have.
If you are a flight/space junkie you'll like the Air and Space museum im sure, I just felt it was sloppy and exhibits weren't very impressive.
location is fine. It's right on the red line which will get you downtown, and you can walk to Dupont, the zoo, or Adams Morgan. Woodley Park (where that hotel is) doesn't offer that much that's exciting - there are a couple decent restaurants. There are other locations that might feel a little bit hipper - you'll be able to walk to better restaurants/bars/etc. (I lived in Woodley Park for 5+ years.)
I'd (personally) recommend looking into the hotels around the intersection of 14th and Massachusetts to see if there are any reasonable rates. There are a few Kimptons - The Donovan House, Hotel Helix, Hotel Rouge - in that area that are supposed to be nice (I've never stayed in any but friends have). A friend just stayed at the Westin City Center and said it was nice. There's a new Loews over there if you want to pay a bit more...
I may catch flack from the locals on this one, but interned on the hill for a summer and my sister lived their for 12 years. I am huge fan of the Duck tour run out of Union Station. It's 30 bucks and brings you around town and into the basin which provides good viewing of most things. They are on point with the time of travel if Cherry Blossoms is your hope. I always enjoyed the Air and Space/Mall/Holocaust stops. Hit up La Loma on cap hill for a nice Mexican lunch and then I always liked Metro Center/Chinatown for night time (go to RFD if you are a huge beer selection guy). I have a fondness for DC, but its' summers/humidity ended those things for me, luckily you are heading in a cool point.
is a little out of the way if you're planning on using the Metro. Kimpton has a bunch of hotels near DuPont Circle, they're usually pretty decently priced on weekends (Donovan is my favorite, overlooking Scott Circle).
14th St north of Rhode Island has tons of good restaurants - Estadio and Barcelona are really good tapas style restaurants with good wine lists, and Pearl Dive Oyster Palace features excellent fresh seafood.
As for sights, the Smithsonian is terrific, and I'd highly recommend Ford Theater and the Newseum. Have fun, I love DC!
You may want to look into downloading the parking meter app parkmobile so if you park at a parkmobile meter you can feed it from your smartphone. Just a thought enjoy! You've got great advice from the postings
Use the Metro, buy day passes. There is also a bus that does a circuit between Union station, G'Town and I believe Foggy Bottom for 1$. The Metro has a stop a couple blocks from the Zoo. Another vote for Old Ebbits Grill.
Many great restaurants all around the city
Cherry Blossoms out by Tidal Basin; rent a paddle boat also - you can get some good pictures out on the Basin.
If you like art, the National Gallery is awesome. If you plan on doing a bunch of museums near the mall, check out the Native American museum for lunch. They have a cafeteria that serves all sorts of traditional Indian food. It's interesting.
I'll echo that Founding Farmers and Marvin are great choices for a wonderful meal. (If you go to Founding Farmers, try the corn bread. It's amazing).
Second Old Ebbitt Grill.
If you like art, the National Gallery is awesome. If you plan on doing a bunch of museums near the mall, check out the Native American museum for lunch. They have a cafeteria that serves all sorts of traditional Indian food. It's interesting.
I'll echo that Founding Farmers and Marvin are great choices for a wonderful meal. (If you go to Founding Farmers, try the corn bread. It's amazing).
Yeah, definitely a preference thing, but the History Museum in NYC was a lot better from what I remember. But the Holocaust Museum is so well done that I can't recommend it highly enough (its also free). Need to go to the Newseum next time I go down in May.
We can rent car or take train down, any suggestions on which would be better?
And like the museums it's free.
Just walking around the mall is great if the weather is nice. I can spend a day just viewing all the monuments and memorials.
Last time I was there I saw MLK for the first time and WWII. There is a carving in a stone I believe at the WWII memorial that says "Freedom is not Free" and it's one of my favorite pictures I have ever taken.
Why did the Air and Space suck???
Not a showstopper but something you may have to deal with.
Cherry Blossoms out by Tidal Basin; rent a paddle boat also - you can get some good pictures out on the Basin.
Filomina is excellent. I've dined there several times.
I'd recommend you pick something/ walk around 14th Street/U Street. There are a bunch of excellent restaurants: Le Diplomate, Birch & Barley, Estadio, Kapnos, Etto, Pearl Dive, Lupo Verde, Doi Moi,.. as well as fun bars like Bar Pilar, St Ex, Fainting Goat, the aforementioned Marvin (great rooftop, gets stupid crowded on weekends).
In hindsight I think my reaction to it was ruined by how far superior the Holocaust Museum was put together. Not just because it was told chronologically, but its was impeccably clean with staff assisting in any questions you might have.
If you are a flight/space junkie you'll like the Air and Space museum im sure, I just felt it was sloppy and exhibits weren't very impressive.
Is that a good central location?
I'd (personally) recommend looking into the hotels around the intersection of 14th and Massachusetts to see if there are any reasonable rates. There are a few Kimptons - The Donovan House, Hotel Helix, Hotel Rouge - in that area that are supposed to be nice (I've never stayed in any but friends have). A friend just stayed at the Westin City Center and said it was nice. There's a new Loews over there if you want to pay a bit more...
14th St north of Rhode Island has tons of good restaurants - Estadio and Barcelona are really good tapas style restaurants with good wine lists, and Pearl Dive Oyster Palace features excellent fresh seafood.
As for sights, the Smithsonian is terrific, and I'd highly recommend Ford Theater and the Newseum. Have fun, I love DC!