How can you plan a trip to Washington, DC that the entire family will remember? Good question: The city is a must on everyone’s bucket list, and the good news is this jewel of the DMV region is one of the area’s most accessible destinations for travelers. Visitors will also be pleased to discover that the town is one of the most enriching too, with its mix of history, culture high and low, natural beauty and diverse population. In other words, now is the time to see the city – here’s a comprehensive guide on how to plan a trip to Washington DC, and several of the best things to do in town, that everyone will adore.
Picking a Date
Just about any time of year is a good time to visit to DC, though, as Frommer’s points out, some months are better than others. Cherry blossom time in spring is always beautiful, and fall’s nice, too; summer can be hot and humid, but prices tend to be lower in late July and August, during Congressional recess. Avoid winter travel, because everything shuts down when it snows (Remember “Snowmageddon” in the winter of 2010?). And consider, too, that some of the Monuments — the White House, Washington Monument and National Cathedral — require reservations weeks or sometimes months in advance.
Getting There and Around
Trains or automobiles will get you to DC If you don’t want to fly into Reagan National or Dulles (Baltimore is an option also). Taking the train will deposit you into Union Station — a grand destination in itself, with shops and restaurants — in the heart of the city. From there? Well, remember, Washington is a city of neighborhoods. Mapquest recommends maximizing your time by visiting neighborhoods that are adjacent to one another. You can drive if you want to, but know that DC’s traffic is notoriously congested. The cartographical sages at Mapquest will also tell you morning rush hour ends at 10 and afternoon rush hour starts about 3, so avoid the Beltway then, if you do decide to take the wheel. If you want to see DC, then the Metro is faster, though it can be delayed and closes at midnight; your best bet is to purchase a plastic SmartTrip Metro Card, which, according to a blogger for DC By Foot, saves you $1 a ride than if you used a paper card. Hoofing it is a great way to go, too, as is traveling by bicycle. TriphacksDC praises the new Capitol Bike Share app, because you can download it and register anywhere and save time by not having to wait at kiosks to check out a bike. Then, just put the metal to the pedal and go!
Where to Stay
Because so many travelers pour into DC both for leisure (usually between Memorial Day and Labor Day) and business, it’s hard to predict when you’ll get a good deal on hotels. TriphacksDC offers excellent advice to avoid sticker shock, including searching for hotels by using flexible dates instead of specific ones; this way, you can see rate fluctuations by the week. Other great tips? Book directly through the hotel and request a refundable rate. It might be a little bit higher than nonrefundable rates, but you’re not locked into it: If your hotel’s rate goes down, you can cancel the reservation and rebook, or if you should have to cancel your trip entirely due to unforeseen circumstances. Not sure where you want to stay? Check out Travel Channel’s list of value hotels, from large to boutique.
Where to Go
Looking to plan your trip to Washington, DC? Be advised: The city offers an embarrassment of riches. If you’re a history buff, this is paradise, considering the national parks and Smithsonian Museum, including the National Zoo — all of which are free of charge. The theater scene in DC is exceptionally good as well, and according to Time Out, places like the Kennedy Center and the Folger offer discounts to younger folks. There’s also Ticketplace, run by the nonprofit CutlturalCapital, which discounts tickets much in the same way as New York’s TKTS station in Times Square. As for other freebies, Capitol Hill Hotel’s blog reminds summer visitors of free concerts, movie screenings and outdoor plays at that time of year, as well as other ways to economize: Nationals tickets can go as low as $5 if purchased on the same day, and if you’re looking for a cheap meal, go to any Happy Hour and check out $1 oysters, a point confirmed by Thrillist, which gives a rundown of cheap eats throughout the city. Given its ethnic diversity, you can easily sate yourself on burritos, pizza, Vietnamese and barbecue without breaking the bank. Or, as DC By Foot recommends, eat at the Department of Agriculture’s cafeteria. However, you’ve got to treat yourself every once in awhile, especially since you’re in the epicenter of some of the country’s most innovative dining. You can consult the Washingtonian or DC Eater to see what’s hot in DC’s dining scene.
Traveling with Kids
As a repository of living history, DC is a great place to take kids. What 9-year-old wouldn’t love the Air and Space Museum, or the International Spy Museum, which got a big thumbs-up from travelingmom.com? Navigating these and other museums can consume time and energy, however, so Conde Nast Traveler breaks down the most popular with tips on which exhibits to see first, how to score advance tickets, and so forth. Another CNT pearl of wisdom? Get out in the fresh air. The kiddies might enjoy a trek to Union Market or Eastern Market, or the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden. And speaking of food, the capital has plenty of kid-friendly options too, from Comet Ping Pong to, believe it or not, the Old Ebbitt Grill. Just be sure to give yourself time to unwind, maybe with a little bug juice from a local brewery — so you can rev up again the next day and do it all over again.
Nancy Oakley cut her teeth as a travel editor and writer for in-flight magazines, including Delta Sky and US Airways Magazine. She currently explores the world as senior editor of a local arts-and-culture monthly and its sister publication, a home-and-garden quarterly.
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