RickQ and I are thinking about going to DC over the July 4th weekend and have a couple of questions we hope folks can give us advice on:
First, is the July 4th weekend a stupid time to go to DC? Will the crowds be ridiculous? Unfortunately, I have a somewhat low tolerance for huge crowds and lines everywhere.
We would be flying in and would like to get around by Metro. Does anyone know of a fairly reasonable hotel that is walking distance from a Metro station?
If we do end up renting a car, I might take Rick to St. Mary’s College, where I used to teach. There is a wonderful family owned blue crab place down there, but I can’t remember the name or exactly how to get there, but I remember it was on an island or pennisula and had all you can eat dinners. I don’t suppose anyone knows the place I am talking about, but maybe?
If you don’t like crowds stay well out of DC on the 4th itself. But the rest of the weekend shouldn’t be too bad there. If you absolutely must be in the city that day make sure to purchase your Metrocard the day before because there will almost definitely be queues at the machines.
Dunno about any hotels, just make sure the one you get has air conditioning
Like ruadh said, you would probably want to stay away from the museum area on the 4th. If you want to watch the fireworks, head across the river to Arlington Cemetary instead. There’s a wonderful view from the Netherlands Carillion and it’s not as crowded.
The crab place you are thinking of is probably Evans Seafood House on St. Georges Island. It is still in business and still has an AYCE dinner special.
Hi Brynda DC doper here. Please come, I don’t think you will find it to be too crowded. The mall on the fourth is a nightmare, as is the Metro system for those who don’t like crowds. I am not sure there are too many extra tourists overall though.
We live within walking distance of the fireworks and if you are able to approach the mall from the Capitol you shouldn’t find the crowds overwhelming. I will take a look around for hotel possibilities and post back.
I’m in the DC area too–been here since 1975. I’d just like to echo what everyone else has said about the Mall on the Fourth…I went down there for the National Symphony concert on the west steps of the Capitol back in the late 70s–it was very nice, but afterwards was a nightmare trying to get home on the subway–very crowded!
In addition, since 9/11 the Mall area has been fenced in for the Fourth celebration, and everyone entering the area goes through metal detectors, etc. And the Smithsonian metro station is closed, since it exits onto the Mall, in the fenced in area (it’s only closed on the 4th).
You should be able to find a reasonably priced hotel in the metro DC area, although I’ll admit that because of the area, the prices are going to be on the high side. If you do go downtown, you really should take the Metro–parking downtown isn’t good and the Metro will take you nearly every place you want to go. Here’s a link to the Metro website: http://www.wmata.com
The Mall on the 4th is something everyone should do…once.
But yes, if crowds ain’t your thing stay the hell away. The 4th is on Friday so I’d expect the tourist crowd to be heavy this year and extend through the weekend.
That said there’s a helluva lot to do around here. From the Inner Harbor up in Baltimore to Mount Vernon in Virginia and everything in between…DC can keep you entertained.
Thanks, everybody! We are still debating whether to come on July 4th or Labor Day–neither the best time, but we don’t have any vacation days to spend, so it has to be on a holiday weekend. Even if we wait until Labor Day, we will need to find a hotel by a Metro station, so thanks for looking, fruitbat.
When we do come, we would love to meet other dopers. Thanks for the offer, Wendell Wagner. We will be sure to let you guys know when we are coming.
I can’t believe someone actually knew the restaurant I meant with that sketchy description. dbygawdcapn, you got it right in one. I really want to go back there and had given up on finding it. Rick had to talk me into adding that to the OP, as I thought no one would know. Oh me of little faith.
I won’t be around on the 4th, so happy vacation if you’re here then! If you decide to come Labour Day, you will have a good time finding a hotel if you book soon. Plus, we need another excuse for a party!
I live across the river from DC. Yeah, the 4th on the Mall is great! There’s always room, you’ll leave in shock and covered with ash. Not sure about hibachis and beer since 9/11 (I haven’t gone over for the 4th in about 10 years). I usually paty with my sister on the roof of her Adams-Morgan apartment building, which catches not just the festivities on the Mall, but four or five smaller celebrations as well.
If you don’t mind staying over the river, there’s a Quality Suites in Arlington that’s pretty nice. It’s the Quality Hotel Courthouse Plaza, it’s a short walk to a metro that goes directly into the city (~10 minute ride to the mall) and you can get rooms there for about $80 a night. There’s a bunch of restaurants/bars near the hotel too.
If you go to [http://www.choicehotels.com/](this site) and search for arlington, virginia you’ll find it. (make sure you choose the courthouse plaza one, the others are not as nice or as convenient to metro)
We stayed in Foggy Bottom at a Marriott. The Metro was really close by. We went for Memorial weekend last year and it was a good time. We’re not much on crowds either, but if you spend most of your time outside, it’s not too bad. The Space Museum sucked on account of the crowds, but everything else was OK.
There’s a couple of nice hitels near the Ballston Metro station, in Virginia. I think a clarion (Comfort Inn?) and a Radisson. Been a while since I’ve been there.
Into what airport are you flying? DCA has Metro Service, but Dulles and BWI do not.
For those on a budget, I suggest The Braxton Hotel. The rooms are tiny as most hotels go but speaking for myself alone, I don’t go on vacation to spend my day in the hotel room. The rate sheet says $70 for 1 double bed. I personally have never seen the rooms but my gut feeling tells me they are crampped if you plan to have guests in your room for hoola-hoop practice, but perfectly fine if all you need a hotel room for is to sleep, shower and change clothes.
Metro is not exactly on the Braxton’s doorstep, but there are two stations, both within a 10-15 minute walk. Dupont Circle station is 5 blocks west and McPhereson Square is 5 blocks south at the corner if 14th and I street.
I mentioned the Braxton because what others have said about July 4th is true, if you drive or need metro to get back home. If you can walk back to your hotel, it’s not a problem at all. It would take you about 40 minutes to walk to the mall from the Braxton.
Try Priceline dot com to see what you can get for other hotels. I’ve had friends tell me that they’ve recently gotten nice rooms in swanky places for under $100.
Yeah, the Mall on the 4th is insane. The Dupont Circle Metro stop has lots of hotels near it–the Jurys Doyle, Courtyard Marriott, and at least 3 others (one’s a Radisson; I think the other’s a Hotel Sofitel, and the one where Reagan was shot–Hilton/Hyatt?).
You don’t have to be on the Mall to see the fireworks, though—there are several spots where you can see them without having to venture downtown.
There’s also the Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the mall around the 4th. The theme this year is Appalachia and it includes Scotland. Last year was the Silk Road and it was just fantastic. It will be rather crowded on the 4th but it really is neat to watch the fireworks from the base of the Washington Monument.
Staying in the suburbs like Arlington or Alexandria can be cheaper. Old Town Alexandria is a lot of fun.
Acutally, all the DC area aiports are accesible by public transportation. DCA has a metro stop, for Dulles you can take the Washington flyer to/from the West Falls Church metro station, and for BWI you have a few options. During the week you can take the MARC train to/from Union station and it’s cheap too. Amtrak also runs there but it’s much more expensive. Or you can take the metro to Greenbelt and take the bus from there. That’s even cheaper than the Marc. The Washington Post’s travel section has a lot of info on that.
Another Hill dweller here. The Capitol Hill Guest House is right in the heart of the historic district and within easy walking distance of the fireworks and Metro. A little pricey, but neat. They are some B&Bs on the Hill as well, you can easily Google for them.
Here are some listings of hotels in the Capitol Hill, Smithsonian, and Convention Center areas. I hope you can make it for the 4th. It’s mayhem, but everyone should do it once. If you book a room close enough to the festivities, you might be able to walk and avoid the free-for-all that the Metro becomes. Like my DH fruitbat said, we live within walking distance, and it’s such a relief to walk away from the crowd when the event is over.
