The little salamander and I plan to do a little sightseeing, arriving at Union Station Christmas afternoon, and leaving Monday evening, and we’d like to walk to the mall and Union Station, if that’s possible. Anyone know a reasonably pleasant, reasonably cheap hotel anywhere near (or ideally between) those two points? I’m assuming that museums will be closed Xmas day but not the 26th or 27th–if you know otherwise, please LMK that as well.
I’m gonna recommend that you not stay that close to Union Station. The neighborhood while better than it was ten years ago is still not all that great. In any event, you can Metro to Union Station, and the Mall. I would recommend staying somewhere near Foggy Bottom Metro. I recall someone last year said that they got a good rate at the Watergate, but I can’t recall specifics.
From the Smithsonian’s visitor information page: Most museums are open daily, 10am-5:30pm, except December 25. The American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery are currently closed for renovation.
As for hotels, there’s really no need to stay in the city. There are lots of hotels across the river in Arlington, a short subway ride away. I suggest the Best Western - Key Bridge: it’s in a great neighborhood and practically right next door to the Rosslyn Metro Station. From there, the trip to the Smithsonian Station is $1.35 per person and takes about 10 minutes.
Should’ve checked my hotel link before posting. Try this instead.
I’m going to second Rosslyn as well. It is a pretty safe neighborhood, and about as close to the city as you can be in Virginia without being inthe city. My in-laws stayed there this summer and it was a pretty short walk into Georgetown.
My husband and I honeymooned in DC in 1997. We stayed at the Holiday Inn near the Air and Space Museum. Great rates at that time, but there was a dearth of edibles in the area.
We went on the 20th (it’s my anniversary today!) and stayed to the 26th. Nothing was open Christmas Day, but that was the only day with any scheduling fu. We bought peanuts and fed squirrels at the Capitol, trying to tame the little rodents so that they’d attack Congresscritters when they came back after the holidays.
You can usually get better rates in Rosslyn. I recommend the Courtyard Rosslyn, since it’s usually more reasonable that the others, and will shuttle you to the Metro if you don’t want to walk.
There’s also the Hampton Inn at Reagan Airport, about a block from the Crystal City Metro. It sometimes offers a $79 a day rate with free parking.
For downtown DC, though, the best bargain is the Hotel Harrington. You can’t beat it for price ($95 for four people) or location (two blocks from the Mall, three from the White House, a block and a half from Ford’s Theater). The hotel is a bit run down, and you may have to pay for parking, but you can’t beat the location for the price.