Hello, I am interested in visiting the Washington DC/Virginia area in the near future. Can someone recommend a good safe place (for solo female traveler) to stay? I want to visit in particular, both air museums. (The one on the mall and the Hazy Center one) Is there someplace midway I can stay? Thanks in advance for any info! Dona
Edited to add: I won't be pulling the trailer. Looking for hotels this trip. : )
Just me and my 2 dogs Riki and Koda
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Hi Dona, I'm sure you will get many opinions. I would suggest finding a hotel in or around Chantilly, VA or Dulles Airport. The Hazy center is on the southern end of Dulles Airport. Check with the museum...I think they still run a bus from the Hazy center to the downtown museum. Avoid the traffic.
HappyCampin4
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The last time I was there I stayed at the Capital Hilton at 1001 16th St NW, Washington, DC? - (202) 393-1000?. It is about two blocks behind the Whitehouse. I got a special government rate when I was there because we were there for an event so it wasn't that expensive so I don't know what their regular tourist prices are. The nice thing is it was in walking distance to everything on the Mall. Although we didn't go out to the other half of the Air Museum, I did see that there were tours that left from the Air and Space Museum on the Mall. They took you by bus out to the other place which I think they said was 25 miles away.
The hotel itself is very safe, but Washington DC does have a high crime rate and even the streets right around the Whitehouse have their problems.
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Thank you "happycampin" and "msmith" for the info! I will start my research with these ideas in mind! It sounds great that there are shuttles and tour buses to consider! Thanks again!
Hi FireCHik,
The Cherry Hill RV Park is very convenient to the entire metro D.C. area. It is easy to find, being just off the I-95/495 interstate. It has the Metro Bus stop in the park. The metro bus can take you to the Metro subway, just a few miles away. Or you can drive to the subway, and park. It's not far from the park. It has other tour bus deals from the park. It has plenty room, and all facilities are maintained well. It is gated, clean, and safe. Pets are welcome. I hope you enjoy your visit to the area.
RTJ49
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I've recently found this place and have been pleased with it. The hotel has ample parking (if you bring a car) but is close enough to the Rosslyn Metro Station that you can walk (5-10 minutes). The hotel has kitchens, so if you do not want to eat out all the time, you can go to the local grocery store and get food. I would often get breakfast at one of the several places right next to the Rosslyn Metro Station. There is a nice little pizza place near the hotel (Ledo's) and a number of places deliver to the hotel.
Another option is to stay in a hotel in or near Manassas. It is a short drive to the Hazy Center and you can take the VRE from Manassas to get into DC.
There is a whole lot more to do in DC than the Space museums. You could stay busy visiting places for weeks.
Also look for locations in Alexandria, VA or Springfield or Reston. It's all in a 30 mile radius. Don't think about driving in the city, a poor country gal like you will get run over in a DC minute, lol. DC minutes are like NY minutes only shorter.
Enjoy.
Lee
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Greentow wrote: Don't think about driving in the city, a poor country gal like you will get run over in a DC minute, lol. DC minutes are like NY minutes only shorter.
Enjoy.
Lee
Very good point. Not only is the traffic bad, the roads are difficult to navigate (the city took the radial style of roads like Paris and imposed a grid over the top, so you have roads intersecting at all sorts of weird angles all the time). In addition, parking is not easy to find and not cheap. Between the subway and the buses, you can get just about anywhere for a lot less stress.
We visit DC all the time, and our usual plan (when we are tourists) is to stay near Manassas and take the VRE in and out of DC. It even gives you some time to relax and enjoy the countryside around DC. There is an equivilent system on the Maryland side (MARC), but I've not used it.
Well thank you everyone for all the great ideas! Having fun researching my options. I do know there are TONS of things to see in the area, and I hope to do as much as time allows. I found a website that sells tours, and was thinking this might be the way to go? There is one that covers all the top sites, and lasts about 6 hours. Then, if I find I want to look around a certain area more, I can take the Metro and re-visit that area? Thank you again everyone for your help! I don't feel so lost now! : )
Check your library for a book on Washington or get an AAA book. I went all over town on the Metros with no trouble and with my book in hand while my husband was at meetings. I had a wonderful time.
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