Anagik Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 Hello all! My boyfriend and I are planning on going to Washington DC this coming June and we need a bit of advice... We aren't sure how long we should stay for to be able to get a good number of caches and museums in. We can only travel between June 6th and June 16th, but we are on a relatively tight budget. We have been contemplating both flying and driving down from CT (and take our bicycles to move around easier, rather than driving around the city), and have been looking around for some cheaper hotels and motels to stay in. So, does anyone have any special recommendations on accommodation, transport, where to eat, and length of stay for a rather tight budget (under about $1000 for the length of the trip, max. We work at summer camps, we don't make that much money over the summer... )? Is there anywhere we shouldn't miss or shouldn't bother with? Places (or caches) to steer clear of for safety/frustration sake? Any and all information will be highly appreciated!!! Quote Link to comment
+Packanack Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 (edited) Also look into Amtrak, 49 dollars each way from Metropark NJ to Union Station, they have specials if you book far enough in advance. Tolls and gas and parking for the drive will come pretty close to that. Look into Bolt Bus $12 bucks NYC to DC also. MegaBus too, but don't know if they will take your bikes. Metro allows bikes, look up the rules, last car and last door I believe, also hours. Following links provide parking, safety and crime, trails and tours and biking info. http://bikewashington.org/visitor.htm'>http://bikewashington.org/visitor.htm http://bikewashington.org/ Look up Capital Crescent Trail and Rock Creek Park for biking. National Zoo is in Rock Creek Park---Free. Also the C&O Canal Towpath in Georgetown for biking, bike to Great Falls on Potomac--well worth the trip. The National Park Service also has bike tours from the Mall, lead by Rangers--little known , and it is free. Driving in Washington DC is not a lot of fun, unless you are from NJ, then it is just sport. People in Washington have never heard of the concept of NOT BLOCKING THE BOX, so they create some monumental traffic problems and they can't seem to grasp why ? Sort of like congress. Parking hard to come by. Weekends in places like Georgetown and Chinatown--very crowded. Lots of places to eat in both. DuPont Circle same. Hotels out of town through Expedia may be worth exploring. Sub 100 per night. I have stayed at a BW in Tysons Corner which was real close to a metro stop. In town expensive. Youth Hostels if you are able to stand that scene are there. Three days exclusive of travel would allow you a great time. The Mall abounds in virtuals and monuments. We went there last weekend, to visit daughter, I had plans of doing virtuals on the Mall and never got to do a one, because shopping, lunch. I have made about 5 trips there since Christmas, and due to commitments did one cache, so sense my anticipation for my next trip--they promised I would be allowed to cache. google and use pocket query and get some map sets Edited March 23, 2011 by Packanack Quote Link to comment
Anagik Posted March 23, 2011 Author Share Posted March 23, 2011 Thanks so much! We looked into hostels, and they seem to be even more expensive than really nice hotels outside the city, so we've decided to nix that idea. Thanks so much for all the information! Quote Link to comment
+briansnat Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 You'd probably need at least two full days just to see the Smithsonian. Another full day to wander around the mall and another day or two to see the other sights and museums. Quote Link to comment
Anagik Posted March 24, 2011 Author Share Posted March 24, 2011 I'm SO excited for the Smithsonian! Thanks for the timeline advice! Quote Link to comment
sabrefan7 Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 I spent 5 hours in the American History Museum alone. The circulator bus is only 1$ Take the trolley and you can get on and off all day long for one price. Tourist are not allowed on the subway till after 9 am but you can buy an all day pass from then on. Go to the offical DC web site and sign up for a tour book they will mail it to you for free. I cant recommend a cheap place to stay. I tag along with Mrs SF7 and get a free vacay wile she has to attend meetings and conferences http://washington.org/ Quote Link to comment
Anagik Posted March 25, 2011 Author Share Posted March 25, 2011 I spent 5 hours in the American History Museum alone. The circulator bus is only 1$ Take the trolley and you can get on and off all day long for one price. Tourist are not allowed on the subway till after 9 am but you can buy an all day pass from then on. Go to the offical DC web site and sign up for a tour book they will mail it to you for free. I cant recommend a cheap place to stay. I tag along with Mrs SF7 and get a free vacay wile she has to attend meetings and conferences http://washington.org/ Quote Link to comment
Anagik Posted March 25, 2011 Author Share Posted March 25, 2011 That's a great idea! I'll be sure to get one! Is public transit easy in the city? I know it can be highly confusing in some cities... Quote Link to comment
sabrefan7 Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 That's a great idea! I'll be sure to get one! Is public transit easy in the city? I know it can be highly confusing in some cities... Yes the subway and bus are pretty easy. I live were there are more cows than people and I had the hang of it in no time Quote Link to comment
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