family vacation in Washington, DC

[w2i2m901]

would appreciate any suggestions of where to stay(hotel - four star but not pricey), what to see and where to eat in Washington, DC - 1st week of July?
Thanks a bunch...any comments or suggestions most appreciated.
:razz:

[Shaner]

What about a Washington Nationals game? The Jays are in Washington at some point in July, but without looking up the schedule, I don't know the exact dates.

[robertalan]

We stayed at the Chevy Chase Embassy Suites (http://embassysuites1.hilton.com/en_US/es/hotel/WASCHES-Embassy-Suites-Washington-D-C-at-the-Chevy-Chase-Pavilion-District-of-Columbia/index.do;jsessionid=E6BC635A209D29CC5B9735304ED754 04.etc22?ctyhocn=WASCHES&brand_id=HI&brand_directory=/en/hi/&xch=203638857,FUWAGM4ROJK4KCSGBIW2VCQ) - it was reasonably priced for a better hotel, especially considering it's lavish free buffet breakfast every AM, and it's great family friendly two room suites with two TV's, fridge, microwave. And best of all, it's right on the edge of DC, so you park your car, and after that just take the subway downtown after that - the Friendship Heights Metro station is right in the hotel - and it's a great, cheap, safe system.

The unanimous fave activity (after the Smithsonian, DC Duck amphibious tour, etc), was easily the Washington Monument (http://www.nps.gov/wamo)! Never really thought about it before, but the free elevator ride to the observation deck was awesome, especially in such a low rise city. (*Be sure to get to the ticket booth near it's base early on the day you want to go, to get your family's free timed-entry tickets for later that same day.)

[w2i2m901]

We stayed at the Chevy Chase Embassy Suites (http://embassysuites1.hilton.com/en_US/es/hotel/WASCHES-Embassy-Suites-Washington-D-C-at-the-Chevy-Chase-Pavilion-District-of-Columbia/index.do;jsessionid=E6BC635A209D29CC5B9735304ED754 04.etc22?ctyhocn=WASCHES&brand_id=HI&brand_directory=/en/hi/&xch=203638857,FUWAGM4ROJK4KCSGBIW2VCQ) - it was reasonably priced for a better hotel, especially considering it's lavish free buffet breakfast every AM, and it's great family friendly two room suites with two TV's, fridge, microwave. And best of all, it's right on the edge of DC, so you park your car, and after that just take the subway downtown after that - the Friendship Heights Metro station is right in the hotel - and it's a great, cheap, safe system.

The unanimous fave activity (after the Smithsonian, DC Duck amphibious tour, etc), was easily the Washington Monument (http://www.nps.gov/wamo)! Never really thought about it before, but the free elevator ride to the observation deck was awesome, especially in such a low rise city. (*Be sure to get to the ticket booth near it's base early on the day you want to go, to get your family's free timed-entry tickets for later that same day.)

Thanks a bunch for some great ideas...I will definitely research the Chevy Chase Embassy Suites...How was the Smithsonian ? Our son is 8 years ....any other suggestions is truly appreciated! :)

[robertalan]

Thanks a bunch for some great ideas...I will definitely research the Chevy Chase Embassy Suites...How was the Smithsonian ? Our son is 8 years ....any other suggestions is truly appreciated! :)

There's a month's worth of free museums in Washington, we have vowed to return one day with more than the 4 days we had last time. The Smithsonian is awesome, especially for space freaks like us - you get to touch a moon rock for gawdsakes! And the Natural History museum was very good amongst such museums we've been to - the stuffed animals were particularily well done.