Washington D.C.

[Ravindave_3600]

I'm taking a small group of students to Washington next month. We were supposed to stay with friends, but that's suddenly fallen through. That's put a serious financial crimp on things. So,

A) Any recommendations on cheap but good places to stay?
B) Would it be smart to stay outside of town (say Leesburg, where another friend lives) and commute every day?

and while we're at it

C) Are there any cool little local places to eat, places that teenagers would enjoy without breaking the bank?

Thanks in advance.

[Guitar Josh]

A) If you can stay around the hotels in Tysons and Merrifield, that would be better, or you can go out to Shady Grove or Rockville as well. Still will be VERY pricey.

B) Is impossible if you want to drive in to even the Vienna VA metro station. You are looking at 2+ hours EACH WAY commuting, if during rush hour, which in DC starts at 630 am and ends after 7pm.

C) Local depends where you are. PM me when you know where that is and I'll recommend.

[Boris Bubbanov]

Originally Posted by Ravindave_3600

We were supposed to stay with friends, but that's suddenly fallen through.

That's bad.

You need to think about rescheduling, or canceling. Freebie or next to freebie accommodations in close is critical to any DC group trip. If you can't get them, the trip is toast - the cost will break your back.

You would think that rents and hotels would go down, as you get further away. I don't find that they do. We looked at all this stuff last year, and you can be 30 minutes further out (than Tyson's) and it doesn't do you any good, not really.

[JamesT]

check out marriott at dunnloring across street from metro "merrifield" from Josh's post

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trave...oring-fairfax/

[GenoBluzGtr]

whatever you find, find something close to a metro station... the metro is a good way to get around in D.C.

[Ravindave_3600]

Hey Hey Hey! I've worked out an arrangement with a school in Arlington, near a metro stop. Looks like the trip is back on! We'll be staying near the orange line, near GMU, and the people I've talked to sound really cool about things. Probably no gear stores right there, that's the only downside. Oh well, it's a working trip.

[ajb20002]

Best local gear store is Action Music in Falls Church, VA, but its not really metro accessible. Best of luck, and as a local, I beseech you - walk on the left, stand on the right (on metro escalators).

[rokpunk]

take a trip over to chuck levin's. it's not all that far from where you'll be.

[oldschoolguy]

If that falls thru, the Holiday Inn Downtown is easily within walking distance to the mall.There are several Holiday Inns so make sure you connect with the one that is close to the mall--it's right across from the Dept of Ed. and adjoins FEMA.

[flume]

You'll be close to Arlington's cluster of Vietnamese dining options...resist the urge for generica Cheesecake Factory shite. Take them to Minh's on Wilson Blvd, near Courthouse Metro, just a few stops from GMU station. Prices are reasonable the quality is high. I'm sure the teens will want nothing to do with it but there's my suggestion.

[cmatthes]

You will be nowhere near Chuck Levin's. Action Music is about it for where you'll be, and that'll be a pricey cab ride, most likely. At any rate, I agree with the posters above in that Metro will be your best option, but please, do EVERYBODY a favor: DO NOT TAKE YOUR GROUP OF KIDS ON METRO DURING THE MORNING RUSH HOUR! We Metro commuters thank you, in advance.

Oh - and stand to the right, or get knocked the hell down the escalators. I am not joking!

[The_Whale]

Chuck Levin's is close to the Wheaton metro station on the red line.

[thruxman7]

Originally Posted by cmatthes

DO NOT TAKE YOUR GROUP OF KIDS ON METRO DURING THE MORNING RUSH HOUR! We Metro commuters thank you, in advance.

Oh - and stand to the right, or get knocked the hell down the escalators. I am not joking!

You definitely ended up finding a good central spot that will be conducive to seeing a lot of what DC has to offer. Leesburg would've been an epic mistake. Way too far. DC has tons to do and the vast majority of the iconic, "touristy" stuff is worth seeing, and FREE. Have fun!

[Jet Age Eric]

+1 your only hope for a gear store is Action Music, but it's 1,000x better than Chuck's so no worries. I work from home now (which is 2 miles from Chuck's), but another, BIG +1 on "walk on the left, stand on the right (on metro escalators)." -E

[FlyingVBlues]

If the school in Arlington falls through there are some youth hostels in DC that are very inexpensive compared to hotels. The accomodations are pretty minimal, but they are usually reasonably clean, safe and cheap. Most of them include breakfast, and that will help save some money since meals in DC can be expensive. Stay away from the restaurants in the museums. They are very over-priced and the food is usually terrible. This site has some reviews:


www.hostelworld.com/WashingtonDC

I don't know what the general policy is towards adults staying in a hostel, but since you're a functioning as a chaperone that shouldn’t be a problem.

FVB