Thanks to all who responded to my questions in http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=206357. I plan on going early this spring. Can anyone help me decide where to stay while I'm there, or more importantly, where not to stay? I'm taking my kids down for a long weekend, so I don't need to be in the lap of luxury, but I don't want to end up in some fleabag joint either. Feel free to recommend some restaurants as well. The daily Metro passes will allow for some running around, and we don't mind going across town for a good meal.

A friend-of-a-friend recommended a place near the Federal Center SW Metro station. I like the idea of being near a Metro stop, since that'll be the primary mode of transportation. Is it a decent neighbor hood? Thanks in advance.

This time of the year you can get some killer deals on priceline. I used it while we were waiting to move into our house last year and landed a nice suite at Candlewoods for $42 a night. I've also scored nice rooms at the Hyatt in Crystal City for around $60 a night. It's the off season here in DC now so you should be able to get similar deals. Check biddingfortravel.com to see what prices others are paying. Hope this helps.

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NW and SW are OK. Don't venture into NE or especially SE.

Street names start at the center of the city and increase outward numerically as well as through the letters and then single and double syllables. Numbered streets go N-S, Letters and names travel E-W. There are diagonal streets and main thoroughfares that follow no logic at all.

For another 1/2 hour drive time you can stay in Arlington or Crystal City right across the river and near Metro. Might be cheaper than downtown. There are tons of good restaurants everywhere. One of my kids favorites is Flat Top Grill in Arlington or being real adventurous one of the Ethiopian places in Adams Morgan DC, where you are allowed and expected to eat with your fingers.

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Hi raymr, thanks for the tip. I'm looking at Arlington. The area near the Key Bridge looks like a possibility. Any thoughts?

I'm no expert on the Virginia side, but the Holiday Inn in Rosslyn seems OK. You can probably ask for a room with a river/city view. Many business travelers stay at the Key Bridge Marriott which is a bit more. Also from that area you can walk across the bridge to Georgetown, which doesn't have a Metro stop.

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1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles
2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed
2005 Toyota Sienna
2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1999 Toyota Tacoma

What Raymr said. I was going to mention both those places. You can walk anywhere you need to go, including the metro station at Roslyn. If you fly, you can take the metro to and from National airport. If you drive, I believe the parking at the Holiday Inn is free (a rarity around here!).

The view from the restaurant at either the Marriott or the Holiday Inn is fantastic. I've been to both a number of times. I hope you have a great time.

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