Needing information on Baltimore/DC area for November

[BoredOutOfMyMind]

I am landing at BWI on Nov 10. I am hunting a hotel for $40-75 for 2 nights. I intend to view some of the monuments and one or two museums. This is Sunday and then Veteran's Day, so traffic may be slower and I may find some areas closed.

I will have a rental car.

Any suggestions?

Any place to avoid. Anything stand out?

I went to the Air & Space at Dulles 2 yrs ago. I am not sure if I want to see the main building downtown or not.

[Thad]

The traffic is a total nightmare. almost as bad as L.A

even the hotels are more reasonable near BWI, it is quite a ways from downtown DC. BWI is closer to baltimore than DC

I think national airport is right across the highway from downtown DC. there are hotels galore. usually the hotels next to the airport are cheaper then downtown. I stayed at the bestwestern in downtown DC and it was really nice and very reasonable .

try Priceline or hotwire! those are the BEST for rates! you can bargain for your own rates

[BoredOutOfMyMind]

The traffic is a total nightmare. almost as bad as L.A

even the hotels are more reasonable near BWI, it is quite a ways from downtown DC. BWI is closer to baltimore than DC

I think national airport is right across the highway from downtown DC. there are hotels galore. usually the hotels next to the airport are cheaper then downtown. I stayed at the bestwestern in downtown DC and it was really nice and very reasonable .

try Priceline or hotwire! those are the BEST for rates! you can bargain for your own rates


Define reasonable?

which hotel- www.yourdchotels.com

Hotwire started at $79.

[Thad]

Define reasonable?

which hotel- www.yourdchotels.com

Hotwire started at $79.


just keep looking especially as time gets closer when hotels need to fill rooms.

you can negotiate and name your own price on Priceline. it's great!
if they decline , you just try again in 24 hours

[Thad]

must have changed hands boomm. this one was in the city center- walking distance to all the tourist spots in DC

[BoredOutOfMyMind]

must have changed hands boomm. this one was in the city center- walking distance to all the tourist spots in DC

I am not afraid to take the Metro into town.
I am totally alone on this adventure.

[Thad]

I am not afraid to take the Metro into town.
I am totally alone on this adventure.


their Metro train is GREAT! the best I've EVER used! very easy to get around. do you have to have a car? you are setting yourself up for misery if you do especially during the work week. the highways are so confusing! everything seems to go in circles.

you may want to try the airport that's a stone's throw from downtown DC

[stmatthew]

I would call ahead and see what is open. You may be able to catch Pres Bush do a speak with it being Veterans day, but that would be when it is observed on Monday.

Holocaust Museum. (You will spend 2-3 hours here.)
www.ushmm.org

Intl Spy Museum (close to White House)
www.spymuseum.org

Botanical Gardens (at Capital Hill)
www.usbg.gov

You are too late to take the White House Tour, as it takes 3 - 6 months to register and go through the security checks.

[BoredOutOfMyMind]

I would call ahead and see what is open. You may be able to catch Pres Bush do a speak with it being Veterans day, but that would be when it is observed on Monday.

Holocaust Museum. (You will spend 2-3 hours here.)
www.ushmm.org

Intl Spy Museum (close to White House)
www.spymuseum.org

Botanical Gardens (at Capital Hill)
www.usbg.gov

You are too late to take the White House Tour, as it takes 3 - 6 months to register and go through the security checks.

the spy musuem and Holocast memorial are close to what I had thought of

Look bag lunches! (http://tinyurl.com/2kwahg)

The spy musuem may help solve the conspiracy theory on this board at times...

:hmmmm

[Thad]

the holocaust museum is a must!


that place shook me up !

[pelathais]

I started to add some thoughts and saw Thad and StMatt were still up. The Smithsonians are a must for a nerd like you BOOMM. The Air and Space might be something of a repeat for you. This one has a walk through of a Skylab and some Apollo, Mercury and Gemini capsules. There's a line up of ICBMs at the door (including Russians) and moon rocks so that you can say you touched "the moon." The Metro is clean cool and free. All the undergrounds are air conditioned- I've been there in the summer and its awful outside.

I'd leave the car outside the Beltway at a Metro Station. If you get tired of walking the mall and want to do lunch at the train station (huge food court - it's where the lower level staffers all eat) all cabs are $5 to anywhere in the downtown area. You can even hop a cab from the Licoln Memorial to the other end of the mall at the Capitol and $5 bucks for your whole party.

I agree about the Holocaust Museum. It seems to me that they built it right into an old Metro station under the mall. Ford's Theater and the house across the street where Lincoln passed away - about a 10 minute walk from the mall. The National Cathedral and National Arty Museums- but if you hit all or even most of the Smithsonians you're pretty museumed-out.

Sit through a meeting of the House or Senate. When you're ready to go, stand up and yell something at the Senators- the Sergeant-at-Arms will make sure you don't have to go through the line on your way out. But I think they put up glass recently.

The Lincoln Memorial is must-see at night. If you're good with a camera it's well worth another $5 cab ride.

[Thad]

I started to add some thoughts and saw Thad and StMatt were still up. The Smithsonians are a must for a nerd like you BOOMM. The Air and Space might be something of a repeat for you. This one has a walk through of a Skylab and some Apollo, Mercury and Gemini capsules. There's a line up of ICBMs at the door (including Russians) and moon rocks so that you can say you touched "the moon." The Metro is clean cool and free. All the undergrounds are air conditioned- I've been there in the summer and its awful outside.

I'd leave the car outside the Beltway at a Metro Station. If you get tired of walking the mall and want to do lunch at the train station (huge food court - it's where the lower level staffers all eat) all cabs are $5 to anywhere in the downtown area. You can even hop a cab from the Licoln Memorial to the other end of the mall at the Capitol and $5 bucks for your whole party.

I agree about the Holocaust Museum. It seems to me that they built it right into an old Metro station under the mall. Ford's Theater and the house across the street where Lincoln passed away - about a 10 minute walk from the mall. The National Cathedral and National Arty Museums- but if you hit all or even most of the Smithsonians you're pretty museumed-out.

Sit through a meeting of the House or Senate. When you're ready to go, stand up and yell something at the Senators- the Sergeant-at-Arms will make sure you don't have to go through the line on your way out. But I think they put up glass recently.

The Lincoln Memorial is must-see at night. If you're good with a camera it's well worth another $5 cab ride.

Now isn't that the TRuth !!!

[mizpeh]

I lived on Andrews AFB for three years which is 10 or so miles from the city. All the suggestions so far are great. I liked Arlington cemetary and the Robert E Lee house in the cemetary. It's a walk across a bridge from the Lincoln memorial to get there or use the Metro. The Vietnam memorial, the wall, is impressive when your standing there right in front of it looking at all the names. From the Lincoln memorial to the Vietnam Memorial you can cross to the Washinton monument then the mall area without wearing out yourself with too much walking.

When I lived there all you had to do was get in the White house line to visit. The Presidential car was pulling out of the White House as we walked by.

[BoredOutOfMyMind]

As I am arriving on Saturday night, most everything will be slower on Sunday and the Monday is Veteran's day so it will be somewhat slower that day also.

I have the AAA book and have scoured Fodor's and Frommer's guides at Borders.

I don't land until 10:20 PM so doing anything the first night is moot. I was there 2 yrs ago and it poured rain. I will have an umbrella this time!

Thanks for the responses.

"Nerd like you?" Ouch!

:boomm

[lovemyjesus]

I am landing at BWI on Nov 10. I am hunting a hotel for $40-75 for 2 nights. I intend to view some of the monuments and one or two museums. This is Sunday and then Veteran's Day, so traffic may be slower and I may find some areas closed.

I will have a rental car.

Any suggestions?

Any place to avoid. Anything stand out?

I went to the Air & Space at Dulles 2 yrs ago. I am not sure if I want to see the main building downtown or not.
May I suggest trying priceline.com for your hotel room? You have to have a credit card for it because you bid on your room. Just to let you know we got rooms at a very decent hotel for $39 a night. You have an advantage since it is so far away (time wise). You can only bid once every 24 hours. If your bid is rejected, you can bid again a day later. Read about it carefully but I know someone that has used it many times and has NEVER been dissatisfied.
You can choose the general area of the hotel, the rating (stars) and then bid.

Hope this helps!

[BoredOutOfMyMind]

May I suggest trying priceline.com for your hotel room? You have to have a credit card for it because you bid on your room. Just to let you know we got rooms at a very decent hotel for $39 a night. You have an advantage since it is so far away (time wise). You can only bid once every 24 hours. If your bid is rejected, you can bid again a day later. Read about it carefully but I know someone that has used it many times and has NEVER been dissatisfied.
You can choose the general area of the hotel, the rating (stars) and then bid.

Hope this helps!

I booked two nights in Bethesda for $89.

1 1/2 blocks from the Metro.

I wanted to pay $50 per night on Priceline so this I am calling a blessing!

:yahoo

[mizpeh]

I booked two nights in Bethesda for $89.

1 1/2 blocks from the Metro.

I wanted to pay $50 per night on Priceline so this I am calling a blessing!

:yahoo

Have you checked out any apostolic churches in the area? Bethesda is only 16 miles from Christian Life Center (Bro Ron Libby's church) in Gaithersburg.

[Hesetmefree238]

Hotels are pretty pricey in the DC area, especially in downtown DC. If you
can get a good deal thru priceline that is the way to go. I stayed last fall
in the Alexandria, VA area at a Courtyard by Marriot hotel for around $70 per night. I road the subway into the city each day to sitesee.

[Praxeas]

I am landing at BWI on Nov 10. I am hunting a hotel for $40-75 for 2 nights. I intend to view some of the monuments and one or two museums. This is Sunday and then Veteran's Day, so traffic may be slower and I may find some areas closed.

I will have a rental car.

Any suggestions?

Any place to avoid. Anything stand out?

I went to the Air & Space at Dulles 2 yrs ago. I am not sure if I want to see the main building downtown or not.
The Smithsonians are great, but you can be sure you'd probably not see more than one in a day.

The Freeways in DC are a nightmare. Take the subway. Like Seafood? Do Annapolis!

Annapolis closer to Baltimore than DC

[Praxeas]

Hotels are pretty pricey in the DC area, especially in downtown DC. If you
can get a good deal thru priceline that is the way to go. I stayed last fall
in the Alexandria, VA area at a Courtyard by Marriot hotel for around $70 per night. I road the subway into the city each day to sitesee.
Good thing. The free way from Virginia to DC is the worse in the nation. They have a nice underground Mall there too

[Praxeas]

Have you checked out any apostolic churches in the area? Bethesda is only 16 miles from Christian Life Center (Bro Ron Libby's church) in Gaithersburg.
Chester Wright's church in Arnold (Annapolis) is nice too

[stmatthew]

There are quite a few Charismatic churches you can visit.


:driving


:saycheese

[Tina]

I've got a friend in that area who claims to be atheist. Got time for a quick door knocking, witnessing experience? :D

[philjones]

I would LOVE to be able to get a Hotel in Baton Rouge or New Orleans for under $95.00 a night. The Courtyard where I normally stay is $129 a night on the low end and $149 a night on the high end. The rate is determined by what is going on at LSU or in New Orleans. I haven't paid less than $100 since Katrina over two years ago.

[BoredOutOfMyMind]

I have no intentions of visiting a church.

GASP!!

I will be sightseeing on Sunday and will be in Richmond, VA on Wed night.

:waving

[Praxeas]

I would LOVE to be able to get a Hotel in Baton Rouge or New Orleans for under $95.00 a night. The Courtyard where I normally stay is $129 a night on the low end and $149 a night on the high end. The rate is determined by what is going on at LSU or in New Orleans. I haven't paid less than $100 since Katrina over two years ago.
Wow....I got a nice room in San Diego for $80 or so.....

[Praxeas]

I have no intentions of visiting a church.

GASP!!

I will be sightseeing on Sunday and will be in Richmond, VA on Wed night.

:waving
Maybe visit that old old church in Virginia? I don't know where, but I heard they have a plaque on the wall that quotes Acts 2:38

[lovemyjesus]

It's a Courtyard by Marriot in downtown Indy!!!!!! ($39 a night) Wasn't going to tell that part but some of you are mentioning that hotel so I'm guessing that it must be pretty decent??????

[philjones]

Wow....I got a nice room in San Diego for $80 or so.....

Prax,

It is a mild form of gouging that is going on. The rates went through the roof after Katrina and now they are violating the laws of nature cause what went up doesn't appear to be coming down.:)

My expenses for an average month run around $2600.00. The majority of the expense is lodging and mileage. I usually buy groceries instead of eating out to save the company a little bit. I can eat for a week on the road for $35 o4 $40 worth of groceries vs. $17 - $25 a meal.

[BoredOutOfMyMind]

Maybe visit that old old church in Virginia? I don't know where, but I heard they have a plaque on the wall that quotes Acts 2:38

I don't know.

They recently built a new building.

I will let you know.

[Thad]

I would LOVE to be able to get a Hotel in Baton Rouge or New Orleans for under $95.00 a night. The Courtyard where I normally stay is $129 a night on the low end and $149 a night on the high end. The rate is determined by what is going on at LSU or in New Orleans. I haven't paid less than $100 since Katrina over two years ago.


the courtyard in my town is $160! i do not know why! we tried to get a corp. rate for guest that come to our church but we said " forget it"!
however, i was just in orlando last month and stayed at one for only $74 a night. I have NEVER heard of a Ctyd for $39! that's unbelievable!

[Thad]

I don't know.

They recently built a new building.

I will let you know.


well since you're going to be worldy and not go to church, It does little good to give you suggestions BUT i did want to mention Chester Mitchell's church - has anyone been there? Bro Haymon's son is the music director there. I have never been there myself.

If i was going on a sunday, I would visit Greater Mt calvary holiness church JUST to hear the choir! they are GREAT

[tbpew]

I am landing at BWI on Nov 10. I am hunting a hotel for $40-75 for 2 nights. I intend to view some of the monuments and one or two museums. This is Sunday and then Veteran's Day, so traffic may be slower and I may find some areas closed.

I will have a rental car.

Any suggestions?

Any place to avoid. Anything stand out?

I went to the Air & Space at Dulles 2 yrs ago. I am not sure if I want to see the main building downtown or not.

If you are cool with a 25 minute drive radius you can get very clean and solid rooom accommodations for $59-$75 in Laurel, Beltsville, and even one or two places in Annapolis. Any of these three will get you to Baltimore and DC within 30 minutes.

Sunday and Verteran's are two great days in a row where DC traffic will be survivable. (If you are going to drive in DC, take my cell phone number in case you feel overwhelmed by the French-designed spokes overlaying grids).

Southeast DC (Anacostia) is serious for the uninformed. Stick to the Federal/Tidal basin and over to Arlington Cemetary and you can't go wrong. I do not eat in DC other than a few Chinatown locations so I can not help much in the District restaurant scene (pretty pricey as well). Baltimore is a very misunderstood town with a ton of great stuff to see...but nothing can compete with the Smithsonian Museum system. Size, variety, and cost (all free) are a tribute to what can be done when the US Federal treasury is stroking the checks.

The DC metro (subway/elevated train system) is flat out...SWEET. Neat and tidy, quiet, and fabulous stations (it's nice to know you can still get a nice train system for 40 billion dollars). This system is a bonafide alternative to navigating a road system that is NOT FOR THE SQUEAMISH.

For Baltimore and Annapolis I can suggest several restuarants and interesting sights. Once you settle on your base camp I will be happy to give "tpbew's dining with 6 million other folks" list.

If legs are an issue, your deployment plan has to be completely thought out with that in mind. Getting and back and forth to a car in DC is just not normally done. Independance Mall is one major long walk from Congress to the Lincoln memorial. The WWII monument and the "Wall" (between Washington Monument and Lincoln memorial are spiritual destinations; sacrifice visualized by etching the names of real people who died in service to me and my country.

Local UPC churches of considerable size would be in Annapolis(Arnold) and Gathersburg/Rockville. Several smaller yet vibrant assemblies can be experienced in Laurel, NW Baltimore and various others.

Bibleway has its headquarter's location on the east side of the district in case you want to worship with apostolic brethren who do not send their dues to Hazelwood.

[Praxeas]

Prax,

It is a mild form of gouging that is going on. The rates went through the roof after Katrina and now they are violating the laws of nature cause what went up doesn't appear to be coming down.:)

My expenses for an average month run around $2600.00. The majority of the expense is lodging and mileage. I usually buy groceries instead of eating out to save the company a little bit. I can eat for a week on the road for $35 o4 $40 worth of groceries vs. $17 - $25 a meal.
Yeah, sounds like end times economics lol....oil is too high too

[BoredOutOfMyMind]

If legs are an issue, your deployment plan has to be completely thought out with that in mind. Getting and back and forth to a car in DC is just not normally done. Independance Mall is one major long walk from Congress to the Lincoln memorial. The WWII monument and the "Wall" (between Washington Monument and Lincoln memorial are spiritual destinations; sacrifice visualized by etching the names of real people who died in service to me and my country.

The Lincoln Memorial is a stop I have considered along with The Capitol building.

Musuems include Holocaust.

If I get into a hotel at 1 AM and then up early for Sunday I won't want to go to church. Maybe the two of us could "do lunch" on Monday.

The hotel I booked is in Bethsaida, but I am not squeamish at driving at all.

PM me a number or an email address.

:ty

[tbpew]

The Lincoln Memorial is a stop I have considered along with The Capitol building.

Musuems include Holocaust.

If I get into a hotel at 1 AM and then up early for Sunday I won't want to go to church. Maybe the two of us could "do lunch" on Monday.

The hotel I booked is in Bethsaida, but I am not squeamish at driving at all.

PM me a number or an email address.

:ty

Getting from the Capital Bdlg to the Lincoln needs a plan...in country terms..."that a fer piece". Parking at the Captial end almost involves and act of God. Maybe on Sunday it's doable, I have never done the tour guide thing on Sundays. If you do Lincoln, the Vietnam is quite close (and now WWII memorial) should be considered in your planning.

I did read about you finding a hotel in Bethesda for $79.00 --congrats! You will be lodging near the pretty people!:hypercoffee

Lunch sounds like it could be a God-thing. I will thoughtfully consider and confirm with you. I will PM my cell phone number at that time.

The drivng I referenced was IN DC not in the areas surrounding the district. If you stay along Constitution and Independance, you can't get lost (presumming you get there from Bethesda). The problem is that at the Lincoln Momument end of that stretch, you could find yourself stuck in a lane of traffic heading over the Rosevelt bridge to Virginia. Getting turned back around can be challenging --that pesky Potomac River just seems to be everywhere!

[Barb]

If you are cool with a 25 minute drive radius you can get very clean and solid rooom accommodations for $59-$75 in Laurel, Beltsville, and even one or two places in Annapolis. Any of these three will get you to Baltimore and DC within 30 minutes.

Sunday and Verteran's are two great days in a row where DC traffic will be survivable. (If you are going to drive in DC, take my cell phone number in case you feel overwhelmed by the French-designed spokes overlaying grids).

Southeast DC (Anacostia) is serious for the uninformed. Stick to the Federal/Tidal basin and over to Arlington Cemetary and you can't go wrong. I do not eat in DC other than a few Chinatown locations so I can not help much in the District restaurant scene (pretty pricey as well). Baltimore is a very misunderstood town with a ton of great stuff to see...but nothing can compete with the Smithsonian Museum system. Size, variety, and cost (all free) are a tribute to what can be done when the US Federal treasury is stroking the checks.

The DC metro (subway/elevated train system) is flat out...SWEET. Neat and tidy, quiet, and fabulous stations (it's nice to know you can still get a nice train system for 40 billion dollars). This system is a bonafide alternative to navigating a road system that is NOT FOR THE SQUEAMISH.

For Baltimore and Annapolis I can suggest several restuarants and interesting sights. Once you settle on your base camp I will be happy to give "tpbew's dining with 6 million other folks" list.

If legs are an issue, your deployment plan has to be completely thought out with that in mind. Getting and back and forth to a car in DC is just not normally done. Independance Mall is one major long walk from Congress to the Lincoln memorial. The WWII monument and the "Wall" (between Washington Monument and Lincoln memorial are spiritual destinations; sacrifice visualized by etching the names of real people who died in service to me and my country.

Local UPC churches of considerable size would be in Annapolis(Arnold) and Gathersburg/Rockville. Several smaller yet vibrant assemblies can be experienced in Laurel, NW Baltimore and various others.

Bibleway has its headquarter's location on the east side of the district in case you want to worship with apostolic brethren who do not send their dues to Hazelwood.
Have you ever visited there?! I did in 1980 or '81...can't remember now...

[lovemyjesus]

the courtyard in my town is $160! i do not know why! we tried to get a corp. rate for guest that come to our church but we said " forget it"!
however, i was just in orlando last month and stayed at one for only $74 a night. I have NEVER heard of a Ctyd for $39! that's unbelievable!
It was God. We've gone to the Steadfast Conference for several years, and wanted to go again this year. Finances didn't seem to allow it this year. Praise God we got an unexpected check in the mail that would take care of almost all of the trip. (gas, food, hotel) Started checking on hotel rooms and the one we were in last year was 30 bucks more this year. A friend told us to try priceline. Praise God. We DID get the Courtyard by Marriot. For only $39 a night too. We only bid on a 2 star hotel and they accepted our bid of $39 and bumped it up to a 2 1/2 star hotel. THAT, my friend, was God. We give Him the glory because He provided the money AND low price. Now we have enough to cover the whole trip. (and of course the tithe on the check)

[tbpew]

Have you ever visited there?! I did in 1980 or '81...can't remember now...

No. Over the years I had two occassions/invites to the Baltimore location (which I think is even bigger!) but for whatever reason our group did not end up going.

There was not any well established visiting 'norms' between UPC and Bibleway...but actually, other than Bible Quizzing and sectionals, the same could probably be said even within our own organization.:sos

[pelathais]

As I am arriving on Saturday night, most everything will be slower on Sunday and the Monday is Veteran's day so it will be somewhat slower that day also.

I have the AAA book and have scoured Fodor's and Frommer's guides at Borders.

I don't land until 10:20 PM so doing anything the first night is moot. I was there 2 yrs ago and it poured rain. I will have an umbrella this time!

Thanks for the responses.

"Nerd like you?" Ouch!

:boomm
Takes one to know one, my friend. Happy traveling and pack the pocket protector.

[BoredOutOfMyMind]

tbpew, I intend to use the Metro on Sunday.

I may be crazy, but not insane enough to drive all over DC and pay the highway robber's charges for parking.

The Tourmobile sounds like a plan for after hours viewing also.

Depends entirely also on the weather....

[BoredOutOfMyMind]

the holocaust museum is a must!


that place shook me up !

I opted to pass on the holocaust Museum. I found out that DC closes once a week- every week. Sundays. :ranting
I get to Capital South and it is a cold day but I wanted to look from the porch of The Capital back down the mall. Only the Police would not let me on the Capital grounds at all! As I walked ALONE beside the Dirksen Senate Office building, I began to think of all the Peach marches, the Million man march, Martin Luther King Jr and over 100000 men marching, yet here I was in what could have been a science fiction film because there was NO ONE around for about 4 blocks. Had I not seen a squirrel, it would have been totally lifeless. No cars, no one walking until I was right up on Union Station- weird feeling. They say there is Free Internet at Amtrak in Union Station, but I did not find it. I had 8% from one router and Starbucks/Tmobile is $10 per day. I settled on a city bus called The Circulator, because they would not let me on the other Tour buses carring a laptop bag. I met a lovely couple from Australia (who were amazed to find this Yank has very good knowledge of Aussie Geography, customs, and autos!) Also had a great time with a bus driver normally bored with his job. I personally hate Safeway Stores.... but stopped to buy water 3500 miles from home- in a Safeway Store!.

Air and Space on The Mall was not as impressive as the collection at Dulles unless you like the Nasa Space Program. Upstairs, they had a set of rooms painted to look like a hangar deck from an Aircraft carrier, and had this ultra cool model of The USS Enterprise that took 1000 hours a year for TWELVE YEARS!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2344/1961295906_373c5b6f0f_m.jpg

I got back to get the PT Cruiser Rental and at 845 I was at the Lincoln Memorial speechless at the view. Amazing I parked at the base of the Monument as Sunday night is not busy at all downtown. The flags set up for Veteran's Day were nice to look at.

[BoredOutOfMyMind]

Panoramic view of Enterprise Model (http://tinyurl.com/yv7zlb)

[BoredOutOfMyMind]

I arrived at NASM at 315 so had little time as it closes at 530.

I missed this USS Enterprise in the Gift Shop, as I did not go in.

http://tinyurl.com/ysyn9r

http://acadweb.swarthmore.edu/graphic-engine/wp-content/Images/enterprise_nasm_00.jpg

[rgcraig]

Hope you are having a great time!!!