ksmom Posted February 21, 2005 Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 We are thinking of going to Washington DC this summer (June 4th is first day of vacation) & since air fare from the midwest (ICT to DCA is our plan) & is always so high, thought we'd look into priceline for a hotel. We don't need anything fancy, but clean & safe, & easy to access the metro as we will not have a car. We are wanting to go to the monuments, museums & generally all the "tourist" areas. How many days do you think we would need to accomplish DC? We are a party of 4...parents & 2 teenage daughters. Does priceline let you book several days in a row? What area(s) do you think we should go with & where should we start the bidding at? I realize this is a lot of questions, but any help will be appreicated! Link to comment
Keoni Posted February 21, 2005 Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 Kansas Mom, Using the airfare checker tool provided above it shows airfare prices across three major discounters, Orbitz, Travelocity, andExpedia. All three returned roundtrip fares between Wichitaand Reagan National at less than $250 for all the biggies (Delta,United, American, etc...) To me, this seems to be a really goodprice, so the first place to start is booking your airfare using thatchecker tool at the top of this site. Check the flight times and carriers between the discounters to pick flight departure times that agree with you.Also, check the discounters policies on cancelling or changingyour tickets so you know what it will cost you if your plans change. How many days do you think we would need to accomplish DC? A good target number of days is 7 - 10 and you will fill everyday with something. So step 1 is decide how many days and book theairfare. Once you are firm on your travel dates, someone familiar withDC will come on-line with bidding strategies for a hotel. You should decide on the "type" of hotel and amentities that are most important to yousuch as do you want a microwave/small fridge or kitchenette and would you rather have that than say a swimming pool. Is luxury more importantthan cost, etc... We already know you want clean, safe, and near metroso color in a few more details and the dates and a bidding strategy will be recommended. To help you plan your visit, start with this site Official DC Website Depending upon how much you plan to travel you can get an unlimited day pass on the Metro for $6.50.Make sure you lemail your US Representative or US Senator the dates you are coming to DC and most of them welcome visits to their OfficeBuilding. There are also other benefits such as Congressional reservedtours of the White House but these must be arranged quite a bit in advance and are based upon availabilty. Click here to find your Senator... US SENATE and other info on visiting the capitol. Many attractions in DC are on a timed basis,Washington Monument, Holocost Museum, White House, Bureau of Printing and Engraving (what I mean is you show up early in the morning, they giveyou a ticket for a certain time of day, and you return for the tour at that time sofor those attractions plan for only one of them per day and then fill in the other part of the day with one of the many Smithsonians around the mall. Arlington National Cemetary and the Women in Service Memorial is on the metro lineand is one day. Other attractions to consider are the National Archives, Library of Congress, Supreme Court, Union Station and National Postal Museum next door to Union Station. At the postal museum your teens will be ableto create some special postal items and mail them home to their friends so make sure they bring some addresses with them. Of course monumentsLincoln, Washington, Korean War and Vietnam War Memorials, theJefferson Memorial and Tidal Basin (Cherry Trees will have long sincebloomed during your visit but walk around them anyway) Rooseveltmemorial is also beside the Jefferson and you can rent some paddleboats and tour the Basin. Walking the mall from end to end can easily betwo or three days for photo ops, etc... And finally, if you plan to eat in restaurants and might consider takinga tourmobile ride around DC (recommend this on Day 1 or 2 to get thelay of the land), you can find great dining deals and two for one couponsin the Northern Virginia/DC Entertainment Book found here...Entertainment BookConsider buying two books and pay particular attention to SectionC where you find the activities section.Good luck on your visit.Regards, Keoni :) Link to comment
ksmom Posted February 21, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 Thanks so much for the reply. I'm trying to narrow down everyone with their schedules, but this gives me something to start with. Link to comment
Keoni Posted February 22, 2005 Report Share Posted February 22, 2005 Ok, Once you lock in your dates post back to the board with your desiresfor lodging amentities and a bidding strategy will be recommended. Also, as soon as you determine dates for your flights, email to your Senator for those reserved White House tickets. I think it takes 90 days in advance but you can check that out. Also, if they set you up with a tour of the capitol, you can pay a fee and have a flag flown over the building the day of your visit with an appropriate certificate to commemerate the event. Pretty special if I do say so... Regards, Keoni :) Link to comment
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