The ***OFFICIAL*** Washington, DC thread (1 Viewer)

[Sabertooth]

If we stay out of town, we are looking at Springhill Suites Alexandria.  Thoughts ?

 

[GoBirds]

What about staying down right by the National Mall.  Residence Inn down there maybe?  Pros? Cons? 

We just stayed at the Couryard Marriott north of the mall and worked out great. 

 

[Don Quixote]

If we stay out of town, we are looking at Springhill Suites Alexandria.  Thoughts ?

You would have to do shuttle to the metro from there. If you were staying in Alexandria, I’d suggest King Street area close to the Metro. There’s about a half dozen hotels there.

ETA: Another area that you could look at in Virginia is Crystal City area of Arlington. Puts you a few Metro stops closer to DC, and (while no Old Town) a decent neighborhood for restaurants, etc.

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

If we stay out of town, we are looking at Springhill Suites Alexandria.  Thoughts ?

You might be saving on a hidden cost.  Just about every Marriott in DC will charge a bunch to park your car each night, while a property out in Alexandria might not.

Travelling with 11- and 14-year-olds, you will definitely notice the extra space in a Residence Inn or a Springhill Suites over a Marriott or Courtyard.

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

+1 on the Monuments at Night tour.  Went to DC for about a week last fall and that was one of our favorite things.  We found a tour guide through TripAdvisor that took people out in small groups via electric cart.    There were cheaper options, but doing the tour as a group of 8 (including the guide) appeared to be a lot more fun than some of the buses rolling around.  

Best couple hours we spent in DC was the night bus tour. Highly reommend. You can get tickets and catch the bus at Central Station.

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

If you're hotel searching like I think you're hotel searching... there might be a diamond in the rough with a Marriott holding that isn't one of their main brands.  For example in DC, the Mayflower Hotel is owned by Marriott.  Sometimes there's a crazy-good deal to be had, like if it's a business hotel but you're staying over a weekend, or a leisure hotel but you're traveling during the week.  

Also check the Starwood brands.  There's a W and a Westin pretty close to the Mall that might have something for you.  

 

[dgreen]

You would have to do shuttle to the metro from there.

It's 0.7 miles from the Spring Hill Suites to the Eisenhower Metro so it is walkable. Not the most interesting walk, though, and not a ton to do in the neighborhood. And you'll probably have at least a 45 minute trip downtown using Metro from there.

 

[Don Quixote]

It's 0.7 miles from the Spring Hill Suites to the Eisenhower Metro so it is walkable. Not the most interesting walk, though, and not a ton to do in the neighborhood. And you'll probably have at least a 45 minute trip downtown using Metro from there.

I forgot about that one.  I was thinking of the one down Richmond Highway by the Five Guys.  I was thinking a shuttle to Huntington from there. 

 

[Sabertooth]

We just stayed at the Couryard Marriott north of the mall and worked out great. 

Looks reasonable too.  Thanks for the tip.  

 

[Sabertooth]

Embassy Suites Old Town maybe?   Looks like about $120 cheaper per night.  How long would the commute be from there to the National Mall?   

 

[Mr. Ected]

My daughter will be spending two weeks at GWU this summer.  It’s a pre-college program that will be mix of content on campus at GWU (she will stay in the dorms) and Capitol Hill.  We’re very excited about this opportunity for her.

Thanks to the regulars in this thread.  I know the great visit we had to DC last fall played a big part in her wanting to apply to this program, and y’all gave us some great recommendations that made our trip so special.  

Loved GW, was there from 1988-1992. The dorms were some of the coolest places I'd ever seen. They were taken from old apartment buildings and hotels so each of them (except for the single rooms) had bathrooms. Also those that upper classmen took had kitchens. We also had people come thru and clean the bathrooms every week (They didn't do much else except vacuum but it was nice!!).

Nice.  It's been awhile since I was student, but happy to offer any GW advice.  I still have GW hoops season tickets and mostly just head over to campus for that these days, but unfortunately not the season for that.

@Don Quixote - When were you there?

 

[Don Quixote]

Loved GW, was there from 1988-1992. The dorms were some of the coolest places I'd ever seen. They were taken from old apartment buildings and hotels so each of them (except for the single rooms) had bathrooms. Also those that upper classmen took had kitchens. We also had people come thru and clean the bathrooms every week (They didn't do much else except vacuum but it was nice!!).

@Don Quixote - When were you there?

I was Class of 2001.  So, a bit later.

 

[dgreen]

Embassy Suites Old Town maybe?   Looks like about $120 cheaper per night.  How long would the commute be from there to the National Mall?   

35-45 minutes

 

[TobiasFunke]

Five straight playoff wins!

Nothing memorable will come of it of course, but still, pretty great weekend.

 

[Don Quixote]

Five straight playoff wins!

Nothing memorable will come of it of course, but still, pretty great weekend.

I thought it was going to be a quick and painless playoffs. It can never be that easy though. Have to give to some brief optimism before ripping the heart out.

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

How difficult and time-consuming is it to get from the National Mall area to BWI?

 

[Jobber]

Just a week ago we stayed at the Residence In Arlington. BWI straight to the hotel on a Marriott shuttle. The hotel is probably a half mile from The Crystal City metro station, with a straight shot to the Smithsonian station (maybe 6 stops?). No need for a car.

 

[Don Quixote]

How difficult and time-consuming is it to get from the National Mall area to BWI?

It is probably, on average, a 45 minute drive from downtown to there.  Most times of day, traffic varies from bad to terrible.  You could alternatively look into a shuttle bus, or taking MARC (Maryland's regional commuter train) or Amtrak from Union Station to BWI.

 

[Judge Smails]

Here now for a board meeting. Went to The Pig for dinner after my flight. Enjoyed it. Fairmont and Ritz next few days. Love this area in nice weather. Rain tomorrow though 

 

[Don Quixote]

GW twitter is lighting up about Macron getting lunch at Tonic today.  I guess a bit of an odd choice if you are the President of France and could go anywhere.  Those self-proclaimed "world famous tater tots" though...

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

It is probably, on average, a 45 minute drive from downtown to there.  Most times of day, traffic varies from bad to terrible.  You could alternatively look into a shuttle bus, or taking MARC (Maryland's regional commuter train) or Amtrak from Union Station to BWI.

Thank you!  This suggestion got me informed on MARC, and sent me down a rabbit hole considering Amtrak for some other travel.  And after much consideration, decided going with a different airline to be able to fly in/out DCA was worth researching.

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

Going to come in to DC a couple days early before checking the kid into her GWU program.  Found a hotel walking distance from the Foggy Bottom-GWU station.  Should be easy to get to the National Mall via Metro from there, right? 

Wife and I also may check out a show at Kennedy Center. IIRC, there's a shuttle bus that runs between the Foggy Bottom-GWU station and the Kennedy Center. What's left of Hamilton tickets are a bit out of a price range that interests us, but there's a Second City summer residency show that looks good.  

Still armed with the restaurant recommendations given before our last visit.  Looks like we will be walking distance from Rasika West End, which I'm guessing we will consider closely, and discuss the possibility of eating there on our next visit while we go to Shake Shack or Nando's instead.  Also noticed there is a restaurant named Firefly in the neighborhood.  Is that like a Planet Hollywood, only all the memorabilia is from Joss Whedon creations? 

I read the National Museum of African American History and Culture releases timed tickets on the first Wednesday of the month.  On May 2 would I be able to get timed tickets for July, or is demand already too far forward for that plan to work?

 

 

 

[trident]

Also noticed there is a restaurant named Firefly in the neighborhood.  Is that like a Planet Hollywood, only all the memorabilia is from Joss Whedon creations? 

If you are talking on Dupont Circle, yeah not even close.

Menu

 

[Don Quixote]

Going to come in to DC a couple days early before checking the kid into her GWU program.  Found a hotel walking distance from the Foggy Bottom-GWU station.  Should be easy to get to the National Mall via Metro from there, right? 
...
I read the National Museum of African American History and Culture releases timed tickets on the first Wednesday of the month.  On May 2 would I be able to get timed tickets for July, or is demand already too far forward for that plan to work?

Yep, easy to get to the mall if you are close the Foggy Bottom Metro.  You could walk down to the Lincoln Memorial side of the mall, or hop on the Metro for a few stops to get to the Smithsonian side.

I just checked the Museum's web site, and they say they are releasing August passes on 5/2, so missed July already.  Link.  You can wake up early and try same day though.

 

[crusty crab]

Anyone want two tickets to Brian Fallon Saturday night at the 9:30 club?

 

[Sweet J]

GW twitter is lighting up about Macron getting lunch at Tonic today.  I guess a bit of an odd choice if you are the President of France and could go anywhere.  Those self-proclaimed "world famous tater tots" though...

Big fan of tonic.  It's right near my work, so if someone comes in from out of town, I'll often take them there. 

 

[Don Quixote]

Big fan of tonic.  It's right near my work, so if someone comes in from out of town, I'll often take them there. 

I like Tonic too, and often meet up with friends there before games.  Just not sure I'd take the President of France there.  But maybe he really needed some low-key burgers and tots after the state dinner.

 

[Don Quixote]

I'm going to the B&O Museum in Baltimore for "A Day with Thomas the Tank Engine" this weekend.   Anyone done this before?  As crazy as I fear it will be?  Tips/advice/TPW?

 

[TobiasFunke]

This is a silly hypothetical since it's obviously never going to happen, but ...

Dan Steinberg‏ @dcsportsbog

Ok, help with an office debate. If the Caps win tonight (if if if if if), it would be the biggest win in D.C. sports since -----?

Lot of responses saying Week 17 Skins over Dallas in 2012 in RGIII's rookie year, but I don't think so.  That was incredibly satisfying and felt meaningful at the time because we thought it was the start of something bigger, but that team had very little chance to win a Super Bowl, I believe they were a home dog to the Seahawks.

Only other options I can think of are the two NLDS Game 4 Nats wins that forced a Game 5 at home (2012, 2017) because both of those teams had a legit chance to win the World Series, but I think this hypothetical win tonight or Wednesday night that obviously won't happen would, hypothetically, be bigger because of the conference final drought and the opponent.

I'm not even sure any of the Caps 1998 wins were bigger. Maybe the Game 6 OT win to get them to the Stanley Cup Finals. That was so long ago I had to go to youtube to remember the game winner.

 

[Don Quixote]

This is a silly hypothetical since it's obviously never going to happen, but ...

Lot of responses saying Week 17 Skins over Dallas in 2012 in RGIII's rookie year, but I don't think so.  That was incredibly satisfying and felt meaningful at the time because we thought it was the start of something bigger, but that team had very little chance to win a Super Bowl, I believe they were a home dog to the Seahawks.

Only other options I can think of are the two NLDS Game 4 Nats wins that forced a Game 5 at home (2012, 2017) because both of those teams had a legit chance to win the World Series, but I think this hypothetical win tonight or Wednesday night that obviously won't happen would, hypothetically, be bigger because of the conference final drought and the opponent.

I'm not even sure any of the Caps 1998 wins were bigger. Maybe the Game 6 OT win to get them to the Stanley Cup Finals. That was so long ago I had to go to youtube to remember the game winner.

I was fresh to the DC area during the 1998 run and still considered myself a Devils fan back then, so I can't really compare to that.  The Werthquake in Game 4 is the closest that I can think of in recent memory in professional sports.  The Game 5 letdown certainly took some shine off that one though.

Some of the NCAA runs from teams in the DC area could be in the running -- George Mason's win over UConn, or Maryland's national title.  Hard to really call them *DC* sports wins though.

 

[The_Man]

My anxiety for this game is so high, because let's be honest - if they lose this one, we all know how the story ends in Game 7.

I will say that this is the very rare occasion when it feels like the opponent's goalie is playing a little softer than you might expect, and that the Caps are the team riding the red hot goaltending that turns probable losses into wins. 

 

[Sebowski]

My anxiety for this game is so high, because let's be honest - if they lose this one, we all know how the story ends in Game 7.

I will say that this is the very rare occasion when it feels like the opponent's goalie is playing a little softer than you might expect, and that the Caps are the team riding the red hot goaltending that turns probable losses into wins. 

Yeah I might not even watch a game 7.

I'm excited for tonight. The Nats are actually in town so I'm watching the game at a bar by the stadium with some of my DC crew (should be 7 of us) and then walking over for Nats-Padres. 

Just saw San Diego State's own Stephen Strasburg is pitching!

 

[dgreen]

This is a silly hypothetical since it's obviously never going to happen, but ...

Lot of responses saying Week 17 Skins over Dallas in 2012 in RGIII's rookie year, but I don't think so.  That was incredibly satisfying and felt meaningful at the time because we thought it was the start of something bigger, but that team had very little chance to win a Super Bowl, I believe they were a home dog to the Seahawks.

Only other options I can think of are the two NLDS Game 4 Nats wins that forced a Game 5 at home (2012, 2017) because both of those teams had a legit chance to win the World Series, but I think this hypothetical win tonight or Wednesday night that obviously won't happen would, hypothetically, be bigger because of the conference final drought and the opponent.

I'm not even sure any of the Caps 1998 wins were bigger. Maybe the Game 6 OT win to get them to the Stanley Cup Finals. That was so long ago I had to go to youtube to remember the game winner.

I might say we have to go all the way back to the Redskins last SB to find a bigger win than tonight's potential win. If you treat all sports equally, then it would be the Joe Juneau OT goal in game 6 at Buffalo, but I don't remember a lot of people caring too much about that and I think everyone understood there was almost no chance to beat Detroit in the SCF. This is a hated rival that beats us down every year. Getting over this hump and I think we'd all feel like we're destined for a parade in June.

 

[Mr. Ected]

My anxiety for this game is so high, because let's be honest - if they lose this one, we all know how the story ends in Game 7.

I will say that this is the very rare occasion when it feels like the opponent's goalie is playing a little softer than you might expect, and that the Caps are the team riding the red hot goaltending that turns probable losses into wins. 

Would it matter that in this case (not usual, correct me if I'm wrong) that Game 7 is in DC? Dunno, not a huge hockey watcher...

 

[The_Man]

Would it matter that in this case (not usual, correct me if I'm wrong) that Game 7 is in DC? Dunno, not a huge hockey watcher...

Didn't seem to matter much last year ... or in 2013 .... or in 2010 ... or in 2009 ... or in 2008 ... 

 

[Don Quixote]

I might say we have to go all the way back to the Redskins last SB to find a bigger win than tonight's potential win. If you treat all sports equally, then it would be the Joe Juneau OT goal in game 6 at Buffalo, but I don't remember a lot of people caring too much about that and I think everyone understood there was almost no chance to beat Detroit in the SCF. This is a hated rival that beats us down every year. Getting over this hump and I think we'd all feel like we're destined for a parade in June.

I'm not ready to go that far.  The Lightning are a much better team than the Penguins (and the Caps, for that matter).  They just trounced a Bruins team that I would also put above the Pens or Caps.  Beating the Penguins and making the conference finals will be nice after all of these years, but it's still going to take an upset next round.

 

[dgreen]

I'm not ready to go that far.  The Lightning are a much better team than the Penguins (and the Caps, for that matter).  They just trounced a Bruins team that I would also put above the Pens or Caps.  Beating the Penguins and making the conference finals will be nice after all of these years, but it's still going to take an upset next round.

Superior teams can't win against destiny. Destiny is undefeated.

 

[Mr. Ected]

Superior teams can't win against destiny. Destiny is undefeated.

They may make it to the SC Finals, but is any one likely to beat The Knights?

When The Knights were running thru their opponents undefeated, I thought if they won with sweeps, they should just say 'Can't top this' and drop the franchise. Heck, even just winning the SC in your inaugural season is almost unbeatable.

 

[dgreen]

They may make it to the SC Finals, but is any one likely to beat The Knights?

When The Knights were running thru their opponents undefeated, I thought if they won with sweeps, they should just say 'Can't top this' and drop the franchise. Heck, even just winning the SC in your inaugural season is almost unbeatable.

The Caps vs GMGM in the SCF will be a great story line. 

 

[Don Quixote]

The Caps vs GMGM in the SCF will be a great story line. 

It would be the most Caps thing ever if the same person who screwed the Caps out of Filip Forsberg also beat the Caps in the finals.

 

[Sebowski]

 

[(HULK)]

Ladies and Gentleman, I give you Evgeny Kuznetsov of House Captials, the First of His Name, Center of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Line, King of Meeren, Khal of the Great Red Sea, Protector of the Realm, Gentleman Regnant of 7th Street Northwest, Breaker of Curses and Father of Dragons!

 

[TobiasFunke]

I might say we have to go all the way back to the Redskins last SB to find a bigger win than tonight's potential win. If you treat all sports equally, then it would be the Joe Juneau OT goal in game 6 at Buffalo, but I don't remember a lot of people caring too much about that and I think everyone understood there was almost no chance to beat Detroit in the SCF. This is a hated rival that beats us down every year. Getting over this hump and I think we'd all feel like we're destined for a parade in June.

I agree.  Biggest win since the 1992 Super Bowl.  I wasn't in town for that game, I was a freshman in college.  I'm 44 with three kids now.  Christ, it's been a long time.

Cheers to all my fellow DC sports fans in the FFA. As a big UNC fan I haven't had to suffer quite as much as you all over the last two decades. I don't know how you do it.

 

[Don Quixote]

So... what's the booze for tonight?

 

[Fred Lane]

So... what's the booze for tonight?

Vodka and ruby red grapefruit juice...

 

[TobiasFunke]

So... what's the booze for tonight?

Update?

Personally I think I'm gonna downshift from my usual bourbon and xanax for this evening's festivities.  Maybe Stella and xanax. 

 

[Sebowski]

So... what's the booze for tonight?

Beer and tequila. 

 

[dgreen]

Is it Monday yet?

 

[tom22406]

I hope they greased the poles on F Street

 

[TobiasFunke]

Update?

Personally I think I'm gonna downshift from my usual bourbon and xanax for this evening's festivities.  Maybe Stella and xanax. 

"Random box of wine in the back of the fridge because I didn't have time to stop for beer" was a terrible, terrible choice.

Everything else is glorious, though. Moved back to the area and into the city exactly 20 years ago, was starting to wonder if I'd get to see a DC team play for a title before I left town. I'm probably a little too old to go watch at the games at a bar and get drunk but I'm gonna do it anyway.