The ***OFFICIAL*** Washington, DC thread (2 Viewers)

[dgreen]

btw... the snow removal budget for ALL of NoVA is $33m this year. Compared to $18m for the city of Boston. On a per-mile basis I bet that's 5-10% of their total (WAG -- not to be used for wagering). Worth remembering the next time you here someone from a big northern snow city ##### about snow removal/drivers/roads here.

Yep, it just doesn't snow here enough (and doesn't seem to be consistent/predictable) to have huge budgets. But (as I see RHE just said), I would think the schools would be in talks with VDOT. That HAS to be part of the decision-making process, no? If VDOT really had no plans to pretreat the roads, I don't see how you open schools on time today. My guess is classes are less than half full today in Fairfax County (who are still open for business). I heard on the radio today a high schooler tweeted a pic of 2 kids in his first period class this morning.

 

[Swing 51]

Wife called our elementary school and they said all the buses are stuck.

I agree with Swing that these can be tough calls and it's easy to second guess, but I do wonder what the process is to make such a decision.

So no roads were pretreated in Virginia.

On my way home yesterday they had just treated the roads in Arlington with that brine/white looking stuff. But yeah, none of the regular sand.

Also I love the Cap Weather Gang - my first read each morning.

 

[dgreen]

Dear Parents:

We apologize for the difficulties the weather caused this morning. Please know that significant area government entities were coordinating at a very early hour. The decision was made with the best information we had very early this morning. Needless to say, the conditions were far worse than anticipated.

Weather conditions are expected to improve around midday. At this time, we are planning to dismiss schools at their normal dismissal time, however, we are continuing to closely monitor the situation and will keep parents apprised.

We are aware that people are asking us to cancel school. Students are safest at school when parents have not had a chance to make alternate plans for their child’s return home from school. However, should you wish to pick up your child early, we will accommodate you.

Again we apologize for the difficulties experienced this morning and we thank you for your patience.

Fairfax County Public Schools

 

[Don Quixote]

This is my 8th winter in Arlington and that was the most dangerous commute into DC I've had in all that time. There have been worse weather days, sure, but usually everything is closed. Just a mess.

That storm we got four or five years ago -- where it went from clear roads to dumping down snow and completely covered roads in less than 30 minutes right as rush hour hit is the one I remember. It took my boss something like 6 hours to get from the Mall to Annandale. People spent the night on the GW Parkway. Roads everywhere were completely blocked.

My son's bus didn't come at all today. No notice, just didn't show.

Yeah, that was the worst that I remember. I drove in that morning, but took the bus home. Ended up being the right call because I don't think I would have made it home that evening otherwise.

 

[roarlions]

btw... the snow removal budget for ALL of NoVA is $33m this year. Compared to $18m for the city of Boston. On a per-mile basis I bet that's 5-10% of their total (WAG -- not to be used for wagering). Worth remembering the next time you here someone from a big northern snow city ##### about snow removal/drivers/roads here.

Yep, it just doesn't snow here enough (and doesn't seem to be consistent/predictable) to have huge budgets. But (as I see RHE just said), I would think the schools would be in talks with VDOT. That HAS to be part of the decision-making process, no? If VDOT really had no plans to pretreat the roads, I don't see how you open schools on time today. My guess is classes are less than half full today in Fairfax County (who are still open for business). I heard on the radio today a high schooler tweeted a pic of 2 kids in his first period class this morning.

To make matters worse, the school calendar in Fairfax county was revised this year so that Monday's are full days for elementary schools instead of the half-days that they used to be. As a result, the calendar now allows for something like 13 snow days before time has to be made up. Given that kind of schedule, why wouldn't the district err on the safe side and give time off when there is any question? A 2 hour delay doesn't even require that time be made up, only full days have to be made up. Totally ridiculous! My wife is an elementary school teacher in Fairfax and I felt really terrible that she had to deal with the mess at 7 this morning.

 

[Swing 51]

Dear Parents:

We apologize for the difficulties the weather caused this morning. Please know that significant area government entities were coordinating at a very early hour. The decision was made with the best information we had very early this morning. Needless to say, the conditions were far worse than anticipated.

Weather conditions are expected to improve around midday. At this time, we are planning to dismiss schools at their normal dismissal time, however, we are continuing to closely monitor the situation and will keep parents apprised.

We are aware that people are asking us to cancel school. Students are safest at school when parents have not had a chance to make alternate plans for their child’s return home from school. However, should you wish to pick up your child early, we will accommodate you.

Again we apologize for the difficulties experienced this morning and we thank you for your patience.

Fairfax County Public Schools

 

[The_Man]

Capital Weather Gang is brilliant.

Not sure why in the world VA schools didn't do the 2-hour delay just to see how it was going to go. Morning and afternoon, putting kids into ongoing rush hour storms always results in buses spending hours and hours on the road.

Up my way, Anne Arundel Schools were open and there are a couple of nightmare stories - one of a girl on the way to school slipping into the road and getting hit by a car, another of a car with 2 17-year-olds getting into a terrible accident heading to school (one of the passengers now in critical condition).

 

[Mr. Ected]

Here is an article from the Post about the issues with school closings today.

 

[dgreen]

Lol @ Fairfax County already calling for a 2 hour delay tomorrow.

 

[Chaos Commish]

Saw the thread and thought I'd mention having a big family meal at Filomena's a few weeks ago. That's a great place. Had a bottle of Amarone.

That's something few Italian restaurants have and it was fantastic. As was my food, everyone's food.

I could live happily back there if we could just fix the weather. It is seriously broken.

 

[dgreen]

I could live happily back there if we could just fix the weather. It is seriously broken.

Most people here will say things like, "I like having four seasons." But, many will complain about the Summers and others will complain about the Winters. Which part don't you like?

The older I get, the more I wonder why I don't just move south and be done with winters, even though they usually aren't horrible here.

 

[Mr. Ected]

Lol @ Fairfax County already calling for a 2 hour delay tomorrow.

No worse than Loudoun calling the day off today! We had been set with a delay last nite, but they called this morning to tell us of cancelation.

Right procedure, wrong days!!!

 

[Apple Jack]

Capital Weather Gang is brilliant.

Not sure why in the world VA schools didn't do the 2-hour delay just to see how it was going to go. Morning and afternoon, putting kids into ongoing rush hour storms always results in buses spending hours and hours on the road.

Up my way, Anne Arundel Schools were open and there are a couple of nightmare stories - one of a girl on the way to school slipping into the road and getting hit by a car, another of a car with 2 17-year-olds getting into a terrible accident heading to school (one of the passengers now in critical condition).

Surely there would have been an army of parents screaming bloody murder no matter what they did. They always do. The constant whining every year about weather decisions is nauseating. Guess what kids...we live in a transition zone and predicting and preparing for weather is difficult. It's simple...if you don't think it's safe, don't send your kid to school. You can rest assured that you will not be alone and that there will be no consequence whatsoever for that decision.

 

[dgreen]

Boston gets the 2024 US Olympic bid, so DC is out.

 

[Apple Jack]

Boston gets the 2024 US Olympic bid, so DC is out.

Olympics in DC might not be the worst idea ever to come out of this area, but it's close.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Think DC would be a great host, but hope it doesn't happen til after I'm somewhere else.

 

[njherdfan]

I could live happily back there if we could just fix the weather. It is seriously broken.

Most people here will say things like, "I like having four seasons." But, many will complain about the Summers and others will complain about the Winters. Which part don't you like?

The older I get, the more I wonder why I don't just move south and be done with winters, even though they usually aren't horrible here.

I had a brief vacation to Key West in December before Christmas. Walking around in a t-shirt and shorts is pretty awesome. On the flight back to Dulles everyone on the plane looked like they were heading to a funeral. It certainly seems like everyone on the plane was wondering why they don't move to the south as well.

 

[dgreen]

I've been considering switching back to driving for my commute instead of Metro. Seems like it may be a good time. Now I just need to find a car.

 

[MattFancy]

I've been considering switching back to driving for my commute instead of Metro. Seems like it may be a good time. Now I just need to find a car.

I've gotten bits and pieces of yesterday's debacle. Certainly doesn't look good for Metro.

 

[tom22406]

All the schools in my area have closed for the day.We may have a slight dusting at best,enough to barely even cover the sidewalk.

 

[George Jefferson Airplane]

Boston gets the 2024 US Olympic bid, so DC is out.

Thank God

 

[VA703]

no snow in Loudoun but schools are closed. thinking theyre overreacting for doing nothing 2 weeks ago

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

It really is a thankless task. But the 2-hour delay the other day (when there was no snow) and the closure today (when there was a dusting) really starts to smell of an NYCPD-style "Criticize us?! We'll show you who's boss around here."

 

[MattFancy]

Schools are in tough spot. If they do what they did a few weels ago and stay open, people get pissed. If they close and nothing happens, people get pissed.

 

[Mr. Ected]

no snow in Loudoun but schools are closed. thinking theyre overreacting for doing nothing 2 weeks ago

Just a 2-hour delay, not a closing. Barely a dusting, so we had to have something!!!!

 

[VA703]

no snow in Loudoun but schools are closed. thinking theyre overreacting for doing nothing 2 weeks ago

Just a 2-hour delay, not a closing. Barely a dusting, so we had to have something!!!!

oh.. well never mind then. the commute in today was nice however

 

[Swing 51]

FCPS are closed

 

[dgreen]

Schools are in tough spot. If they do what they did a few weels ago and stay open, people get pissed. If they close and nothing happens, people get pissed.

Like I've said before, I'd love to know what their process is to make such a decision. In my mind, it HAS to include people actually going outside and driving around for a few minutes. If they had done that last week and today, I don't see how it could have been a difficult decision in either scenario.

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

Schools are in tough spot. If they do what they did a few weels ago and stay open, people get pissed. If they close and nothing happens, people get pissed.

Like I've said before, I'd love to know what their process is to make such a decision. In my mind, it HAS to include people actually going outside and driving around for a few minutes. If they had done that last week and today, I don't see how it could have been a difficult decision in either scenario.

The decision has to be made by around 5:00. At that time they're not just assessing the roads at that time, they need to predict what the roads will be like for the next few hours.

 

[oso diablo]

Going to visit DC for our spring break in March, with wife and 3 kids (ages 17, 15, and 9). Flying into Dulles and staying at least part of the time with family in Chantilly. But was thinking about getting a hotel in-town for 2-3 nights while we visit all the tourist things.

Hotel

Have so far been looking at places right in the heart of the mall area, but got to thinking that we could instead stay somewhere near/next to a Metro station, in an area with good restaurant choices. Anything to recommend along those lines? Either general areas or specific hotels. Would like to stay under $200/night.

Things To Do

- Smithsonian (including the Air&Space one in Chantilly)

- WH & Capitol tours (have already contacted my congressman)

- Mall/memorials/monuments

- Newseum

- Arlington Natl (mostly want the kids to see the Tomb of the Unknown Solider)

- National Archives

- Manassas Battlefield

Not Sure About

- Holocaust Museum (too intense for 9yo?)

- Mt Vernon (worth the effort to get there?)

- Spy Museum (just unfamiliar)

- Crime Museum (just unfamiliar)

- Zoo (enough better than other zoos to devote time to this?)

Any other suggestions? TIA

 

[Mr. Ected]

Going to visit DC for our spring break in March, with wife and 3 kids (ages 17, 15, and 9). Flying into Dulles and staying at least part of the time with family in Chantilly. But was thinking about getting a hotel in-town for 2-3 nights while we visit all the tourist things.

Hotel

Have so far been looking at places right in the heart of the mall area, but got to thinking that we could instead stay somewhere near/next to a Metro station, in an area with good restaurant choices. Anything to recommend along those lines? Either general areas or specific hotels. Would like to stay under $200/night.

Things To Do

- Smithsonian (including the Air&Space one in Chantilly)

- WH & Capitol tours (have already contacted my congressman)

- Mall/memorials/monuments

- Newseum

- Arlington Natl (mostly want the kids to see the Tomb of the Unknown Solider)

- National Archives

- Manassas Battlefield

Not Sure About

- Holocaust Museum (too intense for 9yo?)

- Mt Vernon (worth the effort to get there?)

- Spy Museum (just unfamiliar)

- Crime Museum (just unfamiliar)

- Zoo (enough better than other zoos to devote time to this?)

Any other suggestions? TIA

Where are you coming from? (will help recommending restaurants!)

Spy Museum is cool, only minor issue is it is one of the Museums that you have to pay for! (We get used to being able to walk in for free! )

The Zoo is great, especially if a kid wants to see the Pandas. It is accessible via metro, but it is a bit of walking (and hilly).

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

If you're in Chantilly, you're already close enough to the Silver Line stations that you shouldn't need to find another hotel by a Metro. I might still prefer to be downtown, but I wouldn't switch hotels just to get to Arlington or something.

I think its tough to comment on different museums. People like different things. I find the Spy Museum kind of lame but lots of people love it.

I don't have a great knowledge of zoos across the country. The National Zoo is a pretty big step below the San Diego Zoo, but I couldn't compare it to anywhere else. I enjoy it, but mostly when I'm not with someone insisting on seeing the pandas at all costs.

 

[thecatch]

Going to visit DC for our spring break in March, with wife and 3 kids (ages 17, 15, and 9). Flying into Dulles and staying at least part of the time with family in Chantilly. But was thinking about getting a hotel in-town for 2-3 nights while we visit all the tourist things.

Hotel

Have so far been looking at places right in the heart of the mall area, but got to thinking that we could instead stay somewhere near/next to a Metro station, in an area with good restaurant choices. Anything to recommend along those lines? Either general areas or specific hotels. Would like to stay under $200/night.

Things To Do

- Smithsonian (including the Air&Space one in Chantilly)

- WH & Capitol tours (have already contacted my congressman)

- Mall/memorials/monuments

- Newseum

- Arlington Natl (mostly want the kids to see the Tomb of the Unknown Solider)

- National Archives

- Manassas Battlefield

Not Sure About

- Holocaust Museum (too intense for 9yo?)

- Mt Vernon (worth the effort to get there?)

- Spy Museum (just unfamiliar)

- Crime Museum (just unfamiliar)

- Zoo (enough better than other zoos to devote time to this?)

Any other suggestions? TIA

I would stay somewhere farther out in VA if you are going to Manasas and the Aerospace museum by Dulles. Anything on the Orange/Silver line. It's easy enough to metro into the city and probably a lot cheaper.

Holocaust museum is almost too intense for me as a thirty something, but it's a very good and powerful museum.

I love Mt Vernon - worth a visit in my book.

It's a very cool zoo - depends on what zoo your baseline is. If you are coming from SD it might be a let down.

Never been to the crime museum. I like the spy museum but some people think it's a bit of a tourist trap. It's close to many of the smithsonians so if you are in that area and have time it's worth seeing.

 

[(HULK)]

Not Sure About

- Holocaust Museum (too intense for 9yo?) - Probably

- Mt Vernon (worth the effort to get there?) - Depends on what you're into

- Spy Museum (just unfamiliar) - Its AWESOME

- Crime Museum (just unfamiliar) - Never been

- Zoo (enough better than other zoos to devote time to this?) - What zoos have you been too before. Its upper tier imo.

Any other suggestions? TIA

Thoughts in red

 

[(HULK)]

We need to know your zoo baseline. If you're comparing it against the Cleveland, OH Zoo, it smashes it. If you're comparing it against San Diego, you can skip it.

The pandas are over rated. 99 times out of a 100 they're inside or super far away or up a tree and you can partially see them through the branches.

 

[oso diablo]

We need to know your zoo baseline. If you're comparing it against the Cleveland, OH Zoo, it smashes it. If you're comparing it against San Diego, you can skip it.

The pandas are over rated. 99 times out of a 100 they're inside or super far away or up a tree and you can partially see them through the branches.

we've done Dallas/FtWorth, Memphis, North Carolina. I've been to the National Zoo myself (and the SD zoo), but the family hasn't, and it was 25 years ago for me. The pandas aren't enough, imo, to warrant the trip.

though FREE is quite appealing.

 

[oso diablo]

I would stay somewhere farther out in VA if you are going to Manasas and the Aerospace museum by Dulles. Anything on the Orange/Silver line. It's easy enough to metro into the city and probably a lot cheaper.

well, was thinking we'd do those 2 places while we stay with family in Chantilly.

 

[Mr. Ected]

If you're in Chantilly, you're already close enough to the Silver Line stations that you shouldn't need to find another hotel by a Metro. I might still prefer to be downtown, but I wouldn't switch hotels just to get to Arlington or something.

I think its tough to comment on different museums. People like different things. I find the Spy Museum kind of lame but lots of people love it.

I don't have a great knowledge of zoos across the country. The National Zoo is a pretty big step below the San Diego Zoo, but I couldn't compare it to anywhere else. I enjoy it, but mostly when I'm not with someone insisting on seeing the pandas at all costs.

We went on the Silver Line to the Zoo, from the furthest stop out (near Reston) the first weekend it was open, for partly touristy reasons. It was pretty cool (wife works in Tysons, and had been driving through the mess while it was being built) but it is OUTRAGEOUSLY EXPENSIVE. There is no 'Metro' parking lot at the Reston stop (they are usually free on weekends) and it cost us $9/RT for each of us (kids too).

I recommend staying in Arlington, close to a Metro for your downtown portion of the trip. Should be a bit less expensive.

 

[oso diablo]

If you're in Chantilly, you're already close enough to the Silver Line stations that you shouldn't need to find another hotel by a Metro. I might still prefer to be downtown, but I wouldn't switch hotels just to get to Arlington or something.

here's my thinking, as flawed as it may be...

was hoping to avoid renting a car, and didn't want to overburden family by staying at their house for all 7 nights, and asking them to drive us to/from a metro station 2x a day for several of the days. (even if i rented a car, was worried about finding a place to park at the metro stations near Chantilly).

so, if i'm going to be in a hotel for (say) 3 nights, i thought it better to be nearer all the sights and restaurants.

on tripadvisor, found a thread recommending Crystal City, Rossyln, Arlington, and Alexandria as areas with reasonable hotels, close-enough-to-walk-to metro stops, and good places to eat. thoughts?

 

[Don Quixote]

Mount Vernon is one of my favorite spots around here, but I'm a history nerd. I'd definitely try to fit it in. The new visitors center and museum has made it more kid-friendly too.

Bull Run is worth a stop while you're in Chantilly, as is the Air & Space annex at Dulles. Some wineries around there you could hit up too, but kids might get bored.

Your list of locations for hotels is about right for the popular places just outside the district (Crystal City, Rosslyn, and Old Town Alexandria). Crystal City and Old Town have the better food options of the three.

 

[Mr. Ected]

If you're in Chantilly, you're already close enough to the Silver Line stations that you shouldn't need to find another hotel by a Metro. I might still prefer to be downtown, but I wouldn't switch hotels just to get to Arlington or something.

here's my thinking, as flawed as it may be...

was hoping to avoid renting a car, and didn't want to overburden family by staying at their house for all 7 nights, and asking them to drive us to/from a metro station 2x a day for several of the days. (even if i rented a car, was worried about finding a place to park at the metro stations near Chantilly).

so, if i'm going to be in a hotel for (say) 3 nights, i thought it better to be nearer all the sights and restaurants.

on tripadvisor, found a thread recommending Crystal City, Rossyln, Arlington, and Alexandria as areas with reasonable hotels, close-enough-to-walk-to metro stops, and good places to eat. thoughts?

Absolutely. If you go waaay back, DC was supposed to be diamond-shaped, and they decided to give VA back their portion. This became Arlington. Therefore some of the areas of Arlington (Rossyln, Crystal City, Pentagon City, Clarendon, etc) are closer to some of the western portions of DC than some parts of DC.

Rosslyn is great, if you are close to that metro station, you can catch all types of trains headed in and out on that line, speeding things up tremendously.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Most of what you find on TripAdvisor is probably from before the Silver Line was running. Now, Tysons and Reston might be different, but as a rule, I'd imagine you could find a hotel with a shuttle to the Metro for cheaper out west than closer in by Arlington. Similarly, along the Blue Line, it's cheaper farther out by Alexandria than in by Crystal City.

Yeah, you'll pay a bit more in fares (about $3/person roundtrip for Reston vs. Crystal City). But for a family of five, that's equal to a $15 difference in room rates. Arlington has better dinner options, but I'd probably eat in the city anyway. If it were me, I'd probably buy five weekly passes anyway. That way, you get unlimited rides for the days you're downtown. Most of the destinations you've mentioned can be walked fairly easily from one another, with the exception of the Zoo and the National Cemetary, which will take their own Metro ride. But you'd have more options for lunches and dinners (and shopping if that's your thing).

 

[thecatch]

Most of what you find on TripAdvisor is probably from before the Silver Line was running. Now, Tysons and Reston might be different, but as a rule, I'd imagine you could find a hotel with a shuttle to the Metro for cheaper out west than closer in by Arlington. Similarly, along the Blue Line, it's cheaper farther out by Alexandria than in by Crystal City.

Yeah, you'll pay a bit more in fares (about $3/person roundtrip for Reston vs. Crystal City). But for a family of five, that's equal to a $15 difference in room rates. Arlington has better dinner options, but I'd probably eat in the city anyway. If it were me, I'd probably buy five weekly passes anyway. That way, you get unlimited rides for the days you're downtown. Most of the destinations you've mentioned can be walked fairly easily from one another, with the exception of the Zoo and the National Cemetary, which will take their own Metro ride. But you'd have more options for lunches and dinners (and shopping if that's your thing).

In terms of reasonably priced family dining Reston probably has as many options as anywhere in the area, including DC. The only thing you lose by staying out there is that it is adding another 30 mins -ish to your metro commute round trip.

 

[Mr. Ected]

For planning, go to Metro Trip Planner, gives directions, times, costs.

 

[Mr. Ected]

Most of what you find on TripAdvisor is probably from before the Silver Line was running. Now, Tysons and Reston might be different, but as a rule, I'd imagine you could find a hotel with a shuttle to the Metro for cheaper out west than closer in by Arlington. Similarly, along the Blue Line, it's cheaper farther out by Alexandria than in by Crystal City.

Yeah, you'll pay a bit more in fares (about $3/person roundtrip for Reston vs. Crystal City). But for a family of five, that's equal to a $15 difference in room rates. Arlington has better dinner options, but I'd probably eat in the city anyway. If it were me, I'd probably buy five weekly passes anyway. That way, you get unlimited rides for the days you're downtown. Most of the destinations you've mentioned can be walked fairly easily from one another, with the exception of the Zoo and the National Cemetary, which will take their own Metro ride. But you'd have more options for lunches and dinners (and shopping if that's your thing).

In terms of reasonably priced family dining Reston probably has as many options as anywhere in the area, including DC. The only thing you lose by staying out there is that it is adding another 30 mins -ish to your metro commute round trip.

I would make that 30 min each way. Especially when you add in waiting for the silver line, with blue and orange going thru DC also.

 

[Apple Jack]

I think the best way to see the city in warm months is by bike, on which you can easily ride up to the Zoo while also getting a look at Rock Creek Park. All the stuff on the Mall, Arlington Cemetery, the canal/river, and up to the Zoo are very bike-friendly. I'm down there on my bike just about everyday in the summer. It's awesome. But the 9-year old probably puts the kibosh on that.

Udvar-Hazy is a must if you're into that stuff. Discovery has a pretty remarkable presence to it. Otherwise, you have more than enough on your itinerary to fill your time. Also think the Spy Museum would be fun for the whole family. No way I would do the Holocost Museum on vacation,much less with kids.

 

[oso diablo]

thanks guys, y'all are great.

interestingly, my hotel searching so far finds that hotels in Arlington/Rosslyn/Alexandria that are right by metro stops aren't much cheaper (if at all) than similar ones in town.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Yeah, that doesn't surprise me. I think you can get some rooms downtown at some of the Kimpton hotels for about $120 or so from travel sites. ToughAsNails once got a room at the Palomar in Dupont Circle for that. Of course, it was just two people, not five.

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

Yeah, that doesn't surprise me. I think you can get some rooms downtown at some of the Kimpton hotels for about $120 or so from travel sites. ToughAsNails once got a room at the Palomar in Dupont Circle for that. Of course, it was just two people, not five.

Well, only two people checked in.

 

[oso diablo]

i can get the Crowne Plaza in Tysons Corner for a pretty good rate (using IHG club points). Looks like that is right next to a Silver Line station.