Traveling to DC - Any Suggestions?

I will be stopping in DC for a few days in May. Does anyone know of nice, reasonably priced hotels to stay at? Also, any recommendations of things to do/see/places to eat? THANKS!!!

If you have a car, look for hotels in Virginia. They tend to be lower cost, and the farther out you go, parking will be free. We've stayed at various hotels in Arlington, VA, which is just across the river from DC and is very convenient. Marriott has many in the area -- try the Residence Inns, which include breakfast as well.

The DC area has a tremendous variety of restaurants, and we really enjoy the scene. For a splurge, try Capital Grill. Yes, it's a chain, but the scene is typical Washington and you'll feel like one of the senators having dinner. For a family scene, try Cactus Cantina near the National Cathedral. They have a machine that bakes fresh tortilla on the spot -- yum! In Virginia, try Rabieng for Thai food -- it's the best that we've had in the US. The Lebanese Taberna in Pentagon Row has good Middle Eastern food and a scenic view of an ice skating rink in the winter.

The usual tourist desintations are great if you've never been to DC before. Highlights include the Smithsonian museums on the National Mall, the various monuments (Washington, Lincoln, WWII, Jefferson), the White House, and Arlington Memorial Cemetery. For more off the beaten path destinations, try Roosevelt Island in the Potomac River (great hiking path with a view of the city), Gravelly Point Park in VA (planes landing at National Airport pass literally right overhead), Georgetown University campus (great views of the Potomac River from Village A rooftops, and the staircase from the Exorcist movie is a few blocks away), and the new Air and Space Museum by Dulles Airport is a lot of fun with a spaceship and all.

#1 attraction (for me) is the National Gallery of Art---it's surrounded by other art galleries and museums, too, but it's one of the greatest museums in the world, and shouldn't be missed.

If i were you, I would check www.hotels.com and type in the dates and find hotels that way. Things to do..goto a smithsonian museum, walk around the mall, see the lincoln memorial, international spy museum is fun too. Places to eat...checkout Georgetown there are many places there, just walk around the main street.

I always stay (if I'm paying) in the suburbs and take the metro in...DC is assume....go on line and take your pick...my favorite...the Holocaust museum....it just set me on my @ss....

Avoid driving into and out of the city. The traffic is absolutely awful and parking isn't readily available. Park at an outlying metro station and take the metro where you want to go. It's less expensive and very easy to use and kept clean and safe for the most part.

If you have good weather, don't miss the big memorials around the tidal basin. And if you have time, do Arlington National Cemetary (but be prepared to hike). But try not to miss the Smithsonians - they're all great and if you have a chance and like airplanes, visit the National Air and Space Museum annex in Virginia. It's not far and its terrific.

The last time my family went, we found a great food court at the Union Station stop on the Red Line - something for everyone and right near the Capitol building, shopping and not terribly far from the Smithsonians. There are some wonderful seafood restaurants down near the river in DC and also over in Old Towne Alexandria and - more expensive but good - in Georgetown. For metro information check out:
http://wmata.com/default.cfm

Have a great time!

Yeah, definitely do not drive. Take the metro (pretty inexpensive), or better yet, walk.

DC is nice because the big attractions are free. Tons of museums and monuments on the mall. The Fords Theater is free, and interesting for a quick stop. The zoo is great.

Hotels might be expensive, but you save a ton of money by not paying for any attractions.

may is a great time to go, but its a little crowded. im not sure about hotels, but theres a few good restaraunts. personally, i like the disterct chop house. theres another good roof top restauraunt but im not sure of the name. go and see the spy museum and the smithsonian. youll have to set a whole day aside for the smithsonian though. also try the air and space museum. make sure to see the monuements!!!! have fun