NASM On A Budget?
Sat Apr 12, 2008 11:51 pm
Hi All,
I was just reading the "NASM Attendance" thread, and was wondering if you regular visitors and locals could give me some travel advice. My GF and I are hoping to spend a few days seeing the sights in D.C. this summer after attending the IPMS National Convention in Va. Beach.
I've been told the best (cheapest) option is to stay in the 'burbs and take the Metro downtown. I'm hoping to find someplace to stay for three or four nights for less than 100 bucks a night..I found a Motel 6 next to Andrews AFB for 65, and it looks like it's a short drive from the nearest Metro station, but I don't know what that part of town is like.
Anyway, any travel/lodging advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Steve
I was just reading the "NASM Attendance" thread, and was wondering if you regular visitors and locals could give me some travel advice. My GF and I are hoping to spend a few days seeing the sights in D.C. this summer after attending the IPMS National Convention in Va. Beach.
I've been told the best (cheapest) option is to stay in the 'burbs and take the Metro downtown. I'm hoping to find someplace to stay for three or four nights for less than 100 bucks a night..I found a Motel 6 next to Andrews AFB for 65, and it looks like it's a short drive from the nearest Metro station, but I don't know what that part of town is like.
Anyway, any travel/lodging advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Steve
Sun Apr 13, 2008 7:45 am
Hey Steve...not sure if it was dumb luck or what, but last weekend we stayed at a Comfort Inn just off 395 in Arlington, for 80 bucks a night. Without reservations, but with a former military discount 
We drove from there to the NASM on the mall in less than a half hour.
Not sure if this helps...did have a blast though
We drove from there to the NASM on the mall in less than a half hour.
Not sure if this helps...did have a blast though
Sun Apr 13, 2008 5:22 pm
Check the weekend rates. DC emptys every friday when all the lobbyists head home.
Sun Apr 13, 2008 6:21 pm
I have stayed a couple of times in Largo, MD which is East of DC. It is a fairly nice and safe suburb with a lot of new development. You can get a hotel there for under $100 in a newer place. I stayed at the Courtyard by Marriot and it was decent and had breakfast etc and was about $110 per night. Theyt also have free transportation to the Largo Town Center Metro stop which takes you right into DC.
Also a nice thing to try in DC is one of the trolley tours that drive you around town. They are about $30 per person but the nice thing is you get a tour and they also stop at all the major attractions and you can get out walk around and then catch the next trolley that comes by in 30 minutes. You can just hop on and off them at their various stops and you basically get a tour and free transportation for $30 for all day. Most of the museums and such are free so you can get basically entertainment and transportation all day for $30 per person. Hard to beat really, and you never worry about parking etc. You can take the metro to Union station and get on the trolley. The trolley goes to all the major monuments, the Capital mall and Arlington National Cemetery.
Ryan
Also a nice thing to try in DC is one of the trolley tours that drive you around town. They are about $30 per person but the nice thing is you get a tour and they also stop at all the major attractions and you can get out walk around and then catch the next trolley that comes by in 30 minutes. You can just hop on and off them at their various stops and you basically get a tour and free transportation for $30 for all day. Most of the museums and such are free so you can get basically entertainment and transportation all day for $30 per person. Hard to beat really, and you never worry about parking etc. You can take the metro to Union station and get on the trolley. The trolley goes to all the major monuments, the Capital mall and Arlington National Cemetery.
Ryan
Sun Apr 13, 2008 9:38 pm
Great info guys, keep it coming!
Our schedule will put us in D.C. Monday, August 11, through Wedneday or Thursday. Unfortunately the height of the tourist season..meaning big crowds, and sky-high hotel rates.
SN
Our schedule will put us in D.C. Monday, August 11, through Wedneday or Thursday. Unfortunately the height of the tourist season..meaning big crowds, and sky-high hotel rates.
SN
Mon Apr 14, 2008 4:44 am
Steve...the few times I have been down to the mall during the week it seems that you get more time to enjoy the attractions due to their not being as many of us tourist types Seriously take Ryan's advice and take the trolley or the Metro or some form of public transportation though as the lobbyists jam the streets down there quite profoundly 
Seriously take Ryan's advice and take the trolley or the Metro or some form of public transportation though as the lobbyists jam the streets down there quite profoundly
Mon Apr 14, 2008 5:04 am
I did a little more research online. Looks like we can get a Motel 6 in Capitol Heights within walking distance of the Metro, and the trolley (actually a double-decker bus) is $35 for a two-day pass. The Metro website says it's 35 minutes to Union Station (but I figure probably an hour or better to get to the Mall from the motel once it's all said and done.)
I figure on maybe spending Monday-Wednesday seeing the sights in D.C., then hitting Udvar-Hazy on the way out of town on Thursday. I just wish Garber was open for tours.
SN
I figure on maybe spending Monday-Wednesday seeing the sights in D.C., then hitting Udvar-Hazy on the way out of town on Thursday. I just wish Garber was open for tours.
SN
Mon Apr 14, 2008 8:54 am
I visited DC this past October. Not sure about the neighborhood in Capitol Heights. Also, checked about a motel in Suitland, did not have good reviews on the web. Expedia.com. We stayed at a motel in Rockville, MD. it's at the very end of the Metro line. 20 minute walk to the station from the motel. 71 dollars a night. Nice motel , nice neighborhood. May not have been the best choice but, we were satisified with it. Try expedia. And take the metro or walk. It goes a lot of places and you can buy an all day ticket.
Mon Apr 14, 2008 9:02 am
I visited DC this past October. Not sure about the neighborhood in Capitol Heights. Also, checked about a motel in Suitland, did not have good reviews on the web. Expedia.com. We stayed at a motel in Rockville, MD. it's at the very end of the Metro line. 20 minute walk to the station from the motel. 71 dollars a night. Nice motel , nice neighborhood. May not have been the best choice but, we were satisified with it. Try expedia. And take the metro or walk. It goes a lot of places and you can buy an all day ticket.
Mon Apr 14, 2008 9:11 am
I would stay in Rockville over Capitol Heights.