Washington DC?

[ant_mb]

Well I was planning on attending the Covered bridge tour this weekend, but it seems it fell apart. I have decided to take Kellina to DC for an overnight stay. We're gonna hit all the sites, and hopefully get alot of pics of the FZ in front of the historic buildings. I'm looking for a decent place to stay. Anyone know of a decent hotel withen 30 minutes of DC? I have found a lot, but don't know the area and don't want to wind up in compton with the bike sitting outside. I want to have a ride home in the morning!

 

[wolfc70]

I have stayed at some motels in the Manassas Virginia area. Not too far from DC and close Alexandria where the Metro runs. So no driving is necessary in DC. The Metro is excellent and clean, just be aware of pick pockets on crowded cars. Have fun, our nations capital is definitely a sight to see.

 

[ant_mb]

hey guy this is Kellina.. are you sure the only thing i have to worry about is pick- pocketer? because Antony here might see a little dust on the bike and than start cleaning we might not get to see anything....
so please tell him places to go to please!!! please!!!:Sport:

 

[wolfc70]

hey guy this is Kellina.. are you sure the only thing i have to worry about is pick- pocketer? because Antony here might see a little dust on the bike and than start cleaning we might not get to see anything....
so please tell him places to go to please!!! please!!!:Sport:

Ok places I have gone so far. The Smithsonian, Old Post office (you can go into the tower), Arlington National Cemetery, all of the war memorials, Lincoln monument, Washington monument, Bureau of Engraving and Printing (may have to have background checks done, so call a week or so before you plan to go), J Edgar Hoover Building (friend works for FBI so I could get in with only a little preplanning, again call and find out of tours are being done), Hard Rock Cafe, Pentagon (again FBI friend helped out), Marine Corps Base Quantico, and the Pentagon City Mall.

I have never driven inside of DC, I always park in Arlington and take the Metro. A $15 ticket (each) will last all day for sightseeing.

Justin

 

[wolfc70]

hey guy this is Kellina.. are you sure the only thing i have to worry about is pick- pocketer? because Antony here might see a little dust on the bike and than start cleaning we might not get to see anything....
so please tell him places to go to please!!! please!!!:Sport:

Some more advice, buy a map of tourist stuff from a store, not from the "merchants" walking around. Once you buy from them, they never leave you alone! And do not walk around past dark unless you are with someone who knows the area, lots of weird activity and people. Do not make eye contact with the peddlers or homeless, they will follow you and harass you (at least they did to me). Park your bike in a secure garage with live security and not on the street, theft is common is some areas. And try not to look too "touristy", you may become an easy target.

Do not let this stuff scare you, DC is a fun place to visit with lots of stuff to see, but treat it like any major city, there is crime, so plan accordingly. A little prevention (no purse, wallets in front pockets, no flashy jewelry or watches, and try and not wear easily identifiable "designer" clothing) will make your trip enjoyable, safe and most of all, FUN.

Justin

 

[Officerjive]

Ant,

I live in Arlington, just across the road from the Iwo Jima memorial and Arlington Cemetery in my pic - I was going to PM you my email but I dont know how.
This area has hotels everywhere, I suggest avoiding the hotels in DC, unless your budget allows you to stay at the Ritz. Plus they all charge extra cash for parking . My first choice would be to stay in Arlington, in the Pentagon City/Crystal City/Rosslyn neighborhoods. That gives you easy access to public transportation, safe neighborhoods for you and the FZ, and a quick and easy ride into the best part of the city. Alexandria is also a good choice, as long as you stay inside the beltway, and Bethesda, MD is nice, but expensive.
It's less expensive to stay far out, but dont choose the cheap hotels in the eastern part of DC or the close in Maryland suburbs of Prince Georges County. If you dont mind a 30 minute ride in, you might consider Bowie, or even Annapolis, which is a nice place to visit on it's own.

If you go into the city early Sunday morning, you can pretty much stop in the street in front of the memorials, like the Lincoln, the WWII, Jefferson, etc. But once the people get going, there will be too much traffic, though I've pulled mine up on the curb and got away with it for a few minutes.

feel free to shoot me an email if you have specific questions, I cant get you in the Pentagon or FBI, but I can give info for places with the best beer and a great overlook of the city where even a red FZ6 can look good.
[email protected]

 

[aprimiano]

I recommend parking on K Street in Georgetown and going to the Waterfront. Any day of the week there is a lot going on and plenty to see. There are ususally several bikes parked together on the street near the Georgetown Movie theater -- beats paying $15 or more for garage parking.

 

[FZ1inNH]

Well I was planning on attending the Covered bridge tour this weekend, but it seems it fell apart. I have decided to take Kellina to DC for an overnight stay. We're gonna hit all the sites, and hopefully get alot of pics of the FZ in front of the historic buildings. I'm looking for a decent place to stay. Anyone know of a decent hotel withen 30 minutes of DC? I have found a lot, but don't know the area and don't want to wind up in compton with the bike sitting outside. I want to have a ride home in the morning!

I can understand the want for pics of the bike in front of a lot of things but please be prepared for a LOT of stop and go traffic in DC. We stayed in Silver Spring at the Sheraton which is within a couple blocks of the subway (Metro). We left the vehicle under the hotel for the two weeks and used only the Metro or bus system to get around. West and Northwest of DC was the best bets for stays. Steer VERY clear of southest DC and beyond. Rough neighborhoods there. Arlington, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Brookdale and Somerset and all nice areas. Georgetown is expensive but very nice with a ton of night life.

 

[wolfc70]

I have stayed as far south as Frederiksburg VA and drove in to Alexandria. I 95 can be crazy, but I think motorcycles can use the HOV lanes. Beltway is just as crazy, especially during rush hours. Yes, stay in good hotels, you will be glad you spent the money. I have never stayed in MD, only in Northern Virginia (NoVA).