Off topic- Places to stay

nursemomruns · Sep 7, 2005

Everyone,
OK, so this isn't nursing related, but I figured this would be a good place to get input. I'm getting ready to take a quick (4 day) vacation to the DC area in a few weeks and I'm having a hard time finding a place to stay. I'm driving from Central KY (about 9 hrs) and I want/need to keep things as cheap as possible! :-)
I've always wanted to go to DC (my first degree was in US History/Poli Sci....) but everywhere I can find online to stay is at least $60-70 a night. I don't care about any ammenties, just a place to sleep where I won't be killed in my sleep or have my car stolen.
A friend suggested just going and he was SURE there were places for around $40/night that I could find. Apparently he and his wife did this when they went to Annapolis/Baltimore and stayed in a "really nice place" for $50.
So, I'm thinking about that. Anyone from that area know if such a place might exist? I'd hate to get there and find out that the cheapest really IS $65/night. And if it is possible, any suggestions on what area to look in?
Like I said, I don't know much about DC (I went once for a 1 day conference and my total exposure consisted of the ride from Vienna to Fed Triangle on the metro and back :-( very sad that I didn't get to see more...) and I don't care about niceties and frills. It'll just be me travelling alone. Just need to get away for a few days.
Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated. Oh, and for you locals, any "must see/must do" things that aren't necesseraliy in the guide books would be great too!
Thanks!
bryan

What about a youth hostel? Not very luxurious, but I know there's one close to DC and it's a very cheap way to stay for a few days. A woman I ran into at a conference did it for 4 nights because she couldn't afford a hotel.

NeuroNP · Sep 7, 2005

What about a youth hostel? Not very luxurious, but I know there's one close to DC and it's a very cheap way to stay for a few days. A woman I ran into at a conference did it for 4 nights because she couldn't afford a hotel.

Well, I'm 30 and I believe there's a cutoff age for youth hostels! :-)

nursemomruns · Sep 7, 2005

bryanboling5 said:

Well, I'm 30 and I believe there's a cutoff age for youth hostels! ?

It depends on the hostel. Most of them don't have an age limit. The woman I met was in her early 40's, working on her PhD and didn't have any money to spare. She said she stays in them frequently when she travels. If you go to https://www.hostelworld.com/ you can get info on the hostels in DC. I found 2 of them. One without a curfew and with air conditioning.

serene43 · Nov 20, 2005

I don't know how old your post was, but staying on NE DC would be a good option. There are a lot of motels on New York Ave. as you come into DC near the highway. Also a must would be visiting Florida Ave Grille - a delicious soul food place - esp if you're from the South! Cheap and plentiful. Also, across from Howard University Hospital is a very good restaurant. And Ben's Chili Bowl. These are all cheap eats. If you have more money, the restaurants on the wharf in SW are more formal and more pricey. Have a good time and say hi to the Pres.

NeuroNP · Nov 20, 2005

Thanks for the info. I actually went to DC last month, but that's ok! :-)

I ended up staying in Capitol Heights. The place wasn't great, but it was cheap! My only complaint was that it was not very convienent to the Metro. I could take a bus to the nearest Metrorail Station (Addison Road) 3 miles away, but while I was there, the bus made it's last run at around 8:00pm. That meant I had to leave DC in time to get to Addison Road and catch that bus or I'd be walking three miles (in the dark) back to my motel (after a long day of walking around DC).

It wasn't bad as by 7:00 I was pretty beat from hiking all over the place - one day I started off at the Smithsonian and walked all the way to G'town university and then got off the Metro too early in the NE and ended up walking another several miles trying to find the place I was looking for! (good excercise though!) - but it would have been nice to get to hang out in DC at night. Lesson learned.

I fell in love with the city though and hope to move there after graduation!

APP · Mar 8, 2006

It is highly unlikely that you will find a hotel or motel within a reasonable distance of DC for less that $65. Baltimore and Annapolis are both at least 1 hour from DC - more at rush-hour. I'd post on Craigs list to see if a private person will put you up.