Where to Stay in DC

I second the Dupont Circle area. We lived there for a year (north of Dupont along Connecticut Ave.) and it's (IMO) the PERFECT place to stay if you are going to be in the district. I felt very safe there, it's on the metro line, and there are lots of places to eat. It's close to everything - we often walked to the mall, although you'd probably want to take the metro. The Zoo is also off that metro line, so it's easy to get to as well.

Hi S.! I live just outside of DC. You'd think I'd know more about places to stay but since I live here I haven't had to think about that too much! We do have friends from Delaware who come down here once every couple of years. They HIGHLY recommend staying at the Embassy Suites near the Convention Center. Our friends are pretty practical people, and they're a family of 6 as well! Anyway, this hotel has an indoor pool, complimentary breakfast, and obviously you've got a suite (so a little more room for everyone). Call to make sure, but I think they have an indoor pool.

Here is the info:
Embassy Suites Washington D.C. - Convention Center
900 10th Street NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001
TEL: 1-###-###-####

Like a few others have said, you don't want to stay in the suburbs unless you're near Metro. If I drive into DC at 2am it would take me 20-25 minutes. If I went in at 8 or 9am? You're looking at at least an hour, probably 90 minutes. I don't know much about the hotels in Old Town Alexandria, but if you can find one within walking distance of the King Street Metro then that could be an option. Old Town is great place for walking around, eating, etc.

You don't say how old your kids are, but we took my kids to the Capitol Building when they were 6 and 8, and they were bored out of their minds. An absolute must - Museum of Natural History (aka the "dinosaur museum") The zoo is pretty cool too - definitely worth the trek to the northern part of the city.

A couple of years ago we took my girls (maybe during that same trip to the Capitol Building?!) to the top of the W hotel. There is a restaurant up there that has the MOST amazing views!! Go at an odd time though - I think we were there at 11am. It's a pretty fancy restaurant and extremely expensive. They probably didn't want us there, but up we went. Luckily it was empty at that time. It was me and my SIL and our 4 kids under the age of 8. We just went to check out the view. We ordered 6 drinks and split a grilled cheese for the kids (they were starving) and it cost over $50!!! BUT it was totally worth it. You can see lots of interesting buildings including the White House. Once we went back downstairs we ate just pretzels from a cart on the street :)

If I think of anything else I'll let you know. Feel free to PM with any future questions. I know more about activities than where to stay. Have fun!!

Check out hotels at the National Harbor. I know you said there are 6 of you so I don't know what your budget is or how long you will be staying may come into play. This is a nice area with your choice of hotels.
I live in Va. and I have stayed at the Gaylord this past September. This area is a little bit more, but to me worth it, pack your own food for the little ones.
I've only lived here since August but we live in Woodbridge and we went to the White House in October and we took the Metro from Springfield and I noticed that there were Hotels near (walking Distance or hotel may provide service to the metro IDK) but I would check it out, I don't know what kind of area this is for nighttime. Oh but the metro dropped us right downtown a few blocks from the White House no changing trains and it took us about 20 minutes on the train.
Also if you plan to use the metro check things out because they are presently doing work to different metro rails, that will probably last into the summer.
Check out the National Aquarium Baltimore, we went there in October and the kids loved it! and so did the parents! lol You can drive there and there are parking garages, the site will tell you what street the parking lot is on there is a charge for parking. Pack a lunch food there is expensive and not worth the expense at all (we are there). No strollers are allowed inside the aqarium, but you can check your stroller at the entrance inside, we took out 1 year old and she was fine without a stroller.

As someone already mentioned check out the smithsonian website, sometimes there are reduced rates and specials for certain exhibits. my son went with friends to the Tuskegee exhibit during Feb. it was free all month and he had a blast they had a lot of activities for the kids and he came back with so many crafts he had made and still carries them around and wears what he made.

Inbox me about white house tours and such...
Someone mentioned an area near the Verizon Center, not sure exactly how close they were talking about to the Verizon Center, I have only been to the Verizon Center once but I would not stay near there with small kids and having to walk back and forth.
Good Luck and make sure you plan, plan, plan, that is how you will make the most of this trip!

The Embassy Suites in NW DC is great - it's on 22nd street right at N if I remember correctly. There's a pool, fridge/microwave in every room, plus you get a two room suite (not sure if that will fit six but I guess you could try). And it's a very safe neighborhood about a four block walk from the Dupont Circle metro. Plus, taxis are quite inexpensive for what you get in DC and you can easily take one to your hotel from the metro or anywhere else if you needed. And there is parking, although you'll pay for it. You'll pay at any hotel in DC for parking. The best part of the Embassy Suites is breakfast is included so you don't have to go out or store things in your room, and there's an evening reception with snacks - perfect for the days when you're not quite ready for dinner, but everyone is hungry.

Whatever you do, don't stay on North Capitol Street or on New York Avenue. There are quite a few hotels that bill themselves as family properties out there, and they're really inexpensive... but I promise you, it's not a good area of town and you will not feel safe driving around, much less walking.

PS. I lived in DC for ages and go back every few months for work, so if you find a VRBO and want to know if it's in a good (and walkable) area, just PM me. I'd be happy to look at addresses for you.

Back in 2003, we stayed at a Comfort Suites in Chantilly, VA...... yes, it was a bit of a drive, but it was way cheaper than anything closer in! There is also a metro station somewhere east of there (I don't remember how far), and we parked at the metro and took the metro a few times.

If I remember correctly, our room had 2 queen beds, and a full size fold out... so we could (all 6 of us) stay in one room. Shower time was a bit tricky, but we worked it out. They also had a pool, and the breakfast was more than just donuts, so that was nice, also. I believe the room had a microwave and mini-fridge, too.....

Having the breakfast really saves on meals.... that saved us probably $30 a day, if not more.

Have fun! We had a great trip!

Look up national, reputable, well-known "suites hotel" chains as Everly suggested, such as Embassy Suites or others. She's right -- avoid New York Ave., Rhode Island Ave., North Capitol Street; not good areas at night and the so-called family hotels are not in good shape either. I would definitely not stay out in the suburbs such as Chantilly or Reston (both Va.) as others have suggested; you will spend huge chunks of each day slogging back and forth on Metro (our subway) among the commuters, and Metro does not even go to Chantilly or Reston! (You do not, repeat, not want to drive into and out of DC each day; the traffic is second only to LA's as worst in the nation and you will deeply regret not staying in the city. Better to pay more to park and then walk or Metro everywhere than to be cursing the traffic twice daily for, oh, an hour or more each way.) The traffic from the suburbs into the city is infinitely worse now than in 2003 when Malia B. stayed in Chantilly, believe me. We live in those suburbs.

If you just must be outside the city, you want a close-in suburb such as Arlington or Alexandria, both in Va., but again, I'd stay in the city.

Good areas these days include the very hot Penn Quarter area (near the Verizon Center arena and the American Art Museum) and Dupont Circle, though I don't associate Dupont Circle with larger hotels that would have suites and Dupont Circle isn't walking distance from the mall for smaller kids. I would get a very good, current DC map and use it to plot some areas. If you are unsure about safety of an area, you could check Tripadvisor.com reviews for specific hotels, but be aware, those reviews often are only from people wanting to vent about negative experiences and don't always fully reflect an area' s positives.

DC is the best. Go to www.si. edu, the Smithsonian's web site, and search on family events for lots to see and do. The International Spy Museum (not part of the Smithsonian) is great for adults and older kids (maybe 12-14 and up) but will bore younger kids stiff and does cost $$. Do get to Arlington National Cemetery if that interests you, and if you have the time, take a day trip by car (this drive's fine) out to Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington (allot a full day for it or at least a full morning through lunchtime). It's only about 30 minutes by car from downtown DC and an easy drive. Check the Washington Post web site for family shows and activities in the area, and look for children's plays and other theatre. Getting into the White House now is more difficult and I'm not sure how it's done any more but check at their web site. The Capitol has a lovely, huge new visitor's center and worthwhile tours. The Washington Monument, alas, will be closed for the rest of 2012 due to earthquake damage.

ETA: As you can see - you will get a wide variety of answers here. As I advised you in a PM - our Metro system is NOT in Dulles YET. The metro stop that Malia referred to is Vienna - off the orange line. If you stay IN DC you will be paying premium prices. Here's a link for hotels at Dupont Circle. It also gives you a map of DC.

http://www.dupontcirclehotels.com/

I have already advised you about the Baltimore Aquarium. It is NOT cheap. It is great. As is the National Zoo. It is about a half-block walk from a Metro stop.

You can purchase metro passes in advance so you don't need to wait in line when you get here. You can also get a map of the metro line - this link will provide you with a map and how to purchase metro cards for convenient travel. http://www.wmata.com

It would help if you tell us your interests and what you want to do while you are here. Do you want free stuff or just kid friendly stuff? There is much to do.

S.:

Do you want to be IN DC or within "commuting" distance of DC?

I live in Reston, VA - 22 west of DC. We have an AWESOME public transportation system here. Unfortunately, the metro hasn't come out to Dulles Airport YET...they are building it...

Please PM me and let me know what you want to do and I will do what I can to help you find what you are looking for.

http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Georgetown/Infor...

From Frommers:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16080693/ns/travel-24_hour_la...