Washington, DC residents are quick to point out that many of the attractions in the area are free, leaving tourists with the impression that sightseeing is pretty cheap. That's not quite the case. Even a one-day excursion can wind up costing you $100 or more if you aren't careful. Here are some tips to keep touring around the nation's capitol not so painful on the pocket book.
1. Hotels closer to downtown tend to cost more than hotels in Virginia or Maryland. A good example of this is the relative prices of Comfort Inns around the district. Situated in Alexandria, Virginia, the Comfort Inn costs $52 to $82 for one person while the same hotel chain near Dulles Airport in DC costs $79 to $229 and $69 to $89 in College Park, Maryland. If you have a car, spend your money on a good map rather than close accommodations. If you don't have a car, the Metro subway system is easy to use. When you select your hotel, make sure a Metro station is nearby or that your hotel runs a courtesy shuttle service.
2. You'll find food prices to be quite high in DC This is true in all instances where food is concerned - restaurant food or staples found on the grocery shelf. Budget a little extra money to cover the cost of food and don't be afraid to check out the menu before choosing a place to eat. Also, pack lunches and munchies for sightseeing during the day. Avoid buying snacks at the museum shop or mall food vender.
3. If the terms "historic," "rustic," or "colonial" are used to describe a restaurant, you can bet you'll be paying for the ambiance. Restaurant atmosphere can be a nice treat, but it doesn't have to be an expensive every-night occurrence. Dine at some of the mom-and-pop places or the huge variety of ethnic establishments that are available. All you need is your map and maybe a phone book.
4. How to get around DC? A good pair of walking shoes and the Metro system (subway and bus) will get you just about anywhere you would like to go without the hassle of traffic jams. Destination and bus maps are readily available at every Metro station. The cost of a typical one-way trip per person ranges from $1.60 to $2.40 depending on time of day and final destination. Children under four years old ride free. Parking is available at some of the stations outside the Beltway and costs $1-$2 a day during the week and is free on the weekends. To make traveling quicker, carry $1 and $5 bills for the fare machines. You can use a $20, but the machines will not offer any more than $4.50 in change, leaving you stuck with a $15 fare card. The fare card is a great idea if you plan to travel via Metro a lot. However, it's not cost-conscious for the one-time traveler. If you plan on making multiple stops during the day, consider buying the cheaper $5 all-day pass.
5. As wonderful and convenient as the Metro system is, there are still good reasons to avoid it. If you are touring DC during the week, the Metro is probably the best idea. Traffic on the Beltway or any number of the other highways can be horrendous. Also, downtown parking is not free during the work week. And parking near the Smithsonian or Federal buildings is nearly impossible during the week. However on weekends, Mall parking is free - but still hard to find. If you have a family of four or more, it is more cost effective to spend the gas and drive yourself on the weekend.
6. It might be a good idea to carry all your necessary maps, cameras, umbrellas and wallets in a backpack for easy travel. As the day rolls on, you might be glad for a place to store the maps, museum pamphlets and little purchases that you collect along the way. This keeps anyone from accidentally leaving a treasure behind.
7. Avoid day tour companies. These companies will take you on an all-day excursion through DC You'll see such sights as the Capitol, the White House, the many memorials and museums, but is it worth the cost? If you have your map and a guidebook, you can see all of the above attractions free - and on your own time. You may have to arrive before 8 a.m. for some of the most popular spots, including the White House. The benefits of do-it-yourself tours are obvious. You will have all the time you want to visit each site without being rushed. You don't have to strain to hear what the guide is saying. You can pick and choose the sights you want to see rather than have it all pushed past you.
8. It is true that the Smithsonian museums, the National Zoo, the memorials and government buildings are all free. However, other sights such as Mount Vernon or the Children's Capitol Museum are quite costly and sometimes hard to get to via public transportation. That is not to say they aren't worth seeing. Mount Vernon is a beautiful four-hour walking tour that is well worth the $8 a person price tag.
9. Almost every museum has its own restaurant and/or cafeteria, in addition to a collection of hot-dog stands and ice cream venders that buzz around the entrance points. The cafeteria food is bland at best and the venders offer pretty standard fare that is not worth the high price tag that you pay. The fancier restaurants such as the Wright Place in the Air and Space Museum or the Ice Cream Parlor in National Museum of American History offer gourmet delights but in small portions and for high prices.
Avoid all these money pits by simply packing a picnic lunch. Although there are only a few picnic tables available, the Mall has lots of park benches and no one minds if you settle on a shady spot under one of the many trees. Eating outside can be entertaining too as you listen to one of the many budding musicians that sprinkle the area. If you can't easily make sandwiches, then consider stopping at a supermarket deli before heading downtown. They always have sandwiches and chips ready to go at costs far cheaper than the restaurants.
10. Stay out of the museum gift shops. The colors, shapes and sounds that weave out of one of these shops is not unlike the siren call from the rock of bankruptcy. Children especially will delight in the museum gadgets, which range from terribly tacky to expensive and extraordinary. Set a limit of how much souvenir money you want to spend and then stick to it fastidiously. Ask yourself this, "The full-color, large print photo book seems to be a bargain at $50, but will I ever look at it after I get back home?" Probably not.
11. Stay away from the street vendors. Their tempting lower prices draw the tourist into thinking that three T-shirts for a $10 is a great deal. This is a great deal if you plan on wearing the T-shirts just once. If it's T-shirts that you want, buy them and other souvenirs from the museum or federal buildings' gift shop. They will cost more but be of better quality.
12. Unless you specifically want to fashion shop, stay out of the malls, including Pentagon City, Springfield Mall or Tyson's Corner. These malls are great to walk through, but were built with the sole purpose of separating you and your hard-earned cash. Small-town folks are particularly drawn to these glittering malls with the feeling that they can't get such unusual products at home. Nonsense! With today's commerce through the Internet and mail catalogs, there is nothing offered at any of these stores that can not be bought at a later time or place. If you are in doubt over a particularly expensive purchase, ask for a catalog or the manufacturer's website. Do they ship purchases? Wait a day to give yourself time to recover from impulse buying fever.
Washington, DC is rated one of the most expensive places to live in the entire country. However, it doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg to visit. With a little ahead-of-time planning, budgeting and the right attitude, you and your family can have a great time without breaking the bank.
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