Weekend Road Trip to Maryland/DC area - looking for tips

Thinking about taking a road trip with my 11-year old daughter to the area in mid-July. It will be just a long weekend (thinking Thursday to Sunday, or Friday to Monday). I would really like to take her to Washington, DC, since she has never been before, and I haven%26#39;t visited the area in well over 10 years. Since hotels in DC might be expensive (I%26#39;m looking for something reasonably priced, but no more than $110 per night), I thought that staying in Maryland might be a better option. Looking for suggestions on where to stay in Maryland, also, is there a train that will take us to DC so that I won%26#39;t have to drive there and deal with traffic to do some sightseeing. Also, are there any recommendations of where to go with an 11-year old (the White House will be on the list, of course).

Thanks in advance!

Weekend Road Trip to Maryland/DC area - looking for tips

If you intend to visit the White House you need to contact your Congressional Rep or Senator NOW to try to get in. It%26#39;s the only way to do it for most people...

Have you priced the hotels in DC for your dates yet? You may be surprised, rates can be low in the middle of summer as locals go on vacation and the town tends to empty out, especially if Congress is in recess.

If DC doesn%26#39;t work for you, I actually think it%26#39;s better and easier to stay across the river in Virginia rather than Maryland.

Weekend Road Trip to Maryland/DC area - looking for tips

I agree that Virginia might be a better option than Maryland.

Try Arlington, VA (Crystal City, Pentagon City, National Airport)

-Americana Hotel in Arlington (Crystal City) will definitley be $110.00 or even less. It is a budget Motel type place. But it is clean and everyone likes it that stay there. As long as you know it%26#39;s a motel

www.americanahotel.com

-Try one of the several B%26amp;B%26#39;s in DC. Look under the B%26amp;B section under the DC forum. I think that might be a little something different for the two of you.

Sightseeing:

-White House might be difficult since you normally need 6 months in advance through your congressman.

-Several of the museums might be of interest (www.si.edu)

-Capitol Building tours

-Bureau of Engraving

-Spy Museum

-Holocaust Museum (she might or might not be old enough to fully understand or appreciate it but you know your daughter)

-

Thank you both so much for your input and suggestions. I will definitely look into the options of staying in Virginia, and even a B%26amp;B in DC (sounds very interesting!). I didn%26#39;t know that you have to make reservations that far in advance to visit the White House, but if we don%26#39;t get to do the tour, you have given me quite a few other options).