Looking for info on Washington DC

[Nicks Fan]

I am going to the 9:30 Club to see Blondie live for the first time in concert. I am trying to get a decent hotel in D.C that is not too expensive but also not a roach motel located in a bad area. I am not having much luck. Does anyone have any suggestions. I am also looking for general info about the city and things worth seeing and how best to get around. I am flying in on the Sunday and leaving Tuesday evening. The concert is Monday evening.

[louielouie2000]

My favorite hotel in DC is the Topaz; it is very funky, and affordable for DC. The Topaz is in the Dupont Circle neighborhood, which is the prettiest neighborhood in DC, IMO. Lots of beautiful old row houses, great cafes, shops, and almost every embassy in DC is in the neighborhood.

My favorite way to get around town is the Metro, which is their subway. I feel the DC Metro is the best mass transit system in the nation; it's very clean, well lit, and user friendly.

Regarding activities, I generally avoid all of the monuments & museums lining the National Mall because they are just too overrun with people. Instead, I like walking around Georgetown (down M Street especially), visiting Arlington National Cemetery (it's beautiful & has gorgeous views of the city), window shopping along Connecticut Ave in Dupont Circle is nice, and I like to dine in the Dupont Circle & Adams Morgan neighborhoods. The DC Zoo is enjoyable; it's setting in the Rock Creek Park gorge is beautiful.

If you've got any specific questions about DC, let me know. When I lived on the East coast, I visited DC on average 3 times a year for a decade. The city is like an old friend for me. :)