Trying to organize DC on the 4th of July weekend is, in my humble opinion, borderline insanity. The traffic is horrible, the room rates are high and nothing's vacant, the airports are mobbed... WHY?
Lisa, you're planning a year ahead of time for your journey, why not plan for after Labor Day (early September in other words) when all the American travelers have gone home to where they belong?
Hell, I won't even leave my HOUSE on the 4th of July weekend on Cape Cod; you have to drag me out. Tourists EVERYWHERE... And DC has to be worse, surely? Being our seat of liberty and all, celebrations up the wazoo...
Trying to organize DC on the 4th of July weekend is, in my humble opinion, borderline insanity. The traffic is horrible, the room rates are high and nothing's vacant, the airports are mobbed... WHY?
Lisa, you're planning a year ahead of time for your journey, why not plan for after Labor Day (early September in other words) when all the American travelers have gone home to where they belong?
Hell, I won't even leave my HOUSE on the 4th of July weekend on Cape Cod; you have to drag me out. Tourists EVERYWHERE... And DC has to be worse, surely? Being our seat of liberty and all, celebrations up the wazoo...
R.
I wanted it to be either June July or August, that is when you guys have summer break isnt it? I thought it may be better then if people have kids in school etc.
i would say anytime from mid-june through mid-july. july 4th would be great, for all the reasons bear would choose to stay away ;-)
there are tons of hoteled/moteled suburbs, and public transportation is pretty decent.
the only other thing i would tell you is the same thing my sister the ex-travel agent used to tell clients wanting to go down under: if you're gonna go that far, try to stay as long as you can, because there's too much to see...
I was just looking at hotels in washington DC. Is there a suburb I should look for or look out for? The prices dont seem that bad around July 4.
I've always enjoyed staying near Dupont Circle. Great restaurants. Not far from the zoo. Located on a subway line making it very convenient. Many of the embassys are located in that neighborhood, so it's a reasonably safe area as well.
i would say anytime from mid-june through mid-july. july 4th would be great, for all the reasons bear would choose to stay away ;-)
there are tons of hoteled/moteled suburbs, and public transportation is pretty decent.
the only other thing i would tell you is the same thing my sister the ex-travel agent used to tell clients wanting to go down under: if you're gonna go that far, try to stay as long as you can, because there's too much to see...
thanks skip, I am going to virginia beach after DC, I am hoping to stay for around 2 weeks. I wish it were more.
I was just looking at hotels in washington DC. Is there a suburb I should look for or look out for? The prices dont seem that bad around July 4.
I've always enjoyed staying near Dupont Circle. Great restaurants. Not far from the zoo. Located on a subway line making it very convenient. Many of the embassys are located in that neighborhood, so it's a reasonably safe area as well.
The only and I mean only reason I discourage July 4 is the INSANE security.
If we do July 4, be prepared for HOT weather, and security all over the major tourist areas. You will not be able to use tripods over that weekend. The population density is just insane. They will not let you bring them on the mall for the fireworks.
It's fun as heck, but the mall and monuments are not gonna be photographer friendly. Keep in mind that what you can do as a solo photographer is gonna be harder as a group.
The only and I mean only reason I discourage July 4 is the INSANE security.
If we do July 4, be prepared for HOT weather, and security all over the major tourist areas. You will not be able to use tripods over that weekend. The population density is just insane. They will not let you bring them on the mall for the fireworks.
It's fun as heck, but the mall and monuments are not gonna be photographer friendly. Keep in mind that what you can do as a solo photographer is gonna be harder as a group.
can you use tripods on the other dates around July 4? Or can you not use them for the whole week?
can you use tripods on the other dates around July 4? Or can you not use them for the whole week?
It's honestly going to depend. In general Park Police will let you set up tripods so long as they are not in people's way. So it's going to depend on time of day, and if some tourist gets ticked off enough to complain about it.
It will also depend on what events are scheduled. They usually shut the Mall down early to set up the security.
I honestly avoid downtown like the plague during July 4. :)
sorry if i am sounding vague with these questions :) forgive me
Is DC that insane the whole week of July 4? Would the weekend before or after be as crazy? July 4 next year is a Wednesday. Maybe if I arrived on the Monday, and we did the night tour the next weekend, say the 7th/8th would that still be crazy then?
sorry if i am sounding vague with these questions :) forgive me
Is DC that insane the whole week of July 4? Would the weekend before or after be as crazy? July 4 next year is a Wednesday. Maybe if I arrived on the Monday, and we did the night tour the next weekend, say the 7th/8th would that still be crazy then?
That sounds more reasonable....sorta... July 4 and which ever weekend it's associated with are crazy in most towns and cities in the US. Festivals, fireworks, drunk drivers, family picnics, delayed graduation parties....all part of the expectation. Some of us, like Robert (bear) try to stay off the roads. The other 98% of the population is at those events...often out of town...hogging all the hotel rooms etc.
That said, we're really friendly folk and love our national holiday. If that's when you come, that's when we'll have you...and we'll all have a good time.
sorry if i am sounding vague with these questions :) forgive me
Is DC that insane the whole week of July 4? Would the weekend before or after be as crazy? July 4 next year is a Wednesday. Maybe if I arrived on the Monday, and we did the night tour the next weekend, say the 7th/8th would that still be crazy then?
That sounds more reasonable....sorta... July 4 and which ever weekend it's associated with are crazy in most towns and cities in the US. Festivals, fireworks, drunk drivers, family picnics, delayed graduation parties....all part of the expectation. Some of us, like Robert (bear) try to stay off the roads. The other 98% of the population is at those events...often out of town...hogging all the hotel rooms etc.
That said, we're really friendly folk and love our national holiday. If that's when you come, that's when we'll have you...and we'll all have a good time.
:) I would love to experience your july 4 holiday celebrations :)
