Challenge: Washington, D.C.

I just got back from a weekend in Washington DC visiting family, so I felt inspired to use the nation's capital as this week's challenge.  

Washington DC is a great place to visit for multiple reasons with one of the best (travel) reasons being FREE ADMISSION to many of the museums and monuments!  (This site lists 100 things!)  There is so much to see and do in the DC area, and this week's challenge shows what you can afford with three different budgets.  For more ideas beyond those listed here, check out washington.org and thedistrict.com. 

Criteria 

Needs/Wants:  We are looking for a place with easy access to monuments and museums, either by walking or public transportation.   

Time Frame:  3 nights / 4 days - Leaving early on Day 1 in order to arrive during mid afternoon.  Departing around lunchtime on Day 4 in order to arrive home in the evening.  I have picked October 21-24, 2012 (Friday-Monday) for pricing estimates. 

Budget:  There are three different trip budgets: $750, $1,000 and $1,500.  This includes transportation, lodging, food, and activities for two people.  Please note that prices are TOTAL (not per person).  Since most of the activities are free, these plans could be adjusted to a family of 4 - two adults and two kids.  Most of the budget adjustments would be in Food, Metro Passes, and Airfare (if flying).

Option #1: $750 Total Trip Budget

Hotel:  Hilton Garden Inn Arlington/Shirlington - 1K @ Advanced Purchase (non-refundable)-rate (no breakfast); Complimentary shuttle to the Pentagon City metro stop (Check out the great reviews on TripAdvisor)  $340.67 TL

Car/Gas: 417mile each way (~7.5hr); round trip 834 miles with 22mpg at $3.50/gal  $132.68 TL

Parking:  Hilton Garden Self Park  $0

Transportation:  DC Metro - Calculate exact metro lines (ex: Blue Line Pentagon City to Smithsonian $4.80pp round trip  ~$30.00 TL

Food: Breakfast (B): $6/day (3); Lunch (L): $20/day(4); Dinner (D): $40/day(3); Drinks (Dr): $10/day(3)  ~$248TL (for two people)
Based on Day 1 (L/D/Dr), Day 2 (B/L/D/Dr), Day 3 (B/L/D/Dr), Day 4 (B/L)
To save money, buy food at a local grocery or market.  For a cheap yet filling breakfast, I recommend a protein bar or shake.  Groupon, Living Social, and other discount websites can help you find restaurant deals so you can get more for you money.

Activities: Smithsonian Museums & Zoo $0pp; White House $0pp (must set up tour with your congressman at least 21 days in advanced!); US Capital Building $0pp; Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson Monument $0pp; Holocaust Museum $0pp; Arlington National Cemetery $0pp; Walk around Georgetown $0pp  $0 
(Please note that while all of these museums are free, many do require a ticket!  Free tickets can usually be picked up on a first-come first-served basis at each museum but check their web pages for more details.)

Trip Total:  $751.35 TL

Option #2: $1,000 Total Trip Budget

Hotel:  Renaissance Arlington Capital View - 1K @ AAA-rate (no breakfast); Complimentary shuttle to the Crystal City metro stop (Check out their reviews on TripAdvisor)  $310.90 TL
(This hotel is cheaper than option #1, but charges a minimum of $16/day for parking making it more expensive.)

Car/Gas: 417mile each way (~7.5hr); round trip 834 miles with 22mpg at $3.50/gal  $132.68

Parking:  Renaissance off-site Parking $16/day $48 TL

Transportation:  DC Metro - One Day MetroRail Pass: $9pp/day - $54 TL

Food: Breakfast (B): $15/day(3); Lunch (L): $30/day(4); Dinner (D): $60/day(3); Drinks (Dr): $30/day(3)  ~$435TL (for two people)
Based on Day 1 (L/D/Dr), Day 2 (B/L/D/Dr), Day 3 (B/L/D/Dr), Day 4 (B/L)

Activities: Smithsonian Museums & Zoo $0pp; White House $0pp (must set up tour with your congressman at least 21 days in advanced!); US Capital Building $0pp; Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson Monument $0pp; Holocaust Museum $0pp; Arlington National Cemetery $0pp; Walk around Georgetown $0pp  $0  
Trip Total:  $980.58 TL
(Please see notes from trip option #1.)

Option #3: $1,500 Total Trip Budget

Hotel:  Hotel George, a Kimpton Hotel - 1Q @ AAA Advanced Purchase (non-refundable)-rate; $10 Starbucks giftcard per night; Walking distance to the sites (just north of Capital Hill) and Union metro/train stop (Check out glowing reviews on TripAdvisor)   $491.22 

Residence Inn Washington, DC /Capitol - 1K @ AAA-rate;  Full breakfast buffet; Walking distance to the sites (just south of National Mall) and Federal Center SW metro stop (Check out their good reviews on TripAdvisor)   $553.03   (Same hotel on washington.org is $475.27; I would call to see if they would match the price without booking through a third-party site.)
Airfare: US Airways Columbus (CMH) to Washington DC (DCA) Direct Flights - $440 TL

Transportation:  Estimated taxi fare ~$20 each way  ~$40 TL
DC Metro - One Day MetroRail Pass: $9pp/day - $54 TL

Food: Breakfast (B): Included (or use Starbucks card); Lunch (L): $30/day(4); Dinner (D): $60/day(3); Drinks (Dr): $30/day(3)  ~$390 TL (for two people)
Based on Day 1 (L/D/Dr), Day 2 (B/L/D/Dr), Day 3 (B/L/D/Dr), Day 4 (B/L)

Activities: Smithsonian Museums & Zoo $0pp; White House $0pp (must set up tour with your congressman at least 21 days in advanced!); US Capital Building $0pp; Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson Monument $0pp; Holocaust Museum $0pp; Arlington National Cemetery $0pp; Walk around Georgetown $0pp  $0 

Trip Total:  $1415.22 (Hotel George) OR $1477.03 (Residence Inn)

(Please see notes from trip option #1.)
 

Please note that prices were accurate at the time of posting but can change quickly.  Feel free to post any questions or comments!