Washington, DC is surprisingly senior-friendly and affordable. The public transportation system is excellent. Many popular museums, memorials and government buildings don't charge admission. If you can find an affordable place to stay and stick to your dining budget, a trip to Washington, D.C. doesn't have to break the bank.
Getting There
Washington is served by three airports: Reagan National Airport, Dulles International Airport and Baltimore / Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. You can also travel by Amtrak passenger train to Union Station.
Where to Stay
There's no shortage of hotels in and around the District of Columbia. Unless you're visiting during a festival or special event, you'll usually get the best rates on weekends. Many visitors choose motels outside the District to save money; staying near a Metro station will save you the agony of a Washington commute. As in any large city, safety should be a top consideration; some areas in the city's northeast and southeast quadrants are not safe at night. Georgetown, Foggy Bottom, Dupont Circle and the National Mall area are among the District's safer neighborhoods.
Dining Options
You can find affordable restaurants near every attraction in the District. Several Smithsonian museums have fast-food restaurants or cafés on-site. The Old Ebbitt Grill, Ben's Chili Bowl, and Union Station's food court are popular with tourists and locals alike. You can also save money by eating during happy hour – another popular local tradition – or by packing a picnic and carrying it to the Mall or the National Zoo.
Getting Around
Washington, DC boasts an extensive Metro system, which can take you nearly everywhere you want to go. The DC Circulator bus will take you to Georgetown, Union Station or the Mall for just one dollar. Taxicabs abound in the District; if your hotel is far from a Metro station, taking a taxi to the station is your safest alternative at night.
All Metro rail cars, stations and buses are wheelchair-accessible. Metro station elevators are somewhat problematic, as they tend to break down. Check WMATA's online elevator outage report before you travel.
Senior-Friendly Attractions
The U.S. Capitol, National Mall – home to Washington's famous memorials – and Smithsonian Institution museums are the District's most popular free attractions, and they all have accessible entrances. The National Archives, International Spy Museum ($17, but worth it) and Arlington National Cemetery are also senior-friendly. Touring the White House is only possible if you are in a group of ten or more and make arrangements several months in advance. Expect security screening at most museums and attractions.
Events and Festivals
Washington's most popular events include the Cherry Blossom Festival in April and, of course, the Independence Day celebration held on the National Mall each July 4. Holiday celebrations center around the National Christmas Tree, also on the Mall. During the holidays and summer months, you can attend free concerts at DAR Constitution Hall, the National Mall, the Kennedy Center, the National Gallery of Art and local universities.
