Pentagon City

Parent Cafe
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<p>I’ve got some vacation threads going, but long story short, we’re looking to do DC/Dulles Air Museum in mid May. We’re Marriott Reward members, and we’ve got at least one free night certificate up to Category 4 that I’d like to cash in.</p>

<p>In searching Alexandria/Arlington hotels, I came across a good rate at Residence Inn Pentagon City. Has parking, though at a charge, but that’s good, since we’ll rent a car to drive to Dulles Air and maybe Mount Vernon if time. But mostly, son does want to see DC attractions we missed on our last visit: Museum of American History, art galleries not on the Mall, Fords Theater, Bureau of Engraving. Son loves the Metro, and we’re hoping to get a hotel near a Metro stop, preferrably on the Yellow Line, so we can enjoy the view over the Bridge.</p>

<p>Never been to Pentagon City, and I see there’s a mall nearby. Not big fans of malls, though they do offer good food choices for my picky son. But Pentagon City seems to be a closer Metro stop to DC than the Alexandria hotels I was looking at, and I don’t mind the extra cost to save time. </p>

<p>Another hotel I’m looking at is in Crystal City, near that Metro stop, a little bit cheaper, but that’s not the issue. It’s the “ambiance” of the area and the convenience to the Metro.</p>

<p>Since many on here are in the Virginia/DC area, was hoping to get some insight into both the Crystal City and Pentagon City area, as far as safety, parking at the Metro stop, food options (think a teenager who only likes chicken nuggets and french fries), and ease of access to the highway (for trips to Dulles Air and getting to and from BWI for flight in and out).</p>

<p>Thanks for any help you can give!</p>

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<p>Pentagon City is a business/commuter/residential area that is located, well, right next to the Pentagon. There’s a Metro stop there, lots of shops and restaurants, and not far from DC. Easily accessible to major highways that’ll get you around.</p>

<p>Honestly, if you can stay IN DC, I would do that instead. DC is beautiful and a fun place to be. Parking might be a hassle, but most hotels have paid parking. If you’re a Platinum Reward member, parking is probably free. </p>

<p>Couple tips:

  1. Dulles Air & Space is really cool. It’s free, but parking is $12 (remember, it goes to the Smithsonian…great cause)
  2. Don’t ride the Metro 7am-9am and 5pm-7pm, or you’ll be dealing with high prices and lots of commuters
  3. B of E is really cool, definitely go to that, one of my favorite places as a kid
  4. If the weather is nice, try to go by the FDR Memorial, WWII Memorial, and TJ Memorial.</p>
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<p>^^^We stayed in DC before, and the prices are twice what they were two years ago when we went. We missed the outskirts places because we were trying to get our “money’s worth” from staying in DC. Still looking, though. This Pentagon City option wasn’t there before. Must have been a cancellation. Thanks for the time tips. If I remember correctly, one has to get to Bureau of Engraving very early, so will probably be riding the Metro at the mentioned times. Will we miss trains because they’re full and have to wait for the next one?</p>

<p>Our only option in DC so far is the National Harbor, but that seems to be as far away as Arlington and doesn’t seem to be near a Metro stop.</p>

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<p>If the Virginia location doesn’t work out, try these Marriott properties in Maryland near stops on the Red Line.
Residence Inn Bethesda Downtown - In the heart of Bethesda, and about half a block from the Bethesda Metro station. Lots of shops, restaurants, theaters, etc.
Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center - Across the street from the White Flint Metro Station. This neighborhood has shops and restaurants, but not much night life.
Courtyard Chevy Chase - About three blocks north of the Friendship Heights Metro Station. This neighborhood is full of luxury shops and restaurants.
Courtyard Silver Spring Downtown - Downtown Silver Spring close to the Silver Spring Metro Station. Again, there are scads of restaurants, and a giant movie theater in walking distance.</p>

<p>There are a couple other Marriott properties in the area but they aren’t near Metro stops, and you would go mad trying to get to and from the Metro.</p>

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<p>I live in Springfield VA and when I want to go downtown with the kids I often park my car at the Pentagon City Parking lot and take the metro into town. It is so much easier (and cheaper) than trying to find a place to park in DC, especially in the spring. The mall is anchored by Nordstrom and Macy’s with all the typical food court food. But there is Thai, Lebanese fusion asian and a host of other restuarants in Pentagon Row right next door. Across the street above the metro is California Pizza kitchen and if you want a $1.50 hot dog and drink Costco is there too. Needless to say everything a kid could want. You can’t beat the location for easy access to the Mall, Capitol Hill, Arlington Cemetery, Georgetown etc. Two stops on the Yellow line and you are just a couple of blocks from the mall.</p>

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<p>I second staying in DC. I went to the Pentagon City Mall once and didn’t feel particular safe walking in the parking lot.</p>

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<p>^^^Uhm, good point about mall safety. Why is it that malls have become scary places, even the nice ones? We’ll keep our wits about us and take cabs when we feel uneasy.</p>

<p>Are cabs readily available in this area?</p>

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<p>I lived in VA and would park at the Pentagon City mall parking garage and take the Metro in. You can also walk from there to the Pentagon station via a tunnel (I never did that, but guests did) and catch a train there if you don’t want to mess with transferring. I never felt unsafe in that garage or general area, even at night.</p>

<p>Crystal City is very close to Pentagon City, so time on the Metro wouldn’t be a big factor as far as which one to stay in goes.</p>

<p>The mall is multi-story and doesn’t have that large of a footprint. The food court is a great place to get a bite to eat before going into town.</p>

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<p>I’ve worked in both the Pentagon City area and in another community that is similar called Rosslyn. Rosslyn has it all over P.C. in my opinion as Rossyln has Metro too and it also is a bit younger with all the GWU and G-town renters living at River Place. Rosslyn is also a nice walk accross the Key Bridge to Georgetown, and unlike P.C. doesn’t seem cut off from the rest of Arlington. Check out Mariott properties including the Key Bridge Mariott and a nearby Courtyard. Many places to eat in the neighborhood too.</p>

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<p>Just bear in mind the golden rule for Metro escalators (especially during rush hour)–stand on the right, walk on the left. Commuters have no patience for tourists standing two abreast and blocking traffic. You may get run over, and at the very least you’ll learn some creative new vocabulary! :)</p>

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<p>Like cap, I have never felt unsafe in the Pentagon City mall garage. Just be aware that because it sits over a Metro station, many inner city kids hop the subway to the mall to hang out. So do lots of tourists. So do lots of military personnel. It’s no better or worse than any other mall.</p>

<p>Pentagon Row is adjacent to the mall. It is mixed-use retail & apartments with some shops & small ethnic restaurants. There is also a Harris Teeter grocery store for fresh produce & sandwich makings. And there is always the mall food court.</p>

<p>If you stay in either Pentagon or Crystal City, you can use [Metro[/url</a>] to get around town. Scroll down to see one-day and 7-day pass options. You can find a [url=&lt;a href=“http://www.wmata.com/rail/maps/map.cfm]map”&gt;http://www.wmata.com/rail/maps/map.cfm]map</a> of Metro system](<a href=“http://www.nps.gov/wamo/planyourvisit/feesandreservations.htm]Metro[/url”>http://www.nps.gov/wamo/planyourvisit/feesandreservations.htm) on the website too. 23rd street, which is closer to the Crystal City Metro stop, is another area that has a lot of restaurants. Go on Google maps and look up “Pentagon City mall.” The satellite view will give you a better sense of the area. </p>

<p>The Yellow Metro line is not as bad as the “Orange Crush” line.</p>

<p>You can find information about the [Bureau</a> of Engraving & Printing](<a href=“Home | Engraving & Printing”>Home | Engraving & Printing) on the link.
If you want to visit the [Washington</a> Monument](<a href=“http://www.nps.gov/wamo/planyourvisit/feesandreservations.htm]Washington”>http://www.nps.gov/wamo/planyourvisit/feesandreservations.htm), reserve tickets online in advance for timed entry. Tickets are free but there is $1.50 reservation fee.</p>

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<p>There is a very enthusiastic review of the gym at the recently opened Renaissance Arlington Capital View in today’s Express (the free mini version of the Washington Post that you can pick up at Metro stations). Is this the place you are considering Montegut? I’ve never seen a gym review before. Here is the online version: [Hotel</a> Gym Built to Be Army Strong: The Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel | Fit | Express Night Out](<a href=“http://www.expressnightout.com/content/2011/03/renaissance-arlington-capital-view-hotel-gym-army-strong.php]Hotel”>http://www.expressnightout.com/content/2011/03/renaissance-arlington-capital-view-hotel-gym-army-strong.php) You and your fellow traveler might find other interesting things to do by perusing the Express Website while you plan your trip.</p>

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<p>^^^Have a reservation, I believe, at the Residence Inn Capital View that does share pool and other facilities with the Renaissance. May be too upscale for our tastes, so will probably choose the Pentagon City property over that one. The Rosslyn Residence Inn is a hundred bucks a night more than the Pentagon City property. So, I’m willing to move down a metro stop to save a hundred bucks a night, but I don’t want to go too far down the Metro. Still checking every day, though, in case something opens up. As of two days ago, the Pentagon City room wasn’t available, so I grabbed it as soon as I saw it.</p>

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<p>Montegut, we stayed in the Pentagon City Residence Inn. It was safe and had kitchenettes and the walk to the Metro Station is quite safe. There were busloads of tourists in this hotel but it was an amiable place. Not the boutique hotels I have recommended before in the Kimpton group at Dupont Circle but a good option with a teenager since there are fold out couches I think. The mall is AOK…we were shopping at the outdoors equipment store there for my son’s college semester abroad and found what we needed. Easy commute into the city from this stop</p>

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<p>Very easy Metro access to DC from Pentagon City. I’d stay there if hotel prices are right, and spend all day in the city thru dinner. Three stops on Yellow Line to the Mall/Archives (10 minutes or so), easy walking distance from there to all museums. Honestly, most of the major tourist attractions are more accessible from there than from the major hotels in the District. Pentagon City Mall is actually a pretty nice retail mall with a decent food court, if you’re into that. I’m not, but there’s a convenience factor. For hotel price and access to museums/major attractions, it’s really hard to beat. Crystal City is a close second, just one Metro stop further out. </p>

<p>I like the District a lot, but last time I worked in DC we lived very close to Pentagon City because the combination of price and convenient access to the District couldn’t be beat. We’d have paid about $1,000 more/mo and had a much longer commute to find a comparable apartment in the District.</p>

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<p>if you value your life, please do not stand on the left side of an escalator (I realize this is not directly related to your questions, but it is very important). The left side is for walking, the right side is for standing.</p>

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<p>^^^Wow, point taken. I am definitely bad about standing on the wrong side of escalators and moving walkways in airports, so I’ll make sure to abide by this rule.</p>

<p>Thanks for the warning!</p>