Overnighting in Washington

We're in the final stages of planning a trip out to see our daughter who'll be resident in Knoxville, TN for 6 months from early January. I thought that it would be good to combine this with visit to Washington, it being a city we've yet to visit.

I'd hope to put a few days in Washington at the end of our itinerary, simply transiting Washington at the start. However I am finding the timings don't work to get us out to Knoville on the same day as we arrive in Washington. Is it worth spending a night in the city then and coming back to it again later, or should we simply hunker down at an airport hotel for the night?

BTW, mother / daughter bonding prohibits switching the ends around and visiting Washington for a few days first...

Thanks

Paul

Depends on what time your flights the next day are.

I recall from previous visit that Dulles is about 1 hr from the city centre and there is no train / subway option to speed the journey up.

BUT DC is deffo a place to visit.

[honey lamb]

Hunker down at the airport. It will be easier as Dulles is a good distance from the city and it really isn't worth the hassle of getting in and out.

A suggestion. If you are staying in DC for a few days, on your return from Knoxville see if you can get a flight into DCA (Reagan National Airport). It is much more convenient for the city and the views as you come in to land are stunning - the Capitol, the White House and the Washington Monument one side and the Pentagon and Arlington on the other

Thanks Tonty & HL. Looking at hotels on TripAdvisor it seems that there are a couple that will shuttle you into Reston if you want to get out of the hotel for a little while in the evening, including a Hilton so I can play my Diamond card. I'm pretty sure we can fly back into DCA so will look to taking that option.

Paul

Dulles certainly can be up to an hour by car from the centre of DC, DCA is but ten minutes. I'd ask yourself this, if you had twenty hours between flights at Heathrow would you a) be miserable (no leading here :0 ) in an airport hotel, or b) take the HEX into London?

So, if you have money for the taxi (I think $55 fixed fare, or as you say take a hotel that will shuttle you to the metro) and would like to see the White House lit up, or go to the Smithsonian, or just walk around the major sites (DC is surprisingly walkable) - then I'd do it.

Alternatively, several here have commented that the air and space museum close to Dulles is awesome!

Dulles certainly can be up to an hour by car from the centre of DC, DCA is but ten minutes. I'd ask yourself this, if you had twenty hours between flights at Heathrow would you a) be miserable (no leading here :0 ) in an airport hotel, or b) take the HEX into London?

So, if you have money for the taxi (I think $55 fixed fare, or as you say take a hotel that will shuttle you to the metro) and would like to see the White House lit up, or go to the Smithsonian, or just walk around the major sites (DC is surprisingly walkable) - then I'd do it.

Alternatively, several here have commented that the air and space museum close to Dulles is awesome!

It is indeed! Visited on the morning before catching the VS flight back to LHR later in the day - definitely a must-visit if you are into aircraft - seeing the Concorde and Space Shuttle up close and walking around them is just amazing.