Hotels -reasonable in good neighborhood.

Question

Plan to visit DC with our bicycles in October. Hope to bike to Mall, Museums, Georgetown (to see niece play vball). Hotel rates are so high so we are looking out a bit-Is Silver Springs or Arlington good? Looks like a bike route from Silver Springs in to town. Any other place(s) we should consider? Limiting our biking to 30 miles round trip. Thank you!!

Answer

For a DC trip in October with bicycles, both Silver Spring, MD, and Arlington, VA, are solid choices for hotels. They are safe, have reasonable hotel rates compared to central DC, and provide good access for biking into the city while keeping your rides under a 30-mile round trip.

Here’s a detailed overview of your options:

Silver Spring, MD:
- Safe and walkable neighborhood with a variety of mid-range hotels. Rates are often lower than downtown DC.
- Bike-friendly routes along the Capital Crescent Trail and Rock Creek Park give direct access to the National Mall. Approximately 6–8 miles one way, making it well under your 15-mile one-way limit.
- Nearby restaurants, cafes, and grocery options are convenient for travelers.
Arlington, VA:
- Neighborhoods like Rosslyn, Courthouse, or Crystal City offer hotels that are safe and moderately priced.
- Bike commute to the Mall or museums is roughly 5–7 miles via the Mt. Vernon Trail along the Potomac River—mostly flat and scenic.
- Close access to Georgetown, making it convenient if you plan to visit your niece’s volleyball games.
Other Considerations:
- Alexandria, VA: Historic Old Town has safe streets and good hotels. The Mt. Vernon Trail connects you to DC (about 8–9 miles one way).
- Capitol Hill area (Eastern Market / Near Navy Yard): If you find a deal, this puts you very close to the Mall and museums. It reduces bike time but may cost more than suburban options.
- Downtown Silver Spring / Takoma Park area: Safe, slightly less busy than central DC, good for starting longer bike rides into the city or to Georgetown.

Tips for biking from these locations:

Use Capital Bikeshare docks if your hotel doesn’t have secure bike parking—docks are widely available near the Mall, museums, and Georgetown.
Plan your rides on dedicated bike trails (Capital Crescent Trail, Mt. Vernon Trail, Rock Creek Park Trail) to avoid heavy city traffic.
Carry a lock and lights, especially if riding early morning or dusk.
Consider leaving heavier luggage in the hotel if you plan a longer ride into the city.

Overall, Silver Spring or Arlington provide the best combination of safety, hotel value, and biking access to key DC locations. Alexandria or Capitol Hill can also be convenient if you find good rates, but may be slightly more expensive.

Hotels -reasonable in good neighborhood.

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