Where to stay

Question

There is 12 family members 5 children, we would like to visit dc at least two days and have a family function in Felton Delaware one day. Staying a week . Not sure what location would benefit all

Answer

For a family trip involving 12 people, including 5 children, and the need to visit both Washington, DC, and Felton, Delaware, the ideal lodging location should balance accessibility to DC’s attractions and manageable travel time to Felton for your family function.

Considerations:

Driving from Washington, DC, to Felton, DE is approximately 1.5–2 hours depending on traffic. Staying too far north of DC may make the trip longer, while staying too close to Felton will increase your daily commuting into DC.
Given you plan to spend at least two days in DC and one day in Felton, a location in the eastern suburbs of DC or in northern Maryland can offer a reasonable compromise for driving.
Accommodation for 12 people is likely easiest in a large rental home or multiple connected hotel rooms rather than a single hotel room. Vacation rentals can provide communal space for meals, gatherings, and kid-friendly amenities.

Recommended base areas:

Eastern Montgomery County / Silver Spring / Bethesda, MD: These areas provide easy access to downtown DC via Metro or car (20–30 minutes) while keeping your drive to Felton manageable (~1.5–2 hours). Plenty of large vacation rentals and family-friendly hotels are available.
Prince George’s County / Bowie / Greenbelt, MD: Slightly closer to Felton while still within a reasonable drive to DC. Offers suburban rentals and easy highway access for your day trip to Delaware.
Alexandria / Arlington, VA: If the priority is experiencing DC attractions with minimal driving, staying on the Virginia side close to the Metro is convenient. However, the trip to Felton will be slightly longer (~2 hours).

Accommodation options for a large family:

Vacation rental homes with 5+ bedrooms, multiple bathrooms, full kitchen, and living spaces suitable for children.
Extended-stay hotels or suite-style hotels with multiple bedrooms or adjoining rooms, often with breakfast and sometimes a pool.
Suburban Airbnb or VRBO homes in Silver Spring, Bethesda, Bowie, or Greenbelt can provide flexible sleeping arrangements and living spaces for kids to play.

Planning tips:

Allocate 2–3 nights in DC for sightseeing (Smithsonian museums, National Mall, monuments) to reduce daily driving stress.
Reserve one day for your family function in Felton, ideally driving early to avoid peak traffic.
Use the remaining days to explore nearby attractions, parks, or day trips in the Maryland/DC region or plan a relaxed day at the rental property.

In summary, a vacation rental in eastern Montgomery County, Silver Spring, or northern Prince George’s County is likely the best compromise, giving you easy access to DC for sightseeing and reasonable driving distance to Felton, Delaware. This allows the family to stay together comfortably and balance travel time effectively.

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