Georgetown or Arlington

Question

Hi, we're visiting the beginning of July (including July 4th). I currently have some hotel options and cannot make up my mind which would be best. We are a family of 4 (2 teens). It's either Arlington or around Foggy bottom metro station. I have the Hilton garden inn Alington/courthouse or Hyatt centric Arlington OR Arc hotel Georgetown. We will not have a car. All the hotels are within a few minutes walk of a metro station.

But the Hilton garden inn is $150 cheaper than the 2 others. Hyatt centric has the smallest room (300ft² vs 390ft² for the 2 others).

In other words I cannot make up my mind. Which area would be best to stay in? Review wise the Hyatt scores a little higher than the other 2 (4.3 vs 4.0).

We will be visiting sights around the Mall, the Holocaust museum, the Spy museum and the 4th of July fireworks.

All tips welcome!

Answer

For a family visiting Washington DC in early July, including July 4th, the choice between staying in Arlington or Georgetown/Foggy Bottom depends on priorities like convenience, cost, and atmosphere. Since you will not have a car and will rely on the Metro, access to public transportation is a key factor.

Arlington

Arlington, particularly around Courthouse or Rosslyn, offers excellent Metro access with quick lines into downtown DC, including the Smithsonian stations near the National Mall. Hotels here tend to be more affordable, and the area is generally safe and walkable, though it is more of a suburban feel compared to DC itself.

Hilton Garden Inn Arlington/Courthouse – significantly cheaper, spacious rooms, good reviews, easy Metro access to the Mall and museums.
Hyatt Centric Arlington – slightly higher review scores, but smaller rooms; close to Metro, convenient for sightseeing.

Georgetown / Foggy Bottom

Georgetown is a charming, historic neighborhood with cobblestone streets, shops, and restaurants. Foggy Bottom is close to George Washington University and the Kennedy Center. Both areas offer a more “urban” and scenic feel, but Metro access is more limited. Foggy Bottom station is on the Blue/Orange line, which can get you to the Mall, but Georgetown itself does not have a Metro station, so you would need to walk or use a bus from the Arc Hotel Georgetown.

Arc Hotel Georgetown – larger rooms, nice location for exploring Georgetown, but farther from most museums and the Mall unless you use public transit.

Considerations for July 4th

Fireworks on the National Mall attract massive crowds. Staying closer to Metro stations that serve the Mall (Smithsonian, Federal Triangle, L’Enfant Plaza) is highly recommended.
Arlington hotels provide a faster, easier Metro commute to the Mall and monuments compared to Georgetown, which lacks a Metro stop.

Recommendation

For a family with teens, without a car, and planning to visit the Mall, museums, and July 4th fireworks, Arlington (either Hilton Garden Inn or Hyatt Centric) is the most practical choice. The $150 savings at the Hilton Garden Inn make it a particularly good value, and the slightly smaller room at the Hyatt may be less comfortable for a family of four. The convenience of easy Metro access outweighs the charming setting of Georgetown for a short, busy sightseeing trip.