I visited Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia in three days. My family and friends were surprised I traveled to D.C. after witnessing the attack on Capitol Hill. Although Mayor Muriel Bowser strongly encouraged visitors to stay home, I wanted to be in my Chucks and Pearls for Inauguration Day 2021.

Hotel Event Prices

When I booked my Southwest flight, there were no travel restrictions. Because of recent events, passengers flying to D.C. would need a PCR negative test result. Without hesitation, I took the COVID-19 test and received my results within 24 hours. I put in my request for personal time off so that I could enjoy my trip. The cost for a room ranged from $71 to $1400 per night. Several hotels had no availability. However, after the attack on the Capitol, rooms became available. I booked rooms at two hotels using 40,000 Hilton Honors points and $237. Book a room at Embassy Suites by Hilton Washington D.C. Chevy Chase Pavilion if you want to visit Maryland and Washington. I also booked at the Hampton Inn Alexandria-Old Town/King St. Metro.

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority 

There were only 43 passengers on this flight to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. We would use public transportation during our stay in Washington and loaded our Metro card with $18. We learned several Metro stations were closed until January 21, and I cannot describe the loop we traveled in to get to the Embassy Suites. In hindsight, we should have taken an Uber to the red line to avoid riding around in a circle. On the train ride, we passed stops for Howard University, Nomad Christian University, and Brookland-CUA. I enjoy finding post-secondary institutions when I travel because I am a High School Counselor.

Embassy Suites Washington, D.C., and Clyde’s

When we checked in at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Washington D.C. Chevy Chase Pavilion, I received a goody bag and coupons for a complimentary take-and-go breakfast. There were several stores in the area: Lord & Taylor, Marshalls, Nordstrom Rack, DSW, and J. Crew. We also observed stores with boards covering their windows. We assumed this had something to do with the attack on Capitol Hill in anticipation of rumors of more attacks. Most of the restaurants in D.C. were closed except Clyde’s. The restaurant offered outdoor dining in a heated tent. Yes, Clyde’s is in Maryland. I crossed off Maryland on my list of states to visit. 

Inauguration Day 2021

After breakfast, we headed to the Metro to catch the train to Alexandria, Virginia. We met a lady on the Metro who had to relocate to another hotel. When I reserved the rooms, I could not understand why so many hotels had limited availability. Then I thought about the deployment of the Guardsmen, who needed accommodations. We were lucky to secure our stay. We checked in early, dropped off our suitcases, and took the train to Howard University. I can add Howard to my list of campus visits. We also tried to see the King Monument, but the barricades around D.C. were hard to get through. However, our Uber driver managed to put us close to the Capitol. I want to thank the Washington resident who gave us an impromptu walking tour as we tried to get a peek at the motorcade.

Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia

We hopped on the Metro and made it back to the Hampton Inn. We took a walk down King Street toward the waterfront. Although restaurants in D.C. were closed, Virginia offered indoor and outdoor dining. If you make it to Alexandria, you must take a walk or ride to the waterfront. Alexandria was voted one of the Best Small Cities by Conde Nast Traveler and Top 20 Destinations for 2020 by Departures. You will not be disappointed. Do not forget to support a small business on King Street, enjoy lunch on the waterfront at Vola’s, or stop by the Majestic for dinner.

George Washington Masonic National Memorial

I always look for accommodations that offer complimentary breakfast. Think about how much money we saved on breakfast for three days. By the way, there were National Guards at Hampton Inn as well. After breakfast, we walked to the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. Although we did not enter the memorial, we climbed the stairs to see Alexandria from a different viewpoint. If you want to check off places on your travel list, you can visit Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia in three days. The lady we met on the Metro told us she also visited Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey by traveling on Amtrak.

No Need to Worry About Safety

When we boarded in Chicago, TSA was present to double-check our identification. When we boarded in Washington, the pre-board line was long. There were several passengers with guns on our flight to Chicago. I enjoyed my trip and cannot wait to experience another historic moment. I earned 4,214 Hilton Honors and 888 Rapid Rewards points when I visited Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.

The Budget