Originally Posted by tiwenzo
Going to DC with my brother, age 13, on June 23-29, 2006. Is that too long a stay? Wondering which hotels are the best/coolest to stay at, especially a question of if the historical hotels are worth staying at. Price doesn't matter. I really like the Ritz-Carlton, because I like getting the Mercedes-Benz Key to Luxury Package because I don't have to go rent a crappy car and let me know if the Ritz-Carlton in DC is good/bad over other hotels.
Use Metro! A car is like a big painful wart. For short rides taxis are cheaper than almost any other big city (if you don't cross zone lines....
Get a good pocket guide with maps!
All the museums on the Mall, especially the Air & Space, for a 13 year old, and given the time you'll be there a trip to the new Air & Space Annex out in the boonies is worth it. Missing either the Museums of Natural or American History would be silly, and the National Gallery has a large, eclectice and sort of "necessary viewing" collection. Do not miss the zoo.
Hotels? Like real estate, location, location, location, and honestly, your 13 year old might enjoy nothing better than the JWMarriott, right on Pennsylvania at 13th or so, convenient to all and only 1.5 blocks from Metro. Across the street, the Willard's "historic", but history and a big tip still don't equal convenience and access to ice creal bars, etc. The fanciest names and all the modern extras may appeal to you, but I suspect a really "big" hotel will be abetter base for the sort of trip and companion yoiu're undertaking.
For a 13 year old, the old Ebbit Grill will be a more memorable experience than most of the big names, and there is a soup, sandwich and breakfast place on 13th &F(?) right up the street form the JW which is perfect for diners of his age. If he eats spicy foods, a trip to one of the city's Ethiopean resturants will be a new experience. The Chinatown neighborhood is full of joints, bot Chinese and other, but keep in mind that at 13, his tastes are not really very exotic (in most cases) and really expensive dining will be absolutely wasted upon him.