Overnight at IAD
 

I arrive at IAD at ~7pm, and my flight KE to ICN flight is the following day at noon. I have never been to Washington, and I was hoping to see some of the sights (I know with the time I arrive there won't be much to see at night. Are there many 24 hour restaurants (I will happily play McRefugee until the daylight hours). Are there any suggestions of places I can camp out for the evening that would put me in a good place for a couple hours of sightseeing in the morning?

I am 20 and will only have a carry-on, so I don't have to worry about getting my bags robbed at 4am.

I'm not much of an IAD/DC expert but I've travelled there a fair amount. Since no one else responded, I can post what I know. Advice depends on whether this is a weekend or weeknight that you will be overnight, though. If you can post that info I will try to share what I know.

It will be an exciting THURSDAY night!

it would be a lot easier to see some sights if you were flying out of DCA the next day instead of IAD. You could do a nightime monument tour but If you are not familiar with the roads in DC you are likely going to get confused on where you are going - better to hire a driver. you can get to DC via a Dulles shuttle to metro and then take the metro into town.

I am planning on doing most of the monuments by foot sometime thoughtout the night. Does anyone have any suggestions where I can spend the slower 2-5am hours?

DC really isn't a 24 hour city - there isn't much to do after the bars/clubs close at around 2:30 or so. The only places which would be open are some fast food establishments , convenience stores, and diners. Are you planning to sleep at the airport or are you looking to spend the entire night out and about and just sleep on the plane? The monuments can actually be interesting to see at night - it is a bit of a surreal experience when you are the only one inside the Lincoln or Jefferson memorial and can spend as much time there as you want .

Are there any specific places you are looking to see? Post what plans you have made so far (such as where you will be before 2 am ) and I will try to make some suggestions as far as where to go between 2 and 5 .

Btw, can't think of any 24 - hour restaurants close to the monuments, but there is Prince cafe in Georgetown - 15-20 min walk from Lincoln memorial - that serves decent hookahs and lebanese food. It's open until 4 or so.

I'm going to leave a redirect here and move to the Washington forum so those who are local and who have been can weigh in. Good luck!

BAMAT
Moderator, Budget Travel

From 2-5 am, cab it to the Adams Morgan area. There's lots of places open (and hoppin') at that hour. As the evening wears on, head over to "The Diner" on 18th street. It's open 24 hours.

Have fun! The monuments at night are beautiful.

I agree about the Diner on 18th St. Be careful walking around the mall late at night as there are not that many people there and it is dark. Are you planning on going to sleep at all or staying up all night?

There are some hostels in the Adams Morgan area where you can get a cheap place to sleep then take the bus to IAD for your KE flight.

Make sure you know where you are going when it is late as with one wrong turn you could end up in a rough area.

My favourite 24 hour diner is http://www.osmanandjoes.com/
Otherwise known as steak and egg, it's a favorite in the AU area.

Also http://www.americancitydiner.com/ is a great diner as well.

Many of the Chinatown restaurants are open till 3-4 also.

Good Luck!

Have you considered Pricelining a hotel? Try a low-ball figure -- what do you have to lose? A few hours of sleep would allow you to better enjoy the time you have here.

Wow! An old college haunt! I have never been there before 2 am and have never been there sober! And if the OP is going for sightseeing, I don't know what he would be doing up in the Tenleytown area.

OP - I believe the Georgetown Cafe (in Georgetown) is also still 24 hours.

I agree DC is not really a 24 hour town. I'd consider the Priceline idea. Or rent a car to take you to all those monuments and, if worse comes to worse, sleep in it!

There's a 24 hour place in Bethesda off Wisconsin Ave, if I recall correctly. Great place. Everything you think of when you think 24 hour diner. I hope it's still open since I haven't been in a couple years.