We took the metra train to the zoo on the red line. We exited at Cleveland park walking downhill sort of to the zoo. Directly across the street from the zoo entrance is a 7/11 for that coffee fix.
Our plan was to head to the pandas first thing. Which seemed like a good idea but they were not aware of our plan and were sleeping instead. We poked around for a few and spent some time by the elephants and the bird house area. Came back and the pandas were still not stirring.
We stayed two nights on points at the Radisson Reagan Airport hotel in Arlington. The hotel is 38,000 points a night or the second night free if you have the visa card.
The location is great for DC. We are in the Crystal City area off the yellow metra line, two stops before you reach the tourist areas of the mall. Reach the metra with a four minute walk. Walk to 20th and cross, take a left past the Marriott. Go up a block and the train is across the street to the left. You cannot miss it. And two blocks over on 23rd there were several great restaurants and a CVS. we had dinner in the area each night as there was a lot of variety!
Check in was quick and efficient, there were two elevators and we never had to wait for the car to the 8th floor. We had a two queen room that was comfortable in size.
We are in the final planning stretch for our DC trip. Trying to keep it was low cost as possible!
Fairfield Inn DTW $119 + tax including 8 nights parking
Frontier Flights $85 each
Radisson Reagan Hotel 38,000 points total for 2 nights
Country Inn and Suites Dulles (booked on the app for an extra 3,000 points) $75 AAA rate.
Groupon for lunch at white apron $15.
Restaurant.com certificate for $15 off $30 at a pizza shop.
Capital City Bike tour with a AAA discount.
Uber and Lyft $25 new user credits with each company.
stretchingittotravel 