A few weeks ago my family and I attended a convention in Washington DC.  I was trying to keep the cost down since I was paying for both of my children to attend the convention, I spent a lot of time researching a money saving way and I wanted to share what I discovered with my readers.  

Many families from our area take trips into Washington to see the sites.  Many of the hotels in D.C. have high parking costs $30-$50 a night.  If you drive into to Washington there is free parking in the mall area but it's hard to find unless you're there very early in the morning.  If you find a parking garage you can pay $25 or more a day to park your car.

After some research, I found out that if I stayed in the town of Bethesda and took the red line metro into D.C. We would be in walking distance to the convention.  I never knew how easy and convenient it was.



Where to Stay
We found the Hyatt Regency Bethesda, which is right by the entrance of the Metro.  Which turned out to be perfect because it was raining on Saturday.  The Hyatt was just renovated and was gorgeous and perfect for our family.  I loved the modern finishes in the room.  The kids loved the mirror showed the time.  The staff at the Hyatt were so helpful with helping us find restaurants, offering umbrellas to use when it was pouring rain and giving us tips on riding the metro.



Bethesda
The town of Bethesda is a great town for families everything was a no more than a 10-minute walk from our hotel.  Plenty of restaurants to choose from and many different price points.  For instance, they had budget friendly choices like &pizza, Noddles & Company to a romantic date night Morton's Steak House.  If you want a special treat after dinner or lunch Georgetown Cupcake is there and also a frozen yogurt store. We loved window shopping after dinner at all of the boutiques.



Riding the Metro
Since we arrived after dinner on Friday night we decided to check out the metro before we needed to board it on Saturday morning.  I do have to warn you there is a very steep and long escalator that you need to take to get to the Metro.  You can purchase passes right at the station you load the SmarTrip card with money and you can use the card over and over just reload it with more money. I found the Metro station clean and the metro cars were clean.  Coming from Bethesda and going into DC you pass many stops, for instance, the zoo, Smithsonian, Dupont Circle, and so much more that are perfect for sightseeing in the area. The D.C. Metro website has tools for you to plan your trip using the Metro.


Overall, we found staying in Bethesda and taking the Metro a fun experience and would do it again.  My husband and I couldn't get over how easy it was and how much money we saved on parking and the stress of driving in the DC area.

There are plenty of activities to keep you family busy at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center.


ICE! featuring DreamWorks Shrek the Halls
I highly recommend getting tickets to see ICE! featuring DreamWorks Shrek the Halls.  Here is my review of the amazing display ICE.

DreamWorks Character Meet and Greet
While your are in the ICE tent get your tickets for DreamWorks Character meet and Greet (with Scavenger Hunt).  This a a great chance for you to meets some of your favorite DreamWorks Characters up close and personal.  The Rise of the Guardians Scavenger Hunt will take you on a fun adventure to find clues to help the Guardians ward of the Boogieman.  The scavenger hunt is a lot of fun. Younger children will need help from mom and dad, but it makes it a fun family adventure.



ShrekFeast
Join Shrek, Princess Fiona and Puss in Boots for a yummy feast.  Guest become an honorary Ogre or Ogress.We loved the yummy Shrek shaped waffles and the green chocolate fountain.  Plenty of food!



Gingy's Gingerbread Decorating
Make your own gingerbread house and when you are done meet Gingy.  You never know, you might be able to get him to dance like my kids did!

Brunch with Santa
Have a brunch buffet with Santa and tell Santa what you want for Christmas.


Potomac Express Train Rides
Kids can take a ride on a miniature train.





Indoor Snowfall
You don't have to bundle the kids up to watch the snowfall indoors.  The snow fall happens two times a night.  At the nightly tree lighting show at 6:30 pm and during the Brightest Star Fountain Show at 9:00 pm.  Both of these shows are held indoors and they are a must see while staying  at the Gaylord.

Here is a short video of Fun Things having fun at the Gaylord National



With all the activities available for families, you won't run out of things to do at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center.

For more info: http://www.gaylordhotels.com/

If you have been following me on twitter you may have read about an amazing attraction I had the chance to visit called ICE! featuring DreamWorks Shrek the Halls at the Gaylord National hotel in Maryland.




Ice! featuring DreamWorks Shrek the Halls is a one of a kind exhibit made from 2 million pounds of ice and kept at a frigid 9 degrees. I have never seen anything like this before, it's amazing how they carve the ice and add lights  and color to each piece. 




 Our ICE! experience started off with a movie showing how the ICE! exhibit was created. They will also go over safety inside the exhibit, no heels are allowed on the ice slides, don't touch the ice and a few others. Then you move into the next room where you are given a blue parka jacket that goes over your coat to keep you extra warm. Remember it's only 9 degrees inside! Each room is filled with sculptures made completely of ice.The larger than life scenes that recreate the 'Shrek the Halls" TV special. You will see plenty of your favorite Shrek characters like Donkey, Puss in Boots, the Three Little Pigs and the Pink Dragon. My kids favorite part was the ice slide, they have both little and big slides.  Be prepared to be in that room for a little while because the kids will want to experience the slides  multiple times! 

Tip: Wear your winter coat, hats and gloves, just like you would to go play in the snow outside. 
  

Here is a video peak of my visit to ICE!




Does this sound like something you want to experience with your family?  You may be in luck. Fun Things is giving away 4 tickets to experience ICE! with you family this holiday season.  
**Please note this contest is for four ticket vouchers only to experience ICE! 

Since this attraction is in National Harbor (right outside of D.C.) you should consider an overnight stay. If you would like to book a hotel room during your visit click here for rates. 

Also the tickets are only good during "Non-Peak" dates Monday -Friday and not valid  on 12/24, 12/26 - 28, 12/31 or 1/1 (considered peak days).

Please fill out the form below for your chance to win before December 1st

For more information:   http://www.gaylordhotels.com

Location: Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center: 201 Waterfront Street
National Harbor, MD 20745

This event is appropriate for:   the whole family

Cost: $13.99 -$29.99

Hand-carved from TWO-MILLION pounds of colorful ice (all kept at a frigid 9 degrees), this indoor frozen attraction returns with an all-new hilarious theme: ICE! featuring DreamWorks Shrek the Halls. As they walk through ICE!, guests will experience the heartwarming story of the “Shrek The Halls” animated, holiday TV special featuring Shrek, Fiona, Donkey and Gingy, as they celebrate Christmas in their own special way. The story follows Shrek as he tries to plan the "perfect Christmas" for Fiona and the kids, only to have plans disrupted by chaos and commotion. But, in the end, Shrek learns the true meaning of the holiday. Guests will walk through jaw-dropping scenes carved entirely of ice, and can even slide down incredible two-story-tall ice slides.