Rhonda.  If you want to do sightseeing while in the D.C. area then definitely recommend staying near a Metro (http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/systemmap.cfm) facility as the alternative (driving/parking) in the D.C. area is NOT good.

Some recommended options would be to stay just outside D.C. in Virginia (Rosslyn, Alexandria, or Crystal City), Maryland (Bethesda or Woodley Park), or in the D.C. area itself (Dupont Circle area has lots of hotels and restaurants but can cost a bit more).  If you stay in D.C., recommend sticking to the NW and avoiding the SE area