Visitor from Texas, where do I park?

[meatloaf]

Hello All,

My family and I are visiting the DC area (1st time) next weekend for about 3 days or so. Flying into NYC and driving a rental to DC. We will be staying at the Fairfield Inn downtown. I heard that parking is a nightmare. Any suggestions on where to park? what to do? is there something to do at night? should we plan to use public transportation or walk to visit landmarks etc.?

Any input is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Luis (aka Meatloaf)

 

[Jester]

Metro is the best way to get around DC.

http://www.wmata.com/rail/maps/map.cfm?

You may even consider taking a train from NYC to Union Station and forgoing the rental depending on your plans.

 

[meatloaf]

Metro is the best way to get around DC.

http://www.wmata.com/rail/maps/map.cfm?

You may even consider taking a train from NYC to Union Station and forgoing the rental depending on your plans.

Jester,

Thanks for the link... I will definitely put it to good use. As for the rental, I got it cause we are also driving to Boston and other places along the way.

Thanks again,
ML

 

[76FJ40]

I'd suggest staying in Northeast DC after dark.

 

[meatloaf]

I'd suggest staying in Northeast DC after dark.

Any particular reaon?

Thanks

 

[76FJ40]

It's the safest part of DC after dark.

 

[meatloaf]

It's the safest part of DC after dark.

Thanks 76FJ40,

I will definitely keep it in mind.

ML

 

[zupazapa]

I live on the Hill and work close to where you will be staying. Parking is a pain, but not impossible. the Gridlock in the morning and early evening will eat away the time you should be spending looking at the sights. I second the recommendation on using the Metro. You're staying right next to the Chinatown/Gallery Place Metro.

I actually think the best time to see the monuments is at night! you'll be out of the heat and the lighting of the monuments create a surreal experience. You'll avoid the crowds too.

throwing out some ideas:
If you like sea food, check out the Main Ave Fish Market
If you like hipsters and beer, visit the Atlas District on H Street NE.
One cool thing about DC is all the free museums (spy museum for the kids, smithsonians, portrait gallery, natural science, etc). But my favorite is the Newseum. You'll have to pay for that one thouhh but it's worth it.
Georgetown is nice to walk through...the closest metro to Georgetown is Foggy Bottom, and it'll be a good walk to get there, so you may want to consider driving over.
If everyone in your party is of age, make a reservation at a speak-easy and play along.
go on a segway tour at night?

Don't take a picture on the National Mall pretending to be pinching the Washington Monument. But if you do, make sure you're wearing dual fanny packs and a white DC souvenir T-shirt.

 

[topherbecker]

You might save money returning your rental car when you get to DC and picking up a new one on the way out of town. Parking at your hotel is probably north of 20/night. If you are here for the memorials/museums/etc, there's no reason to drive any of it, just metro around. You will regret trying to see the sights by car - bring a good pair of walking shoes instead.

Spy museum is not free, and the one time I was there, I wasn't all that impressed. It wouldn't be on my short list unless you are a spy buff - I am not. You should consider the holocaust museum if you have time and your kids are a little older. It's not free, but an amazing experience. Bureau of printing and engraving is cool as I recall having been there as a kid. American Indian museum is great for all ages. United States Botanic Garden is good if you're into plants - you're just missing the bloom of Titan arum, aka the corpse flower for it's lovely aroma http://www.usbg.gov/return-titan. Natural history and American history are also good for the whole family. Try to get to the museums as soon as they open and you may get an hour in before the crush of tourists.

All the museums I mentioned are walkable from the Mall. I think you'd take the smithsonian exit but you should double check with your hotel. Your bag will be searched and you will go through a metal detector at most or all of the museums - leave your pocket knife at home.

Have fun!

 

[John Smith]

I'd suggest staying in Northeast DC after dark.

I believe you meant to say NW... Unless you were being your normal jokey self and actually were trying to tell him to stay East of the river, preferably around Good Hope Rd.

For the OP, get a one way rental and ditch the car upon arrival, take Metro and walk around the area as others have said.

 

[Thornton]

I'd suggest staying in Northeast DC after dark.

Are sure you don't mean stay in Northwest after dark. Personally I wouldn't go any further east than Union Station. China Town isn't one of my favorite places either.

See you beat me too it John. By the way, stay away from the big domed building at the end of the mall. I hear it's loaded with shady characters that will empty your pockets without you knowing.

 

[76FJ40]

Thanks for the correction, I meant NW. NE is definitely not the place to be, or SE.

 

[meatloaf]

I live on the Hill and work close to where you will be staying. Parking is a pain, but not impossible. the Gridlock in the morning and early evening will eat away the time you should be spending looking at the sights. I second the recommendation on using the Metro. You're staying right next to the Chinatown/Gallery Place Metro.

I actually think the best time to see the monuments is at night! you'll be out of the heat and the lighting of the monuments create a surreal experience. You'll avoid the crowds too.

throwing out some ideas:
If you like sea food, check out the Main Ave Fish Market
If you like hipsters and beer, visit the Atlas District on H Street NE.
One cool thing about DC is all the free museums (spy museum for the kids, smithsonians, portrait gallery, natural science, etc). But my favorite is the Newseum. You'll have to pay for that one thouhh but it's worth it.
Georgetown is nice to walk through...the closest metro to Georgetown is Foggy Bottom, and it'll be a good walk to get there, so you may want to consider driving over.
If everyone in your party is of age, make a reservation at a speak-easy and play along.
go on a segway tour at night?

Don't take a picture on the National Mall pretending to be pinching the Washington Monument. But if you do, make sure you're wearing dual fanny packs and a white DC souvenir T-shirt.

You might save money returning your rental car when you get to DC and picking up a new one on the way out of town. Parking at your hotel is probably north of 20/night. If you are here for the memorials/museums/etc, there's no reason to drive any of it, just metro around. You will regret trying to see the sights by car - bring a good pair of walking shoes instead.

Spy museum is not free, and the one time I was there, I wasn't all that impressed. It wouldn't be on my short list unless you are a spy buff - I am not. You should consider the holocaust museum if you have time and your kids are a little older. It's not free, but an amazing experience. Bureau of printing and engraving is cool as I recall having been there as a kid. American Indian museum is great for all ages. United States Botanic Garden is good if you're into plants - you're just missing the bloom of Titan arum, aka the corpse flower for it's lovely aroma http://www.usbg.gov/return-titan. Natural history and American history are also good for the whole family. Try to get to the museums as soon as they open and you may get an hour in before the crush of tourists.

All the museums I mentioned are walkable from the Mall. I think you'd take the smithsonian exit but you should double check with your hotel. Your bag will be searched and you will go through a metal detector at most or all of the museums - leave your pocket knife at home.

Have fun!

Thank you all for the input. we are definitely going to hit up most of the sites posted. Looking forward to a good time there. If you all are ever come by Austin, post up in the forum and we can have some

Thanks again,
Meatloaf

 

[L8Shift]

Metro is the best way to get around DC.

http://www.wmata.com/rail/maps/map.cfm?

You may even consider taking a train from NYC to Union Station and forgoing the rental depending on your plans.

I also suggest taking the WMATA once you are in the area.

Another option to get to DC from NYC would be one of the bus lines such as http://www.vamoosebus.com/, these folks are reliable and use nice busses.

You could also consider staying at a hotel, on the WMATA Metro Rail Orange Line, say in Rosslyn, etc.

Enjoy You Visit!

 

[meatloaf]

Hey Guys,

Thank you all for the input! Family and I had a great time there in DC, would definitely go back to do it again.


Luis (aka Meatloaf)