A little help in the DC area? Budget friendly ideas?

[dthogue]

Does anyone know if overnight parking is allowed at the Metro stations outside of the city - we will be driving from PA, and want to park at the Shady Grove Station, take the metro into the city and spend the night at a hotel in the city rather than driving in and paying the parking fees?

 

[Green Tea]

Does anyone know if overnight parking is allowed at the Metro stations outside of the city - we will be driving from PA, and want to park at the Shady Grove Station, take the metro into the city and spend the night at a hotel in the city rather than driving in and paying the parking fees?

http://www.wmata.com/ should have all the info.

 

[dthogue]

http://www.wmata.com/ should have all the info.

I started with their website and I searched and searched, but didn't find an answer - I emailed them and didn't get a response - I was looking for someone who might have experience with parking overnight.

 

[gk90]

If you were thinking of the Spy museum, a free alternative would be the basement exhibit at Ford's Theater--when we were there the kids were fascinated to see the actual Lincoln murder weapon.
As for the Smithsonian food courts they're not cheap but one that's unique with a Native American theme is the one in Museum of the American Indian, right next to Air and Space.
Have a great trip!

 

[turtlebean]

I started with their website and I searched and searched, but didn't find an answer - I emailed them and didn't get a response - I was looking for someone who might have experience with parking overnight.

I found this on their website. Looks like they only offer overnight parking at 3 locations.

Multi-day Parking
Multi-day parking (also known as overnight or long-term parking) is available at three stations: Greenbelt, Huntington, and Franconia-Springfield. Each of these stations has between 15 and 17 spaces allocated for multi-day use of up to 10 days. Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no charge for multi-day parking beyond the regular fee. See the individual station pages for more details about multi-day parking at these three stations:

• Greenbelt • Huntington • Franconia-Springfield

 

[labdogs42]

We're going to DC soon, too. We'll be camping outside the city. Where can I find a metro station if I want to take that into the city instead of driving?

 

[RangerPooh]

I want to say that DH had to park his car overnight at the metro station, and just parked in the longterm parking.

As for where's a metro line? That depends on where you will be camping. We camped in Reston VA within the Fairfax County Parks and drove as it was easier for us to do. So it will all depend on where you will be.

 

[sullins5]

Thanks again everyone! We've just about decided on what to do (with tweaking in mind when we get there). I do hope the weather is not too cold around Easter, as I read the average is 66? And as far as food goes? Since we're relying on the Metro for our only transportation (besides walking/biking maybe), guess we'll have to look for food to eat that's accessible?
We wanted to try Ben's Chili Bowl, Five Guys, and maybe Cactus Cantina. Does anyone know if these are pretty easily accessible from the Metro line?

Again, thanks for all your helps...it's really given me a better idea of what time we will/will not have!

 

[Belle0101]

There's been some great advice on this thread. I would like to echo a PP though and reiterate that it sounds like you have too few days for all that you're hoping to do.

I've not been around Easter, I was last to DC in August of 2010, but I imagine it may be somewhat busy. Plus, you have to figure in time to walk to the Metro station(s), purchase your FareCards, waiting for particluar train, walking from the stops to the places of interest, getting through security at the Smithsonians, long lines at the eateries and whatever else may come up.

I know for us I thought the National Cathedral would be a piece of cake to get to and take a short time to tour. It took longer to reach it than I estimated - traffic - and there was so much to see there. Our boys were fascinated with the gargoyles on the building. I know we spent over an hour just looking at those. Best guess, we were actually there 4 - 5 hours, plus drive time to and from.

As for Ben's Chili bowl, we really wanted to go there too. We didn't make it though. Things just took longer than we expected. I did read on their website though, and it may have changed since we went, that seating is reserved for large groups. If that's important to you I'd google it and see if that was still the policy.

And take some cash. We ran into a few places that only took cash and once the FareCard machines were down for debit and credit card use.

Have a great trip!!

 

[sullins5]

Thanks everyone for all the helpful tips! We had an epiphany today...If this shutdown happens, we could be touring everything in the dark anyway... Or getting pictures outside of ropes outside of the buildings.
Always an adventure to be sure! But thanks again for all your tips, we made notes about many of them!

 

[v.t.]

About the Zoo, if you are planning on driving there get there early. Parking at the Zoo is expensive and limited and often fills up before 10:30am. Parking on side streets around the Zoo is very limited too. If you take the metro, do not get off at the Woodley Park-Zoo stop, instead go up to the next stop (this is if you are taking the red line towards Shady Grove) and get off at Cleveland Park. Both still have a good walk, but the walk from the Cleveland park stop is much more bearable. The walk from Woodley Park-Zoo stop has a huge hill to walk up and can be very tiresome if pushing a stroller. You'll walk up plenty of hills in the zoo.

This is the best tip! The zoo is a lot of walking but a very good zoo. Also, there is a 7-11 across the street and a few restaurants by the metro stop for your zoo day.
There is a food court in the Capital and another food court in the bell tower.

Our kids loved DC but we were not prepared for all the walking we did. Just like Disney, take comfy shoes.

 

[Sadie22]

You can purchase Metro Fare Cards via mail now, I think. That could save a little time and hassle.

 

[clutter]

Thanks again everyone! We've just about decided on what to do (with tweaking in mind when we get there). I do hope the weather is not too cold around Easter, as I read the average is 66? And as far as food goes? Since we're relying on the Metro for our only transportation (besides walking/biking maybe), guess we'll have to look for food to eat that's accessible?
We wanted to try Ben's Chili Bowl, Five Guys, and maybe Cactus Cantina. Does anyone know if these are pretty easily accessible from the Metro line?

Again, thanks for all your helps...it's really given me a better idea of what time we will/will not have!

Where are you all staying?

I think that the Cactus Cantina in fairly close to the zoo, along the Metro red line. Still haven't been to Ben's, so I can't help with that. As for Five Guys, they're everywhere! None that are that close to the mall. (I can think of one at 8th/H NW.)

As for weather, could be just about anything. 50s or 80s. Check NBC4 or Fox5DC sites for weather predictions prior to leaving.

 

[bridgie04]

I live in DC (in the city)

Cactus Cantina is on Wisconsin Avenue and is not reasonably walkable to the metro. You could get off the red line at Van Ness and take a taxi for around $10 to Cactus Cantina.

Unless you Love Love zoos, I would skip the National Zoo. To me, it's just another zoo like other zoos in major cities. It's a major, major time eater (a whole day) and like a PP said it will be PACKED on Easter Monday. Like, Disney on New Years' Eve packed.

I would concentrate your visit on the Smithsonians, Arlington National Cemetary and the Capitol. Also, be prepared for long, long, long waits to get into the Egg Roll. It is a very long day, with bag searches etc. The kids activites, while well organized, have very long waits associated with them once you make it onto the White House grounds. Be sure and eat/drink before you go, unless it has changed this year there are no real refreshments available.

Let me know if you have any more questions be glad to answer if I could!

 

[sullins5]

I live in DC (in the city)

Cactus Cantina is on Wisconsin Avenue and is not reasonably walkable to the metro. You could get off the red line at Van Ness and take a taxi for around $10 to Cactus Cantina.

Unless you Love Love zoos, I would skip the National Zoo. To me, it's just another zoo like other zoos in major cities. It's a major, major time eater (a whole day) and like a PP said it will be PACKED on Easter Monday. Like, Disney on New Years' Eve packed.

I would concentrate your visit on the Smithsonians, Arlington National Cemetary and the Capitol. Also, be prepared for long, long, long waits to get into the Egg Roll. It is a very long day, with bag searches etc. The kids activites, while well organized, have very long waits associated with them once you make it onto the White House grounds. Be sure and eat/drink before you go, unless it has changed this year there are no real refreshments available.

Let me know if you have any more questions be glad to answer if I could!

Thanks so much! They told us to be at the White House grounds about 30 minutes before, but should we be there at least an hour before? That is of course unless everything changes due to the results tomorrow...

And thanks for the heads up on the food and drinks. Food? Can do without, but we are heavy drinkers...no, not that kind, just drink a lot of water, and that will definitely need to be prepared for!

 

[bridgie04]

The timing of the Egg Roll entry depends on how long it takes to get everyone out who had timed tickets in the slot before you. There is no rhyme or reason to that process. I would stick with the 30 minutes. Just be sure and prep your kids ALA "It will be fun and I'm sure we will have a great time, but just be prepared kids there are alot of people on the lawn and we might only be able to do one or two things."

It IS a fun day, but just be mentally prepared the lines are very long and it's not a tour of the WH at all...just the lawn and gardens part, which are extremely beautiful!

 

[AllesonWonderland]

We're going to DC soon, too. We'll be camping outside the city. Where can I find a metro station if I want to take that into the city instead of driving?

If you go to the Metro website they have a search function where you can enter the address and it will pull up the nearest stations. Where are you looking at camping? We were thinking of staying a few nights in a cabin and then in a (or some if I priceline) hotel(s). But most of our stay will be during the week, so I'm wondering if we'll run into huge traffic problems trying to drive to the metro during the morning commute.

 

[Green Tea]

Hey OP< the Groupon today for Washington DC is bike rentals It is a $35 value for $17. I love Groupon

 

[sullins5]

Hey OP< the Groupon today for Washington DC is bike rentals It is a $35 value for $17. I love Groupon

I saw it.. Thanks, and I almost did it, but the forecast calls for rain the whole weekend.

 

[sharon_wv]

I think you'll have a great time in DC. I work there and it's a beautiful city. I definitely would not recommend biking after dark though, as a few other people have pointed out. After dark is not very safe in DC.

I know of a closer Five Guys than the 7th & H Street one mentioned. There is one in the National Place food court which is only about 2 blocks from the National History Museum. It's at 13th & F Streets. There are lots of choices to please everyone in that food court. One of my favorites is Moe's personally. Another fast food place that is reasonably priced there are several not very far off the Mall -- It's called Potbelly's - it's a sandwich shop. They have salads and subs and soups. All is good there. There's one at 12th Street behind the USDA building (Air & Space Museaum side of the Mall). There's also one not far off Pennsylvania - I think it's at either 10th or 11th street (again, not far from the Natural History Museum or the American History Museum). i have also heard from a lot of co-workers that the food at the Museum of the American Indian is awesome, although a bit pricey.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the National Zoo. It's one of my favorite places to go in DC with my family.

Enjoy your trip!