Could anyone who has been to Washington,DC help me?

[cleblanc]

WE are goin to be in Washington,DC on a Wednsday, May 2. I was thinking of visiting MountVernon, George Washington Estates from 8:30am-10:30am then heading over to Washington,DC from 11:00am-1:30am. Does this give us enough time to get in the sights at Mount Vernon and some sight seeing in DC and the ability to get out of DC before rush hour traffic? Also, when does rush hour traffic start in the afternoon. We want to get home to CT that night so I am trying to plan. Thank you

 

[mirthmaiden]

I'm not an expert. I've only been to D.C. a couple of times, but it seems doable. You'd probably have 2-3 hours of sightseeing time. Long enough to walk around the mall area. Probably not enough time to take in any of the museums. Hopefully you'd find parking close by. That can be a problem, especially if there are school groups.

I don't think I'd want to be leaving any later than 3:30 to avoid the worst traffic, although I've never been at a time when there wasn't heavy traffic all around D.C.

Good luck and have fun! It's a great place to visit.

 

[zdad]

WE are goin to be in Washington,DC on a Wednsday, May 2. I was thinking of visiting MountVernon, George Washington Estates from 8:30am-10:30am then heading over to Washington,DC from 11:00am-1:30am. Does this give us enough time to get in the sights at Mount Vernon and some sight seeing in DC and the ability to get out of DC before rush hour traffic? Also, when does rush hour traffic start in the afternoon. We want to get home to CT that night so I am trying to plan. Thank you

I used to live in DC and my wife grew up ~1/2 mile from Mt Vernon.

I think you need to pick one or the other. If you've never been to DC, then I would suggest you spend the day on the mall in DC. The Smithsonian is huge, comprised of many different buildings. Each one would take a few hours to tour in a meaningful way. Pick the topic most appealing..Air & Space, American History, Natural History, Art, etc... and immerse yourself.

Depending on whether or not you have an accident on the beltway, traffic is a crap shoot. Where are you staying? It may be worthwhile to park outside the city at a metro stop, and take public transportation in. The metro has a station that is dead center on the mall, between the capital & Wash. Momument. (I worked three blocks from there). IF you are heading to connecticut, I'd suggest either New Carrolton or Greenbelt. That will allow you to avoid navigating out of town. Plus the Metro is pretty darn nice. Worth the ride.

Rush hour begins ~3 in earnest. You're biggest concern though will be getting through Baltimore during rush hour. Listen to the am news station there. The Ft. McHenry Tunnel is the main route, but the Harbor Tunnel (I-895) is a good alternate. Both end you up in the same place eventually, but if there is an acident on one route, the other will be much faster. I live in Philly now, but get baqck to DC often. The run is ~3-3 1/2 hours. Add the time necessary to get from Philly to CT. and you have your travel time. )BTW - 95 from DC to Philly is a NASCAR race. Buckle up and watch out for the other guy !!!)

Here is a map of the Metro Stations....http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/systemmap.cfm

Here is a link to the Smithsonians.....http://www.si.edu/

Have fun !!!

 

[anniem923]

Zdad has some great suggestions. Being that it is spring, the place will most certainly be crawling with school groups. I was there last spring with my daughter's school group and there were busses everywhere around the mall. It was my first time there and I was glad that we were on a bus because the streets are croweded and confusing. You can see where you want to go, i.e. a monument or such b/c many of them are near each other. Getting there by vehicle is another story though, one way streets, traffic congestion and road work in some places made things a bit chaotic at times. Hope you have a great trip!
Anne

 

[Cee]

I've lived here all my life and all I can say is, DON'T BE IN A HURRY 'CAUSE YOU
WON'T GET ANYWHERE FAST. Traffic, pedestrians, one-way streets, circles,
it all requires patience. I agree with all the suggestions. Don't try to do too
much and get the HELL outa there before 3:00 p.m. Have a blast, it's a truly
awesome place.

 

[daisyduck123]

Hi!
I live about 1/2 hour from DC & I think you are planning too much.
IMO, you should pick Mt. Vernon or DC, but not both.
If you don't know your way driving around DC, that will take you a while in itself.

Have a fun trip!!

 

[amykathleen2005]

Mount Vernon's grounds are VERY large. My mom and I were there for at least three hours and that was before they opened the new musuem etc.

 

[mirthmaiden]

Wow... this is so weird, but I actually have a similar question to ask - just since this morning when I responded to the OP

I just tonight bought tickets to a Genesis concert in D.C. It happens to be on the same day as the Nascar race in Dover, DE (which I also have tickets for ). Here's my potential scenario. You D.C. experts tell me if I can pull this off.

The race is in Dover at 1:30pm. I am assuming it will be done by 5pm at the latest, possibly earlier. Would I have time to drive from Dover to our hotel on 13th St. in D.C., check in, and make it to the Verizon Center by 8pm? I guess if I can't do it, I'll have to sell my race tix. Seeing Genesis is a "must do".

Thanks


oops... forgot to add that this is on a Sunday so traffic will not be as big a deal as it would ordinarily.

 

[zdad]

Wow... this is so weird, but I actually have a similar question to ask - just since this morning when I responded to the OP

I just tonight bought tickets to a Genesis concert in D.C. It happens to be on the same day as the Nascar race in Dover, DE (which I also have tickets for ). Here's my potential scenario. You D.C. experts tell me if I can pull this off.

The race is in Dover at 1:30pm. I am assuming it will be done by 5pm at the latest, possibly earlier. Would I have time to drive from Dover to our hotel on 13th St. in D.C., check in, and make it to the Verizon Center by 8pm? I guess if I can't do it, I'll have to sell my race tix. Seeing Genesis is a "must do".

Thanks


oops... forgot to add that this is on a Sunday so traffic will not be as big a deal as it would ordinarily.

Ummm.......NO

You wouldn't get into Downtown until ~7:30. Going down I-95, it doesn't matter what day it is. It's a mad house all the time.
That's a real tough putt. You'd really be putting the concert at risk.

 

[mirthmaiden]

dang.... I thought you'd say that.

Thanks for giving me my necessary reality check

 

[dvc at last !]

Our DD lives in the DC area.
You are planning too much for a short amount of time.
I love Mount Vernon and have spent 5 plus hours there. There is so much to do in DC. You will need more time then you realize.

 

[mirthmaiden]

too bad they don't have a smilie of me yawning

 

[sne26]

Wow... this is so weird, but I actually have a similar question to ask - just since this morning when I responded to the OP

I just tonight bought tickets to a Genesis concert in D.C. It happens to be on the same day as the Nascar race in Dover, DE (which I also have tickets for ). Here's my potential scenario. You D.C. experts tell me if I can pull this off.

The race is in Dover at 1:30pm. I am assuming it will be done by 5pm at the latest, possibly earlier. Would I have time to drive from Dover to our hotel on 13th St. in D.C., check in, and make it to the Verizon Center by 8pm? I guess if I can't do it, I'll have to sell my race tix. Seeing Genesis is a "must do".

Thanks


oops... forgot to add that this is on a Sunday so traffic will not be as big a deal as it would ordinarily.

I live 1/2 hour east of DC, and my husband has gone to the race in Dover several times. There is absolutely no way that you will get to DC in time. There is TONS of race traffic just getting out of Dover, with only one main road out. I think most times you are tons of traffic all the way to the Bay Bridge. He has learned to avoid alot of the traffic by parking far far away from the racetrack, and taking various small back roads most of the way. But it still takes them awhile to get home.

 

[mirthmaiden]

I live 1/2 hour east of DC, and my husband has gone to the race in Dover several times. There is absolutely no way that you will get to DC in time. There is TONS of race traffic just getting out of Dover, with only one main road out. I think most times you are tons of traffic all the way to the Bay Bridge. He has learned to avoid alot of the traffic by parking far far away from the racetrack, and taking various small back roads most of the way. But it still takes them awhile to get home.

Thanks for the advice. I thought as much, just needed to confirm before I part with my cherished tickets

I used to live in Dover many years ago, but have forgotten all the roads. PM me with the secret route if you are willing

 

[mericletwins]

WE are goin to be in Washington,DC on a Wednsday, May 2. I was thinking of visiting MountVernon, George Washington Estates from 8:30am-10:30am then heading over to Washington,DC from 11:00am-1:30am. Does this give us enough time to get in the sights at Mount Vernon and some sight seeing in DC and the ability to get out of DC before rush hour traffic? Also, when does rush hour traffic start in the afternoon. We want to get home to CT that night so I am trying to plan. Thank you

Sorry, I can't help since I have never been. I am will be there Wednesday, May 9th for the first time. We are taking our middle schoolers. Be sure to avoid the 9th.

 

[Priorityonecb]

When we went, we did Mt. Vernon one day....DC another. I can't imagine doing them both in the same day.

 

[MariaEllerºoº]

I used to live in DC and my wife grew up ~1/2 mile from Mt Vernon.

I think you need to pick one or the other. If you've never been to DC, then I would suggest you spend the day on the mall in DC. The Smithsonian is huge, comprised of many different buildings. Each one would take a few hours to tour in a meaningful way. Pick the topic most appealing..Air & Space, American History, Natural History, Art, etc... and immerse yourself.

Depending on whether or not you have an accident on the beltway, traffic is a crap shoot. Where are you staying? It may be worthwhile to park outside the city at a metro stop, and take public transportation in. The metro has a station that is dead center on the mall, between the capital & Wash. Momument. (I worked three blocks from there). IF you are heading to connecticut, I'd suggest either New Carrolton or Greenbelt. That will allow you to avoid navigating out of town. Plus the Metro is pretty darn nice. Worth the ride.

Rush hour begins ~3 in earnest. You're biggest concern though will be getting through Baltimore during rush hour. Listen to the am news station there. The Ft. McHenry Tunnel is the main route, but the Harbor Tunnel (I-895) is a good alternate. Both end you up in the same place eventually, but if there is an acident on one route, the other will be much faster. I live in Philly now, but get baqck to DC often. The run is ~3-3 1/2 hours. Add the time necessary to get from Philly to CT. and you have your travel time. )BTW - 95 from DC to Philly is a NASCAR race. Buckle up and watch out for the other guy !!!)

Here is a map of the Metro Stations....http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/systemmap.cfm

Here is a link to the Smithsonians.....http://www.si.edu/

Have fun !!!

Ditto! I live close to DC and I would suggest choosing one or the other. I also want to add that you might not encounter as much of a crowd or traffic as normal. That weekend is the Apple Blossom Festival here in Winchester which is the 4th largest parade in the states. A lot of people will be leaving DC area to participate in the festival.

 

[Sparkled]

Usually traffic is always there. But if I can recommend a restaurant in DC i suggest the ESPN club. It is fantstic and amazing! Enjoy your visit.

 

[MariaEllerºoº]

Usually traffic is always there. But if I can recommend a restaurant in DC i suggest the ESPN club. It is fantstic and amazing! Enjoy your visit.

Oh no, no, no. Old Ebbitt Grill is the absolute best!!! http://www.ebbitt.com/main/home.cfm?Section=Main&Category=About_the_Ebbitt

Best food around, great atmosphere and neat history as well!

 

[MikeS.]

If you decide to park outside DC at a Metro stop be aware that you have to buy a Metro card to pay for parking. The initial cost is 10 bucks. 5 for the card and 5 credit on the card. You keep the card and can recharge it whenever you want. A ripoff for people like you that probably won't be back.

I go down there 4 or 5 times a year, park at the Vienna stop and ride the Metro in. Parking in DC is a real pain.

Bring small bills for the fare cards, 1s, 5s and 10s.