Information Needed about Washington D.C.

[Beast]

Anyone ever been to Washington D.C. on July 4th??? Maybe you even live there?

Just want to know what to expect crowd wise. We've got to be nuts to go on July 4th but it's the only day we can go and we want to see the September 11th display at the Museum of American History before it closes on the 6th.

Any information will be greatly appreciated.

 

[ErikdaRed]

Get up early, the crowds will be overwhelming. People start camping spots for the fireworks in the morning.

 

[Wagamama]

i'm going to dc on the 4th too!! maybe i'll see you there!

 

[Beast]

Any thoughts on what the Metrorail system will be like that day? Packed or just busier than normal?

 

[TimonTracy]

The metro system will be packed leaving DC right after the fireworks, so maybe you can find something to do - like dinner or a show before you get back on the metrorail.

 

[Pugdog007]

I must warn you... the Sept 11th display is a real tear-jerker.

 

[Tina]

Hey TimonTracy! I just noticed that you live in Bristow - so do I!! Are you in one of the subs along Linton Hall? I'm in Kingsbrooke!

 

[goofygirl]

You may want to PM snoopy, she's from D.C. !

 

[cybrarian]

After the fireworks do not try to get on the Metro at the Smithsonian station. It will be a zoo. It is better to walk a few blocks north or south to another station.

 

[caitycaity]

we went 3 or 4 years and then decided it's much better to sit in our air conditoned apartment and watch it on tv. in terms of crowds, i've been to disneyland the day after christmas where it was so packed you couldn't move and those crowds will seem light compared to what you will experience on 7/4 in dc.

if you want to see the fireworks from somewhere on the mall, get there by noon, otherwise, it will be hard to get a place to sit. we used to bring food for lunch AND dinner and camp out. if you want a good seat you will have to get there earlier than noon. make sure you have a blanket or something because the crowds have a way of infringing on space claimed.

in years past they have slightly altered the metro routes on the fourth of july. if they do that there will be new maps hung in the stations, so don't get confused if you have a pocket guide or something. also, i would try to completely avoid taking the metro immediately after the fireworks are over no matter what station you get on at. it's crazy everywhere. i would go catch a movie or get some drinks or something, or be prepared for it to take you awhile to get where you are going.

don't even think about driving.

a couple years ago (2001) we got massively DRENCHED when it started downpouring 1 hour or so before the fireworks. i felt like i was at woodstock or something. we got pretty muddy.

the year before that we had record high heat and temps were in the 100's. even with sunscreen we got burned.

basically, it's nice to do once, but i don't think we'll be doing it again anytime soon. i don't like crowds that big.

 

[crazyme5kids]

It is packed!!!! You know the cartoons where the subway train pulls in and then a key peels the side of the car away and all the sardines pile out? Well...........

 

[d.kurz]

Sounds horrible!! I do not like crowds either, caitycaity!

 

[caitycaity]

while looking for something else, i found this:

http://www.wmata.com/riding/4th/4th_service.cfm

it details all of the changes for the dc metro system on 7/4. the smithsonian station won't even be open.

 

[Christine]

I live in a suburb of DC and last went to the Mall fireworks when I was 16. I will never do it again. It is CROWDED. But, I think things run pretty smoothly with the Metro afteward. They are prepared for it. I must warn you though, they are calling for very hot weather on Friday--in the 90s I believe. Hey, it least it isn't crowded and rainy. I think, besides the hassle, you will really enjoy it. Everyone should do it once!