Parking ? while visiting Washington, DC

[kandb]

We plan on visiting Wash, DC to primarily go to the Smithsonian's museums on labor day weekend. We will be returning from Williamsburg on our way home to NJ. I got a great rate at a Marriott, Tyson's Corner. I know it is not close to the city but for $79, it includes parking and full breakfast for the 5 of us. I have no desire to ride the metro, so we want to drive into DC. Is it possible to get parking close to the museum's on a Saturday and Sunday morning? I am hoping the city won't be too busy on labor day weekend. Hopefully people will be home having barbeque's. Also, if there are parking garages, how much is the fee to park for the day? Thanks

 

[Dasha Hermosilla]

There are parking garages. I'd plan on spending $20-$25 a day. I actually don't recall any that are actually on the Mall by the museums. Closest might be parking at Ronald Reagan Building or somewhere near L'enfant plaza. We live in Arlington and if I were going in to see museums, I'd metro.

 

[jcano]

We plan on visiting Wash, DC to primarily go to the Smithsonian's museums on labor day weekend. We will be returning from Williamsburg on our way home to NJ. I got a great rate at a Marriott, Tyson's Corner. I know it is not close to the city but for $79, it includes parking and full breakfast for the 5 of us. I have no desire to ride the metro, so we want to drive into DC. Is it possible to get parking close to the museum's on a Saturday and Sunday morning? I am hoping the city won't be too busy on labor day weekend. Hopefully people will be home having barbeque's. Also, if there are parking garages, how much is the fee to park for the day? Thanks

Your best bet would be to ride the Marta in. Seriously DC traffic is horrid and parking is worse - especially holiday weekends.

 

[ProudMommyof2]

Why dont you want to use the Metro? It is the cleanest and easiest to use subway I have been on.
If you plan on doing Arlington Cemetery, you can park there and then take the Metro to the Smithsonians. Alternatively, we have parked at the train station and taken the Metro.

 

[MagicalMawMaw]

We went to Washington DC last summer.
We stayed in Alexandria, Va. & took the metro everywhere.
We had never experienced riding it before but we figured it out pretty easy. I would much rather use the metro instead of trying to fight the traffic & figure out where to go & where to park.
We got passes for a week & could ride anytime we wished.
Was really a rather neat experience. However, I'm so glad we live in the country instead of a huge city like that!

 

[laurafergie]

I have been to DC countless times and used to live up there back in the day.

As long as there isn't a special event on the Mall in the morning, I have never had a problem driving in early on a weekend, holidays included. You do have to be aware of the one way streets and traffic can happen anywhere at anytime though.

There are not any garages right beside he museums. You will have to walk.

Don't think you can park on the street, the legal spots get nabbed quick and if it is not legal or questionable, you WILL get booted.

Plan on arriving at the Mall about 45-60 minutes before the museums open. This will give you time to find a garage, park and walk out.

You will pay at least $35 for the day. Cash.

Tall SUVs and full sized vans will NOT FIT in the garages, unless there's one I haven't found.

Depending on which side of the Mall you want to start, (Air & Space vs Natural History) there are many small parking garages under the various buildings that will be open on the weekend. There is signage. I always had the best luck back behind the National Archives a few blocks, so I tend to look there first.

 

[NADINENURSE]

I am sad can not walk distances , have wheelchair so there is no way I can do the Metro, I really want to go to the same place...I have looked on line and there are handicapped parking spots on the street does anyone think I will be able to actually get one... I think this might be a circumstance where. I am dropped off and hubby returns after parking somewhere .. Do folks think that will be the best idea ? I have already realized the best I can do for monuments is a drive by... Sad..Thanks all who respond

 

[bumbershoot]

I am sad can not walk distances , have wheelchair so there is no way I can do the Metro, I really want to go to the same place...I have looked on line and there are handicapped parking spots on the street does anyone think I will be able to actually get one... I think this might be a circumstance where. I am dropped off and hubby returns after parking somewhere .. Do folks think that will be the best idea ? I have already realized the best I can do for monuments is a drive by... Sad..Thanks all who respond

Have you researched it? Metro is accessible:
http://www.wmata.com/accessibility/?

I found this blog here.

Lincoln memorial has an elevator.

And there's lots of other info to be found on the websites on the various DC sights websites. I would hate for you to miss things just because you assumed it wasn't accessible. Not saying everything IS accessible, but I hope you've done the research.



OP, I only drove into DC when I had to. If I was doing touristy stuff, I took Metro, which was perfectly lovely and easy and simple and fine.

 

[soccerchick]

I am sad can not walk distances , have wheelchair so there is no way I can do the Metro, I really want to go to the same place...I have looked on line and there are handicapped parking spots on the street does anyone think I will be able to actually get one... I think this might be a circumstance where. I am dropped off and hubby returns after parking somewhere .. Do folks think that will be the best idea ? I have already realized the best I can do for monuments is a drive by... Sad..Thanks all who respond

Metro has elevators at stations. Museums have ramps. Please go to the websites and read up.

To the OP, you can park along streets and pay for your meter with an app/credit card. You may have to circle a few times, but we always find street parking.

However, I agree with others who suggest taking metro or parking at Arlington and taking it.

 

[wellesleyprincess]

Metro has elevators at stations. Museums have ramps. Please go to the websites and read up.

To the OP, you can park along streets and pay for your meter with an app/credit card. You may have to circle a few times, but we always find street parking.

However, I agree with others who suggest taking metro or parking at Arlington and taking it.

Please take time to look at the accessibility info. I live in Arlington and have a good friend whose husband is in a wheelchair as well. Almost everything is accessible. (Some may want you to use a specific entrance, but otherwise I've found them very accommodating.)

 

[Swimalie]

Park at the Reagan Building, entering at 14th St. The building is 1 block from some of the Smithsonians and 1 block from the White House and only costs $15. The parking is plentiful if you get there early enough (before 11am or so). They will do a small search of the vehicle and will ask to see the driver's license but that's it. We have lived near DC for 8 years and have yet to ride Metro (it's expensive and not worth it for us) and we either park on the street or at Reagan Bldg. We have parked at Reagan about 10-15 times so far with no security or space issues at all. Also, the main level has a food court if you don't want to eat at the museums. And there are bathrooms there which help before you head outside.

Good luck and enjoy.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

The mall area will be mobbed on a holiday weekend.

Yes, you can find street metered parking, but unless you arrive very early in the morning, it can take a long time to find a spot. There are many parking garages that would be a better bet. Do some research; you can find plenty of information using Google.

 

[ebradley23]

Park at the Reagan Building, entering at 14th St. The building is 1 block from some of the Smithsonians and 1 block from the White House and only costs $15. The parking is plentiful if you get there early enough (before 11am or so). They will do a small search of the vehicle and will ask to see the driver's license but that's it. We have lived near DC for 8 years and have yet to ride Metro (it's expensive and not worth it for us) and we either park on the street or at Reagan Bldg. We have parked at Reagan about 10-15 times so far with no security or space issues at all. Also, the main level has a food court if you don't want to eat at the museums. And there are bathrooms there which help before you head outside. Good luck and enjoy.

Second this recommendation. Parking on the weekends is cheap. Be prepared everyone (except kids) will need id to re-enter the building. I am a big fan of the Metro, but we almost always park here when we go to the city. The Federal Triangle Metro stop here, so it's convenient if you change your mind about taking it.

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

We just went & parked at the Reagan Building. A quick search of the car & trunk and no issues parking. It was crowded both times & we did need to do the Valet assist. No one needed ID to re enter the building just a quick trip through the metal detectors.

 

[sherreis]

We're going around July 4th and DH will be using a wheelchair cause he has a bad back. We're going to use the Metro.

 

[NADINENURSE]

Thanks so much for the w/c info I am so much more excited now ! Metro sounds possibly like it can be done ! As usual, this board has made my day

 

[Swimalie]

Thanks so much for the w/c info I am so much more excited now ! Metro sounds possibly like it can be done ! As usual, this board has made my day

Just remember that for Metro, if you are driving to the station, you will have to pay to park (unless a Federal holiday) as well as to ride. Plus you will pay more if you don't have a SmartTrip card. We have priced the 3 of us from Vienna to Smithsonian, with parking, at around $18.

For those asking for disability access, check the left hand side of this link http://www.wmata.com/?forcedesktop=1 to see what elevators aren't working.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

I'm with the others who say to take the metro...

We live in Richmond and drive up to DC often. Driving is nuts, the traffic is insane, the city can be like a maze to navigate at times (and heaven forbid they close roads for dignitaries!) It's also pretty expensive to park in a deck and the on street parking can be hit or miss. We've done it, and been towed before... be VERY careful where you park and take pictures of your car and the near signage!!!!

I 100% recommend the metro. It's easy to navigate, accessible and low cost! We usually park near Crystal City and ride the metro downtown.

Good Luck

 

[Kristie911]

We went to DC last summer and stayed out near Arlington. We took the Metro into the city every day and LOVED it. It was so easy and relaxing. My kids loved it.

After seeing the traffic downtown I'm happy we went with the Metro. The driving would have added so much stress!!

 

[My2Qtz0205]

My husband is from the DC area, so we go into the city at least every other trip up there to visit family. We parked at West Falls Church (just a quick ride east on Rt. 7 from Tyson's Corner). It is free parking on weekends. We paid ~$30 for the 4 of us, round trip, to get to the Smithsonians earlier this month. We have never, ever driven into the city! It is not worth the hassle. The metro is easy.