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It's probably the biggest and definitely worth seeing if you're into technology and stuff. No disagreement there. I've just been to other museums with cool planes that were less crowded and let you walk right up to all the planes and touch them which you can't really do at the Smithsonian.
A few years ago, we stayed at a hotel in Maryland. They had a free shuttle, which took us to the metro station & picked us up, once we got back. People who were in my group, who had a car, left it at the hotel, & we took the train into DC. Plenty of places near the hotel to eat also. Again, we took the shuttle to restaurants. The White House won't have public parking, we cabbed it from the station ( rainy day)
I have no problem finding parking when seeing the sights in DC, and there is metered parking around all of the tourist areas. Some people get frustrated circling the block trying to find a spot, but I've found if you stay on one block for a few minutes, you're more likely to have something open up.
But I don't mind a little inconvenience when it comes to driving. Lord knows I'm not doing public transportation. And I don't want to rely on taxis/ride shares either.
I've stayed at the Hyatt Regency Bethesda. They have valet parking. It is a ten minutes straight drive to Washington DC. It also is next to a Metro train stop which is very easy, clean and safe compared the NYC subway. The city bus service is pretty great too.
For the Metro, you buy a prepaid ticket and pay per mile. If you don't have enough on your Metro card, you pay when you exit the system.
I have no problem finding parking when seeing the sights in DC, and there is metered parking around all of the tourist areas. Some people get frustrated circling the block trying to find a spot, but I've found if you stay on one block for a few minutes, you're more likely to have something open up.
But I don't mind a little inconvenience when it comes to driving. Lord knows I'm not doing public transportation. And I don't want to rely on taxis/ride shares either.
Those metered spots were removed by ddot 6 mos ago
Okay,
I know I can find this information online, but wanted input from those on here.
We only have 4 weeks until we come,
We are driving our personal vehicle.
Is parking easy?
Do you recommend parking at a lot and taking the Metro, or park at each location?
We are going to the National Mall, White House Tour, National Zoo, Holocaust Museum, and Museum of Nat. History.
We do not have any experience with the Metro, can we pay one price and ride all day?
Parking is difficult or outrageously expensive.
Purchase a Smarttrip card put 20 usd on it and use that to see the sights -any Metro Station Manager is supposed to help you if you are confused
Go here to familiarize yourself with wmata (the subway two names are Metro or Wmata)
[url]https://www.wmata.com/schedules/trip-planner/[/url]
If you are going to visit Virginia, Maryland or some parts of the District (examples: Georgetown, Brookland, The National Zoo, Friendship Heights) its easier to drive and park.
You can also phone your Embassy for advice or assistance.
Those metered spots were removed by ddot 6 mos ago
There are still plenty of metered spots in DC, though the overwhelming majority (if not all) are not individual metered spots, but still require you to pay the unimeter terminal on the block and place the your timed printout in your windshield.
Parking at the zoo is *really* expensive and also always seems to be packed. Safe the parking fee, and Uber there if you don't want to make that 5-10 minute walk uphill from the Metro stop.
Only major sight where I'd say driving is fine would be Arlington National Cemetery though the Metro stop is like right there too. But especially with Coronavirus it's probably not the worst call to avoid Metro on principle really.
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