National Christmas Tree Lighting - tips & advice? (Reston, Triangle: 2014, house)

[VAviaCA]

Good morning,
We are headed down to the National Christmas Tree Lighting this Thursday afternoon (Dec. 3). We haven't been before and are somewhat new to the area (we moved to NOVA in July 2014).

Transportation wise, it seems that taking the Metro might be a better option than driving given the parking options. If we were to drive, do any of you have any tips on where to park? We need to be through security by 4:30 PM and we're coming from Ashburn. I'm not a big fan of taking Metro during big events because it gets so crowded, but I doubt that we'll stay to the bitter end of the ceremony as we will have our 8 year old son with us (three people total).

Also, I haven't yet been able to find out whether or not there are vendors to purchase food inside security. I would assume so as the event is so long, but haven't seen any reference to it as yet. Have any of you been before and know if they typically have food to purchase?

Any other tips and/or advice you might have would be appreciated.
Thank you!

[slim04]

Originally Posted by VAviaCA

Good morning,
We are headed down to the National Christmas Tree Lighting this Thursday afternoon (Dec. 3). We haven't been before and are somewhat new to the area (we moved to NOVA in July 2014).

Transportation wise, it seems that taking the Metro might be a better option than driving given the parking options. If we were to drive, do any of you have any tips on where to park? We need to be through security by 4:30 PM and we're coming from Ashburn. I'm not a big fan of taking Metro during big events because it gets so crowded, but I doubt that we'll stay to the bitter end of the ceremony as we will have our 8 year old son with us (three people total).

Also, I haven't yet been able to find out whether or not there are vendors to purchase food inside security. I would assume so as the event is so long, but haven't seen any reference to it as yet. Have any of you been before and know if they typically have food to purchase?

Any other tips and/or advice you might have would be appreciated.
Thank you!

I've never been there for that lighting. But when I need to drive to WH/Federal Triangle area, I like to park at the Reagan/International Building. It is also a massive convention facility, so it has a very large parking garage that never seems to fill up. It is about 4 blocks away from the WH.

[gomason]

Street parking is actually usually pretty easy to find that time of the day. Just be very careful not to park on streets that have rush hour restrictions (4:00-6:30pm) like on Constitution Avenue because your car will be towed!


I would personally drive. Way cheaper to drive and park than pay for Metro for three people (like $35 round trip!).

[JfromReston]

I work in the Ronald Reagan Building - Parking will cost $22.
Public Parking near the National Mall and Smithsonian Museums | Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
Plus if you take the Dulles Toll Road you need to add $7 for round trip tolls.

I've never been to the tree lighting, but always consider that night one of the worst traffic nights of the year. Please allow enough time to deal with traffic tie ups. There is a food court in the basement of the Ronald Reagan Building to grab a quick bite to eat before you go over to the White House.

[JfromReston]

Originally Posted by gomason

I would personally drive. Way cheaper to drive and park than pay for Metro for three people (like $35 round trip!).

I disagree - if you need to pay for parking it is pretty much a wash if you don't consider what it actually costs to operate the car.

METRO 3 people
Non rush into town (Reston - Federal Triangle) $3.60
Rush out of town (Federal Triangle - Reston) $5.90
Reston Metro Parking 4.85

Three people plus Metro parking = 33.35


Driving from Reston to Federal Triangle
Parking $22
Tolls $7
2 gallons of gas @ 2.25 = 4.50

Gas only driving with Ronald Reagan Building Parking = $33.50


This does not include the actual cost to operate the car that AAA currently estimates at 0.592/ mile.
44 miles round trip @ 0.592/mile = $26
Parking & Tolls = $29

Total cost for driving, parking & tolls = $55

[gomason]

Originally Posted by JfromReston

Three people plus Metro parking = 33.35


Driving from Reston to Federal Triangle
Parking $22
Tolls $7
2 gallons of gas @ 2.25 = 4.50

Gas only driving with Ronald Reagan Building Parking = $33.50


This does not include the actual cost to operate the car that AAA currently estimates at 0.592/ mile.
44 miles round trip @ 0.592/mile = $26
Parking & Tolls = $29

Total cost for driving, parking & tolls = $55

I would personally park on the street for $2.50 an hour. I can't remember the last time I parked in a parking garage.

[yandex]

Originally Posted by scimitar12

i would be thrilled if people would take their damned decorations down in january/february.

huh?

[JfromReston]

Originally Posted by gomason

I would personally park on the street for $2.50 an hour. I can't remember the last time I parked in a parking garage.

I really don't think they will find street parking for the White House Tree Lighting Ceremony.

[VAviaCA]

Thanks for all the tips! Luckily, we'll be using my husband's work car, so gas, wear & tear isn't a concern. We're going to take our chances and just drive in. We'll leave at about 1:30 and head to the parking garage at the RR Building. We'll keep an eye out for street parking, but I'm not counting on it at all.

Thanks again!

[JfromReston]

Lots of street closures starting at 2:00 p.m.

https://www.city-data.com/forum/north...ps-advice.html