We just flew back from DC yesterday. I totally agree with the driving part! We were visiting family, and I explored the mall and botanical gardens with my son and 2 year old granddaughter. We could have taken my son's car, but even though he is local, he chose for us to take the metro and walk. The 2 year old even finds the metro an exciting thing to do!
And it's not just the driving, it's the parking! Expensive garages (that still fill up) in a lot of the city, residential or commercial areas with scant parking and time/day limits, and there is barely anywhere to park near the monuments or museums anyway. Driving and parking does you no favors. If you're flying or arriving by train there's easy metro or train access from all airports and Union Station. If you're coming via road trip, look into leaving your car at the hotel and taking metro into town.
Good advice about walk-training to prepare! I trained for 3 months, and could easily walk 6 miles a day in DC. I'm retired and was not in great shape before training 😆
Arlington, Alexandria and NW DC by the Zoo are good areas for Hotel alternatives to Downtown DC if you plan accordingly....water taxi is good to take as well...when planning 5 to 7 days will be good for timing as well...one trip though will not cover it all...
The only reason we didn’t take a tour with you when my dad and I came to DC two years ago is because my dad can’t walk. Or, he couldn’t at the time because he needed to get his arthritic knee replaced. We did take one of those electric golf cart tours around the mall which was awesome. It took us to all the places we wanted to go and it was fun. I love to think of the national mall as America’s Greenway. I dream of writing our tandem tricycle on it.
I visited DC last year in September for the 1st time and stayed for 6 days and I must say I could have stayed 4 weeks longer and wouldn't have been bored for a single second. That's why I'll visit again this year 😃 And your channel really helped to plan accordingly! For everyone who's not used to Metro (like me), it's really easy to use and if you have a problem, don't be shy and just ask someone. I've only met very friendly people who always helped me. And it helps if you plan your activities accordingly. I spent a lot of time preparing the activities for each day and it helped a lot. I planned the locations for the day that were close to each other to avoid spending too much time to get from A to B and to make the most out of my time.
Just got back from DC and this channel was incredibly helpful. I also cant explain how impressed I was with how nice DC residents are, how efficient and easy it is to ride metro rail, circulator, and metro bus. The stations and trains were all very clean and the one metro station manager I interacted with was incredibly polite and helpful.
When on the metro escalators....stand on the right....walk on the left // Use the restroom when available, you don't want to be caught having to use one and the nearest restroom is a distance (or the museums are closed) //
Watch Rob's video to find out about the places most people do not visit. We went to the Old Post Office Tower and the Signers of the Declaration monument and were the only people there. After visiting really busy places, it's nice to go to ones that are not so busy to be able to relax. I also recommend the Einstein memorial at the National Academy of Science and, if you go to Old Town Alexandria, visit the Contraband and Freedmen Cemetery.
Very useful tips Rob, thank you. One thing we will think about on our next trip to D.C. will be the hotel/food location as the hotel on our last trip was perfectly fine but we were limited for restaurant and quick serve options being near Union Station
Pro tip: Make sure your metro card is properly loaded on your apple watch before using the metro 🤣 Thankfully it was earlier on a Sunday morning in Arlington and the person working in the booth felt sorry for my son and just let him through. Also, thankfully the person working at the other side felt sorry for him and let him out 🤣 My son still doesn't find this amusing. Also, don't walk through security at the Smithsonian with 2 umbrellas in your coat pocket, you will get stopped.
Hi Rob, I love your DC Trip Hacks. Our family will be in DC mid-June for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund VVMF Ceremony. We are staying in Crystal City. What is the one thing you recommend we do outside of the immediate DC area? Outside National Mall, museums, etc. Oh yes, there are 18 of us, and we are we will be using Metro and other forms of transportation. We are ages 0-56. Thank you, and I appreciate your response.
Thanks for all the advice. Some sites (Arlington, for example) say no food. We are traveling with small kids and planning to take granola bars, etc. Would a few packaged items be allowed? How strict are they on food? Thanks.
Always interpret the rules as strictly as possible. If they say no food, don't bring food. Sometimes there are exceptions but you should contact in advance and not assume it is OK.
I am taking my boys in a couple weeks (April 6/7). We are driving from the airport and I have parking reservations in L’Enfant Plaza, but I read that leaving is a nightmare. Where is the best place to park and get out easily? I don’t want to risk missing our return flight being stuck in traffic.
We just flew back from DC yesterday. I totally agree with the driving part! We were visiting family, and I explored the mall and botanical gardens with my son and 2 year old granddaughter. We could have taken my son's car, but even though he is local, he chose for us to take the metro and walk. The 2 year old even finds the metro an exciting thing to do!
Glad to hear you had a good trip!
Rob is telling the truth, driving in DC is no joke! Avoid it at all costs! :) Thanks for the video Rob!
You're welcome!
And it's not just the driving, it's the parking! Expensive garages (that still fill up) in a lot of the city, residential or commercial areas with scant parking and time/day limits, and there is barely anywhere to park near the monuments or museums anyway. Driving and parking does you no favors. If you're flying or arriving by train there's easy metro or train access from all airports and Union Station. If you're coming via road trip, look into leaving your car at the hotel and taking metro into town.
Good advice about walk-training to prepare! I trained for 3 months, and could easily walk 6 miles a day in DC. I'm retired and was not in great shape before training 😆
Happy to hear it worked out!
Arlington, Alexandria and NW DC by the Zoo are good areas for Hotel alternatives to Downtown DC if you plan accordingly....water taxi is good to take as well...when planning 5 to 7 days will be good for timing as well...one trip though will not cover it all...
You know I always agree about the strategic hotel!
Yes I do!
The only reason we didn’t take a tour with you when my dad and I came to DC two years ago is because my dad can’t walk. Or, he couldn’t at the time because he needed to get his arthritic knee replaced. We did take one of those electric golf cart tours around the mall which was awesome. It took us to all the places we wanted to go and it was fun. I love to think of the national mall as America’s Greenway. I dream of writing our tandem tricycle on it.
I visited DC last year in September for the 1st time and stayed for 6 days and I must say I could have stayed 4 weeks longer and wouldn't have been bored for a single second. That's why I'll visit again this year 😃 And your channel really helped to plan accordingly!
For everyone who's not used to Metro (like me), it's really easy to use and if you have a problem, don't be shy and just ask someone. I've only met very friendly people who always helped me.
And it helps if you plan your activities accordingly. I spent a lot of time preparing the activities for each day and it helped a lot. I planned the locations for the day that were close to each other to avoid spending too much time to get from A to B and to make the most out of my time.
Great trip report.
Just got back from DC and this channel was incredibly helpful. I also cant explain how impressed I was with how nice DC residents are, how efficient and easy it is to ride metro rail, circulator, and metro bus. The stations and trains were all very clean and the one metro station manager I interacted with was incredibly polite and helpful.
Happy to hear it
When on the metro escalators....stand on the right....walk on the left // Use the restroom when available, you don't want to be caught having to use one and the nearest restroom is a distance (or the museums are closed) //
Excellent advice as always, thanks.
Thanks!
Thanks again for all of the great tips. I ate today at the USDA cafeteria based on your suggestion in one of your videos.
Nice 🍔
Watch Rob's video to find out about the places most people do not visit. We went to the Old Post Office Tower and the Signers of the Declaration monument and were the only people there. After visiting really busy places, it's nice to go to ones that are not so busy to be able to relax. I also recommend the Einstein memorial at the National Academy of Science and, if you go to Old Town Alexandria, visit the Contraband and Freedmen Cemetery.
Great choices!
These tips are not just for DC. They are for every trip imo. Great reminders!
Glad you like them!
Very useful tips Rob, thank you. One thing we will think about on our next trip to D.C. will be the hotel/food location as the hotel on our last trip was perfectly fine but we were limited for restaurant and quick serve options being near Union Station
Yes that is a downside to that location.
Is the Holiday Inn National Mall considered to be a strategic hotel?
Pro tip: Make sure your metro card is properly loaded on your apple watch before using the metro 🤣 Thankfully it was earlier on a Sunday morning in Arlington and the person working in the booth felt sorry for my son and just let him through. Also, thankfully the person working at the other side felt sorry for him and let him out 🤣 My son still doesn't find this amusing. Also, don't walk through security at the Smithsonian with 2 umbrellas in your coat pocket, you will get stopped.
Hi Rob, I love your DC Trip Hacks. Our family will be in DC mid-June for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund VVMF Ceremony. We are staying in Crystal City. What is the one thing you recommend we do outside of the immediate DC area? Outside National Mall, museums, etc. Oh yes, there are 18 of us, and we are we will be using Metro and other forms of transportation. We are ages 0-56. Thank you, and I appreciate your response.
Check out ua-cam.com/video/yGAcWqvYfik/v-deo.html
Thanks for all the advice. Some sites (Arlington, for example) say no food. We are traveling with small kids and planning to take granola bars, etc. Would a few packaged items be allowed? How strict are they on food? Thanks.
Always interpret the rules as strictly as possible. If they say no food, don't bring food. Sometimes there are exceptions but you should contact in advance and not assume it is OK.
@@TripHacksDC Thanks!
Rob, are the water fountains around the National Mall safe to refill a water flask from?
Are National Mall Water Fountains Safe to Drink?
3:28 I'm guessing that's inside the air and space museum?
Correct!
It seems like the hotel prices are a lot higher this year
I am taking my boys in a couple weeks (April 6/7). We are driving from the airport and I have parking reservations in L’Enfant Plaza, but I read that leaving is a nightmare. Where is the best place to park and get out easily? I don’t want to risk missing our return flight being stuck in traffic.
I strongly recommend against tourists getting an airport rental car. If you must, check out: ua-cam.com/video/AKHFi_lMrvg/v-deo.html
Lots of walking get good shoes
Yep 👟