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Washington DC fbgs? (1 Viewer)

Clown Car

Footballguy
I'm leaving tomorrow morning to take the kids to Washington DC. I was all excited that I had my parking planned out but just learned tonight that my van is too tall for the parking garages. It is 7ft tall. 

Can anyone tell me if there is above ground parking? How can I find it?

We are staying in Alexandria. There are 2 adults and 8 kids (ages 8-15). Is there a metro pass option I should look into?

 
Ground parking around the mall? Yes. Lots of street parking, some metered, some not. The parking lots on the west side of the Capitol (north and south of the pool) is open to the public on the weekends. Get down there before 10, when museums open, and you should easily get a spot. 

 
Ground parking around the mall? Yes. Lots of street parking, some metered, some not. The parking lots on the west side of the Capitol (north and south of the pool) is open to the public on the weekends. Get down there before 10, when museums open, and you should easily get a spot. 
What do you suggest for 4th of July?

 
What do you suggest for 4th of July?
Even though it's usually a zoo, I'd do metro for getting back to Alexandria after fireworks. The yellow line will probably be less crowded than blue, so sitting somewhere east of the Washington monument and walking to l'enfant or archives afterwards will probably work well if you want to avoid excessive crowds getting on a train. But, the best seats are west of the Washington monument and over to the Lincoln memorial, imo. I haven't been down for several years on the 4th, but metro at that end was always crazy. If you're ok with just hanging out for an hour or so after the fireworks then maybe doing that and using the blue line might be ok after some crowds clear out. I used to always park on the shoulder along some of the roads on the VA side of the river and walk to the Lincoln memorial, but they kept taking away more and more of that parking.

A lot of streets in DC will be blocked on the 4th making parking more difficult. 

The 7 day pass might be ok. Just depends on how much you think you'll ride. But with 10 people, it's going to be expensive. There's no family pass. Each individual is supposed to have a pass. Maybe a couple of your youngest can ride free, but I'd drive downtown on days other than the 4th with that many people. 

Did you check the union station parking garage? That might accommodate larger vehicles. 

 
Do people still party and drink all day on the lawn of the Capitol building on the 4th? I swear I have a very vague memory of doing that one year back in the 90s.

 
Even though it's usually a zoo, I'd do metro for getting back to Alexandria after fireworks. The yellow line will probably be less crowded than blue, so sitting somewhere east of the Washington monument and walking to l'enfant or archives afterwards will probably work well if you want to avoid excessive crowds getting on a train. But, the best seats are west of the Washington monument and over to the Lincoln memorial, imo. I haven't been down for several years on the 4th, but metro at that end was always crazy. If you're ok with just hanging out for an hour or so after the fireworks then maybe doing that and using the blue line might be ok after some crowds clear out. I used to always park on the shoulder along some of the roads on the VA side of the river and walk to the Lincoln memorial, but they kept taking away more and more of that parking.

A lot of streets in DC will be blocked on the 4th making parking more difficult. 

The 7 day pass might be ok. Just depends on how much you think you'll ride. But with 10 people, it's going to be expensive. There's no family pass. Each individual is supposed to have a pass. Maybe a couple of your youngest can ride free, but I'd drive downtown on days other than the 4th with that many people. 

Did you check the union station parking garage? That might accommodate larger vehicles. 
Do you think there will be space available at union station since federal employees are off tomorrow? We are suppos d to be doing the capital tour. 

 
Do you think there will be space available at union station since federal employees are off tomorrow? We are suppos d to be doing the capital tour. 
Federal employees aren't off tomorrow. But, either way, I'd guess there will be spaces available at Union station. Not sure if it ever fills up. I think it's more expensive than most garages so I don't think commuters fill it up. 

 
Federal employees aren't off tomorrow. But, either way, I'd guess there will be spaces available at Union station. Not sure if it ever fills up. I think it's more expensive than most garages so I don't think commuters fill it up. 
Ok. I thought the tour guide said they are off. It is a more touristy parking location. I will cross fingers and pray. Our capital tour is at 11.  Sounded late enough when I booked it. Now I'm not sure. 

 
Ok. I thought the tour guide said they are off. It is a more touristy parking location. I will cross fingers and pray. Our capital tour is at 11.  Sounded late enough when I booked it. Now I'm not sure. 
Maybe tour guide was saying congress isn't in session. Also, I'm sure a lot of people are taking they day off. I expect traffic to be light tomorrow morning. 

 
It was awesome!! We had a great place on the green. We walked easily back to the metro and rode home in style. Got back to the house before 11. Had a great time. Tomorrow we are going to mount Vernon and Arlington. 

 
It was awesome!! We had a great place on the green. We walked easily back to the metro and rode home in style. Got back to the house before 11. Had a great time. Tomorrow we are going to mount Vernon and Arlington. 
My daughter lives in DC. She loves MT Vernon. Her favorite place in DC!  Report back. 

 
This was the best day ever. I found a great parking spot on the national mall and parallel parked my 12 passenger van right there! This has been an amazing trip. Thanks for your tips and insights. 

 
This was the best day ever. I found a great parking spot on the national mall and parallel parked my 12 passenger van right there! This has been an amazing trip. Thanks for your tips and insights. 
sorry i found this late but it sounds like you got by just fine.  I love DC, it was definitely one of the best cities i ever lived in!

 

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