Washington DC's Metro Advice Requested

[bourbonman]

I will be escorting 20+ Girl Scouts around and in DC in early June (4th to 7th). I plan on using the Metro for major transportation needs. (They'll use their feet until their sore much of the time.) Anyone with advice or heads up? I've used it before but this time it will be like herding cats :( so any inside tips would be appreciated.

We will be staying at the Embassy Suites at 900 10th St NW.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

[Muskie]

with that many people i'd avoid using it as rush hour at all costs... you've basically got one car full of people.

[dc_x]

The 2 key things:

1. Avoid the metro on weekdays between 7am and 9:30am and 4pm and 6:30pm. It will be very crowded and you risk getting your group of 20 split up.

2. Try to figure out how much metro fare you will need for the week and buy all the tickets in advance. You don't want to try to get tickets for 20 people from the machines. You can buy farecards online - http://wmata.com/fares/purchase/store/.

[Pete Delkus]

I was there last weekend and it seemed like every class trip in the US was on the National Mall. Every class seemed to have their own bus, and not the yellow busses, the big time rock band tour bus. I don't know if that is out of your $$ range.

Having that many kids at each place really didn't bother me, except at the Air & Space as I had to stand in line with a bunch of 7th graders to get a picture with Uranus.

[bourbonman]

...You can buy fare cards on-line - http://wmata.com/fares/purchase/store/.

Do you know if fare cards can be shared or do I need one for each individual. In other words, can I get a value of X and keep swiping it as each person enters? I can check with them if you don't know.

[An X Fan]

I interned in DC a number of years ago but might have a few pointers on the Metro and DC. Depending on how much you plan to use the Metro, it might be worthwhile to purchase a weekly pass (http://www.wmata.com/fares/purchase/passes.cfm#rail). It might not only be cheaper, but it will be significantly easier than loading a fare card every time you get to the Metro station. That way you don't have to worry about how often you get on the Metro - you can just go whenever you need to. Even if the weekly pass isn't the best option for you, I would load the rail card with enough money every day so you don't have to reload the card every time.

There are a number of stations close to the National Mall but none directly "on" it. Often it's just easier to walk from one end of the Mall to the other to see landmarks or various Smithsonian Museums than to find a Metro station.

Especially with a big group, Union Station and the Reagan Building have nice large food courts and can be a good place to stop with a large group to use the bathroom, get something to eat, etc. Union Station has a Metro station and is northeast of the National Mall, north of the Capitol, Supreme Court, and Library of Congress. (Kelly's Irish Times is a block or two away if you need to slip away for a drink)

Just a few thoughts - I'll post more if I think of anything. Good luck!

[MD Muskie]

Do you know if fare cards can be shared or do I need one for each individual. In other words, can I get a value of X and keep swiping it as each person enters? I can check with them if you don't know.

The DC Metro Police are not a big fan of that technique. It might be more accepted from a larger group but they often crack down on that when its a small group. The empty suits want everyone to have a farecard so they can make their money.

[Jumpy]

I was there last weekend and it seemed like every class trip in the US was on the National Mall. Every class seemed to have their own bus, and not the yellow busses, the big time rock band tour bus. I don't know if that is out of your $$ range.

Having that many kids at each place really didn't bother me, except at the Air & Space as I had to stand in line with a bunch of 7th graders to get a picture with Uranus.

That's what she said.

[MD Muskie]

I interned in DC a number of years ago but might have a few pointers on the Metro and DC. Depending on how much you plan to use the Metro, it might be worthwhile to purchase a weekly pass (http://www.wmata.com/fares/purchase/passes.cfm#rail). It might not only be cheaper, but it will be significantly easier than loading a fare card every time you get to the Metro station. That way you don't have to worry about how often you get on the Metro - you can just go whenever you need to. Even if the weekly pass isn't the best option for you, I would load the rail card with enough money every day so you don't have to reload the card every time.

There are a number of stations close to the National Mall but none directly "on" it. Often it's just easier to walk from one end of the Mall to the other to see landmarks or various Smithsonian Museums than to find a Metro station.

Especially with a big group, Union Station and the Reagan Building have nice large food courts and can be a good place to stop with a large group to use the bathroom, get something to eat, etc. Union Station has a Metro station and is northeast of the National Mall, north of the Capitol, Supreme Court, and Library of Congress. (Kelly's Irish Times is a block or two away if you need to slip away for a drink)

Just a few thoughts - I'll post more if I think of anything. Good luck!

Actually the Smithsonian has a metro stop right on the mall. It pretty much places you right in middle between the Capitol Building and the Washington Monument. The next best stop would be Federal Triangle as it is about a block and half from the American History Museum.

[blobfan]

I will be escorting 20+ Girl Scouts around and in DC in early June (4th to 7th). I plan on using the Metro for major transportation needs. (They'll use their feet until their sore much of the time.) Anyone with advice or heads up? I've used it before but this time it will be like herding cats :( so any inside tips would be appreciated.

We will be staying at the Embassy Suites at 900 10th St NW.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

I don't have any advice for you but I will be praying for you. 20+ Girl Scouts on a 4 day trip to DC? I aplaud your bravery. I'm sure the girls and their parents appreciate your sacrifice.

[dc_x]

Do you know if fare cards can be shared or do I need one for each individual. In other words, can I get a value of X and keep swiping it as each person enters? I can check with them if you don't know.

One card per person.

[West is Best]

Try herding the group towards one end of the platform. Often times the first two cars and last two cars on a train will be less crowded than others. This varies a bit depending on how a given station is set up. Moving further away from escalators and stairs also usually means lighter crowds.

[Cheesehead]

Was there 2 summers ago w/ the family over 4th of July (yikes). Fantastic system; efficient and clean. One card per girl is the way to go. I think you will be ok / w/ the crowds but I'm sure you will have more than one adult, correct? There's no eating on these things unless you want to get in trouble.

I came away very impressed w/ the Metro. We flew in and never needed a car.

[An X Fan]

Actually the Smithsonian has a metro stop right on the mall. It pretty much places you right in middle between the Capitol Building and the Washington Monument. The next best stop would be Federal Triangle as it is about a block and half from the American History Museum.

MD Muskie is correct. Smithsonian has a stop on the south side of the National Mall between the Capitol and Washington Monument. What I meant to indicate is that there isn't a stop by the Lincoln and Jefferson (not really close), so there's not point walking to take the subway just to get around the National Mall. Once you're on the Mall, it would be pointless (from my perspective) to search out a Metro station to get from the Smithsonian Building to the Lincoln, or even from the Jefferson to the Capitol, which runs about the length of the Mall.

[bourbonman]

Thanks to all for your observations. Notes have been taken and the invasion begins a week from Thursday. Thanks again.

[DC Muskie]

Best of luck bourbonman...

You'll need it.

[bourbonman]

Best of luck bourbonman...You'll need it.

Herding cats is a specialty of mine. Those that didn't follow directions back on the farm found themselves in a burlap sack along with a large rock. When tied off and tossed in the pond they became great turtle food. We had some great turtle soup back in the day.

:rolleyes: