Weekend parking in Washinton DC?

Hi--

We're planning a family trip for Spring break, and it appears that
we'll be spending a Saturday through Monday in DC. I've read about
(and believe) all of the horrors of DC traffic and parking, but am
wondering whether it is as bad on Saturday and Sunday. If there is
public parking that is "out of town tourist-oriented", where should I
look for it? I've ridden on the Metro myself and enjoyed it, but I'm
wondering if it isn't just as cost-effective to plan on driving in on
the weekend as opposed to paying fares for a family of 5.

Thanks--your input is appreciated.

Scott

"Scott Oakman" wrote in message
om...
Hi--

We're planning a family trip for Spring break, and it appears that
we'll be spending a Saturday through Monday in DC. I've read about
(and believe) all of the horrors of DC traffic and parking, but am
wondering whether it is as bad on Saturday and Sunday. If there is
public parking that is "out of town tourist-oriented", where should I
look for it? I've ridden on the Metro myself and enjoyed it, but I'm
wondering if it isn't just as cost-effective to plan on driving in on
the weekend as opposed to paying fares for a family of 5.

Thanks--your input is appreciated.

Scott

I have found in the past that the weekends are very good for finding street
parking.
On the weekday, you might find available parking more easily at "Union
Station," the station where Amtrak leaves and arrives.
Dee

Scott Oakman wrote:
We're planning a family trip for Spring break, and it appears that
we'll be spending a Saturday through Monday in DC. I've read about
(and believe) all of the horrors of DC traffic and parking, but am
wondering whether it is as bad on Saturday and Sunday. If there is
public parking that is "out of town tourist-oriented", where should I
look for it? I've ridden on the Metro myself and enjoyed it, but I'm
wondering if it isn't just as cost-effective to plan on driving in on
the weekend as opposed to paying fares for a family of 5.

Parking isn't generally bad on weekends, and you can usually find something
on the street, though traffic can still back up now and then. I've seen
Saturday afternoons - and not special-even days, either - when downtown was
gridlocked.

Still, the Metro is more fun and more of the DC experience.

miguel
--
Hundreds of travel photos from around the world: http://travel.u.nu/

Juliana L Holm wrote in message ...
Dee Randall deedoveyatshenteldotnet wrote:


I have not gone by metro to DC on the weekends, but I can say that I have
NEVER found a parking space at any metro going into D.C. during the week. I
have given that up. Considering the price of metro for a family and the
fact that it is very few miles into D.C. and the possibility of finding a
parking space on the weekend is good, I would forego a fun metro trip --

Metro parking lots are mostly empty on weekends, and they are free. An all day
pass for $6 will cover unlimited trips. That still ends up being $30 for a
family of 5.

During the week (for example on Monday) you can easily find a parking spot, at
least at the outer Virginia Orange Line Stations (the ones I am familiar with)
before 7:15 in the morning at Dunn Loring, or even a tad later at Vienna. There
are spaces again free at 10:00 when the guaranteed spaces become available
to the general public.

That said, parking downtown on weekends is very do-able. When I go in on
weekends, I like to park near the DC Courthouse, and walk down to the mall.
Parking right on the mall is still pretty sticky, but only a block or two
away is fine.

Julie


I agree with Julie, weekend parking is very easy, especially up by
the Courthouse. Only suggestion is to get the before 10am and make a
day of it.

I heading there myself, this weekend as we check out different
colleges in
the Maryland, WashDC, Delaware area.

Take care and have fun, there is a lot to see in DC ... go online and
map
out a schedule of must see and possibles, as it can save footsteps.
Another suggestion is the tour bus, I know of one pickup / stop being
the Metro station but I'm sure there are others.

Leah aka