dougieshoney

We (family of four, including two teenagers) are heading to DC the end of next week. We are staying near the H Street Corridor area and planning to use public transportation most of the time (except for a trip to Arlington followed by the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center when we will drive our own vehicle). I have been trying to look online to figure out transportation options. I am used to the Chicago Transit System where we can purchase a pass ahead of time for the trip. It is unclear to me if I should do something similar - a SmarTrip pass? They seem pricey if I'm buying a 7-day pass for each of us. Am I better of waiting and buying daily trip passes? Does the same pass work for trips on the DC Circulator as the metrorail to/from Alexandria? I welcome any suggestions you might have. Our current (ever-evolving) itinerary looks like this. We have left some spaces (I'm sure you'll notice) to fill in other activities as the mood strikes

Day 1 - Eastern Market, National Archives Rotunda , Fords Theater, National Portrait Gallery, dinner reservations Matchbox-Penn Quarter

Day 2 – American History Museum, Moonlight Monument Tour

Day 3 –Arlington National Cemetery , Steven F Udvar-Hazy Center

Day 4 - Mount Vernon, Old town Alexandria, dinner reservations The Wharf, Alexandria

Day 5 - Capital, Library of Congress, Georgetown? Embassy Row?

Day 6–White House? National Law Enforcement Museum? Holocaust Museum, Nationals/Cardinals game

TDudette

Hi dougieshoney, take a look at this circulator info:

https://www.dccirculator.com/ride/ri...teractive-map/

You might be able to use it even more than metro (which does go to Alexandria but I haven't done that route) for your D.C. venues. A taxi might cost less. Others who use metro can give you better info.

Pre-covid, one didn't get into the White House without making fairly intricate advanced arrangements....may I assume you've done that already?

Please share about your trip when you return!

obxgirl

My understanding is that the 3 day unlimited pass does not include the Circulator bus which can be very useful for touring. Regulation Smartrip cards do. That might drive your decision if you envision yourselves using the Circulator to get around.

I don't think you need a 7 days pass. If you went with a 3 pass, you could arrange to have the Arlington Cemetery/Udvar Hazy day at the beginning or the end of your trip. And you can add value to the pass for whatever amount you like after the pass expires.

DC is a pretty walkable city. You should still group your destinations by location though. And the shortest distance between sites may be walking, not metro or bus. So it's possible even within one day, you might only ride the Metro twice (to and from your hotel).

If it were me, I'd get a regular SmarTrip card, probably the $30 one if you're ordering ahead (leave plenty of time for mailing). Otherwise you can buy them at any Metro station.

dougieshoney

Thanks for your response

We have done the White House planning through our congressperson. Still waiting on the official White House response - they say we're supposed to know 2-3 weeks before requested date (2 weeks would be tomorrow). The delay in getting the answer makes it hard for planning! Frankly, that's a stop I'm not too interested in seeing - I remember visiting as a kid and was underwhelmed, but the rest of my family has never had the opportunity, so we're giving it a try. I'm not holding out much hope.

dougieshoney

obxgirl - are you saying that the "regular" SmarTrip card will work on the Circulator? Or am I misunderstanding?

obxgirl

Yes, that is correct. A regular Smartrip card works on the Circulator buses.

k_marie

As with so many train/bus/attractions deals, one really must do the math. Look at your itinerary, research the fares, compute. As TDudette suggests, you may find that a taxi/Uber at the beginning and the end of the day, combined with walking and the circulator bus, will better serve you most days.

We stayed at a DC hotel over Memorial Day weekend and were charged the dreaded destination fee. Turns out one inclusion was a Metro card with, I believe, $3. credit. See what your hotel offers.

(TheUdvar-Hazy Center is still on my list. Family members who have visited recommend it highly.)

Sassafrass

If you are driving to Mount Vernon, you might want to take the George Washington Memorial Parkway from Alexandria down to Mount Vernon. It is beautiful with stops along the River. Mount Vernon can be crushingly crowded in Summer with long lines and long waits. Be prepared. In some ways, the gardens are as interesting as the house. Allow time for them.

Then, something I highly recommend is a visit to the Pope-Leighey House, a Usonian house built by Frank L. Wright. It is located on the grounds of Woodlawn Plantation, less than ten minutes from Mount Vernon. Allow about an hour for the visit. It is absolutely worth it. Take a tour if possible and read about it ahead of time, if you can. Woodlawn is interesting as part of history (not a must see), but the Pope-Leighey House is a treasure.

When you are in Old Town Alexandria, stop in at the Torpedo Factory, a huge collective of working artists, studios and galleries. It is at the end of Alexandria right on the river.

We took in an interesting history play at Ford’s Theater.

If you feel like taking in a play, Alexandria has some really great theaters. Signature Theater produces amazing work. Little Theater gets great reviews and there are others. With Covid, we have not been looking, so do not know what is playing. Of course, there is National, near the White House. Your teens might find something of interest to attend.

obxgirl

So to further clarify, the SmarTrip card is the just platform for Metro travel. It's the same card whether it's loaded with the 3 day unlimited trip pass (not good on Circulator) or loaded with $ for one off trips (good on Circulator).

shelemm

I have never fully understood why anyone would get the multi-day pass. It is far too pricey. Out of convenience? Maybe.

If you have access to a vehicle, I highly recommend going to the Air Force Memorial at night (assuming it is not on your Moonlight tour). It's in Arlington near the Pentagon. It's big and can be seen from afar, but to go up to it and stand underneath it is awe-inspiring and has a super great view of Washington, DC to boot.

obxgirl

Of course it pays, literally, to do the math but I can easily see how it might be cost effective to use a pass particularly if you are staying outside of the city.

k_marie

The OP has said they are staying in the H Street corridor, a term I have not before heard. Is it Penn Qjarter? Near NorthEast? If either of these locations, the family will be right in the city.

obxgirl

I understand the OP is staying in the city.

I was responding to your comment that you couldn't understand why anyone would get a multi day pass b/c it was too pricey. Sorry for the confusion.

Yes, H Street Corridor is in NE. I think a lot of the area's small businesses & restaurants were hit hard by the pandemic.

https://washington.org/dc-neighborhoods/h-street-ne

shelemm

There is an H St, in every quadrant, but 'H St Corridor' implies the still scruffy area in NE DC where the Atlas performing arts center, music clubs, bars, and restaurants have popped up. With the real estate boom, then came some more heavyweight development of a grocery store and apartment buildings. DC put in a trolley line here.

k_marie

Thanks for the explanations of H Street corridor, obxgirl and shelemm. Sounds like an interesting neighborhood off this tourist’s radar until now.