gidgetgirl

We are arriving in DC next Saturday afternoon and plan to take some time to explore the Capitol and upper mall that day by parking at Union Station. Sunday we'll be attending the 8am Easter services at the Cathedral and plan to drive downtown and hope to obtain free street parking by the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials. Is such parking available ever? Would it somewhat available/less occupied on (Easter) Sunday? Sunday is our big day to explore the area and since our hotel is 45 minutes from the Mall and not on a Metro line, it makes sense for us to drive in.

Any advice on where to park would be appreciated. Free is best.

kayd

Street parking is free on Sundays, but with peak cherry blossoms approaching, it should fill up early this week. You might get lucky to pass someone pulling out, but it could take a long time circling in very slow-moving traffic, even as early as 10:00.

I recommend heading straight to a garage, so you won't waste time. There is public parking at the Ronald Reagan building on 14th Street between Constitution and Pennsylvania Aves, but I cannot think of any that are close to those memorials. If you want to be near the Lincoln Memorial, look on Constitution from 19th to 23d and on those numbered streets just off Constitution.

Please study a good street map well in advance. Don't wait for your car GPS to do the job--it will be of most help if you already have a good sense of what you are looking for.

NewbE

I think a lot of people will have the same idea as you, gidgetgirl! Couldn't hurt to try, but I have a feeling as you approach the area you'll see that it's quite crowded, so identify a garage in advance, and don't waste too much time looking for free parking. Good luck!

tomfuller

You could park at the Green Belt station for free and ride the Metro into the city.

yestravel

Parking at the Greenbelt metro station is not a great idea esp since you will be at the Nat'l Cathedral. You could leave your car around National Cathedral and take a bus to the area. Look at the metro/bus site to see what bus would work. http://www.wmata.com/rider_tools/tri..._form_solo.cfm

It will be more crowded because of the Cherry Blossom Festival. We often go down early in the am (9-10 or so) on a Sunday to see the Cherry Blossoms. Or consider a taxi from the Cathedral. If you don't mind spending a little time driving around, you will likely come across a space. People are pulling out frequently. Agree with the comment to be sure and look at maps in advance and have a good one with you. it will be crowded.

kayd

Metro parking would make sense for most visitors-- but for this group attending the early service at the Cathedral, I think the car is a necessity. Another idea might be to park on the street around a NW DC metro station -- Tenley is closest to the Cathedral. But round trip fares x 4 would equal the cost of garage parking, and still it is not very convenient.

yestravel

Alternately you could walk from the Cleveland Park Metro which is the same distance as the Tenleytown metro stop and 1 stop closer to downtown. How many people are you -- as pointed out that does make a difference.

bardo1

Drive in!

First check the Mall itself (especially on 7th St.) - if any space says Mon-Sat., then it's a free spot on Sunday.

If needed, next try the area south of Independence Ave between 3rd and 12th - again if it's M-F or M-Sat, it's free.

If THAT doesn't work, try the outdoor spaces on Penn. Ave between 3rd and 1st NW - it says "Permit Only" (for congressional employees) but what they don't tell you is that it only applies M-F!!! Those are legal, free spaces on weekends! The same applies to the outdoor spaces on Maryland Ave. between 3rd and 1 st. NW.

Also look for spaces on Constitution and Penn Ave north of the Mall.

Last resort (you really won't need to - one of the above WILL work out), go to a garage - it's still a better option than Metro int his particular case. The garages at 11001 Penn and 1201 Penn are pretty convenient...

bardo1

That's 1101 Penn....

gidgetgirl

Thank you!!! We are a party of 5, but only 4 paying (one is 3).

yestravel

Definitely drive down and hunt for a space. Bardo's advice is excellent.

gidgetgirl

We found parking RIGHT ON the mall on Easter Sunday, so we didn't have to hunt at all. Saturday was a different matter ENTIRELY and we should've taken the metro in. We did think the parking at the Ronald Reagan Trade Center was a good deal though $13 for the day for secure parking. (we just came into town and wanted something secure for all of our items were in the van)

yestravel

Great! thanks for reporting back.