I have to spend a couple of days in Chantilly Virginia at the Expo Center but would like to spend my last night in DC.

Also, my hotel in Chantilly is sold out my last night and while my plane home doesn't depart from Dulles until 7PM, I have to be back in Chantilly by 10AM.

My question is this; can I successfully take the Metro from Chantilly to downtown DC, enjoy the night, stay downtown DC and be back at the show in the morning?

Does this public transportation exist?

It has been ages since I've been to DC and would like to spend some time there.

Suggestions?

Can't give you any advice, GoTravel, but I'm sure someone "out there" can. Have a good trip, it's been years since we've been to DC too.

GoT, I don't think you can do this by metro from Chantilly, but you might be able to cab to a metro station somewhere between Chantilly and D.C. and then get to D.C. My husband works in Chantilly on Rt. 50 close to the Expo Center, and I'll ask him tonight and get back to you.

What are you thinking of doing in D.C., just going out to eat or will you have time to go to a play or other performance or something else? If you will only be getting there in time to eat and sleep, maybe reconsider and stay in Reston at the Town Center? There are good restaurants there, and good shopping. I think it would be a nice place to spend an evening, and closer to where you need to be in the morning. There is a Hyatt there.

Here is their site:

http://www.restontowncenter.com/

The Holiday Inn Select that is next to the Expo Center has this on their website: closest metro station is Vienna metro (orange line), 10 miles from the hotel. So you could get a cab to that station (which is the last station on the orange line) to go to D.C. When you get back to that station in the morning, I am not sure that cabs woudl be there waiting to take you to Chantilly though. You would probably need to call ahead for the cab to meet you at the metro.

That Holiday Inn site says the hotel is 23/24 miles from D.C. and Reagan aiport, cab is $45 to D.C.

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hd/ctyva

I just went to
http://rideguide.wmata.com
and entered to travel from Chantilly to Federal Triangle Metro at 6pm and got directions to take 20Y Bus towards VIENNA STATION from EE JACKSON HW & GALESBURY LA (14 minutes) , then take ORANGE LINE towards NEW CARROLLTON to
FEDERAL TRIANGLE METRO STATION (29 minutes) $4.60 total fare.

Of course, times and bus routes vary by time of day, but it appears that your trip is possible, although you might wish to take a taxi part of the way, such as to/from Metro station. There are plenty of hotels at/near Orange Line stations you could stay at, both in DC and clost to DC in VA.

If that's the "Dulles Expo Center" you're referring to, the site gives directions for that too, starting with "Walk 0.39 mile NE from DULLES EXPO CENTER to 14299 SULLYFIELD CIRCLE" where again you would board a 20Y bus ...The bus MIGHT be a Fairfax Connecter rather than a Washington MetroBus.

Thank you all so much for the replies!

I get out of my trade show at 5PM on a Saturday and have to be back by 10AM carrying luggage. I'm an excellent packer and will only have one 22 inch pullman.

Is this a feasible trip timewise?

I don't know the next time I'll get to DC and my hotel is sold out for Saturday night so I'll have to move anyway.

I have no idea what I want to do in DC on a Saturday night. Probably dinner and people watch.

GoT, personally I wouldn't take the bus, esp. on a Sat., as schedules will likely be different and less frequent than on weekdays adn this could be a sticking point. If you cab it to Vienna metro, that will probably be about $20 and 10 - 15 min. on a Sat. at 5 pm. Then from Vienna metro to D.C., timing depends on where you stay in D.C. and whether you choose to change metro lines. Vienna is the orange line - check the metro site for metro map and a nifty trip planner feature where you can enter addresses to get the metro route: http://www.wmata.com/

For instance, on right side of screen you can put in Veinna metro station and destination as Capitol Hill; next screen choose Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill and it gives you timing and how to change stations to get there.

Yes, I think it is feasible if you are committed to doing it. Only caveat is that you need to be sure you have a cab waiting for you at Vienna metro when you get there on Sunday morning, or take other poster's advice and use the bus (which I personally would not do on Sunday mornign when I have to be there for work). If you must be at Expo by 10 a.m., you'll need to pay close attn. to the time it takes you to get to wherever you go in D.C., and plan on bus or cab at Vienna metro to be sure you get to Expo in time.

Or you could just commit to spending the $45 to get from D.C. to Expo center by cab on Sunday morning...

If you only want to go in to DC for dinner and people watching (and not for seeing monuments at night, etc.) I might suggest that you choose a destination "closer to home" like historic downtown Leesburg. Have a drink/dinner at Lightfoot Restaurant or Tuscarora Mill and wander around the historic area. You could even take a ghost tour.

beanweb, thank you for the advice but I went to college in Virginia and spent much time traveling around the state.

I really want to get into DC.

I really want to see the WWII Memorial as my father is a WWII Veteran (had seven ships sunk out from under him in WWII).

Does anyone think I'll have any problems hailing a cab from that area Saturday night?

Wondering where I should have dinner. Any suggestions? I don't mind getting back on the Metro and heading to Georgetown or Old Town Alexandria.

What kind of cuisine do you like and do you have a budget in mind?

I'll be dining solo, probably under $50 including tip and a glass of wine.

No preference for food.

GoT, I personally wouldn't venture to Old Town Alexandria, because the walk down King Street is a bit far on a winter Sat. night to get to the better restaurants, then you gotta get back to the metro and back into D.C. and you only have one night and have to get up early on Sunday. But that is just me.

You are planning to go to the WWII memorial after dark? It is at 12th and Independence Ave. Closest metro stop is Smithsonian. Cabs should be avaialable on Independence within a few minutes on a Sat. night.

What hotel are you staying at in D.C.? Could give you some recommendations for dinner closer to the hotel instead of further away.

Eileen

I second the recommendation that you *not* go to Old Town for dinner...DC has too many fabulous restaurants.

Some of my preferred restaurants include:

* Cafe Atlantico
* Firefly (located in Hotel Madera)
* Zaytinya
* 2 Amys (best pizza in DC...it is a member of the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana - as authentic as you can get outside Naples!)

These restaurants are all in different parts of town. If you prefer to dine near your hotel, we can give you better location-specific recommendations. Otherwise, DC is small enough that an extra cab ride won't break the bank.

2 good websites for food recommendations in DC:

www.dcfoodies.com
www.washingtonian.com

Unfortunately, I'm staying out in the suburbs in Chantilly.

I'd rather stay much closer in but for some reason, I didn't rent a car and think of it. Duh.

I'll gladly go with one of these:

* Cafe Atlantico
* Firefly (located in Hotel Madera)
* Zaytinya
* 2 Amys (best pizza in DC...it is a member of the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana - as authentic as you can get outside Naples!)


if someone can tell me which is closest to the WWII Memorial. Thanks for the quick responses btw!

Do you like tapas? Jaleo's is close to Cafe Atlantico- both are a short cab ride from WWII Memorial. Fun, upbeat place, good for dining alone. I don't know where the rest of the places are. You could have a drink at the bar at Hotel Monaco and then walk one block to Jaleo's or Cafe Atlantico. That would be fun.

Is this this coming weekend? Want some company for a drink at Hotel Monaco before dinner? If so, I'll have the editors put us in touch w/each other's emails. If not, no problem.

emd; Eileen

I'd love to Ellen! I'm leaving soon so email me at [email protected].

Jaleo is also a good choice...you won't go wrong with either Jaleo or Cafe Atlantico (tho I think the latter gets better reviews, both are delicious). And I think both are the closest of the other options to WWII memorial.

Have a fabulous trip!