Visiting D.C. in September! Any tips on Tourmobile, food, catching the Metro (is it easy), walking in D.C. (is everything close?--staying somewhere on 11th Street and Penn. Ave.)weather in September, what to wear (day & night).

Thank you so very much!

This is the website for the Metro in DC. http://www.wmata.com

Catching the metro is easy, at least in the main downtown DC area, it is clean and efficient and there are good maps at the stations--there aren't a lot of stops in the suburbs. You have to buy a ticket to use it and to get through a turnstile--this would seem obvious to me, but once some tourists asked me if they had to buy a ticket to get on the metro. DC is a very small and walkable city, which is why I like living here, but it is still a city of about half a million so everything cannot be within walking distance, unless you only want to go to the museums on the Mall, or are willing to walk several miles between things. Penn and 11th is a good location to walk to a lot of things, but still not everything. YOu never know about weather in Sept, it will probably be fine (70s to low 80s in daytime) but sometimes there can be an Indian summer where it can get very hot and humid (ie, 85 or more). I'd check weather stats the week before going.

Metro is EASY to use, machines that dispense fare cards have clear instructions. Many things are an easy walk, and the concierge in your hotel should be able to give you lots of info on attractions, maps, and advice of fastest / safest way to get around. Do check weather.com the week before coming, it is so changeable. For example, we had snow last 5 days ago, for past 2 days it has been pretty and in the 60s, and will be cold and rainy again in another 2 days! Blame it on Canada and the midwest and those cold winds coming down here!

Two suggestions, Elizabeth: first, browse through the numerous Fodor threads on DC (they contain a wealth of information on just the points you've asked about); and second, purchase a DC Access Guide and DC Zagat's (will give you the best 100 restaurants for the money). And if you still have questions, access the Washingtonian Magazine website for articles. You have time to do some research on DC, and it will help you out immensely when you arrive. If I were you, I'd get a good map of the downtown and Mall areas, and study it, plus I'd learn the Mtero system (on the internet ... the color codes will make it easy for you). Given your hotel location, you'll be interested primariliy in Orange and blue, and possibly red to the zoo and the Senate side of Capitol Hill. Pay close attention to some of the thread's discussions about unsafe areas to walk in, and by all means plan to use DC taxis while you're here ... cheap and fast, and since you're paying by the zone, it's pretty honest as well. If you arrive by plane, use Reagan if possible ... only 10 minutes into the city by taxi (less than $15). Welcome to DC (the weather in September may be changeable ... warm and cool, so be prepared). Ciao