Nepheline

We're country mice heading to D.C. for a baseball game in May. Would like to stay at Courtyard Marriott Navy Yard in order to be walking distance from park. Understand this isn't a real tourist area, but would like Fodors feedback on the relative safety and availability of coffee (a priority with the S.O.) in that neighborhood.
Thanks in advance.
Gail

Dukey1

That "neighborhood" has improved greatly with the erection of the stadium. And yes, there is plenty of coffee available. As to whether or not you want to be wandering around after dark, there will be plenty of horror stories forthcoming.

Are you absolutely insistent on being within walking distance of the stadium what with the availability of the Metro?

Nepheline

"Are you absolutely insistent on being within walking distance" --
I wish I had a clear answer to your question.
We're meeting up with a friend who lives down there and he wasn't exactly encouraging about walking around after dark but allowed as how there will be a huge number of people leaving the park after the game, so it'll be safe enough then.
We'll only be there 2 nights - Friday for the game and then Saturday. If we go out to dinner Saturday and are returning after dark, we could get a cab back to the hotel. But I think it's pretty unlikely we'd be anywhere but in the hotel room after 8:30 or 9, just not our style.
Cramming ourselves into the subway after the game is not a real attractive prospect, either, so I'm just trying to assess the relative merits. We live in rural NH and never have to deal with automated ticket machines/metros, etc., so it's a little intimidating. We had an unpleasant experience after flying into Oakland, trying to figure out the automated ticket machine while metro employees stood around and wouldn't assist, so we're trying to avoid a replay of that.
As I said, we're country mice...
Gail

dvlish

The DC metro is extremely easy to use and I personally always help anyone who looks like they need it at the machines. You'll find people are pretty friendly in DC and I have always found the metro employees to willing to assist. If you plan to see anything besides the game I would recommend staying near the Mall and then using the metro or a cab to/from the game. Being out after dark around the mall is perfectly safe and you will love all the monuments all lit up at night Have fun!

NewbE

Well, let's look at it this way: you have one activity in the vicinity of the Navy Yard, on Friday night; on Saturday, all day and for dinner, you will, presumably, not be anywhere near the Navy Yard. To my mind, that argues against staying by the Navy Yard, which is out of the way of every single touristy thing besides the ballpark, and deserted after hours when there isn't a game.

As dvlish says, people in DC are quite friendly, as are Metro staff, because DC is one hell of a tourist town--unlike Oakland. People looking slightly confused in the Metro are a very common sight! You won't look out of place, and someone will help you if you need help.

Will the Metro be crowded after the game? Of course. That may be the one point in favor of staying by the ballpark. But the thing is, if you stay somewhere more central in DC, you would buy a farecard at the station near your hotel and put enough money on it to get you back, so after the game you wouldn't have to buy another one, you'd just slide the one you already have through the machine and be on your way.

Lastly, are you flying into Reagan National, by any chance? If so, the Metro will be the best way to get to your hotel, wherever you decide to stay.

vjpblovesitaly

In my limited experience in taking Metro after a game at Nationals Park, there is a train waiting for the baseballs fans after the game. It is empty and waiting on the platform. I don't know if there is more than one waiting (one after another) or not.

NewbE

vjpb, I figured as much, but didn't want to say so, not having experienced it myself. I have taken Metro to and from other venues around the city, and the post-game or -concert atmosphere on the trains is usually pretty jovial and fun.

Nepheline

Thanks, everyone.
I'll check out rates at other hotels and see what I can find.
If there really is an empty train for the baseball fans, that would be fantastic.
And being able to buy a farecard in advance would be a huge advantage for us.
As to flying into National -- Southwest routes all the flights from Manchester NH to DC through CHICAGO, so it's BWI for us.
I really appreciate all the input. It doesn't seem like it should be this complicated, but I'm trying to make this little getaway as enjoyable and stress-free as possible.
Thanks,
Gail

vjpblovesitaly

What do you mean through CHICAGO?

tchoiniere

VJP, if you try to fly Manchester to Reagan via Southwest Airlines, you have to go through Chicago or direct flights to Baltimore. A friend of mine just went through this.

Having been to many Nationals games, there is always a line getting in the Metro station but then its quick getting on a train but packed in like sardines. I tend to take my time and wait for the crowds to dissipate a little.

Nepheline

I might have circled back to my starting point: if we stay near the Mall, then we'd have to take a cab to and from the game, probably. If we stay near the park, then we'll have to take a cab to and from the hotel after dark. 6 of one, half dozen of the other. The thought of being packed in like sardines into a subway car isn't too enticing. I think I'm opting for the Navy Yard Marriott.
Thanks to all for advice. It really helped me clarify what our choice ought to be.
Thanks to Tchoiniere for explaining Southwest's curious routing. I just love it when they advertise that they have more "non-stop" flights than anyone else. Sure, if you call flying from Boston to Worcester without a stop a "non-stop" flight...

tchoiniere

Nepheline, I think you may be better served staying closer to the Mall. Just kill some time after the game before the Metro or take a cab. You aren't packed in like sardines on the way to the game. It will be much more convenient for you the next day to be nearer the Mall. Metro is very easy in DC and nothing to worry about.

NewbE

I have to respectfully disagree with your choice, Nepheline, if only for the benefit of those who might read this thread in future. Taking cabs instead of the Metro in a city like DC makes no sense, really, and you will not be packed into cars like sardines. I think you are closing yourself off to experiencing DC on its own terms because of one bad experience in another city. I do understand and sympathize, but again, for country mice and others visiting DC, the Metro is far and away the best choice. And of course staying near major attractions is always a better choice.

I do hope you enjoy your trip.

vjpblovesitaly

I hope you are not afraid of being packed liked sardines b/c of crime issues. The (no- existent) fellow sardines will be fellow baseball fans.

Seamus

As Dukey noted, the area was once pretty nasty but is gentrifying. Still, I would not make it my base for a DC visit. I am in DC pretty often and use the metro extensively. It really is easy. You just buy paper fare cards (one for each of you) that you load with enough value to approximately cover the rides you are likley to take during your visit. You can come up with a good estimate using the info at www.wmata.com The one day pass ($14) is a good deal only if you'll be doing at least that much Metro travel.

Since you are flying into BWI, how do you plan to get into DC?

gail

I would call the area around Nats Stadium worse than "not a tourist area". It is creepy and I would not feel comfortable there after dark except on gameday. Dc is trying really hard to clean up the area, but as yet they have not been successful. Hotels are trying to stay ahead of the game and build there - but it is still creepy. It is my opinion that "country mice" would feel less uncomfortable on the Metro than they would staying in this area. Driving thru the area last spring I commented that it looked like a war zone.

Take the Metro. You can do it. The fare machines walk you thru the process. The hardest thing is figuring out which way to go on the train - ask a regular person. People in DC are used to lost tourists.

NewbE

Well, and if the Metro is really, really not what you want, stay in a proper touristy area of the city and take cabs to and from there!

I would so hate for anyone to come away from DC with impressions formed by the Navy Yard area...

obxgirl

Don't buy paper fare cards unless you want to pay $1 surcharge per card per ride. Plastic SmarTrip cards are available in every Metro station for $10 -- $2 for the card and $8 in fares which can easily reloaded with any amount. Seamus do you really still use the paper cards?

I think Gail above is indulging in a little unnecessary fear mongering by calling the area a war zone. As others have said its not a great base for visiting DC. The OP seems very nervous about the whole deal -- better to stay elsewhere and take cabs.

Nepheline, you asked this identical question almost exactly a year ago -- am assuming that trip got cancelled?

gail

I said it LOOKS like a war zone - partially demolished buildings, big piles of dirt next to big holes in the ground, some partially built structures that look as if no one is currently working on them. Few pedestrians (not a game day).

Seamus

obxgirl - forgot about that surcharge! I actually use a SmartTrip card as I am in the area at least monthly. In fact, last week I misplaced my card with about $20 in value left on it and was amazed at how easy it was to go online, cancel that card and transfer the value to a new one. (Of course the next day I found the misplaced card, LOL)

So to OP - yes, each of you buy a Metro SmartTrip card. Easy to do, kiosks at the station sell them for $10 each. (not the bank of large machines near the entrance where you buy paper fare cards or add value, but a separate smaller kiosk; the helpful agents in the booth will point them out if not obvious) That gets you a card with $8 value on it which gets you a couple rides at least. You can easily add additional value using the machines that walk you through the steps to do so. The $2 cost for the card you will recoup in a single round trip as you avoid the $1 per trip surcharge for using paper fare cards. And you can always keep the SmartTrip card to use on your next visit sure to be made after you fall in love with the beautiful nation's capital. ;-)