how is the parking in dc during the week around the capitol

Not good, try along east capitol street. very few public lots. maybe Md. ave.

RY
If I could offer a suggestion I would say to drive to one of the Metro stations (subway) park your car and go in to DC for the day. You don't have all the typical DC worries. You can do a search for Metro on google.

ry,

Nikki's suggestion is a good one. I've parked at Union Station when doing the Capitol/Smithsonian stuff for the the day. Beware, leaving the city during rush hour can be an experience. I've also parked at Crystal City or Pentagon City for the day and taken the metro into town. That works well.

Parking is very difficult to find on weekdays and easy on weekends. Also read the parking signs carefully. I parked in a in a legitamate space that became illegal during rush hour and got a $100 parking ticket! I was so happy to find a space after 45 min of looking that I didn't notice a small sign at the corner. Appealing did no good and the fines in D.C. are heavy handed.

The DC parking enforcement folks are among the most tenacious in the known universe. If you get a ticket don't ignore it because they WILL find you. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

http://www.metroopensdoors.com
(website for Metro, and Metro parking lots)