We're visiting DC at Thanksgiving w/ sons 15, 18, 20 yrs. Staying at Washington Suites 2500 Penn NW (M: Foggy Bottom). They'd like to travel the metro together, without us - safety is our one concern. We may attend 7pm hockey at MCI Center (M: Gallery-Chinatown)or 9pm play at Kennedy Center (M:Foggy Bottom ). Is it safe to ride metro there and back?

Absolutely. BTW, local DC children as young as 8 routinely ride the subway to/from school everyday. Your young adults will be just fine.

The closest Metro station to the Kennedy Center is FOGGY BOTTOM! Just WALK to the Kennedy Center from your hotel (about 5 minutes).

We stayed at that hotel 3 years ago (in summer so it was light much later). Walked from Foggy bottom to hotel, from hotel to Georgetown, son (then 15) went on a run from there to river - never felt or saw anything creepy.

As Bardo says, no problem. The Metro is right at MCI -- although if you do hockey, I'd go early and check out the area. A great array of dining from fast food to fine in a vibrant zone around the arena. One thing that makes it easy for visitors is that MCI is an easy landmark to keep track of so you never get too far out of your way.

many thanks for your input!!

The metro is one of the things DC has done right. It's really the only way to travel in DC if you are new to the area. The only word of caution is not to ride it to the end on a couple of routes (most of the routes are fine) then get off and leave the station.

Most visitors would not want to ride the Metro to the end; there's little to see at most of those points.

Huntington at the southern end of Yellow is safe, and the place to catch a bus to Mt Vernon

Franconia-Springfield is safe, has a very large mall nearby, and rediculously inexpensive hotels.

Greenbelt at north end of Green line is safe, but boring; nothing nearby, but one would go here to catch B30 bus to BWI airport. Branch Ave, at the southern end seems a little iffy, but I walked between that and the Days Inn with no hesitation.