Washington, D.C. - Looking for local advice!!
 

Hi there!

My husband and I (both early 30's, very energenic) are travelling to D.C. at the end of September. After reading some of the advice & visiting the wmata web site, I think the SmarTrip Card would be our best option - however, it sounds like I won't be able to initially purchase the card at a farecard kiosk - we are staying at the Hilton Garden Inn across from McPherson Sq. - does anyone know where I can purchase a SmarTrip card close to our hotel?

We are also thinking about biking some of the sights...could we safely bike from the Old Post Office Pavillion to Arlington Cemetary? Do they allow bicycles on cemetary grounds?

Final Question: Which neighbourhoods would be the most entertaining and safe to walk around after dark? From what most of the forums discuss, our hotel is in an area that gets pretty quiet after business hours are over - could we say...walk around Georgetown, Alexandria, Dupont Circle, etc. until 10 or 11 pm and be okay?

Sorry - I took up a lot of space on this one! Would take any and all advice that you have to offer! *-:)

I'm suprised that you didn't choose the 7-day short-trip card. I've always thought ot the Smart Trip as useful mostly for residents. It would be useful if you'ud share how you decided, for others' future reference.

Hi,
I'm not sure you want to get smartrip cards...how long are you staying? It costs $5 just to get the card, so unless you are staying for a long time, it's probably easier just to get regular farecards. If you really want one, though, you can purchase them at Metro Center in the station.
Georgetown, Alexandria, and Dupont are all fine to walk around at night; they are all very busy if you stay on the main streets (M in Gtown, King in Alex). If you want to wander the residential areas of those neighborhoods, they're generally safe but quiet, so you'd just need to be aware of your surroundings.

(Oops, initially posted to your old thread.)

I'm not so sure you want a SmartTrip card, just get a paper Metro pass for each of you from a machine in the Metro the old fashioned way and hold onto it like a SmartTrip card for the entirety of your visit. The SmartTrip card costs an initial fee, and is mainly used by commuters and residents (like me). The regular metro card will work just as well, and you can always add money to it.

Bikes, I'm not so sure about. Yes, you can definitely safely get from one to the other. Don't know about the grounds. (But I'm sure someone on here does.)

At night, head to Dupont Circle or Adams Morgan or even the more touristy Georgetown. Though frankly A-M is becoming more and more of a wild younger crowd, especially by midnight on a weekend when its just getting going.

You're right about your hotel's area being a relatively quiet area at night, but there are some great restaurants and hotel bars a short (and safe) walk away. Plus, downtown isn't as dead as it used to be. As long as it's not too late (after 10:00pm on weeknight, midnight weekend), you should feel quite safe walking from the Penn Quarter (another night place to be) to your hotel.

Enjoy!

Why would you want to pay $5 for the smart card?

Alexandria is nice at night, too, and Bethesda is usually hopping as well.

There is a bike trail that winds its way from the canal up to Rock Creek Park in MD, and I *think* there is also a bike path to Arlington. Certainly you can walk it.

Keep the advice and insight coming guys - very much appreciated!

I was looking at the SmarTrip card over the other fare options as my husband and I like to get an early start & have the freedom to go, do and be wherever we want, whatever time we want - would the farecards not restrict us to metrorail or metrobus only as well?? I was hoping to avoid dealing with paper transfer to bus, DC Circulator, etc. as I know we'll be using a variety of combinations to get to all the places we'd like to see...and eventhough there would be a $5.00 fee for the card itself, would it not be the most flexible & convenient option for how we'd like to get around D.C. - maybe I'm way off on this one?! :-S

I would go to Metro Center and buy the card. It is one stop over from where you are staying and about 1 or 2 blocks if you walk. you can put any amount you want on the card but each traveler has to have one so I would not put too much on them since you can always add to them.

You can walk to Ceiba's or DC Coast from your hotel...great restaurants and bars. Walking in G'town or any of the other areas you mentioned are fine.

Re. SmarTrip. Yes, you are correct that the traditional paper Metro Card will not get you on the bus. While the SmarTrip Card works quite conveniently for both rail and bus, including the Circulator.

Probably overthinking this at this point, but... I guess you should calculate how often you'd use the bus instead of a taxi. Typically when I'm in a city I depend on foot and subway during the day, and more likely foot and cab at night. That would be the typical way to go in DC. But if you are bus people, maybe SmartTrip is the smart way to go.

One final tip: DC is an incredibly easy walking city, and your hotel is nicely located. As energetic 30-somethings, your feet will take you far...weather permitting.

Enjoy our great city!