Doh

I would also vote for no car-- flight then train. Amtrak fares from DC to CT aren't bad if you purchase them in advance.

It is certainly possible to construct itineraries where a car would be helpful (although from Dupont Circle to the Foggy Bottom shuttle stop for the Kennedy Center is just a 15 min walk), but it general I think it would be more trouble than it's worth. And no one's even mentioned our legendarily bad drivers!

Christina

Not to mention costs. I live in DC suburbs and I often take public transportation to the Kennedy Center rather than drive. First, the parking costs are astronomical at the KC (at least $20), and the lines to get in and out can take forever. If it's nice, I just walk from the Foggy Bottom shuttle to the KC, it isn't that far, but those shuttle buses come very frequently. The traffic is often horrendous in DC anyway, but I think it very unusual if it would take less time to drive from Dupont Circle to the Kennedy Center, and park, than to take the metro and walk/take the shuttle bus. Not to mention cost, of course.

So I might agree for Hillwood or National Cathedral, but not the Kennedy Center in terms of how it would be easier with a car.

NeoPatrick

Well, Christina, since it took us almost exactly 10 minutes from getting into our car at The Fairfax until we got out of our car at the Kennedy Center, I'm not sure how it would have been possible to do it in less time any other way -- certainly not including a 15 minute walk to Foggy Bottom, or taking and transfering two Metro lines plus a shuttle. We did have the advantage of attending a 5 PM show, so parking was indeed a breeze -- the place was pretty deserted. And it was also nice to have our car since we were going elsewhere to dinner afterwards and then return to our hotel. You are right -- parking was $22 as I recall -- but we were on a short vacation and sometimes time, comfort, and effort are worth more than money.

i_am_kane

2o4ax, thank you for the lodging tip.

obxgirl

Something about 2o4ax smells like advertiser.

tenthumbs

Something to consider regarding car vs public transportation is the OP's comfort zone regarding traffic and parking. My frustration threshold is very low in heavy traffic; add scarce parking, and my threshold has been violated. For me, public transportation is the only way to go!

november_moon

Good point tenthumbs. Some people don't mind driving in heavy traffic and searching out parking - for others it is a nightmare.

palmettoprincess

You know I love these forums because they bring back memories. When my son was in kindergarten we went to DC for spring break. We took public transportation to Georgetown and were worn out. After we finished sighseeing (and eating) it was late and we were ready to be back at the hotel. We considered the reverse journey via bus and metro and decided to hail a cab.

My husband walks to a curb and summons a cab like Moses brought forth water. My kindergartner was amazed. He stayed glued to the car window as we speed toward the hotel. It was the best $10 we spent.

When he got back to school his teacher got him to create a drawing represensting DC. He drew a taxi cab!

sf7307

Cute story, pp.

tenthumbs

It's funny what kids find important, isn't it? My daughter was 7 the first time we took her to DC. Her favorite memory was feeding peanuts to a squirrel while we were standing outside one of the museums! She was 12 the next time she went to DC. The highlight this time? Riding the Metro trains.......