Thinking about heading to Washington DC, need advice.

MastaK · 03-23-2009, 08:41 AM

Hey guys,

I'm thinking about taking a one day trip to Washington DC sometime in April for Cherry Blossom festival

I would love to take my 335 but I'm not sure if it would be safe as I'm not familiar with the area at all.

How are the parking situations around the area?...

My other option is to take my daily IS300 and just park it anywhere and be worry free.

Any advice would be appreciated!

kgb1637 · 03-23-2009, 08:57 AM

Whenever I head to DC, I tend to park at a Metro station outside of the city and ride in, I'm not sure how committed you are to driving in but the train tends to be the easiest in my opinion. There are parking garages in the area but i'm sure theyre a hefty price.

MastaK · 03-23-2009, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgb1637

Whenever I head to DC, I tend to park at a Metro station outside of the city and ride in, I'm not sure how committed you are to driving in but the train tends to be the easiest in my opinion. There are parking garages in the area but i'm sure theyre a hefty price.

I was thinking about that option as I've done it when I was a kid with my parents.

Do they have decent parking at the stations, and which station should I be driving to?

FrankoQ · 03-23-2009, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MastaK

I was thinking about that option as I've done it when I was a kid with my parents.

Do they have decent parking at the stations, and which station should I be driving to?

Silver Spring Metro station has a large garage. You could go to the upper levels where you will see less cars or you can find a nice corner spot.

The station is about 3 miles from the beltway and easy to find.
This is the red line so no need to transfer to get near the Smithsonian.

kgb1637 · 03-23-2009, 11:20 AM

There are several stations all around the surrounding areas and I'm pretty sure most (if not all) have garages to park at. Frank mentioned Smithsonian which is the ideal place to get off, its right in the center of the mall in the middle of everything.

ScottinSSMD · 03-23-2009, 12:00 PM

I would drive right in 295 to NY Ave, then down 2nd or 3rd and right to the Jefferson. Parking at the top of Silver Spring garage may not be the best place. Parking in and around the sites would be best for you to get around quicker and get out of town quicker too.

MastaK · 03-23-2009, 12:13 PM

Thanks for great advices!

I will most likely park the car at the metro stations and take the train into the city.

ase2dais · 03-23-2009, 02:45 PM

or park by Hains Point/Jefferson area
bike right in

bimdaddy · 03-23-2009, 03:55 PM

Or if you can make it downtown before 10am, you can always find a spot on the Mall...you gotta feed the meter though.

MastaK · 03-23-2009, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimdaddy

Or if you can make it downtown before 10am, you can always find a spot on the Mall...you gotta feed the meter though.

That doesn't sound too convenient, feeding meter every what?... 1 hour?
Besides, I'm sure the place will be packed during the weekend of Cherry Blossom festival and I'm assuming it will be hell to get out of the city.

Thanks for the suggestion tho.

1N54E92 · 03-23-2009, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankoQ

Silver Spring Metro station has a large garage. You could go to the upper levels where you will see less cars or you can find a nice corner spot.

The station is about 3 miles from the beltway and easy to find.
This is the red line so no need to transfer to get near the Smithsonian.

I was going to suggest the metro station at White Flint. Nice garage with plenty of spaces. don't drive into the city, potholes, red light cameras, speed cameras, and the parallel parking fools who like to tap your car... just scares the poop out of me...

bubbletea 4 me · 03-24-2009, 10:40 AM

watch out when u go to DC - it now has the nation's highest AIDS/HIV rate (3%) - in fact, higher than West Africa.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,509316,00.html

never go to DC again nor touch anything from that place...

Highflyr · 03-24-2009, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubbletea 4 me

watch out when u go to DC - it now has the nation's highest AIDS/HIV rate (3%) - in fact, higher than West Africa.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,509316,00.html

never go to DC again nor touch anything from that place...

wow, good to know. No more DC strip clubs for me.

IDreamofBimmers · 03-24-2009, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1ntense135i

I was going to suggest the metro station at White Flint. Nice garage with plenty of spaces. don't drive into the city, potholes, red light cameras, speed cameras, and the parallel parking fools who like to tap your car... just scares the poop out of me...

^^ I didn't know White Flint had a garage!
I live a 2 miles from there... but Grosvenor does... the station is a mile from the 495 exit, and the garage is pretty nice!
It's also a station where trains come more frequently on the red line...

bubbletea 4 me · 03-24-2009, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Highflyr

wow, good to know. No more DC strip clubs for me.

see, i just saved your life !!

now, u gonna hook me up with some free part?

but yeah, no more DC anything for me. 3% is insnae.. i think even the Cherry blossom has aids.

Highflyr · 03-24-2009, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubbletea 4 me

see, i just saved your life !!

now, u gonna hook me up with some free part?

but yeah, no more DC anything for me. 3% is insnae.. i think even the Cherry blossom has aids.

szeleung · 03-24-2009, 01:00 PM

Take your IS and be worry free. It is not even worth it. DC has the some of the worst roads in the country (right behind NJ and NY). Of course, it's your choice. I would take the metro.

generationzx · 03-24-2009, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubbletea 4 me

see, i just saved your life !!

now, u gonna hook me up with some free part?

but yeah, no more DC anything for me. 3% is insnae.. i think even the Cherry blossom has aids.

lol lol Jackson, dont be scare to go to DC.

MastaK · 03-24-2009, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by szeleung

Take your IS and be worry free. It is not even worth it. DC has the some of the worst roads in the country (right behind NJ and NY). Of course, it's your choice. I would take the metro.

Yeah looks like I'll be taking IS300... or take a 1 night 2 days trip by train.

So many great advices, Mid-Atlantic members, you guys rock!

1N54E92 · 03-24-2009, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IDreamofBimmers

^^ I didn't know White Flint had a garage!
I live a 2 miles from there... but Grosvenor does... the station is a mile from the 495 exit, and the garage is pretty nice!
It's also a station where trains come more frequently on the red line...

I couldn't think of the station name . Grosvenor is right.

1N54E92 · 03-24-2009, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Highflyr

wow, good to know. No more DC strip clubs for me.

Nothing like the Camelot !

DC_driver · 03-30-2009, 08:19 PM

If you are driving into the city, you can bring your BMW.
If you spend the night, I suggest leaving your car in the hotel garage.

The streets have pot holes like any other city.
Just watch where you are driving.

I would definitely NOT leave your car at any Metro station and ride in. You are better off parking on the mall, ie, Constitution, Independence or Penn Ave. There is always someone freeing up a space. You can also park on 7th st SW and walk a few blocks.

03-23-2009, 08:41 AM	#1
MastaK Private First Class 12 Rep 144 Posts Drives: E92 335xi 6SP Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Thinking about heading to Washington DC, need advice. Hey guys, I'm thinking about taking a one day trip to Washington DC sometime in April for Cherry Blossom festival I would love to take my 335 but I'm not sure if it would be safe as I'm not familiar with the area at all. How are the parking situations around the area?... My other option is to take my daily IS300 and just park it anywhere and be worry free. Any advice would be appreciated!
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03-23-2009, 08:57 AM	#2
kgb1637 Lieutenant Colonel 21 Rep 1,519 Posts Drives: RS5 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Baltimore, MD iTrader: (0)	Whenever I head to DC, I tend to park at a Metro station outside of the city and ride in, I'm not sure how committed you are to driving in but the train tends to be the easiest in my opinion. There are parking garages in the area but i'm sure theyre a hefty price. __________________ Retired - '08 E90 335i Sparkling Graphite/Gray Dakota Leather, ZSP, ZCW, ZPP, Navi, ipod, Sat
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03-23-2009, 11:20 AM	#5
kgb1637 Lieutenant Colonel 21 Rep 1,519 Posts Drives: RS5 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Baltimore, MD iTrader: (0)	There are several stations all around the surrounding areas and I'm pretty sure most (if not all) have garages to park at. Frank mentioned Smithsonian which is the ideal place to get off, its right in the center of the mall in the middle of everything. __________________ Retired - '08 E90 335i Sparkling Graphite/Gray Dakota Leather, ZSP, ZCW, ZPP, Navi, ipod, Sat
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03-23-2009, 12:00 PM	#6
ScottinSSMD Looking for a track car 4 Rep 242 Posts Drives: 2006 325xi wagon Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Silver Spring, MD iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 325xi [0.00]	I would drive right in 295 to NY Ave, then down 2nd or 3rd and right to the Jefferson. Parking at the top of Silver Spring garage may not be the best place. Parking in and around the sites would be best for you to get around quicker and get out of town quicker too. __________________
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03-23-2009, 12:13 PM	#7
MastaK Private First Class 12 Rep 144 Posts Drives: E92 335xi 6SP Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Thanks for great advices! I will most likely park the car at the metro stations and take the train into the city.
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03-23-2009, 02:45 PM	#8
ase2dais //Mdicted 347 Rep 9,988 Posts Drives: a Cop Magnet Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: 495 Ring iTrader: (18) Garage List 2009 e92 M3 DCT CF ... [10.00] 2015 S-Works Roubaix [0.00] 2013 Trek Madone 5.9 [9.50] 2012 Scott - CR1-Pro [10.00] 2008 e92 M3 6MT (Up ... [10.00] 2002 e46 M3 Cabriol ... [7.00] 2006 e90-325i (DD) [7.00] 2002 e39 M5 (retired) [9.50]	or park by Hains Point/Jefferson area bike right in __________________ Oo\(lll)'(lll)/oO : 2009-e92 ///M3 SpaceGry DCT CF Rf/Trim ZTP ZPP ZCW Sat/PrmSd : \_lOOl___lOOl_/<< Clickies
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03-23-2009, 03:55 PM	#9
bimdaddy Major 37 Rep 1,165 Posts Drives: 911 Carrera & G01 X3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: MD iTrader: (10)	Or if you can make it downtown before 10am, you can always find a spot on the Mall...you gotta feed the meter though. __________________ 2020 X3 X-Drive 30i; Alpine White/Mocha
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03-24-2009, 10:40 AM	#12
bubbletea 4 me Lieutenant Colonel 63 Rep 1,914 Posts Drives: Finally here Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Earth iTrader: (5)	watch out when u go to DC - it now has the nation's highest AIDS/HIV rate (3%) - in fact, higher than West Africa. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,509316,00.html never go to DC again nor touch anything from that place...
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03-24-2009, 01:00 PM	#17
szeleung Banned 13 Rep 153 Posts Drives: 2006 E90, 6 Speed, Black/Black Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	Take your IS and be worry free. It is not even worth it. DC has the some of the worst roads in the country (right behind NJ and NY). Of course, it's your choice. I would take the metro.
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03-30-2009, 08:19 PM	#22
DC_driver Private First Class 13 Rep 136 Posts Drives: AW 330i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (0)	driving into DC If you are driving into the city, you can bring your BMW. If you spend the night, I suggest leaving your car in the hotel garage. The streets have pot holes like any other city. Just watch where you are driving. I would definitely NOT leave your car at any Metro station and ride in. You are better off parking on the mall, ie, Constitution, Independence or Penn Ave. There is always someone freeing up a space. You can also park on 7th st SW and walk a few blocks.
	Appreciate 0 Quote