Need Some advice/help from East Coast B.S.er's

[Huskinhano]

blue ridge parkway, one of the most scenic beautiful drives you can take.

Absolutely! This is me with my daughter, Lia about 10 years ago on the Blue Ridge. Hey, I had hair!

[pdub]

I went to D.C. just to see it about 25 years ago and as DB pointed out, it was crazy enough on the beltway even back then.

I stayed at a motel in Alexandria and took a tour bus from there, upon recommendation of several coworkers. Boy were they ever right. No way I'd want to drive in that. And nowhere to park anyway if you got there.

I saw a story recently where D.C. is the most-worst place to drive crash-wise in the nation.

[Eagle Kammback]

Blue Ridge Parkway, one of the most scenic beautiful drives you can take.

[rightpedal]

http://www.visitingdc.com/boat-bus-metro/washington-dc-metro-map.asp

DC metro map Franconia-springfeild is right off 95 just south of the beltway. Yellow line will put you downtown (E'Lenfant plaza)

The run out to Dulles is best made 10 am and on your way back 2ish.

I forgot you would be going against traffic... so any time going out still come back about 2. 4 hr is more than enough time in the museum unless you catch the Imax (also worth doing...remember the motion sickness goes away when you close your eyes)

[rightpedal]

Don't get your self all worked up you will not be the worst driver by far. Which might scare you a little.

I like Gean's idea. DC is tricky. You will miss the worst of summer traffic.... however 95 south out/in to the beltway is a bad idea at rush hour 6/9 going in and 4/7 going out. The metro is the way to go. It costs a bit to park at the station ($25 a day at Springfeild ?) and metro tickets are $6-10. All the museums are free. I am partial to the air and space, American history and the botanical gardens. The cafeteria in the Native American museum is really tasty but you have to step out of the comfort zone and you will drop $50 quick. If you can scheduled it, get Nats tickets for a day game. The park is only two metro stops from the mall down town(1/2-1 mile walk). Oh and everybody refers to museum row as the mall. Don't go looking foe an actual mall.

Out side the city at Dulles airport (10 mi west) is the other air and space museum. it is soooooo worth seeing. $6 to park and free to get in. They have one of the space shuttles and a blackbird. Both are enormous and worth the trip.

Steve

[SpiderGearsMan]

DC is like driving On Bristol Short track
for real fun ...hit NYC and Boston on the way home

[starterguy]

Vespa? seriously, we don't even have motorcycle cops here much less that. I sort of would like to see that, but on my terms. Thanks again for the info guys and tips on getting around.
Schtauffer I never thought to use google street view to pre drive my route that is a great tip.
ecorl I will definitely try the BBQ, BBQ is not a big thing up here and I see a lot about it down south so yeah, I am on that.

[Deaf Bob]

Yeah.. Cops are aholey to speeders....
Was going 35 in warehouse area late at night.. Know what pulled me over? VESPA!
Saw him, thought to myself.. Ha! Not catching me... Bang, he was beside me motioning me to pull over!

[Schtauffer]

Use google streetview to virtually drive the route ahead of time, and write down which lane you want to be in at any unusual intersections. Drive the speed limit.

[hoofhearted]

I was in DC about 5 years ago. We drove to a Metro site and rode it every where. It was the easiest way to get around. We did drive to Georgetown to meet friends for dinner but that was easy. Have fun its a great place to visit. But I wouldn't want to live there.

[starterguy]

Thanks guys this means a lot. I will get a map when I get there cause we are flying in and renting a car (I am not driving from Canada, only so much time)

There is a tour company out of Williamsburg that is highly rated and will check with them about a tour of DC.
We are looking forward to see some historical battlefields as well as buildings and the like, every picture we have seen of the area looks gorgeous.

[DanStokes]

I'm with Russell on this one. EPA used to fly us in from time to time for awards ceremonies, etc. and the Metro was, for sure, the way to go.

When we're in a new place that offers it (like in DC) a guided tour is a great way to start. They'll get you to all the landmarks and you can start to get the lay of the land. Even here in Wilmington we often start visitors off that way - though ours is horse-drawn.

EDIT: If you come south a bit I'd be more than happy to show you around Wilmington - it's a great old town with history back to the 1700's.

Dan

[ecorl]

I live just outside Williamsburg! Yes, DC is a wonderful experience but traffic is horrible. Rush hour is 0600-1000 and then there is lunch traffic and then rush hour is 1400-1800 again. Interstate 95 is most convenient but you have not lived until you are stuck in gridlock on a 7 lane highway. If you are looking to tour DC, use the metro and/or the buses. Its a hassel if you have kids but the better way to go. Parking is also very bad and expensive. The metro has trains that start outside in the burbs.

BTW, if you like BBQ....look up Pierces in Williamsburgh. Its the best.

ed

[Russell]

When going to DC, dont drive. We get a place in Arlington, VA in walking distance to the metro. Buy an unlimited pass for the time you will be there. Have fun!

[Jimbo17]

Williamsburg,Va. is a really nice area.

One bit of advice when I travel from Florida up north I try to stay off route 95 as much as I can.

I enjoy driving on route 81 much better even though it adds a few hours on the trip.

The first toll on the trip is when I cross the Hudson River in up state New York.

Jimbo