from Herndon/Reston area to DC - Metro??

Mid-October sight seeing for two days. Staying at hotel in Herndon. What is closest metro or shoud I chance it and try to find all day parking closer to downtown. Thanks

from Herndon/Reston area to DC - Metro??

If you were to drive to a Metro station, the closest one would be Vienna. However, since you will be staying in Herndon, you could park your car for free at the Monroe Park and Ride Garage then take a bus to the West Falls Church Metro station. IMO, this would be the best way to get into the District. Depending on what hotel you are staying at, you may well be on a Fairfax Connector Bus route which will either leave you at the Park and Ride or take you directly to West Falls Church--or maybe your hotel offers a complimentary shuttle for their guests and could take you to the Park and Ride. To see which option is best for you, take a look at the Fairfax Connector%26#39;s website:

fairfaxcounty.gov/connector/schedulesmaps.htm

from Herndon/Reston area to DC - Metro??

West Falls church is going to be your best choice for the metro if you are staying in Herndon. Vienna is out of the way. If you are going mid week, traffic will be bad unless there are two or more in your car then you can take HOV and I would just drive in and park downtown. Plus, Metro lots fill up quick on weekdays. On weekends, the metro would probably be easier.

Exactly. That%26#39;s why I recommend leaving the car at the Monroe Park and Ride (free parking) and taking the bus to the West Falls Church Metro station--or see if your hotel can shuttle you to the Park and Ride.

Thank you for your ideas. I%26#39;m still unsure. There are 4 of us traveling. (2 of them are under age of 10 and the long bus ride plus metro rail sounds exhausting!) I would rather leave the ';exhausting'; part to our walking! Can you suggest any chances for parking lots near the Mall that take ';all day'; parking? most likely just on a saturday/possibly friday.... thanks!

You might as well drive in. It%26#39;s true that on Friday, there will be traffic, so try to go into and out of the city at off hours. But Saturday should be fine. One idea for parking would be to park in one of the hotel garages near the National Mall, like the Holiday Inn Capitol at 550 C Street, SW. It%26#39;s just 2 blocks from the Air and Space Musuem. It costs $22/day, though.

There are several other parking garages around as well. Some garages in office buildings are closed on weekends, though. Here%26#39;s some info I posted for someone coming to the White House. The Original Poster verified that Colonial Parking had spaces for $15/day (on a Friday.)

';There are garages close to the White House. Since you%26#39;re arriving early, there%26#39;s a good chance you%26#39;ll get a daily parking spot in one of them and likely for an early bird price. Not sure what the prices are like these days, but probably around $15. Keep in mind that some lots are for monthly parkers only.

Here are some places to look for lots:

www.ecolonial.com/parking/locationsearch.aspx

http://151.200.174.54/FindRegion.aspx?RegionID=1';

Hope this helps you!

Considering round-trip metro fares of $5-6 per person and a $4 parking fee at the Metro garage, $22 for all-day parking doesn%26#39;t seem that expensive! :-)

FYI---Parking is free at the Monroe Park and Ride garage.

True, Sue, but the poster said she was travelling with two little kiddies in tow, and they weren%26#39;t keen on taking the bus to and from the park n%26#39; ride, even though the parking was free. For four bucks (and a little lost sleep), I%26#39;d find it more convenient to park at a Metro garage too! :-)

I don%26#39;t think free parking would be much of a benefit for all the hassle involved, and when you are only looking at $20 for parking and you have the benefit of having your car close. There a lots of parking garages around the mall, and going on a Friday makes it even easier because a lot of workers work flex and take Fridays off so the garages rarely fill up. Traffic on Fridays is typically lighter as well. I wouldn%26#39;t think twice about driving in. Especially if you have more than two people in the car and you can take HOV.

And if you drive 66 to 50/ Constitution ave. will drop you right off in the heart of the mall area. There are garages that offer you deals. If you get there before 10 am you can pay anywhere from $8.00-$12.00 all day parking. DO NOT PARK AT A METER IF YOU DRIVE. Problem you will have to tow the kids every 2-3 hours to feed the meter which by the way is illegal so it is pointless.

There is a garage on 14th street just down from the white house on the east side, that charges I think $11.00 all day if your in by 9am. You are right in the heart of the mall area and you could walk almost everywhere. Take metro to the other places you want to go (while in downtown the stations are like 2-5 minutes a part for everything you will need to do. )

Also there is a garage/parking lot just off of independence avenue near the museums/L%26#39;enfant plaza that gives you a deal if in by 9am. And on Friday most of the govt. workers in that area take off as the previous post stated.