July 4th in Washinton DC HELP!! About This Page:

[coasties]

Ok we are certsin we are going to DC for the 4th but we need some BTDT tips on how to survive the day. Hhere are three scenarios we have tossed around:
Who : Me, DH, 2 DDs' ( 6 and 12)

#1: Drive an hour to th Branch Ave metro station; arrive there around 2pm , catch the metro to the Rosslyn station and walk to Iwo Jima Memorial to stake out a spot for viewing. ( bring picnic dinner)

#2: park at the Zoo and spend the day touring, have a picnic lunch at the zoo ( we bring along in the car). Hop the metro to the mall in time to stake out a spot.

#3:Park at Branch Ave take metro to Verizon center and go see WALL-E in the afternoon. After the movie hop the metro down to the mall. Will eat at the movie and bring along snacks.

Here are the questions we have.

Will there be any parking at the Branch Ave location that tme of the day (2pm)

Can we park at the zoo all day until after the fireworks?

Where to view from. We are torn between sitting close to the capital to hear the cannons or farther away for a better view.

We are trying to avoid being there all day. We have toured most of the museums and such and honestly since we live so close we prefer to do that stuff during off peak times.

So far #1 appeals to us the most b/c it is the most cost effective. But if it means keeping our sanity we are flexible. :-)
PLEASE give us your advice / opinions etc...TIA!

[emtpej]

Hello! I haven't heard from you in a while!
I must admit I have not BTDT, so I hope that someone else has better advice.
I have always gotten stuck working on the 4th (so it goes)!

I suggest option 3. Go as early as possible. I think there will be parking available at Brach Ave. or Suitland (if you have to) as you are planning to go early -- a very good idea! As it is a holiday, it is free. You will probably be better off walking from the Verizon center, or you can take the metro to L'Enfant plaza and exit at 7th and Maryland, and walk up 7th to the Mall, as you will want to go that same way when you leave. Have you looked at:
Fourth of July Guide 2008: Celebrating Independence Day in the Nation's Capitol, Washington, D.C. (washingtonpost.com) yet?

Be patient. there will be thousands of people with the same idea, and everybody has to go through security on the way in, and wait for the metro on the way out. It is probably worth it, for a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

The problem with #1: you will have to transfer on the way home and that will be crazy busy!
Problem I see with #2: I am not sure if you will able to park at the zoo all day and exit after dark, and the parking also costs $$, besides, you will have to drive back through town afterwards which will take longer going home to where you live.
Also remember that the fireworks won't begin till after dark so that is 2110 hours or so, so the girls might get pretty tired by the time you get home (I know I am by then as it is usually a VERY long day for me).

Still, enjoy! We have yet to take the boys to this. Maybe next year...
Go Coasties!

[eff051102]

This sounds like such a fun day! My DH can't wait until we can visit DC with DD.
He travels there on business and was also in the Marine Drum and Buggle Corps.
many years ago stationed in DC. I have a feeling we will be spending many
vacations in DC visiting the museums and watching many D&B performances.

Oh and he would LOVE for us to take DD to the WH Easter Egg Roll.

[DopeyGirl]

We're still trying to figure out our plan of attack for DC on the 4th as well . . . our hotel is 3 blocks from the Rosslyn Metro station so we're thinking of just staking out a spot close to "home" and avoid the bazillions of people on the Mall.

How far of a walk is it from the station to the Iwo Jima Memorial? That might not be too bad an idea . . . hmmmmm . . .


ETA: Thanks for that link, EJ! Hadn't read that yet!

[emtpej]

Originally Posted by DopeyGirl

We're still trying to figure out our plan of attack for DC on the 4th as well . . . our hotel is 3 blocks from the Rosslyn Metro station so we're thinking of just staking out a spot close to "home" and avoid the bazillions of people on the Mall.

How far of a walk is it from the station to the Iwo Jima Memorial? That might not be too bad an idea . . . hmmmmm . . .


ETA: Thanks for that link, EJ! Hadn't read that yet!

You are welcome!
It looks like a half mile from the Rosslyn metro to the Marine Corps War Memorial. If your hotel is close to that, you would probably be in good shape. They may have a rooftop view from there, as well.

BTW - - you military / DOD folks might have access to viewing places that they would not let me into, unless they were on fire...

[DopeyGirl]

Originally Posted by emtpej

BTW - - you military / DOD folks might have access to viewing places that they would not let me into, unless they were on fire...

Hmmmmm . . . methinks I need to do some poking around to see what I can find out.

[coasties]

Thank you so much for the website, tips and info. We had not considered the transfer if we left from Rosslyn after, so THANK YOU for the reminder there. L'Enfant is our station of choice so that looks like our plan. Park at Branch, disembark at L'Enfant and walk to the mall. Enjoy the 4th!

[emtpej]

FYI on The National Mall Fireworks from WTOP radio:

Where you can and can't see fireworks