I have a 1 day class I have to take at the Bethesda Marriott in Sept. I was planning on flying in on Saturday to explore DC and then go to the class on Tuesday. After that I have a Disabled American Veterans Aux. meeting near Cold Springs KY. I was wondering if I should fly into BWI and get a hotel near Bethesda or stay somwhere else and drive? How is the traffic in the area of that Hotel? I am renting a car so I can drive to my DAVA meeting, and was not going to stay at the training hotel because the "Discounted" rate is only 250 a night! If time permits and anyone in that area would like to meet for a pint let me know. I want to go get lost in the history of the area before my class and see the things I have missed on previous trips to DC.

Chris

I'd forget about driving downtown. The National Mall is ~25 blocks long, so even if you did drive you'd end up parking potentially over a mile from wherever the end of your day is. Being able to hop on the metro and ride back to your hotel is probably much easier. Nevermind ridiculous prices on parking and horrible traffic.

Any metro accessible location is good, you don't need to feel bound to Bethesda hotels (though Bethesda is obviously more convenient). You could stay cheaper probably in Shady Grove or Rockville or even White Flint. I used to live in Bethesda when I went to school, tons of great restaurants there (a few hundred in walking distance) and I'll be happy to make some food recommendations.

Food is not a Problem!!!! lol :) So staying in one of the area's near there and taking the metro to the Bethesda should be ok? I am not used to a public transportation system that works ... Those in San Antonio know what I mean... I mean to take the bus to work for me is an hour and a half of road time plus waiting up to an hour total at the various stops to get to work or drive 20-45 min. What I do need is some idea's of off the beaten path places that would be interesting. My dad is talking about coming with me, and he has never been to DC. I plan on taking him to the various Monuments and Veteran's memorials along with going to Arlington, but he is not a museum sort of person and I want to take him around while he is still able to enjoy spending time out and about.

Oh and I plan on spraypainting LumMus WuZ HeRe on something in random caps to make them think he is a canadian.

The "light rail" system in DC is one of the best in the country. Its pretty straightforward when you get to a station, about the same speed as if you were driving, and you generally only have one of two options as to which direction to head (into the city or out of the city).

Sweet I will start my plotting!!!!

Fly into Reagan National. Its a regional airport and right on the Metro plus its extremely NOT congested. United Express serves it if you don't mind going up to Chicago Ohare and changing planes but you should get a good deal. As for the trip to Bethesda, not sure if the Red Line is running yet though since the accident but that is what takes you to Bethesda from the Blue line (runs from Reagan).

The red line was working later that day. They can't have it shut down that long.

Honestly I hate National. Besides that it is in Virginia, and besides that post 9-11 the security there is seriously fucked, you have to travel through the city to get to Bethesda and traffic is fucked more often than not (nor will you want to schlep suitcases on the metro). BWI is probably a ~30 min drive from the Marriott there.

I live in Gaithersburg MD, BWI is more like an hour + from Bethesda, without traffic. I always fly out of Dulles, the airport traffic only road lets you bypass most of the heavy traffic if you are going to rent a car. If you have any questions, please feel free to PM me.

You must suck at driving Zorn for it to take you that long from Bethesda Marriott to BWI. :( I went to AU and lived in Bethesda and we always flew out of BWI, we never took more than 45 minutes.
I live in Falls Church just ~15 min from Dulles, but the American Legion Bridge and beltway traffic is awful! That could take you hours during rush hour.

York, PA to BWI 45-60 min without traffic the way I drive. With traffic, unknown. I choose my travel times so I avoid it :p.

You must suck at driving Zorn for it to take you that long from Bethesda Marriott to BWI. :( I went to AU and lived in Bethesda and we always flew out of BWI, we never took more than 45 minutes.
I live in Falls Church just ~15 min from Dulles, but the American Legion Bridge and beltway traffic is awful! That could take you hours during rush hour.

Well I guess you must be one of the road rage drivers going 100mph on the beltway. :rolleyes:

Sometimes :(

Kelraz, LOL I feel your pain. Falls Church eh? Well Arlington Blvd is usually a mess most of the time and every time I had to deal with Seven Corners.....ugh. Got my storage unit there at the Public Storage. Never knew I lived right down the road from you for a time. I was right next to the Red Cross building on Arlington Blvd across the street from the Army Reserve center/Language training center.