Washington DC metro friendly airport?
Replies: 21 - Last Post: Sep 13, 2012 8:40 PM Last Post By: hostelhopper
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Washington DC metro friendly airport?
Hi again everyone! My plans are firming up and I'm ready to make plane reservations! I will be relying solely on train and bus during my visit. So, which airport has the simplest train connection to downtown DC? (aiming for Metro Center or McPherson stations, near the H.I. Hostel)Also, looking for interesting, but off the beaten path activities. So far I've found a kayak trip down the canal. Perhaps a bike rental through the parks. Anything else come to mind for a 40-something, solo girl backpacker?
Thanks again!
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which airport has the simplest train connection to downtown DC?
DCA, no contest.Also, looking for interesting, but off the beaten path activities. Anything else come to mind for a 40-something, solo girl backpacker?
Only outdoor activities? Or do you want undiscovered museums? Maybe something else? Remember, we don't know you, and what we like may be what you hate.
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Thank you both. Reagan it is!I don't enjoy crowds or high energy places when I'm solo. I like to enjoy scenery that is unique, be it nature or murals or just visually beautiful or interesting. I like to hike and explore with moderate intensity (not so young anymore!) I love to experience other's cultural celebrations/traditions/activities. I enjoy art. I am planning a trip to the textile museum, as well as the "Women in the Arts" museum. I would like to taste cultural fare, but at cheaper, local haunts, rather than full restaurants, as I'm more of a snacker.
I would love to learn of some hidden gems you know. Undiscovered museums, cultural performances, any farmer markets or street fairs going on in mid October would be wonderful!
Thank you again!
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The ones I've not been to yet (you need about 3 lifetimes to see all Washington DC has to see!)are the Freer Gallery, which has Asian and American art, including works by Whistler; the Arthur Sackler
Gallery with Asian artwork; the National Museum of African Art; the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture
Garden, which features modern art including works by Georgia O'Keefe, Joan Miro, Edward Hopper and
Jackson Pollock among the 12,000 artworks in the collection!
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I like the Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Island.Beforewarned that DCA is almost always more expensive to fly in/out of than Dulles or Baltimore-Washington Int'l (BWI). It is easy to get to DC from BWI by train, either Amtrak or the city trains. (I forget the name of the train. Others can help with that.) And Dulles is a bit tougher but Supershuttle will get you wherever you need to go.
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Kenko, I've read recommendations of the Freer Gallery. That has made my list so far. The sculpture garden sounds wonderful! A new definite 'must see.' I will also look into the Nat'l Gallery and Philips collection. Thank you!Trixie. I'm flying on reward miles this trip, and the miles are the same regardless of airport, so cost is not an issue this time around (big sigh!). Thanks for the info though! TDR Memorial Island looks a-mazing! Its going to the top of my list! I briefly considered camping while in DC, but the hostel is cheaper than a tent site. Go figure. lol
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DC has great museums. I like the Freer/Sackler, Natural History, American History, Hirshhorn, and Air and Space best. You might like the newest addition, the National Museum of the American Indian. I went to the Textile Museum once and enjoyed it. Two other good museums (non-Smithosonian, though, so they have admissions fees) are the National Building Museum and the International Spy Museum.#6, are you referring to the MARC trains? MARC stands for Maryland Area Regional Commuter. They only run during the week, but they're much cheaper than Amtrak and still quite comfortable. You can catch a MARC train from BWI and take it to DC's Union Station, among other stops.
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Quick notes:The bus to BWI is the B30, and costs $6, the same as a MARC trip. I take the train whenever possible.
The bus to Dulles is the 5A, from either L'Enfant or Rosslyn. Also $6.
Things to consider:
xRock Creek Park.
Kayaks/canoes from xGeorgetown.
Bikes along the C&O Canal or xMount Vernon Trail. (You can bike to xGreat Falls on the former.)
Corcoran (largest private art gallery in the city).
xEastern Market.
xKennedy Center (often has free performances).
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I have found BWI to be easy to get to for a late afternoon/early evening flight via MARC (there is even a direct train). Not sure how well it works at other times. If you take a red-eye arriving on a Saturday, Amtrak has a convenient train for getting you into DC. I have not tried the bus. While Dulles is hella far away, it's sometimes your only option. Or the only one offering a direct flight.H Street NE is one of the new hip areas in DC.
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The Woodrow Wilson House is near the Textile Museum. Not great but fine if you're you're in the neighborhood.Ditto for the Larz Anderson House with respect to the Philips Collection.
Dumbarton Oaks is good if you like either Byzantine or preColumbian art, or gardens.
I don't think Hillwood House (Russian collection, good garden again) is easy to get to without a car but I might be wrong.
Other house-museums: Stephen Decatur House, Octagon House.
Find out what's on exhibit at the Textile Museum before you go. They don't display a permanent collection. Y may or may not be interested jn what's up when you're there. Same with the museum at the OAS. If y go to the OAS, check out the DAR museum nearby. And the Corcoran, also nearby, is worth a trip if you have the time.
All of the better-known museums are, unless you have a special interest, better than these.
