a camera lens with the word TIPS inside of it
The Tips: Useful Information to Help Make Your Trip Successful
The Tips

Useful Information to Help Make Your Trip Successful

Tips and tricks on where to park, how to drive, where to eat and more!


Driving in Washington D.C.

red light camera with sign street corner depicting the traffic signals on poles on the corner

Driving through our Nation's Capital can be painful, both physically and financially. Throughout much of the city, there are speed and red light cameras that could end up adding to the cost of your trip. Approach each intersection with caution, as the traffic signals aren't always hung above the street, and are instead on a pole on the corner of the street, as seen in the picture on the right.

That's how I got my ticket, and almost killed my fiancé in the process: I unknowingly ran a red light because I didn't see it, and a car screeched to a halt a few inches from her door. $80 later, she had another thing to be mad at me about aside from nearly causing her bodily injury.

Moving About Washington D.C.

cars parked along the road in Washington D.C. A DC Metro bus taking on passengers while a cyclist puts his bicycle on the front of the bus.

As you can imagine, parking is at a premium in a city as busy as Washington D.C., but if you get there early enough, you can find free street parking in various areas near the Smithsonian Museums and along Madison and Jefferson Drives near the National Mall. There are also plenty of parking garages that can run you between $5-$20, depending on your length of stay.

The best thing to do is to take public transportation. For $4, you can get an all-day pass, and the buses stop at all of the most popular sites. Many of the sites are within a half mile of one another, so walking to your next stop might be the fastest way to go.

Hotels

a night photo of the Fairmont Hotel in Washington D.C. A photo of the Sleep In in Rocksville, Maryland

Choosing where to stay during your trip will depend on two things: how much you'd like to spend, but more importantly, how close you need to be to Washington D.C..

Of course there are many choices if you'd like to stay within walking distance of the monuments, but you'll be paying between $175-$250 per night. The Fairmont Hotel (pictured above) is gorgeous and is on the lower end of that scale. You could choose to stay 30 minutes from the Capital and get a room at the lovely Sleep In in beautiful Rocksville Maryland for half the price. Then you can drive into D.C., park, and walk/ride around town.

Eating in D.C.

President Obama orders food at a local Five Guys Burger and Fries Restaurant The front of Sweetgreen Restaurant in Washington DC

Again, where you eat will depend on how much you'd like to spend. If you're on a budget, and if you're traversing around the city with camera equipment on, a quick bite is usually in order.

Within a two mile radius of the Capitol Building you can find Five Guys Burgers & Fries (808 H Street Northwest), Amsterdam Falafelshop (2425 18th Street Northwest), and Wendy's (100 New York Avenue Northeast). For choices a bit more health-conscious, try Good Stuff Eatery (303 Pennsylvania Avenue Southeast) or Sweetgreen Dupont Circle (1512 Connecticut Avenue).