By Meg Jernigan
Washington, D.C.
Parking spaces are a premium in Washington, D.C., but there are a number of ways to get around that don't involve automobiles. Guided tours are probably the easiest way to travel in the nation's capital, but there are good transportation options for people who prefer to set their own pace and create their own itinerary.
Metro and Metrobus
Metrorail and Metrobus travel to all parts of the district and suburban Maryland and Virginia. Fare cards and one-day passes are available at all Metro stations. Stations generally close between midnight and 5 a.m. during the week and 3 a.m. to 7 a.m. on weekends, but check online for exact times. Buses run 24 hours a day.
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
600 5th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001
202-637-1328
www.wmata.com
Washington Walks
Washington Walks tours last about two hours and are led seven days a week. The destinations vary from day to day, so check online for more information. More unusual walks focus on the hauntings at the Octagon House, a snacking tour of the District of Columbia and African-American history along the U Street corridor.
Washington Walks
819 G Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20024
(202) 484-1565
http://washingtonwalks.com
Segs in the City
Segs in the City offers three guided Segway tours that take in the district's monuments and museums and high points like the National Cathedral and Embassy Row. The company provides 30 minutes of instruction on how to ride a Segway followed by a self-guided, 90-minute tour.
Segs in the City
1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington D.C. 20004
(800) 734-7393
www.segsinthecity.com/segs_in_dc.htm
Tourmobile Sightseeing
Tourmobile Sightseeing offers live narrated shuttle tours of the monuments, George Washington's home at Mount Vernon, Frederick Douglass National Historic Site and Arlington National Cemetery. An all-day hop-on-hop-off ticket allows visitors to get on and off the shuttle as often as they want. Tours operate year round.
Tourmobile Sightseeing
1000 Ohio Drive, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20024
(202) 554-5100
www.tourmobile.com/
Bike and Roll--Bike the Sites
Rent a bike for a self-guided tour, or ride your own on a guided ride of capital sites and the monuments at night. Individuals or groups can request a customized tour of Washington and Old Town Alexandria in Virginia.
Bike the Sites
1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 842-2453
http://bikethesites.com/
Old Town Trolley Tours
Motorized trolleys with live guides run a 19-stop loop throughout the district. Get on and off at any stop during the day. Many downtown hotels sell tickets, and online ticket purchasers get a 10 percent discount.
Old Town Trolley Tours
Tickets at Union Station
50 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E.
Washington Welcome Center
10th and E Streets, N.W.
Washington, D.C.
(202) 832-9800
www.trolleytours.com/washington-dc
DC Ducks
DC Ducks uses original World War II amphibious vehicles for a 90-minute tour of Washington that starts at Union Station. The ducks drive into the Potomac River and under the incoming flight pattern at Reagan National Airport before returning to Union Station. It is closed November to mid-March.
DC Ducks
Union Station
50 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20018
(800) 213-2474
www.dcducks.com
Gray Line Tours
Gray Line offers two-hour, eight-hour and half-day motor coach tours of Washington as well as a tour of Mount Vernon and Arlington National Cemetery. The three-hour D.C. After Dark tour visits all the monuments. Groups of 25 or more can enjoy a customized tour.
Gray Line Tours
50 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20002-4214
(202) 289-1995
www.graylinedc.com
Resources
About the Author:
Meg Jernigan has been writing for more than 30 years. She specializes in travel, cooking and interior decorating. Her offline credits include copy editing full-length books and creating marketing copy for nonprofit organizations. Jernigan attended George Washington University, majoring in speech and drama.
Photo Credits:
Sunrise on Washington image by dwight9592 from
Fotolia.com
