Where To Park When Visiting The National Mall?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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garages are available off the National Mall throughout downtown

. Limited, free, all-day parking is available along Ohio Drive, SW which is along the Potomac River south of the Lincoln Memorial, and in Lots A, B, and C south of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.

What is the best way to get around the National Mall?

Answer:

The DC Circulator Bus

is the best way to get around the National Mall, downtown DC and Smithsonian Museums. While most out of towners can have a hard time navigating a bus system the DC Circulator bus simplifies routes to make it easy for tourists without a car.

Where can I park in DC for free?

  • Ronald Reagan Building Parking. 1.2 mi. Parking. …
  • Lincoln Memorial. 1.8 mi. 1064 reviews. …
  • City Center Parking Lot. 0.8 mi. 22 reviews. …
  • CityCenterDC Parking Garage. 0.8 mi. Parking. …
  • National Mall. 1.6 mi. 393 reviews. …
  • Union Station. 1.7 mi. …
  • National Zoo Parking. 1.8 mi. …
  • Wayne Ave Garage. 5.8 mi.

Where do you park when visiting Washington DC?

  • Your two best bets for parking in DC are parking garages and street parking. …
  • Many commuters also park in these DC garages, so keep in mind they tend to fill up early. …
  • DC also has street parking in most neighborhoods.

Is it free to park in DC today?

Day of Week Premium Demand Zones Normal Demand Zones Saturday 7:00am – 10:00pm 7:00am – 6:30pm Sunday Free Parking Free Parking

Is it hard to find parking in Washington DC?

Street parking in Washington DC is

relatively easy to find in residential neighborhoods, however it gets more tricky to find near the national monuments and memorials

. Explore your parking options before you leave to see if there are any parking options located near your destination.

Is the National Mall walkable?

The distance between the Capitol at one end of the National Mall and the Lincoln Memorial at the other is two miles, which is quite a long walk for most people. However, if you pace yourself and take time to stop and see things along the way,

you should be able to walk around the entire park in under a day

.

How long does it take to see everything in the National Mall?

When you come here for the first time you will want to see the monuments: Lincoln, Jefferson, World War II, and all the others. The monuments tours that Trip Hacks DC offer covers all the major monuments the National Mall. It takes

about three total hours

.

How long does it take to walk the whole National Mall?

It takes approximately

one hour and 5 minutes

to complete a full loop along The National Mall route in ideal traffic conditions.

Where can I park long term in DC?

Parking Facility Monthly Rate 1402 M St. NW (1 Thomas Circle NW) – Valet-Assist Garage $270 1100 Connecticut Ave. NW – Garage $245 930 20th St. NW (2001 Pennsylvania Ave. NW) – Valet-Assist Garage $300 802 12th St. NW (1100 New York Ave. NW) – Garage $280

Does it cost to park in DC?

Parking in Washington DC


The average hourly rate for public parking is $9-$10

and if you need parking for 24 hours, be prepared to pay upwards of $35. Monthly parking costs around $250 per month.

How can I park cheap in Washington DC?

One of the best ways to find cheap parking in Washington DC is to

book online

. There are a handful on online parking companies that sell discounted spots, if you book in advance. SpotHero, ParkMe, and Parkopedia are a few of the best online parking resources, and have spots for as little as $3!

Where do you park to visit the Washington Monument?

General parking is available at the

Paddle Boat Parking Lot along Maine Ave. SW, and along Ohio Drive, SW between the Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson Memorials

. Bus parking is available primarily along Ohio Drive, SW near the Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson Memorials and along Ohio Drive, SW in East Potomac Park.

Is parking free at DC metro stations?


Parking is free at Metro-operated lots on weekends and federal holidays, except during special events

. Most weekends, it's easy to find a space at Metro parking lots. Fares are collected upon exit during the following hours: Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 a.m.

Can you park on the street in Washington DC?

In Washington DC,

most metered street parking throughout the city is free overnight

. That's in addition to free general parking on Sundays and National Holidays — so if you pay attention, you can save some serious money on parking costs.

Is parking free in DC on weekends?


DC allows free parking on Sundays on any streets with parking meters

. Whether you're visiting from out of town or a resident driving within the city, this is something you can definitely take advantage of on the weekends.

Where is the best place to see the cherry blossoms in Washington DC?

The most famous and best place to see cherry blossoms in DC is

the Tidal Basin

. Tourists flock to the basin every year to see more than 3700 cherry trees bloom. White granite monuments like the Jefferson Memorial and Washington Monument provide a stunning backdrop to cherry blossom pictures.

What is Zone 1 parking in DC?

DC parking zones are generally designated by a number (Zone 1 –

Duponte, White House area, Georgetown

, Zone 1A – Adams Morgan, Columia Heights) and are indicated in street parking signs.

Is parking free in DC on Sundays 2021?

Is street parking FREE in Washington DC on Sundays?

Yes, this is true

. You can park on the street for free ALL DAY. The signs on the street can be confusing so if you are unsure, the DDOT offers a number you can use to call for assistance and clarification.

Can you park on the street overnight in DC?

Overnight Street parking in DC


Most neighborhoods allow for free overnight parking on the street

. Make sure to check all signage for exact times of when parking is enforced. Most neighborhoods require you to move your car starting at 9:00AM. Once 9AM comes, you can park for up to two hours per zone.

Are there bathrooms on the National Mall?

More than 25 million people visit the National Mall each year, and most of them need to pee at some point. Fortunately for their bladders,

the Mall offers 10 public bathrooms

. Washingtonian sent scouts to each one—from Lincoln to Jefferson to Washington—and assessed them.

Can you have a picnic on the National Mall?


Small groups are welcome to use the picnic tables and benches throughout the National Mall and Memorial Parks for casual picnics on a first-come, first use basis

. A large picnic area on Hains Point can be reserved by groups using Recreation.gov.

What does the National Mall consist of?

The National Mall contains and borders

a number of museums of the Smithsonian Institution, art galleries, cultural institutions, and various memorials, sculptures, and statues

. The park receives approximately 24 million visitors each year.

Can you do National Mall a day?


You could easily spend 2 to 3 hours at a few of these museums and eat up your entire day

. So if you only have one day my suggestion is to choose two of the museums are the most interesting to you and plan on visiting those.

How can I spend 5 days in Washington DC?
  1. Breakfast: Le Bon Café …
  2. AM: Tour the Capitol Building. …
  3. Next Stop: Visit the Library of Congress. …
  4. Lunch: On Pennsylvania Avenue, Southeast, at Good Stuff Eatery, Sonoma, or We, the Pizza. …
  5. PM: Take In Art for Free at the National Gallery of Art. …
  6. Next Stop: The Newseum.

Is Washington DC worth visiting?


Yes, Washington DC is definitely worth visiting

. There is so much culture and beautiful neighborhoods to explore. Most of the popular museums and attractions are free to check out, which can make it a budget-friendly vacation that the whole family will enjoy.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.