PLurker
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,890
Location: Behind the Cheddar Curtain
Jun 28, 2014 3:48:49 GMT
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Post by PLurker on Feb 1, 2017 23:07:54 GMT
We are toying around with the idea of coming for the science march in April. We would be coming from Wisconsin, driving. Where or how far out would you stay and then how would you get to the march. Any advice you could give would be appreciated. Our other option is to stay home and march in Madison WI which would be easy thing being as DD dorm is within walking distance. She really would love to do DC and be part of it and I would, too, if it was worth all the extra effort. advice from DC area peas? elaine you are out there, right? Would you make the trip do Madison instead? Thanks in advance for any of your food for thought. Things to do, errands to run. I'll be back later to check on responses and answer any questions. |
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Post by ktdoesntscrap on Feb 1, 2017 23:29:54 GMT
I don't live in DC.. but I went to the women's march and it was amazing to be there amongst all those other like minded people.
I think the local rallies are also amazing and I will probably go to a local science march.. but being in DC is pretty amazing.
We stayed out in Reston VA and took the train in... it was pretty easy.
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peabay
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,975
Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Feb 2, 2017 0:26:34 GMT
I agree with the above that it is VERY exciting to be a part of history in DC. I loved being at the Women's March and my 14 year old turned to me in the middle of it and said: "this is the best day of my life."
We stayed at my older daughter's apartment in DuPont Circle, but I booked a parking spot ahead of time via SpotHero (highly recommend that site.) I really like the idea of staying in a hotel near one of the starting points of the Metro (or ending points, I suppose, depending on how you look at it.) Then, you'll be the first people on the Metro as it fills up. Also, hotel rates will be cheaper the further out you go.
So, I say GO. Once in a lifetime experience.
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Post by jemmls4 on Feb 2, 2017 0:37:11 GMT
My DD and I drove out to DC from central IL for the Women's March. We stayed in MD with my niece. We drove about 15-20 miles to the Glenmont metro and took that in. It was the end of one of the two red lines so we got a seat (train ride was about 30 min) and got off at Union Station and walked to March. We left my niece's house at 0730 and we were at Union Station by 0900. That included driving a crazy, winding road in dense fog, a stop at a CVS, parking, standing in line to buy metro card and train ride into DC.
I had ordered metro cards, but USPS didn't deliver them within 5 business days like the website said. It was more like 10 business days. There were lines to get cards, but the metro had extra people working to help all the out-of-owners figure out ow to buy cards. My suggestion would be to buy your metro card (each person needs their own) well in advance. They do sell them at Cases closer to the metro lines, but on 1/21 they were sold out.
I'd also suggest staying as far out as you can because you'll get a more reasonable hotel rate. I had originally gotten us a room in Frederick, MD. The metro is about 20 miles from here and then about a 30 min ride.
I'd love to go out there for Science March, but it was a long drive...we drove out Friday and drove back Sunday. Planning on either Chicago or St. Louis science march.
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Post by fkawitchypea on Feb 2, 2017 0:46:21 GMT
My grandparents live in Annapolis and we visit there often. There is a metro stop in New Carrollton, which is about a 20 minute drive from Annapolis and another 20 minute ride to DC. When DC is crowded, we do that. When it's fairly empty (like Thanksgiving weekend this year) we just drive in and park in a garage. When we went to Annapolis in November we actually stayed in a hotel since there were so many family members visiting. Annapolis is a cute town of its own and I have never felt like the travel time to DC was a big deal.
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Post by elaine on Feb 2, 2017 0:51:06 GMT
DC is April is Beautiful! The trees will all be in bloom.
I think that there is something particularly powerful about marching/protesting in D.C. within sight of all of our monuments and government buildings. please come!
I agree with KT that staying in Reston by the Silver Line of the Metro is your best bet.
Now, for the clincher - I promise to knit you and your daughter brain hats if you agree to come out!
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eleezybeth
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,784
Jun 28, 2014 20:42:01 GMT
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Post by eleezybeth on Feb 2, 2017 1:06:53 GMT
We live at the end of the blue line. Lots of hotels. If you can't stay in walking distance, I'd stay within driving distance to one of the ends of the line. Not sure where the march will be but you can take the best guess for one of the stops near the mall. Get your metro cards sooner than later. elaine LOVE that hat! LOL! |
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Post by elaine on Feb 2, 2017 1:20:48 GMT
We live at the end of the blue line. Lots of hotels. If you can't stay in walking distance, I'd stay within driving distance to one of the ends of the line. Not sure where the march will be but you can take the best guess for one of the stops near the mall. Get your metro cards sooner than later. elaine LOVE that hat! LOL! I bought yarn to knit them for my husband and me yesterday. We are both scientists and will march. He was even an Obama political appointee in charge of STEM for the Dept of Ed. |
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PLurker
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,890
Location: Behind the Cheddar Curtain
Jun 28, 2014 3:48:49 GMT
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Post by PLurker on Feb 2, 2017 2:07:50 GMT
Thanks for all the info ladies. We may just do this. I think I am leaning towards staying in Reston as that area was about where I was thinking about anyway. elaine you don't have to do that (hats) but it would be awesome! DD is already excited and messaging her cousin to see if they'd want to come (my niece and sister-in-law) as my SIL is a teacher and by default prefers real facts, not alternative ones. I will watch this thread for more tips and hopefully in a few months we'll be there! |
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Post by craftmepink on Feb 2, 2017 3:49:30 GMT
I live in the DC area (Northern Virginia) and advise that you stay closer or in DC. The hotels in Arlington are reasonable and cheaper than DC (try Crystal City, Pentagon City, or Ballston areas), just a short 10 minute ride to DC via metro or uber/taxi. Reston is far away from DC (think 40-45 minutes away) and you can't always rely on the metro since they are still doing safe track repairs on the other lines.
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Post by annabella on Feb 2, 2017 3:51:51 GMT
Reston is so far I wouldn't want to deal with the commute.
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Post by ktdoesntscrap on Feb 2, 2017 13:40:08 GMT
We stayed in Reston because we were driving from Raleigh and we had a free place to stay and to park our car.
But it was the first stop on the Silver line so while we had to wait in line to get on the train, we were the first on and as the carriage got really crowded we appreciated the seats. The guy practically sitting on my lap.. as it got so crowded said they had to take a train out to our stop in order to get on a train going into DC.
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peppermintpatty
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1345
Posts: 4,209 
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Post by peppermintpatty on Feb 2, 2017 14:27:33 GMT
I live at the end of the Red Line for the Metro and it was one of the stations that was shut down for the women's march because it was filled over capacity. Luckily I was already on the train when that happened. The station is Shady Grove and the area is Rockville/Gaithersburg. There are a ton of hotels in the area and many of them have shuttles to the metro. Someone mentioned Glenmont which is the other end of the red line in Silver Spring. Driving distance they are only 15 minutes apart.
I met quite a few people who lived closer to the city but drove out to the end of the line so they would be able to get a seat on the train.
The hotels in my area are very reasonable and it will cost you $10 to take the metro to and from DC.
Whoops, forgot to mention, I am in Maryland
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