Neighborhood

Metro

The Metro is one of the busiest transportation systems in the United States, and allows visitors and residents to get around town through a massive network of tunnels and tracks about the ground that traverse the city of Washington D.C. and surrounding Virginia and Maryland. The system is popular, convenient, and affordable and is an easy way to get around the region. The metro has six lines which are connected to each other via transfer signs, with many stops serviced by multiple lines. You can plan your trip on this website. 

The Metro’s trains are running from Monday – Thursday, 5 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., Friday, 5 a.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday, 7 a.m. to 1 a.m., and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fares range from $2.25 to $6 per trip, but it depends on the on-peak or off peak hours and how many stops you end up making. You can pay with a SmarTrip card, which a permanent, rechargeable card that is fast and convenient to use.

Walk

D.C. is so big that you couldn’t comfortably walk through the entire city during the day, but most of the iconic, cultural landmarks are in similar neighborhoods that are walkable. For example, a 5 mile walking tour will take you from the White House, to the National Mall, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Korean and Vietnam Memorials, among others. Across a bridge from most of these landmarks will take you to John F. Kennedy’s gravesite at the Arlington National Cemetery. While walking everywhere probably isn’t possible, spending a day to walk to all your destinations will allow you to sink into the culture and iconic imagery of this important city.

Rent a bike

With many waterfront parks, off-street biking trails, and a growing amount of bike lanes, Washington D.C. is more friendly for bikers than ever. The city has plenty of options for bike-sharing. A 24-hour pass for a bike is only 8 dollars with Capital bikeshare, and these bikes are available all across the city. Biking around the city is fast and convenient. How else can you get your daily exercise in, while catching views of famous sights or making your way to a meeting?

Old Town Trolley

The Old Town Trolley tour provides a relaxing, informative, and charming journey through D.C. The trolley takes you past more than 100 of the most important signs in the city – including many monuments and memorials, musuems, and historical landmarks. You can hop-on and hop-off, and your trip can be stretched out over two days. Additionally, on-board conductors are ready to provide lots of interesting information and historical facts for passengars.

Ride the Metrobus

Another public-transport option in Washington D.C. is the Metrobus, but a drawback to this method is that you’ll be at the whims of the traffic along with all the other cars. Try riding the bus only during off peak hours, like between 9:30 am to 4pm or after 7pm. However, the bus is inexpensive and can get you anytwhere in the city you need to go.

DC Circulator

The DC Circulator is an efficient bus which runs every ten minutes through several of the city’s most popular tourist attractions. On the weekend, the bus makes a loop around the National Mall which can be very convenient for visitors who want to see the myriad of attractions in that area. Find information on fares and the ride here.

Ride Sharing Apps

Finally, with Uber, Lyft, and other ride-sharing apps, getting a quick ride in a pinch has never been easier. These services make rides for just one person or for a whole family very convenient and easy, but tend to be more expensive that public transport options.

Renting a car in D.C. can be difficult for a number of reasons, but getting around without a car has never been easier. A car-less weekend, making the most of Washington D.C.’s public transport options and interspersing healthy options like running and biking, is more convenient and less stressful than driving in an unfamiliar town. Stay with us at Normandy Hotel, and be close to all the public transport options and within walking distance of D.C. sights, shops, and restaurants.