Quick Question - Washington DC

Michael_T

Michael_T

NU '26
Joined
Oct 29, 2020
Messages
692
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. On my flight to Norwich, I have a 3 hr. layover in DC, any thoughts, would it be a bad idea to leave the aiRport to sightsee for a little bit? Note that this would be around 5-6 PM. I know mostly every attraction is like within 5 - 10 min, thanks!
 
I'm assuming you mean you're flying into DCA? Even though it is very close to the National Mall/Capitol area... 2-3 hours isn't much time to really see and appreciate the sights. You may have enough time to walk around Licoln Memorial, WWII, Vietnam area with that kind of time if you're a fast walker.
 
Anonymous121 said:
I'm assuming you mean you're flying into DCA? Even though it is very close to the National Mall/Capitol area... 2-3 hours isn't much time to really see and appreciate the sights. You may have enough time to walk around Licoln Memorial, WWII, Vietnam area with that kind of time if you're a fast walker.
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That'd be the intention, to take some pictures and walk around... If possible, yes into DCA, sorry for not clarifying
 
I'd say approximately 15 minute Uber ride over to the Mall from DCA, 15 minutes back just to be on the safe side. Get dropped at Lincoln Memorial and pick up at the Capitol could be doable in 2-3 hours.
 
Yes, I think you would have enough time to take an Uber to the Lincoln Memorial, walk around for an hour or so, then grab an Uber back to DCA. With no traffic, it is a quick ride, and you should be going opposite traffic at time of day heading into DC.
 
Also just make sure there arent any special events going on at the Mall or surrounding area. We got caught in and Easter event. Figured it would be a good time to go…on a Sunday.

Boy, we’re we wrong that day. Totally stuck. And Siri/Maps kept trying to route us back into it….vs out. What a nightmare. Eventually we just pointed North and drove far enough away we would not be routed back (near the Zoo, Patomac…it was stunning!!).

Your Uber obviously wouldn’t have alternate route issues, but point being, to be cognizant of events in the area….wouldn’t want to miss your flight!!
 
GWU PNS said:
Is this 5 to 6 PM during the week? I would check local traffic before leaving the airport.
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My thoughts exactly. DC traffic is back to near-normal, which means sitting in traffic both ways in that clotted mash-up of I-395, US1, I-66 and others, bridges over the Potomac, the major streets near the memorials and major govt buildings. If I ever wanted to get out ahead of the traffic in that area, I’d have to leave the Pentagon by 2:30.

There is a Metro stop at DCA that you can jump on to head to various places, but that time of day - same issues with commuters. You have to know what you are doing. I wouldn’t risk it.

I would stay on the VA side of the Potomac, maybe Uber from airport to 9/11 Memorial at Pentagon (which is in Arlington, VA), check it out, then head back. That can be accomplished via surface streets. Google Maps says 3.4 miles from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to National 9/11 Memorial on North Rotary Rd. at Pentagon. It’s a special place. The benches that memorialize each individual face one way or another, depending on if they were in the Pentagon or on the plane.

Home - 9/11 Pentagon Memorial

pentagonmemorial.org pentagonmemorial.org
 
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Capt MJ said:
There is a Metro stop at DCA that you can jump on to head to various places, but that time of day - same issues with commuters. You have to know what you are doing. I wouldn’t risk it.
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I disagree slightly. My 3 year old son loves riding the metro more than life itself so I consider myself a professional metro rider. :D DCA is on the blue line and you can make things simple to avoid the chaos of navigating the metro:

- Ride blue line toward "Largo town center" (get on the train on the airport side of platform)

- Ride it up 11 stops and get off at Smithsonian (~ 20-25 minutes)

- Quick walk down past Washington Monument around the water in front of Lincoln and back (~30-40 minutes)

- Get back on blue line toward "Springfield Franconia" and ride back (~ 20-25 minutes)

It's tight but doable. If delays result in your free time being less than two hours, don't do it.
 
I have flown into Reagan National (DCA) many times for meetings in DC and with 3 hours you barely have time to do one thing since you will have to go back through security, and if you don't have TSA pre-check you could get stuck in a long line. If you are at DCA on or after April 1st I would recommend Arlington National Cemetery because it's open until 7PM. I always recommend taking the DC Metro instead of cab or uber but make absolutely sure you are on the right train. The Metro is right at DCA and it's only 4 stops to Arlington. However, if you arrive before April 1st Arlington closes at 5PM. Going anywhere else, except perhaps the Pentagon is too risky. Better save the DC tour for another time and don't leave the airport. Your trip to Norwich is far more important than a high stress sightseeing tour which can only last about 30 minutes at most before you have to head back to the airport.
 
Abacab said:
I have flown into Reagan National (DCA) many times for meetings in DC and with 3 hours you barely have time to do one thing since you will have to go back through security, and if you don't have TSA pre-check you could get stuck in a long line. If you are at DCA on or after April 1st I would recommend Arlington National Cemetery because it's open until 7PM. I always recommend taking the DC Metro instead of cab or uber but make absolutely sure you are on the right train. The Metro is right at DCA and it's only 4 stops to Arlington. However, if you arrive before April 1st Arlington closes at 5PM. Going anywhere else, except perhaps the Pentagon is too risky. Better save the DC tour for another time and don't leave the airport. Your trip to Norwich is far more important than a high stress sightseeing tour which can only last about 30 minutes at most before you have to head back to the airport.
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Bushrod said:
I honestly wouldn't risk the time it could take getting through security!
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Fair Point, honestly not worth the risk, I got the window seats on my flight, maybe I'll see it all when I'm landing...
 
There is a small exhibit hall in the airport.
www.flyreagan.com

Exhibit Hall

Catch a glimpse into the Airport's rich history with a stroll through the Exhibit Hall
www.flyreagan.com www.flyreagan.com
 
Totally would not leave the airport if it were me. Simply not enough time in my opinion. Not worth taking the chance of having some transportation snafu for a super brief sight seeing trip. Especially knowing how things work in DC.
 
USNA_STEM_Prof said:
I disagree slightly. My 3 year old son loves riding the metro more than life itself so I consider myself a professional metro rider. :D DCA is on the blue line and you can make things simple to avoid the chaos of navigating the metro:

- Ride blue line toward "Largo town center" (get on the train on the airport side of platform)

- Ride it up 11 stops and get off at Smithsonian (~ 20-25 minutes)

- Quick walk down past Washington Monument around the water in front of Lincoln and back (~30-40 minutes)

- Get back on blue line toward "Springfield Franconia" and ride back (~ 20-25 minutes)

It's tight but doable. If delays result in your free time being less than two hours, don't do it.
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This point is fair, but also know that extensive work is coming to the Yellow Line this summer that will automatically have an impact on the Blue line that shares the track at National Airport. So there will be added delays.
 
USMAZoo98 said:
This point is fair, but also know that extensive work is coming to the Yellow Line this summer that will automatically have an impact on the Blue line that shares the track at National Airport. So there will be added delays.
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I think that starts in September. I'm glad I drive into the city!
 
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