There are a few things that I feel everyone should be prepared for when traveling in D.C.
The biggest issue that I had in Washington D.C. was the parking! Here is my advice for parking–
- Find a public parking garage and pay about $20 a day to park all day (many have early bird specials)
- Most parallel parking spots are not super expensive but you can only park for typically 2 hours and then have to move your vehicle which is a pain!
- Many parking signs seem misleading and you will absolutely be given a parking ticket if you park where you aren’t supposed to.
For those who are not keen on walking a ton, there are other options to get around D.C.-
- Take the Metro (they have day passes for about $13)
- Use a scooter!! (BIRD, Lime, etc…)
- Rent a bike from around the mall (there are apps for this as well)
- Uber (I never needed this as I had a car to use)
What to bring with you for the day-
- If it is cold, you want to consider layering!!! Check the weather for sure!
- Depending on where you go visit, some places only allow certain size bags or don’t allow you to bring in certain items (check those places first)
- Obviously there are tons of things to do, so bringing less items to keep up with will help your day go smoother!
Keep your phone charged or bring a phone charger (portable) in case, you’ll need it! I needed my phone for several reasons: tickets, scooter app, parking app, taking pictures, and directions…