We take our daughters every other year and they are 14 and 11. We usually stay outside the downtown area, but use the METRO to get around. If we are far out, we will take our car to the nearest car park. If we are in a campground, we will take the bus in to then get on the METRO. The METRO police/security are really good about directions and getting around. The time of day for the METRO also makes lots of difference in your comfort. We have never felt unsafe when we have used it, but we also did not use a couple of stations because the METRO security guard advised us against it. We have used it up until after midnight with no problem. Go with your gut....if it tells you something is off, it probably is.
DC METRO MAP
