I have a grandson and a friend coming to US in Dec. and the only ask to see the capitol especially the Smithsonian. Would you just toad in or find a tour bus?? Or some other option?
The best advise is to stay at Cherry Hill and you can drive to the metro or a bus comes into the park to pick you up. They also offer tours to DC and the lady that does that presentation also will teach you how to use the metro line to get where ever you want to go. We were there 7 days this summer and went all the way out to Arlington on the Metro. You just can't beat the convince. Bill