open lot parking in Washinton DC

[rvit]

We're taking off on our first real trip in a 22' MH and wanted to spend a day in DC before heading further south. Does anyone know of an outside parking lot with easy access to the major attractions. An address for gps would be so helpful. Thank you.

[Gsturner]

If I knew they had pet sitting services at Cherry Hill, I would have left my grandson there while checking out DC last June. oh, wait--DC was his idea.

Having driven a charter bus in DC several times, parking-even standing for more than a few moments is nearly impossible. Cherry Hill, especially with pet services would be a much better bet.

[GMandJM]

Even a dog walking service at Cherry Hill?!? No wonder everyone stays there. That place has everything.

[brownieab]

No need to worry about the dog while away. Cherry Hill Park offers a dog walking service while you are away for the day

[naturist]

The dog changes everything. I take back the suggestion of parking at a metro station but not the part about not trying to park downtown. Your only reasonable choice is to overnight at Cherryhill Park where you can leave the dog in air conditioned comfort. There is no reasonable way to "walk back and check on the dog," and there is no way the dog can survive a day in the heat of an un-air conditioned RV between now and next November.

[GMandJM]

roamermatt wrote:

GMandJM wrote:
This might be a good alternative for you: GreenBelt Park (NSF).. There's lots to see and do in DC. Stay a couple days, perhaps?

I recently looked into this option for visiting relatives later this year. While it is much cheaper than Cherry Hill and just as close to DC, it has no hookups. Which will be a problem if you want to enjoy you air conditioning to beat the DC heat, depending on when you visit.

There is a bath/shower house and drinking water is available and there is a dump station on site. But, you're right - no electric. Genny's are allowed during non-quiet time hours.

Great for someone visiting in cooler weather or who doesn't need the a/c. And since the OP was looking basically for a parking lot, I thought this might be a good alternative until the OP mentioned there was a dog...in that case a/c is probably needed.

[Heavy_Metal_Doc]

Depends on how long of day / what day of the week you want -- it is farther out, and no weekend service, but on weekdays there is always plenty of space at the Monocacy MARC station (passenger train) in Frederick MD. You could catch the last direct morning train on the Brunswick line heading down into DC at just after 7AM. Take it to Union Station or you could transfer over to the Metro (subway) at Shady Grove to go to other destinations.
Tickets are simple electronic kiosks at the station.

I rode home the other day with a big spring break vacationing familly group who spent the day at the National Zoo and where staying in Martinsburg WV.

Oh - yeah - Monocacy Station is a free lot.

[roamermatt]

GMandJM wrote:
This might be a good alternative for you: GreenBelt Park (NSF).. There's lots to see and do in DC. Stay a couple days, perhaps?

I recently looked into this option for visiting relatives later this year. While it is much cheaper than Cherry Hill and just as close to DC, it has no hookups. Which will be a problem if you want to enjoy you air conditioning to beat the DC heat, depending on when you visit.

[LarryJM]

rvit wrote:
sounds like we'll try Union Station and get there early. we want to walk from the rv so we can come back to check on the dog.
Thank you all

That could be very costly and I would highly recommend against that plan. There are just to many "do gooders" around here and if they get even the hint of an animal in a vehicle you might come back to find your RV broken into by the police, pet confiscated and facing a HUGE FINE with the attendant hassle of messing with the intolerent court system here. Best plan is to stay at an RV park where that option is available.

Larry

[rvit]

sounds like we'll try Union Station and get there early. we want to walk from the rv so we can come back to check on the dog.
Thank you all

[sdianel_-acct_c]

Ditto on Cherry Hill RV Park. So worth it. You take the bus from the RV Park to the metro and into DC. Once in DC look for the hop on-hop off trolleys and you can purchase a day pass.

[GMandJM]

This might be a good alternative for you: GreenBelt Park (NSF).. There's lots to see and do in DC. Stay a couple days, perhaps?

[wcjeep]

JamesBr wrote:
Not every metro lot has room for a 22' motor home. With that, do not use College Park Metro station, there is not enough parking. Your best bet is Greenbelt metro station which is directly off I95 with its own exit and usually has space for an RV. Many of the other Metro parking lots have limited ground level parking and parking garages now. At least it was 2 years ago, though may be full now.

There is another option, there is a train line that runs all day from MD to union station. It is called the MARC Penn Line trains. There are several stations that have large free parking such as Bowie State college that you can catch the train from. But it is a commuter train and only runs until about 9pm, however, Bowie state is not that hard to get to and has a huge lot on the far side of the tracks from the college. The other MARC lines do not run into the city other then during rush hour.

Union Station is large. Easy walking distance to the Capitol Building. No food/drink allowed inside the Capitol. If you want to see the House/Senate chambers you'll need a pass from your Representative. The pass is easy to obtain during normal working hours, but, will take time. Best to obtain your House/Senate pass to the chambers before arriving. We did a night tour (available during the day) with a local service. It's a 3hr tour of the major outdoor sights with occasional stops for pictures. For three of us it was about $150. Prices vary.

[JamesBr]

Not every metro lot has room for a 22' motor home. With that, do not use College Park Metro station, there is not enough parking. Your best bet is Greenbelt metro station which is directly off I95 with its own exit and usually has space for an RV. Many of the other Metro parking lots have limited ground level parking and parking garages now. At least it was 2 years ago, though may be full now.

There is another option, there is a train line that runs all day from MD to union station. It is called the MARC Penn Line trains. There are several stations that have large free parking such as Bowie State college that you can catch the train from. But it is a commuter train and only runs until about 9pm, however, Bowie state is not that hard to get to and has a huge lot on the far side of the tracks from the college. The other MARC lines do not run into the city other then during rush hour.

[DutchmenSport]

Unfortunately, every commuter parking lot for the metro is usually packed completely full and no space available for visitors!