I'll be staying in Frederick MD and want to do a tourist day trip into DC on a Monday (to visit the Viet Vets War Memorial near the Reflecting Pond - nothing else as I've been to DC several times before and done most of the touristy things). Is my best option (meaning convenient and mimimum stress)to drive to Shady Grove and get the Metro from there? Happy to walk from Metro Center or Smithsonian stations. How is parking at Shady Grove about 10.00am on a Monday?

Is there a better option say of driving into DC and parking? Many thanks.

I'll leave it to others to answer regarding the parking but I would use the Foggy Bottoms Metro stop (the closest) or preferably the Arlington Cemetery Metro stop (more scenic). From the Arlington stop you would walk across the Memorial Bridge right into the back of the Lincoln Memorial (and around it to the Reflecting Pool). If at all possible go at night (though the Arlington stop does not operate at night).

One of my most memorable DC moments was a bitter night in November 2001 when I went down to the monuments and was essentially the only person there.

Seems like a good plan. As for parking - I don't know that station very well, but the next four stations down the line also have parking. I'd keep a map/gps nearby in case they are full.

Enjoy DC.

I also don't have personal experience about parking but I'd point out that the lots will be more crowded and earlier than not as you go south. In other words, you'd have more success travelling to another stop away from DC, rather than towards DC to find a place to leave your car.

You could take the MARC train all the way from Frederick to Union Station and transfer to the metro. Definitely an option to consider if the times work out for you. Google "MARC train" for info.

MARC's more comfortable (and in my experience the parking lots are less likely to fill during the morning rush than Metro's), but with the last morning train leaving Frederick at 7:10am, it may be a bit on the early side for the OP.

Could drive (the wrong direction, granted, away from DC) to Brunswick to get the MARC. More choices of train in both directions. Although, glancing at the schedule, I guess there isn't one that's much later in the morning. It leaves at 7:40am. The drive could eat up the difference depending upon where in Frederick. Also with MARC overall you have less choice of when to leave if you want to stay into the evening; they don't run that late on the Brunswick line, 7:15pm last out.

Driving in DC sucks, IMO, but if you're going to do it: don't leave until 9 or so. Take 270 to 495 towards Virginia. Take Cabin John Parkway exit. Bear left and take Clara Barton Parkway into DC. This takes you to the edge of G-Town, west end, and near the Foggy Bottom area, which isn't far from where you want to go I suppose. Can't tell you where to park, and it could be difficult in mid-day when you're not checking into a hotel. But that parkway is by far the best experience I've had driving in from the 270 side. It'll probably be faster than the Metro or train. Metro from Shady Grove takes forever, like an hour I think. Driving at non-rush from that point takes less time methinks, although it can be much more aggravating.

At 10 am the traffic on 270 is usually still heavy. I think it is a good isea to try Shady Grove. If it's full, head to 355 south and try Rockville, or White Flint.

Been a while since I drove there at rush time, but I know the biggest backup of 270 is out at the Frederick end anyway where there aren't enough lanes; you don't get to avoid that going to Shady Grove. This is part of why it seems like such a toss up to me once you get to that point. If you go on 355 from Shady Grove you're already dealing with much of the crap that you're trying to avoid on the Metro, particularly on your way back out if you've parked at Rockville or White Flint. If Shady Grove is full I think I'd just drive all the way in, even though that sucks too.

Thanks all for the suggestions. Much appreciated. However, I wish I could say that they had filled me with confidence that there was an easy course of action. It does seem fraught for a non-local driver. After a bit more thought we have decided that we'll drive in and stay the night at the Willard. Spend some of those hotel points. We'll start from Winchester around Monday lunch time aiming to be downtown mid afternoon, visit the Vietnam memorial by foot and have a splendid great dinner somewhere. We'll maybe do a museum in the morning and head out to Frederick and on to Gettysburg. This is a Civil War Tour.

I'd advise anyone contemplating being on the DC roads that day to change their plans as the antipodeans hit town!

Again, many thanks!

I had not connected you with your Civil War thread until this morning! I highly recommend your new plan. Seriously, since you're down there, take a walk around some of the monuments in the evening if you haven't done that before, assuming it's dark early enough. The Jefferson Memorial is always my favorite. The Willard is well-located for sightseeing, normally pricey, but since you have points, I'm sure there are worse ways you could spend them. (I have never stayed there, just know where it is.)

A museum you may not have seen unless you were there recently (or about 10 years ago): the National Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum, fairly recently reopened after a long renovation. I walked by it in early 2003, and it was closed then! Reopened sometime in 2007 I think. http://www.npg.si.edu/inform/renovation.htm Also the National Building Museum is a cool building to walk into if nothing else. http://www.nbm.org/Info/history.html Maybe you've seen that one though. Both of these are pretty near the hotel, although nothing is particularly far from that central location.

Thanks CrazyOne. Haven't been to either. I'd also thought of the Phillips Collection but your choices may be better as they are walkable from the hotel in the morning before a late check-out. I'll pick one.

This is going to be some trip. We leave in a week.