Washington DC
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 383
Likes: 3
From: Maryland
Do a google search on Washington, DC Cherry Blossom festival. There are thousands of people that come in from out of town and park in designated areas.
The National Park Service hosts this event and their website (NPS.org I think) may have parking suggestions. Especially for the Washington Monument, The Smithsonian, The Capital, etc... The Feds closed off Pennsylvania ave after 9/11 which goes a to the White House so that may be a long walk.
The National Park Service hosts this event and their website (NPS.org I think) may have parking suggestions. Especially for the Washington Monument, The Smithsonian, The Capital, etc... The Feds closed off Pennsylvania ave after 9/11 which goes a to the White House so that may be a long walk.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 600
Likes: 2
I live 50 miles south of DC. Avoid it at all costs. Certain parts of it you are almost sure to be robbed, or worse. If you go, leave before sunset. Hope this helps.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 383
Likes: 3
From: Maryland
Just like LA, Chicago, Miami, the Bronx, Baltimore, etc... there are always bad parts of cities you should avoid.
Where the Washington Monument, the Wall, and other visitor attractions, these are National Park Service properties (Federal Govt) which are not maintained by the District of Columbia. They are located in nice areas that are specifically designed for tourists. I know this because I work in DC (as I've stated before) and in conjuction with the National Park Service at three locations in DC.
btw, I live about 25 miles north of DC and about 25 miles south of Baltimore.
Where the Washington Monument, the Wall, and other visitor attractions, these are National Park Service properties (Federal Govt) which are not maintained by the District of Columbia. They are located in nice areas that are specifically designed for tourists. I know this because I work in DC (as I've stated before) and in conjuction with the National Park Service at three locations in DC.
btw, I live about 25 miles north of DC and about 25 miles south of Baltimore.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
From: Northern Virginia
I live 7 miles from downtown DC and unfortunately have to work there. Most of the comments made on this thread are right on.
I would just reiterate the part about the traffic, it really sucks. But, then again, I am one of those guys who brave the looney's on the road and takes his Harley to work whenever possible. You have to constantly be on your guard.
Keep in mind that the weather can get pretty miserable here during the summer. Humidity is pretty high. I am not sure what month you are going, but I would avoid August.
Make sure that you're staying in an area where your bike will be secure. And do take the metro when you want to see the Wall and other sights.
Washington has so much to offer you will not be able to see all of it during the course of a week, so pace yourself. By the way, you might think about taking a cruise down the GW Parkway to Mount Vernon, that's where George Washington's mansion is. They have done a very good job preserving his way of life and almost all of furniture and other artifacts in the mansion are original.
I would just reiterate the part about the traffic, it really sucks. But, then again, I am one of those guys who brave the looney's on the road and takes his Harley to work whenever possible. You have to constantly be on your guard.
Keep in mind that the weather can get pretty miserable here during the summer. Humidity is pretty high. I am not sure what month you are going, but I would avoid August.
Make sure that you're staying in an area where your bike will be secure. And do take the metro when you want to see the Wall and other sights.
Washington has so much to offer you will not be able to see all of it during the course of a week, so pace yourself. By the way, you might think about taking a cruise down the GW Parkway to Mount Vernon, that's where George Washington's mansion is. They have done a very good job preserving his way of life and almost all of furniture and other artifacts in the mansion are original.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,750
Likes: 261
From: back home in Michigan
Heat? LOL, rode back from Gatlinburg a couple of years back, daytime 100+ degrees, nothing but sun........couldn't run fast enough or find a cool dark tavern soon enough...LOL. It was so hot that at several joints the first round of ice cold beer was on the house, and sometimes the second on some other patron.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,602
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
I would much rather ride my bike up through the mall and through Georgetown that take the nasty metro into the city and walk around.
As for crime I haven't seen much in the tourist areas. I am sure if you head over to south east and park you bike at night you might have some trouble. But then again they might want a sport bike.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,975
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From: NJ
Great place to visit. Tons of history and it's all free. We usually stay in Arlington (Crystal City) and take the subway into town. Mostly because the rooms are less expensive. Tourist areas are relatively safe.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,107
Likes: 283
From: California, Md now Savannah, Ga
Come during Rolling Thunder which is Memorial Day weekend with the big parade on Sunday. Most of the suburb dealers, some probably 100 miles or more out, have police escorted rides to the Pentagon and then to the Wall area. You'll get a feel for things and Arlington Cemetery would probably be more doable that day also, at least for motorcyclist.
Last edited by Xcrossbow; Jan 24, 2009 at 09:28 PM.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Northern VA
So you want to send this guy into DC on his bike and have him park by the Lincoln Memorial. Then by the capitol. And the White House. Maybe Ford's Theatre. I'm leaving out Arlington Cemetary and the National Zoo because they have parking there. Don't see anything going wrong there...
I like the bike on a bike trip, but I'd park it for downtown DC day.
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