Wyndham National Harbor

[beejaybee]

We booked a 3 night stay there for early next month. Will be driving from Ohio. My current thinking is to Uber to the Yellow Line across the river vs. driving into D.C. Is that more viable than Uber all the way? We've seen all the highlights on previous visits. DH wants to visit the Smithsonian for certain- which section should he focus on? (Both have been to the Museum of the American Indian, and I have spent time in the Museum of American History). Is there anything else we might add?

I would also like to explore Alexandria one of our two days there. Worth it?

Finally, any tips about the resort would be much appreciated. We've invited another couple to share our 2 bed/2 bath unit and they gladly accepted. Haven't had a chance to discuss details with them yet so as much info as we can share would be great!

Thanks!

 

[Big Matt]

Driving into DC isn't difficult and it isn't really confusing if you have a GPS, but the real question is whether its worth paying to park and the hassle. The metro is clean and safe, but sometime has station closures (just read up ahead of time). The metro doesn't go to every part of DC. Here's my list of things that I wouldn't miss, but maybe the list is way too long:

Air and Space museum
Natural History museum
National Archives
National Gallery of Art
African American museum (may need a reserved entry pass depending on crowds)
Hollocost Museum (fee)
Viet Nam Veterans memorial
Georgetown (not near a metro stop)
National Zoo and Rock Creek Park
The Wharf and the adjacent fish market (good restaurants)

Old Town Alexandria is a good choice and so is Mount Vernon.

Some things to consider.....you can take a water taxi from National Harbor to the Wharf and to Old Town Alexandria. You can ride as many times as you want all day with a pass. You may love Georgetown or think its a waste of time depending on your preferences. It is a really good zoo in a beautiful setting. No fee for entry, but you will pay to park if you drive. The zoo grounds are on a decently steep slope if that matters. After you decide what sites to see, go back and look at the metro lines again. You will find that a lot of things are on one of the lines, but not all the same lines. Big train station switching stations are metro center and l'enfant plaza.

 

[chapjim]

Carjacking is off the scale in DC, which in my view, makes @Big Matt's hassle even bigger. I can't think of anything that would make me drive into the District.

The NH2 Metro bus line runs both ways from National Harbor to the King Street Metro station in Alexandria. The bus stop is just up the hill (to the left) from the entrance to Wyndham National Harbor. https://www.wmata.com/schedules/timetables/upload/NH2_210314.pdf

The King Street Trolley runs from the King Street Metro station down to a couple of blocks from the Potomac River. It's free.

 

[elaine]

I worked in DC thru 2023-loved it and used to walk the Mall at lunch. Since you have limited time, I'd Uber or metro. My husband grew up in Fairfax and still doesn't like to drive in DC.
These are all on/near the Mall. So, I'd do group these for 1 day, but you could easily spend 2 days, plus you'll want to walk and get photos of the Capitol, etc.
Day 1:
Air and Space museum
Natural History museum
National Archives
National Gallery of Art
African American museum (may need a reserved entry pass depending on crowds)
Hollocost Museum (fee)
Viet Nam Veterans memorial,
and I'd add Spy museum (fee), which is not far and right on the Yellow line.

Day 2:
I agree, the National Zoo is great-and easily accessible by metro (but a longer ride and not near anything else). You could then Uber from the zoo to Georgetown as it's a straight shot down (3 miles) to G'town. Or you could swap Alex with G'town for an afternoon/dinner after the zoo. Old town Alex is lovely, a 1/2 day is plenty of time. However, if you're looking for a quintessential Washington, DC (revolutionary) experience, I'd pick Mt. Vernon over the zoo (and maybe even Alex).

 

[jules54]

I believe Arlington National Cemetery is a sight to behold. Metro must go near there because I wouldn’t have ever driven even near D.C.

We enjoyed National Harbor and the concierge at the resort will give you great instructions on the metro. As Jim said bus right up the hill from resort takes you to the metro.

 

[kanerf]

I believe Arlington National Cemetery is a sight to behold. Metro must go near there because I wouldn’t have ever driven even near D.C.

We enjoyed National Harbor and the concierge at the resort will give you great instructions on the metro. As Jim said bus right up the hill from resort takes you to the metro.

The Blue Line metro stops at Arlington Cemetery.

 

[bnoble]

Carjacking is off the scale in DC

Good news on this front:

Turning a corner? DC sees drop in carjackings

There have been far less carjackings in Washington, D.C., so far this year compared to this time last year, new statistics show.

www.nbcwashington.com