The ALSC Local Arrangements Committee is so excited to welcome you to Washington, DC this year for ALA Annual 2019! From the Capitol to the Mall, the Smithsonian Museums to the National Cathedral, there is a lot to see and do! We hope that these tips help you get around the city and make the most of your stay.
One of the easiest ways to get around Washington, DC is by using the Metro system. Different train lines are coded by color, making it simple to navigate your route via map (https://www.wmata.com/schedules/maps/upload/2017-System-Map.pdf). All Metro stations, rail cars, and Metro buses are accessible for those using a wheelchair. The closest Metro stop to the Convention Center is the Mount Vernon Square-7th Street-Convention Center Station, located directly at the Convention Center. This station serves the Green and Yellow Metro Lines. If you would like to transfer to a different line, the Metro Center Station and Gallery Place stations, which serve all additional lines, are less than a 1 mile walk away. Just remember, when riding Metro escalators the rule is stand on the right, walk on the left!
Metro is by far the cheapest option for getting around DC and the surrounding area with trips on average costing from $2 to $6 depending on the time of day and distance traveled. If you need assistance planning your Metro ride, the Metro Trip Planner (https://www.wmata.com/schedules/trip-planner/) can be a big help! However, be aware that if you are traveling to Old Town Alexandria, these stations will be closed during the ALA Conference. While buses will be running among the closed metro stations, you should expect delays.
All three major airports that serve Washington, DC are accessible either by Metro rail or a Metro bus lines. The Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) is served by the Blue and Yellow Metro lines; the Yellow line will take you to the Convention Center. From Thurgood Marshall Baltimore- Washington International Airport (BWI) take Metrobus B30 (BWI Express) to the Greenbelt Metro station then hop on the Green line, which also goes to the Convention Center. No Metro rail lines serve the Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD), but you can catch Metrobus 5A to L’Enfant Plaza and then transfer to the Green or Yellow lines. Both Metro buses and rail lines accept SmarTrip cards (a worthy investment!), which can be purchased at all Metro stations. If paying cash on buses, you must have exact change.
Those taking Amtrak trains into DC will arrive at Union Station. Here, you can transfer to Metro’s Red line in the direction of Shady Grove, and then to the Green and Yellow lines at the Gallery Place/Chinatown station.
If you are driving to the Convention Center, finding parking may be difficult and you will likely need to pay to park in a garage. Day rates for parking average around $15 dollars, though there are many lots in the area to choose from (http://www.dcconvention.com/Venues/GettingHere/Convention-Center-Parking-Map-2011.aspx). If possible, reserving a parking space ahead of time is a good bet as you won’t have to worry about finding an open lot and often you can lock in a cheaper price by paying in advance. Parking Panda (https://www.parkingpanda.com/washington-dc-convention-center-parking) and Spot Hero (https://spothero.com/washington-dc/walter-e-washington-convention-center-parking) are two popular options to try. If you opt for on-street parking, download the Parkmobile app to pay instead of feeding the meter. Parking times vary from 2 to 4 hours and in most spots you will be able to extend your time through the app.
One great way to explore popular DC landmarks in your free time is by Circulator bus (https://www.dccirculator.com/). Rides are currently free of charge and bus routes can take you to the National Mall, the National Zoo, Georgetown, Adams Morgan, and Eastern Market. Routes are limited, though, so you may need to take the Metro to a Circulator stop.
Like other major cities, taxis and ride services such as Uber and Lyft are readily available. If you are looking forward to exploring some of Washington, DC’s nightlife, you may wish to plan on one of these options as the Metro closes relatively early at 11:30PM Monday through Thursday, 1:00AM Friday and Saturday, and 11:00PM on Sunday.
We hope that you enjoy your stay in DC! Remember, if you need assistance in finding your way around during the conference, look for an ALSC Local Arrangements volunteer and we can help direct you!
Today’s guest blogger is Diana Price. Dianna is the Youth Services Manager at Alexandria Library in Alexandria, Virginia. She is extremely fond of tea, dogs, and Scottish Country Dance. Diana wrote this blog post as a member of the Local Arrangements Committee.