Parking and safety in Arlington

[Carol R. Beigel]

Coming to Arlington (Washington, D.C. across the river!) is unlike visiting
any other place in the United States.  Even in New York City, I bet a higher
percentage of the population speak English as their native language than in
Arlington Virginia!  A cross section of the entire world is what you will
find in our area - a very diverse, vibrant and tolerant community of about 3
million people plus thousands of tourists - so I figure most of you will
experience some culture shock.

You will be coming to the Capital of the free world, and it is NOT cheap.
Two things you don't cut corners on around here is your personal safety and
the safety of your car.  Pay the $18 per day parking - it's cheaper than
replacing your car or having to fetch it from some impoundment lot!!  If you
come into BWI airport, just budget two hours and $45 to get to Crystal City.
If you come on the 4th of July, remember that at least 500,000 other people
will be gathering on the Mall  (the federal area between the Capitol and
Lincoln Memorial) for the national celebration and fireworks at the
Washington Monument.  They will be clogging the Metro stations more and more
as the day wears on, and it will take 2-3 hours to empty the city after the
fireworks.

However, there's no place like D.C. - anywhere!  You are safe, day and
night, on the Mall and in the underground Metro (subway) system.  Also,
Pentagon City Mall, and Crystal City itself.  It is okay to travel around by
yourself, but it is even better to take a buddy.  The Smithsonian closes
around 5:00 pm each day, but a walk along the Mall, visiting the Lincoln and
Vietnam Memorials or the Capitol all lit up at night can be beautiful.

The area also has 700 miles of bicycle trails. There is good bicycle riding
along the Potomac River all the way to Mount Vernon, George Washington's
home.  And of course, good biking along the Mall!  There is also a place to
rent kyaks (near Dykes Marsh) if you want to sample the Potomac. If you want
to see the ocean, the Atlantic is about a 2 1/2 hour drive , but don't plan
on spending the night at the beach that weekend without an advance
reservation!  There are 4 factory outlet centers at Rehobeth Beach, and no
sales tax in Deleware, and Assateague Island at Ocean City in Maryland has
those little ponies.

If you are only staying a few days for the Convention, you will have more
than you can possibly see just visiting the Mall (Smithsonian, Capitol,
Memorials, etc.) and shopping at the Pentagon City Mall.  All are accessible
by subway and you will be safe.  Parking is free along the Mall starting at
10:00 am, but spaces go fast.  Don't even think about parking illegally.  We
drive like most people play hockey, so stick with Metro to get around!
Probably why we have some of the highest car insurance rates anywhere!

Happy trails!

Carol Beigel, RPT
Greenbelt, Maryland
10 miles East of the White House