Sunday, November 7, 2010
A Guide to Taxi's in the DC Area
The DC metropolitan area is made up of cities and counties in Maryland, Northern Virginia, and the District of Columbia. With so many different jurisdictions involved, taxi rates can be rather variable, depending on where the cab company is licensed. It can be hard to find rate information all in one place, so I've put together this page over at dctransitguide.com.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Running and Biking in Arlington: The Mount Vernon Trail
I'm living in Arlington, and I like to run when I can to keep in shape. When I have the time and the sunlight, it is nice to take the time to get off of the streets and sidewalks, and onto the trails. One such trail is the Mount Vernon trail. This is an 18 mile trail, running from Arlington (in Rosslyn) to Mount Vernon. The trail also has easy access points near the Arlington Cemetery, Reagan National Airport, and Braddock Road.
The trail is heavily used for bicycling (so if that's what you're after, it should be a great, mostly flat ride!) So far I've only used it for running, but the trip along the Potomac river gives some wonderful views of the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Capitol, and Thomas Jefferson Memorial. The trail goes right by Reagan National airport, within easy walking distance of Arlington Cemetery, and through Old Town Alexandria too!
An additional bonus is Theodore Roosevelt Island, which is at the trail head in Arlington. A short, pedestrian only bridge (no bikes) will bring you over to a wooded island with a couple miles of walking/running trails, and a monument for Theodore Roosevelt.
The picture above is a view from the Mt. Vernon Trail of the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument from across the Potomac.
The trail is heavily used for bicycling (so if that's what you're after, it should be a great, mostly flat ride!) So far I've only used it for running, but the trip along the Potomac river gives some wonderful views of the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Capitol, and Thomas Jefferson Memorial. The trail goes right by Reagan National airport, within easy walking distance of Arlington Cemetery, and through Old Town Alexandria too!
An additional bonus is Theodore Roosevelt Island, which is at the trail head in Arlington. A short, pedestrian only bridge (no bikes) will bring you over to a wooded island with a couple miles of walking/running trails, and a monument for Theodore Roosevelt.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Farmers Markets in the DC Area
I'm a big fan of farmers markets. Without having a car in the DC metro area, getting high quality product from a grocery store can be a challenge, or can be expensive. Getting your week's vegetables and fruits (apples, pears, and cider are in season right now!) directly from the farmer is an excellent choice.
I found this list of market locations and times covering the whole metro area.
Working and living in Arlington, I want to mention the markets I have frequented myself:
I found this list of market locations and times covering the whole metro area.
Working and living in Arlington, I want to mention the markets I have frequented myself:
- On Wednesdays there is a market around the Clarendon Metro Station (between Wilson and Clarendon Boulevards). This market always seems to be well attended
- On Thursdays, the park at Welburn Square (on North Stuart Street, just west of the Ballston Metro Station) hosts a farmers market. I have seen the park full of vendors, and almost empty, so this one can be a bit of a hit or miss.
- The Arlington Farmers Market is held on Saturdays on North Courthouse Road. The market is actually located about a block south of the Courthouse Metro Station, and is probably the larger of the Arlington farmers markets that I have attended. Closer to the Metro Station, Courthouse also hosts a weekly Flea Market on Saturdays (don't be confused when you notice that there is no food at this market; they are separate events, and you need to head south about a block to get the farmers markets).
Sunday, October 31, 2010
DC Transit Guide
The DC Transit system isn't always simple to navigate... especially for newcomers to the area. I'm creating a new site, dctransitguide.com to help people figure out the best options they have available to get around. It will contain some of the information from previous posts on this blog, but should also evolve into a substantial entity on its own.
Monday, October 25, 2010
The Rally to Restore Sanity and the March to Keep Fear Alive
It's no secret that Jon Stewart is coming to Washington D.C.'s National Mall this Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. The Rally to Restore Sanity's official page is here.
It's also no secret that on the same day, and at the same time, Steven Colbert will be holding a March to Keep Fear Alive. The march's information can be found on this site.
There's not a whole lot more to say that hasn't been said. It should be an exciting event, so if you're in the area, make sure to go!
It's also no secret that on the same day, and at the same time, Steven Colbert will be holding a March to Keep Fear Alive. The march's information can be found on this site.
There's not a whole lot more to say that hasn't been said. It should be an exciting event, so if you're in the area, make sure to go!
DC's Metrorail
One of the easiest ways to get around the DC metro area is on the subway. Metrorail, usually just referred to as the metro, is part of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). You pay with a card which you load with money at a station, and use that card to get into and out of the system. There is a fee for both entry and exit, and you need to use the same card for both, so you can't share and you can't lose your card.
The WMATA's website provides a map of the metro system on its website. It's worth clicking the "Google Map" button on the upper right to compare the pictorial metro map to the real layout of the rails. The important point to note is that not all stations are physically spaced or located as the first map may lead you to believe. Stations in the center of DC and Arlington tend to be close to each other, while those farther away from the busiest areas are farther away from each other as well. If you zoom in on the map you can see several of the exterior stations have a car icon signifying the ability to (pay to) park.
The traditonal metro card, called a Farecard has a magnetic strip and is inserted into the front of the entry carousels. Cards with low value left can be loaded onto new cards, or may be increased at the Addfare machines. There is a warning on these cards saying to keep them away from magnetic devices and other magnetic strips. This includes devices like your cellphone, and is important. In my experience the cards are very easy to wipe out, and more often than not the station managers won't be able to get them working again. You can go to Metro Center (a stop on the Orange, Blue, and Red lines) to get your value loaded onto a new card, but this is an inconvenience at best.
I have found that the SmarTrip card is a good solution to the problem of magnetic cards. It is a proximity card, so you just wave it above a sensor and are good to go (unfortunately, it isn't strong enough to read through my wallet). You can load the card with up to $300, and if you happen to lose it, you can recover the funds if you register the card beforehand (so make sure you do). It's even accepted by many other transit systems in the area, and saves you $0.25 on each ride you take on the metro. The only downside to the card is the $5 cost. If you're briefly visiting, it may not be worthwhile, but if you're in DC for good, or planning to return soon, it's probably a wise investment. You can buy your card online at the site above, and have it mailed to you before your move or visit (that's what I did).
The metro's schedule, price, and amount of traffic (especially amount of traffic) vary throughout the day. The 'regular fare' is in effect weekdays opening-9:30 a.m. and 3-7 p.m., as well as weekends midnight to closing. There is a reduced fee all other times. Finally, there is an extra $0.20 charge during the so called 'peak-of-the-peak', which is weekdays 7:30-9 a.m. and 4:30-6 p.m. The actual fare varies based on where you get on and where you get off. Trip Planner can help you figure out the actual cost. Unlike some other cities there are no month passes. A day pass is available, with some travel time limitations. More information about available cards can be found here.
As I mentioned, the frequency of trains also varies. During the 'peak-of-the-peak' trains are very frequent, and you won't have to wait much more than 10 min. They normally come back-to-back, only 2 or 3 min apart, so if you want a less busy train, it may be worth the short extra wait (see the schedule boards for exact arrival times). During the morning there are a lot of people traveling into DC, and in the evening there are a lot traveling out. If you can 'back-commute' (and head say, from DC to Arlington in the morning, and Arlington to DC in the evening) then you'll be smugly watching people get crammed into trains going the other direction. If you must travel with the general flow of people, it may be worth the trouble to avoid the peak-of-the-peak travel times.
Hopefully this gives you some insight into using the Metro! Let me know if you have any other Metro questions!
The WMATA's website provides a map of the metro system on its website. It's worth clicking the "Google Map" button on the upper right to compare the pictorial metro map to the real layout of the rails. The important point to note is that not all stations are physically spaced or located as the first map may lead you to believe. Stations in the center of DC and Arlington tend to be close to each other, while those farther away from the busiest areas are farther away from each other as well. If you zoom in on the map you can see several of the exterior stations have a car icon signifying the ability to (pay to) park.
The traditonal metro card, called a Farecard has a magnetic strip and is inserted into the front of the entry carousels. Cards with low value left can be loaded onto new cards, or may be increased at the Addfare machines. There is a warning on these cards saying to keep them away from magnetic devices and other magnetic strips. This includes devices like your cellphone, and is important. In my experience the cards are very easy to wipe out, and more often than not the station managers won't be able to get them working again. You can go to Metro Center (a stop on the Orange, Blue, and Red lines) to get your value loaded onto a new card, but this is an inconvenience at best.
I have found that the SmarTrip card is a good solution to the problem of magnetic cards. It is a proximity card, so you just wave it above a sensor and are good to go (unfortunately, it isn't strong enough to read through my wallet). You can load the card with up to $300, and if you happen to lose it, you can recover the funds if you register the card beforehand (so make sure you do). It's even accepted by many other transit systems in the area, and saves you $0.25 on each ride you take on the metro. The only downside to the card is the $5 cost. If you're briefly visiting, it may not be worthwhile, but if you're in DC for good, or planning to return soon, it's probably a wise investment. You can buy your card online at the site above, and have it mailed to you before your move or visit (that's what I did).
The metro's schedule, price, and amount of traffic (especially amount of traffic) vary throughout the day. The 'regular fare' is in effect weekdays opening-9:30 a.m. and 3-7 p.m., as well as weekends midnight to closing. There is a reduced fee all other times. Finally, there is an extra $0.20 charge during the so called 'peak-of-the-peak', which is weekdays 7:30-9 a.m. and 4:30-6 p.m. The actual fare varies based on where you get on and where you get off. Trip Planner can help you figure out the actual cost. Unlike some other cities there are no month passes. A day pass is available, with some travel time limitations. More information about available cards can be found here.
As I mentioned, the frequency of trains also varies. During the 'peak-of-the-peak' trains are very frequent, and you won't have to wait much more than 10 min. They normally come back-to-back, only 2 or 3 min apart, so if you want a less busy train, it may be worth the short extra wait (see the schedule boards for exact arrival times). During the morning there are a lot of people traveling into DC, and in the evening there are a lot traveling out. If you can 'back-commute' (and head say, from DC to Arlington in the morning, and Arlington to DC in the evening) then you'll be smugly watching people get crammed into trains going the other direction. If you must travel with the general flow of people, it may be worth the trouble to avoid the peak-of-the-peak travel times.
Hopefully this gives you some insight into using the Metro! Let me know if you have any other Metro questions!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
The DC Metro isn't Perfect
I'm planning to write an article about actually using the Metrorail system soon. It can be a very good way to get around, but it's got its share of problems. I wanted to share this link that I ran across today for those who are interested in what's not so great about the metro system.
Getting To Washington D.C. by Air
If you look anywhere, you'll see that there are three commercial airports that service the DC area. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). Having three airports in the area makes getting anywhere in the country, or even outside the country, a reasonably painless process. But beware -- the airports are by no means created equal, in terms of cost or convenience, so it's worth some discussion about which to choose and why.
DCA goes by the name Regan or National, depending on how long the person you are talking with has been in the area. It is by far the easiest airport to get to (the Blue Line of Metrorail goes directly to it). It's also the smallest of the three airports, and because of its convenience and size, flights tend to get expensive quickly (so book early). Despite the monetary cost, it's worth weighing the time and cost involved in getting to the DC area airports when searching for flights. If you're taking the 5A Metrobus to Dulles, for example, you'll be looking at $12 and an extra hours of travel time. These implications may tilt the scale toward Regan despite cost.
IAD, know as Dulles, is the largest airport in the area. It is a hub for United, and has flights pretty much everywhere you could want to go. Unfortunately, though, Dulles is located 26 miles west of DC, and without a car or a ride from a friend, it is less than trivial to get to since Metrorail doesn't get there (not yet; the Silver Line, under construction, will end up connecting IAD with the rest of the Metrorail system). A list of ground transportation options is available here.
If you have some time to spare, and are traveling during its hours of operation, taking the 5A[pdf] Metrobus can be the most cost effective way of getting to the airport (downfalls are the 40-60 minute trip and the once-per-hour schedule). In my experience, a taxi will generally be in the $50-60 range; pricey for an individual, but okay in a group of 3 or 4. The SuperShuttle is another viable Washington Dulles airport transportation service, in which you travel with of group going to nearby destinations for a reasonable per-person price, so it's better than a taxi for an individual, but worse if you're traveling with others.
BWI is 30 miles north of DC, and is the most difficult of the airports to get to. It is a hub for AirTran, and a major airport for SouthWest (which can be a big plus). It is also often the cheapest place to fly into or out of (but not cheapest for getting to on the ground from DC in terms of time or money). BWI airport ground transportation options can be found here. Most options are similar to those at Dulles.
One option is to take the Metrorail's Green Line to Greenbelt Station, and then take the B30 Metrobus to the airport. This works fine, but can be a long process, depending where on the Metrorail system you start. Another good option is the MARC train to and from Union Station (accessible by Metrorail). Check the schedules before you make your choices. I found out the hard way, that the MARC doesn't run Sunday nights, and the Amtrak was a 40 minute wait. Fortunately, I was able to grab a taxi with others in the same situation.
A taxi to or from BWI, in my experience, can be $75 to $90. Again, this can be okay in a group, but would be steep for an individual. During heavy traffic the trip can take a long time (so make sure you build in an extra hour), but with no traffic it's not too bad. Again, the SuperShuttle is an option which can be practical if you are an individual traversing to DC.
If you have any other tips for flying into or out of DC, leave a comment and let me know. Hopefully this helps you plan your trip!
DCA goes by the name Regan or National, depending on how long the person you are talking with has been in the area. It is by far the easiest airport to get to (the Blue Line of Metrorail goes directly to it). It's also the smallest of the three airports, and because of its convenience and size, flights tend to get expensive quickly (so book early). Despite the monetary cost, it's worth weighing the time and cost involved in getting to the DC area airports when searching for flights. If you're taking the 5A Metrobus to Dulles, for example, you'll be looking at $12 and an extra hours of travel time. These implications may tilt the scale toward Regan despite cost.
IAD, know as Dulles, is the largest airport in the area. It is a hub for United, and has flights pretty much everywhere you could want to go. Unfortunately, though, Dulles is located 26 miles west of DC, and without a car or a ride from a friend, it is less than trivial to get to since Metrorail doesn't get there (not yet; the Silver Line, under construction, will end up connecting IAD with the rest of the Metrorail system). A list of ground transportation options is available here.
If you have some time to spare, and are traveling during its hours of operation, taking the 5A[pdf] Metrobus can be the most cost effective way of getting to the airport (downfalls are the 40-60 minute trip and the once-per-hour schedule). In my experience, a taxi will generally be in the $50-60 range; pricey for an individual, but okay in a group of 3 or 4. The SuperShuttle is another viable Washington Dulles airport transportation service, in which you travel with of group going to nearby destinations for a reasonable per-person price, so it's better than a taxi for an individual, but worse if you're traveling with others.
BWI is 30 miles north of DC, and is the most difficult of the airports to get to. It is a hub for AirTran, and a major airport for SouthWest (which can be a big plus). It is also often the cheapest place to fly into or out of (but not cheapest for getting to on the ground from DC in terms of time or money). BWI airport ground transportation options can be found here. Most options are similar to those at Dulles.
One option is to take the Metrorail's Green Line to Greenbelt Station, and then take the B30 Metrobus to the airport. This works fine, but can be a long process, depending where on the Metrorail system you start. Another good option is the MARC train to and from Union Station (accessible by Metrorail). Check the schedules before you make your choices. I found out the hard way, that the MARC doesn't run Sunday nights, and the Amtrak was a 40 minute wait. Fortunately, I was able to grab a taxi with others in the same situation.
A taxi to or from BWI, in my experience, can be $75 to $90. Again, this can be okay in a group, but would be steep for an individual. During heavy traffic the trip can take a long time (so make sure you build in an extra hour), but with no traffic it's not too bad. Again, the SuperShuttle is an option which can be practical if you are an individual traversing to DC.
If you have any other tips for flying into or out of DC, leave a comment and let me know. Hopefully this helps you plan your trip!
Welcome
I'm new to the DC metro area (living now in Arlington, VA). There's a lot to know about this area, and a lot of research to do. Hopefully if you're moving into the area or just passing through, my research, postings, tips, and advice here can help make your stay easier.
See you around,
Alex
See you around,
Alex
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