NCVAA :: Travel Information

We will continue to update this page with parking and public transit information for event locations, tourist information to help you enjoy your visit to the nation's capital during the Conference ,and logistical information to aid your travel planning. 

Parking and Public Transit Information

For Friday Evening Reception


Closest Metro Stops: Farragut North (Red Line) or Farragut West (Blue
& Orange Lines)

Central Parking Garage
Entrance located on 18th Street NW between K and L Streets

After 3:00 PM, valet parking is $7.  The garage closes at 11:00 PM.

  

For Saturday Conference
 
Closest Metro Stop: McPherson Square (Blue & Orange Lines)

Garages:
There are two garage options available near the D.C. Bar.
 
Four Points Sheraton Valet Parking
1201 K Street NW, Washington, D.C. (across the street from the D.C. Bar)
Entrace is on K Street between 12th and 13th Streets
Daily Rate $20
Overnite Rate (for hotel guests) $38
Open 24 hours
 
Nation Parking
Entrance is on 11th Street NW between K and I Streets, NW (approximately 2 blocks from D.C. Bar)
Daily Rate $10
On Saturdays, this garage is only open from 6:00 am until 4:00 pm.  After 4:00 pm, you must go through the lobby at 1101 New York Ave. NW to retrieve your car.  1101 New York Ave. is a locked building, but there is a security guard on duty 24 hours/day.  If the guard is not there when you try to enter the building, wait a few minutes, as the guard may be temporarily away from the desk.  We are told that the garage door will open automatically as you exit, but you should confirm with the parking attendant upon arrival before parking there. 
  
Street Parking:
Metered street parking is generally available around the D.C. Bar. However, most street parking is limited to 2 hours. This does not mean you can add money to the meter after 2 hours and remain parked there; you must move your car to another spot or risk being ticketed. Meters charge $2 per hour. Most will allow you to pay by credit card.
 
For Saturday Evening Banquet

Tony Cheng’s Restaurant
619 H Street NW
 
Closest Metro Stop: Gallery Place-Chinatown (Green & Yellow Lines)

Parking in this area is very difficult and there will be a special event nearby. Public transportation or taxis highly recommended.


Tourist Information

Cherry Blossom Festival (March 26-April 10)

http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org

The peak cherry blossom blooming period for 2011 is forecasted for March 29 – April 1, meaning the Conference will take place amidst some of the most unforgettable springtime scenery in America.

The blooming of the cherry trees around the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. has come to symbolize the natural beauty of our nation's capital city. The famous trees, a gift from Japan in 1912, signal Washington’s rite of spring with an explosion of life and color that surrounds the Tidal Basin in a sea of pale pink and white blossoms.

Three Days in D.C.

This is a great guide to visiting D.C. from the Washington Post.

Day 1: An introduction to the National Mall, the monuments and the Smithsonian.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/03/AR2006100300591.html

Day 2: Adventures for families, history buffs, shoppers and people-watchers.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/03/AR2006100300684.html

Day 3: Day trips to Alexandria and Mount Vernon, explorations around Chinatown.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/03/AR2006100300695.html

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C.

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Contact your Member of Congress to request White House tour tickets.

The Capitol

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To book tickets for tours of the Capitol online, visit www.visitthecapitol.gov/Visit/Book%20a%20Tour/Page%20-%20Book%20a%20Tour.html

Smithsonian Museums

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The Smithsonian describes the complex of more than 19 museums, including the American History Museum, Air and Space Museum, and the Natural History Museum.

Airports

There are three airports that serve the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area: Reagan National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), and Baltimore/Washington Airport (BWI).

We highly recommend Reagan National because of its convenient location near the city and major highways, its proximity to the downtown conference location, and on-site access to the Metro. However, flights through Reagan National are limited, and therefore travel through the airport can sometimes be more expensive. Consider flying Southwest into BWI or IAD, or JetBlue into IAD.

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

2400 S. Smith Blvd. (Thomas Ave. and Abington)
Arlington, VA 22202

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Located just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., in Arlington, Virginia. The airport is served by Metro rail and taxis.

Metro rail: The airport is located on the yellow and blue lines of the Metro rail.

Taxis: Taxi fare to downtown D.C. is approximately $15-$20.

Visit the airport's website for additional and detailed information on ground transportation options.

Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)

Aviation Drive and Autopilot Drive
Dulles, VA 20166

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Located 26 miles west of D.C., in suburban Virginia. There is no Metro or train service at the airport, but it is served by taxis, buses, and shuttles.

Shuttles: Super Shuttle, a shared van service, will drop you off anywhere in the metropolitan area for fares averaging $25 per person. For more information, call 1.800.BLUE.VAN or visit www.supershuttle.com.

Taxis: Taxi fare to downtown D.C. is approximately $50 to $65.

Bus: The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority runs an express bus between Dulles and downtown D.C. Fare on the 5A (D.C.-Dulles line) bus, which runs every hour, is $3. Passengers have the choice of being dropped off at several Metro stations, including the L'Enfant Plaza station in D.C. on Metro's blue, orange, green, and yellow lines, as well as the Rosslyn station in Virginia on the blue and orange lines. For more information, visit http://www.wmata.com/bus/timetables/dc/05a.pdf.

Metro rail: The nearest Metro station is the West Falls Church station on the orange line. Direct transportation to this metro station is available for $8 from the Washington Flyer Coach Service. The buses depart every 30 minutes. Tickets can be purchased at a counter located inside door four of the main terminal, on the arrivals/baggage claim level. For more information, visit www.washfly.com/.

Baltimore-Washington International (BWI)

Aviation Blvd. and Elm Road
BWI Airport, MD 21240

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Located 40 miles northeast of the nation's capital, between Baltimore, Md., and Washington, D.C. The airport is served by Amtrak and Maryland commuter trains, as well as taxis, buses, and shuttles.

Shuttles: Super Shuttle, a shared van service, will drop you off anywhere in the metropolitan area for fares averaging $30-$35 per person. For more information, call 1.800.BLUE.VAN or visit www.supershuttle.com.

Bus: The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority runs an express bus connecting the airport and the Greenbelt station on Metro's green line. Fare on the B30 bus, which runs every 40 minutes, is $3. The bus has luggage racks. For more information, visit http://www.wmata.com/bus/timetables/md/b30.pdf.

Taxis: Taxi fare to downtown D.C. is approximately $60.

Trains: Amtrak and commuter rail service trains travel between an off-site rail station and Union Station in Washington, D.C. A free shuttle transports passengers between the airport and the rail station a few miles away, where Amtrak and MARC trains stop. Union Station in Washington, D.C., is on the red line of Metro rail. MARC trains are only available on weekdays.