Prepare for Cherry Blossoms this weekend with directions and transit advice

March 27, 10:26 PMDC Transportation ExaminerKatherine M. Hill

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It seems too cold for Cherry Blossom season to start this weekend, but the theoretical proof that spring is here is forging on, despite the dreary weather DC residents have been forced to withstand this week. The blossoms guarantee crowds nonetheless. So you've been warned and reminded, DC.(Get There points out a silver lining: no track work this weekend!) Expect Blue and Orange trains to be packed. Expect some delays and general slowness, too. (Drivers will find similar characteristics at 14th Street and Constitution and Independence Avenues.) Because there will be so many people, Metro is operating more trains, with more cars, and extending hours. It's better to stay away, and Metro agrees:

Visitors should avoid traveling during the peak commuter periods from 5:30 to 9:30 a.m. and 3 to 7 p.m., and are strongly encouraged to avoid traveling Metrorail at the height of the afternoon peak period, from 4 to 6 p.m.

Regular commuters, especially those who work for the federal government and whose offices are in the vicinity of the Smithsonian Metrorail station, which is the most popular station for tourists arriving at the National Mall, are urged to stagger their arrival and departure times for work and use all downtown Metrorail stations.

Regular commuters should allow extra time for travel, and are reminded when traveling on Metrorail to please walk into the center of the rail car and not block the rail car doors.

Everyone should keep in mind that the red line will be running on one rail all weekend.

As for visitors, Metro and I agree that you should get an all day pass ($7.80, all day on weekends and after 9:30 on weekdays). Stay to the right on stairs and escalators, and please, stand back from the platform.

You'll also need to pay for parking at Metro, and Meto will require that you purchase a SmartTrip card.

Also, dear visitors, I thought I might try and help you with directions. Below are the how-tos of reaching various points of interests during the celebration's fesitivites.

Bike and Roll Kiosk
Address: 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW (rear plaza on 12th Street)
The Bike and Roll headquarters is located a block and half from the National Mall. It's near the Old Post Office Pavilion in Historic Penn Quarter. You can reach the kiosk using Federal Triangle on the Blue and Orange lines. Make a "U-turn" at the escalator and cross 12th street from the station's exit.

DC Visitor Information Center
Address: 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
You can reach the Center through a covered passage way connected to Federal Triangle on the Blue and Orange lines. Metro Center on the Red Line is two blocks away, and Smithsonian is walking distance (also on Blue and Orange lines).

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
Address: 1850 West Basin Dr SW
The memorial is in West Potomac Park near the Tidal Basin at the corners of Independence Avenue, West Basin Drive, and Ohio Drive, SW. You can get here taking the Blue and Orange lines using the Smithsonian stop, but the walk is 0.8 miles. Walk west on Independence Avenue.

Grand Hyatt at Washington Center
Address: 1000 H Street, NW
An entrance to the hotel is near the Metro Center exit. Metro Center is on the Red Light.

Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens
Address: 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW
Van Ness/UDC Metro station on the Red Line is an estimated 20 minute walk from the museum. The museum advises, "From the Metro exit on the east side of Connecticut Avenue, walk south on Connecticut toward Van Ness Auto Care and turn left onto Upton Street. Turn right onto Linnean Avenue. The entrance to the estate will be on the left."

Historical Society of Washington, D.C.
Address: 801 K Street, NW
Walk two blocks south from Mount Vernon Sq/7th St-Convention Center Metro Station on the Yellow and Green lines or two blocks north from Gallery Pl-Chinatown Metro station on the Green, Yellow and Red lines.

Japan Information and Culture Center (Embassy of Japan)
Address: 1155 21st Street NW
The Center is four blocks from Farragut North on the Red Line. Walk north on Connecticut Ave NW toward L St NW. Turn LEFT on L Street. Walk four blocks and turn RIGHT on 21st Street. OR the Center is four blocks from Farragut West on the Blue and Orange lines: Walk north on 17th Street NW, and continue to Connecticut Avenue NW. Turn LEFT on L Street NW and walk for four blocks. Turn RIGHT at 21st Street NW.

Thomas Jefferson Memorial
Address: 12th Street and Independence Avenue SW
The Memorial is a 15 minute walk from the Smithsonian station on the Blue and Orange lines.

JFK Hockey & Soccer Fields
Address: Independence Avenue & 17th Street, SW
The field is near the Lincoln Memorial (here's a map).

Madame Tussauds Washington DC
Address: 1025 F Street, NW
Metro Center is probably the closest station, on the Blue, Red, and Orange lines. Walk south on 13th St NW toward F Street NW. Turn LEFT at F Street.

National Building Museum
Address: 401 F Street, NW
NBM is across the street from Judiciary Square station on the Red Line.

National Geographic Museum at Explorers Hall
Address: 1145 Seventeenth Street, NW
The museum is walking distance from Farragut North on the Red Line. Walk one block, north, on Connecticut Avenue. Turn RIGHT on Desales Street NW and walk one block.

National Japanese American Memorial
Address: D Street & New Jersey Avenue, NW
You can reach the Memorial using Capitol South on the Blue and Orange lines. Head south on 1st Street toward D Street. Turn RIGHT on D Street.

Newseum
Address: 555 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
You can reach the Newseum on the Red, Yellow, Green, Orange, and Blue lines. Visit the Newseum's webpage for directions.

Smithsonian Institution, Arthur M. Sackler Gallery + Freer Gallery of Art
Address: 1050 Independence Avenue, SW (Handicap accessible entrance to the Freer Gallery is located on Independence Avenue at 12th Street, SW) The Freer Gallery of Art is located at Jefferson Drive at 12th Street, SW.
Smithsonian Metro stop is very close to both museums. (See map.)

Tidal Basin Paddle Boat House
Address: 1501 Maine Avenue, SW
I'll let the Boat House direct you from the Smithsonian stop on the Orange and Blue lines: "...use the 12th Street & Independence Ave.exit. Walk west on Independence toward 15th Street. Turn left on Raoul Wallenberg Pl./15th Street and continue toward the Jefferson Memorial and look for the Tidal Basin Paddle Boat dock." 

U.S. National Arboretum
Address: 3501 New York Avenue, NE
The Arboretum advises you take the Metrorail and Metrobus so I'll let them take this one: "On weekdays: The closest Metrorail subway stop is Stadium Armory Station on the Blue and Orange lines. Transfer to the B2 Metrobus; disembark the bus on Bladensburg Road at Rand Street, just past the Arboretum sign on the right. Walk back to sign at R Street and walk down R Street 2 blocks to Arboretum entrance. Click here to see the schedule."

United States Navy Memorial
Address: 701 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Take Archives-Navy Memorial Penn Quarter on the Green and Yellow lines. Head to 7th Street from the exit, turning right from Indiana Avenue NW. Head to the end of the block, and turn LEFT on D Street.

Union Station
Address: 55 Massachusetts Avenue, NE
Good news! This is on the red line. It's accessible by Metrobus, Metrorail, and Circulator.

Washington Marina
1300 Maine Avenue, SW
The Marina is 0.7 miles from L'enfant Plaza:

Washington Monument
Constitution Ave. & 17th St., NW
You can get here on nearly every line. See the National Parks' page for extensive details.