The ultimate Washington DC Metro map

January 13, 9:04 PMDC Corporate Ethics ExaminerJim Cunningham

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The insider secret to the DC Metro!

Pssst. Wanna know the secret to using the Washington DC Metro system?

It’s the yellow one.

No DC resident, tourist, or visitor should be without the StationMasters Metro Map. I realize there are metro maps in every tourist book, and available for free at metro stations. But, as a newcomer myself, I have found that THIS particular map is unique and invaluable.

In the centerfold is a fairly typical metro map showing the relative locations of each of the stations, the train line colors and transfer points. The rest of the book is an alphabetical directory of each of the stations.

Here comes the good part:

For each station, a map is given showing a 1-mile square around each metro station. This will show the surrounding neighborhood by street name, show the location of important sites and buildings, tourist traps, give information for other nearby transportation options, and even show you which direction the exits will have you facing for those confusing stations with multiple exits. For a visitor or a resident mole like me, who do all traveling by Metro, this puts a huge chunk of the city within quick and easy reach.

It’s available for around $9.00 at local bookstores, but can be hard to find. When I was new(er) I found it difficult to find a book store with a good selection of maps, period. It was even harder to find one that stocked this map. (I ended up getting mine at a Borders.) If you don’t see it on the shelves, ask. It’s always being sold out and replenished, so you may have to find someone to dig you one out of a box in the back. Better yet, order one online from Amazon or SiteMaps.com in advance of your trip.

With this one handy, pocketable, map anything within a quick jaunt of any Metro Station becomes easy turf for even the most intimidated traveler.

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