DC for the 4th of July?

[nolemom]

My daughter is attending a camp at the University of Maryland starting July 6 and we are contemplating spending the 4th in DC. We can stay at a relative's home in Fairfax, but my question is concerning the fireworks at the Mall. Does anyone have any advice or pointers to make the day go smoothly?

[Cataboo]

Take the metro. Get there early. And have oodles of patience. Bring sunscreen.

I guess it depends on what sort of experience you want and where you want to be to see the fireworks. If you or your family kayak at all and aren't interested in the sitting on the mall listening to bands experience - consider renting boats and just watching the fireworks from the river. Just keep in mind to raft up as a group and realize that there will be a lot of drunken power boaters on the river with the same idea (watching the fireworks)...

[ny biker]

There will be rules about things you're not allowed to bring through the security checkpoints.

Here's some information to get you started.

http://dc.about.com/od/specialevents/a/4thofJuly.htm

http://dc.about.com/od/4thofjuly/a/GettingtoMall.htm

Bring plenty of non-alcoholic beverages, and expect it to be hot. Though you're from Florida, so maybe for you it will be cool? ;)

There might be bike valet parking provided by www.waba.org. I don't see it on their website yet.

[Koronin]

We just got back from DC. The entire mall area around the reflecting pool is totally torn up. They have ripped up the reflecting pool and totally redoing it. I would hope it is fixed by then, but there is also other construction work going on in that area. So just giving a heads up in case it's not finished by the 4th. Definitely take the metro. After 3 days of using it we finally were getting pretty confident with it. OH and if anyone gets motion sickness at all get something to take. I did not realize I would get so sick on it so quickly and had to call my sister to find out what I could buy to take. Ended up getting Dramamine and it worked great for me....no more motion sickness on the train.

[meganm]

The 4th in DC became a hassle post 9/11. My recommendation would eb to avoid the mall and the other "secured" areas and watch all of it on TV.

[Jolt]

Can't really help you with any of the details as I have never been there, but I would tend to agree with the person who said it sounds like a hassle in these post 9/11 days. The kayak idea might be good...then you'd be away from the crowds. I've done the 4th in Boston a couple of times (a friend wanted to go and talked me into it) and because I was familiar with the area and ready to move fast at the end of the fireworks, was able to strategize how to avoid the worst of the mob scene. However, I don't think I would go to an event like that in an area I was not familiar with--too stressful to be stuck in a crowd and not know where to go. If you'll be with anyone who knows the area they might be able to help you avoid that scenario. Otherwise, I second the recommendation to watch it on TV!

[Cataboo]

Despite having lived close to it all my life, I've never actually done the 4th of july in DC. I've only seen the cherry blossoms twice - this year by kayak and that's the way to do it. Crowds irritate me.

I have done a couple events in DC in the last year - the rally to restore sanity & the white house easter egg roll... And yes, you need a lot of patience with the added security and just the difficulty getting into the city - but it's not all that bad. Just make a day of it and get there early. But at the end of it all - You are on the national mall by the monuments watching fireworks... When else will you have the chance? I still get a thrill anytime I drive/bike/kayak around DC and see the monuments and that's despite having seen them most of my life.

If your friends that you are staying with have no desire to go into DC, but are willing to chaffuer you - that might be a good option. They can just drop you in as close as they can, and you can walk from there to get a good spot. I know with the rally to restore sanity, the metro system was overwhelmed... People were getting on to go outbound from the inner stations and then riding the metro in when it turned around - so trains were arriving at the inner stations full... Lines were horrendous to get on the trains. So leave early.

There are a few towns around DC that also have nice 4th of July celebrations - so if you want to considerate that, Frederick does a nice one:
http://www.celebratefrederick.com/Events/Index.aspx?page=200

[Possegal]

We just got back from DC. The entire mall area around the reflecting pool is totally torn up. They have ripped up the reflecting pool and totally redoing it. I would hope it is fixed by then, but there is also other construction work going on in that area.

The reflecting pool work is to take another year I believe.

[Koronin]

Thanks Possegal.

[nolemom]

Thanks for all of the advice. We are still considering our options and luckily we don't have to commit until the last minute. My DH and I will be riding most of the time my daughter is at her camp. Planning several days in Philly, riding in the Lancaster area and then finishing up the trip with Virginia and the Skyline Drive. I'm trying to ride every hill in central Florida in preparation.:o

[Cataboo]

Thanks for all of the advice. We are still considering our options and luckily we don't have to commit until the last minute. My DH and I will be riding most of the time my daughter is at her camp. Planning several days in Philly, riding in the Lancaster area and then finishing up the trip with Virginia and the Skyline Drive. I'm trying to ride every hill in central Florida in preparation.:o

DC does have a city bike program & the trails around DC & along the potomac are actually quite nice.