What is the best option travelling Washington DC alone?

Question

I'd be going to Washington DC alone. Will it be a good idea to travel by just Metro rail and walk around by myself or joining a tour? I'm considering the Old Trolley Tour.. Any advice? Thanks.

Answer 1

The Old Town Trolley Tour is a little on the boring side if you ask me. I'd recommend taking the Monuments by Moonlight tour (check any search engine for listings) instead, then hitting the Metro. The touristy parts of DC are plenty safe for walking, as long as you keep your common sense with you; of course you don't want to wander down dark alleys after midnight but that's true anywhere you go.

Also check out the Walking tours. Some of these I'd recommend doing in a group, but because they're walking tours, you'll like them more than riding around and seeing the monuments from a distance. The U Street and DuPont guided tours are excellent and take you through some of the most vibrant AND historical parts of the city. And the self-guided Adams Morgan tour is very fun and informative; it goes through one of the hippest, livliest neighborhoods in the city. You can go at your own pace and do some window-shopping or stop for a glass of wine along the way; just avoid this neighborhood after about 8pm on Thurs-Saturdays as it's the super-trendy nightclub district and the sidewalks are jammed to the point that it's unpleasant!

Answer 2

I wander around DC by myself often - in fact I was there last night without a problem. Use common sense like in any other big city.

Because so many of the memorials are rather spread out, If you are interested in the monuments - I recommend that you take a tour to get oriented - and then you can use the Metro to revisit the places that interest you the most. The museums are pretty much all within walking distance of each other on the National Mall - reachable from a couple of different Metro stops (and the system is very easy to figure out as well as being the simplest way to get from place to place).
Someone else mentioned the Monuments by Moonlight tour offered by Old Town Trolley. It's very inspiring to see the monuments lit up at night......and its much more convenient than having to hop on and off the subway a dozen times.

Answer 3

I visited DC alone several times last spring, and had a great time. Just use common sense, and you will be fine. There is so much security there, especially the Capital Hill area, that you can hardly walk without see a police car. The metro is great and very convenient. It's fun to do the walking tours, or a bike tour, or even a Segway tour. You really learn alot more than just doing it on your own. If you have an IPOD, you can also down load walking tours of DC at Itunes that are great.

Answer 4

Monuments and memorials, diverse neighbourhoods, true regional taste this is what Washington, DC is; a place unlike some other; the same as this website hotelbye . Washington it's your property away from home with free museums and America's entrance yard. Washington is recognized all over the world as a symbol of the United States. Here, the area you can't skip is the Capitol. Capitol is the seat of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The enormous dome, based on the dome of St. Peter's in Rome, stands apart most importantly other Washington buildings. Like Washington itself, the building has developed over time since the main section was created between 1793 and 1812. The last supplement, in 1958-62, enlarged the key façade wherever presidents take the oath. On another area, a marble terrace offers lovely views on the mall and the city. The interior is resplendent with frescoes, reliefs, and paintings, particularly the rotunda underneath the great cast-iron dome with a roof painting by Constantino Brumidi and huge paintings of views from American record on the walls.

Answer 5

Taffieng

DO NOT ...REPEAT.... Do not wander around DC alone, I was stationed @ Marine Barracks as Commander of the 3709th Military Police Battalion for many years and I know the city very well!
Stay in the tourist areas if possible. The Old Trolley Tour is fun and very informative and you will be safe....You probably know that DC has the highest homicide rate in the country! If you like the club scene, then stay on "M" street...bars and clubs for six blocks!!
DC has some of the best shopping and most varied restaurants in the US....you stay away from the bad areas and you will be fine.

Answer 6

I've lived in DC for over 10 years and I have never had any problems with metro rail, or walking around during the day. I'd suggest doing the museums and other stuff on your own (then you can do them at your own pace). Then maybe for night-time activities you can join a tour. I wouldn't suggest wandering around downtown by yourself after like 8pm. Except for sections such as Georgetown or Dupont Circle (they're pretty safe places to go out at night and there's ton's of people and shops).

Also it depends on your comfort with cities - if you come from a small town and this is your first big city visit - then I'd say, stick to the tour groups. However, you'll probably enjoy yourself more by exploring on your own/ at your own pace. I personally hate tour groups, it's like being herded around like sheep and if you've got annoying people in the group, then your stuck with them.

Answer 7

I think it depends on how comfortable and secure you feel traveling alone.

The Rail system seems to be pretty good in my opinion and it stops at all the major sites. I wouldn't venture on the bus though, unless, again you feel comfortable.

Why not do the tour and then if that doesn't cover enough take the train to other places? You may meet some nice people on the tour.

Either way enjoy your trip! :)

Answer 8

Explore on your own. The metro goes to all the tourist areas, and a lot of sites are close together (such as the memorials). I really don't know any reason to join a tour.