We will be traveling from Hershey, Pa. to the National Zoo. Should we drive to the zoo or park and take the metro? If so what the best route and to what station?
2007-07-17 11:01:49 · 7 answers · asked by JERRY Z 1 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Washington, D.C.
Best way from Hershey:
Take US 322 West to I-83 South
Take I-83 South and exit onto PA 581 West
At Camp Hill, take US 15 South
US 15 South becomes I-270, take I-270 to Exit 9, I-370 and head straight for the Shady Grove Metro Station. Try to get there early since the lots are usually full by 9 or 10 AM.
The Shady Grove Metro Station takes credit cards for parking and for tickets. The non-rush hour fare is $2.35 and the rush hour fare is $3.90 each way. Take the train for Silver Spring or Glenmont and watch the traffic backup on the roads before the train enters the tunnel. Exit the train at Woodley Park / Zoo and the Zoo entrance is a 5 minute walk away. Repeat process on the way back. Visit the Metro website for information on how to purchase multiple farecards for adults and children with a credit or debit card.
2007-07-17 15:51:58 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is parking at the zoo, but nonetheless taking the metro is an excellent option.
Parking at the zoo costs $4 for the first hour, $12 for two-three hours, and $16 for anything longer than that. There are several lots. The zoo, like all of DC, is very crowded during weekends at this time of year, so I think the attractiveness of parking at the zoo also depends on the time of day you think you're likely to arrive (that is, at how full you think the lots might be). According to the National Zoo's Web site: "The Zoo is a popular destination, and lots fill early in the day during spring break and summer, so we encourage you to take the Metro or arrive by 9:30 (animals are more active early in the day). "
The metro is an excellent option, depending on where you're coming from. The zoo is on the Red Line. The "official" zoo station is "Woodley Park/Adams Morgan/National Zoo" but the zoo is actually midway between two stations: the Woodley Park station and the "Cleveland Park" station. (The latter station is one stop north of Woodley.) I used to live in Woodley and we used to jokingly wonder whether it was the tenant's associations of Cleveland Park who fought (and won) to have the official "zoo" station elsewhere, or the businesses of Woodley who fought (and won) to have "their" neighborhood designated as the official "zoo" station, because the zoo really is halfway between the two stations/neighborhoods. That said, note that the stations are close to one another, and either way, it's only a matter of a three block walk, whichever metro station you use. For arriving to the zoo, I recommend using the Cleveland Park metro station, because the walk from that station to the zoo is level. Because the walk from Woodley to the zoo is uphill....and therefore the walk from the zoo to Woodley is downhill....I suggest you leave using the Woodley station, especially if there are strollers involved.
Enjoy your visit!
2007-07-17 11:25:17 · answer #2 · answered by ljb 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Drive - it's quicker and easier!
You'll just come down 15, which turns into 270.
Take 495 E (the MD side) and get off at Connecticut Ave. (185) - watch it, the exit comes fairly quickly after you get onto 495. Come straight down and the zoo will be on your right.
Traffic isn't nearly as scary as people say. The only problem is that parking at the zoo can get filled, but if you see someone leave a lot just beg the attendant to let you in. Don't let them direct you to street parking - it is only a 2 hr. limit.
Enjoy
2007-07-18 12:10:36 · answer #3 · answered by apbanpos 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Metro. traffic is all jacked up at the Zoo because they are doing road work on the Bridge, parking is scarce and expensive.
it's about 4 long blocks from the posted Station, or you can go one station past and walk back to it,slightly shorter and less of an incline.
2007-07-17 15:22:06 · answer #4 · answered by Mrsjvb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your coming down from Pennsylvania the closest metro stop is Shady Grove Metro station in Rockville, MD they have a new garage so there is plenty of parking. Its a RED LINE end stop but can connect you to the zoo! Have fun!
2016-05-20 22:11:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
METRO. The stop is right there at the zoo! If you drive, you'll probably find a parking spot further away from the zoo itself.
2007-07-18 10:04:26 · answer #6 · answered by mjenkins5808 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DRIVE!!!!! the zoo is a good amount of walking from the station. after you walk the zoo, you are going to be so tired walking back to that station. You will regret it if you take the train. especially in this summer heat. also, the zoo is on a hill, so you are walking an incline......Do yourself a favor and drive.
2007-07-17 11:27:37 · answer #7 · answered by steph_the_chef 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋