So as the title suggests I want to come out there for the fireworks and to see DC in a hurry. I plan on watching some of the parade and the fireworks on Friday then sight seeing Saturday and most of Sunday. Any advice?
Plan on arriving very early and staying late. Traffic and parking will be a mess.
There are places on the VA side to watch, but parking is still an issue as is traffic.
I watch from my apartment's roof, but unfortunately it's residents only, otherwise I'd have you and your companions join my wife and me.
Actually, as irresponsible as it may be, I am flying solo on this trip. One, I want to see a lot of stuff in a little bit of time. Two, everyone else is broke. Broke broke.
I want to experience the fireworks from ground zero. My main reason for taking the trip is the fireworks and just to take a lot of pictures of stuff. I've been wanting to see the Constitution for some time now.
Unless you want to wait around alot, you might want to plan on metro and walking (not that you won't still wait, just perhaps a little less). People start "lining up" for the fireworks spots early in the day so whether you decide to be on the mall or across the river at a park, plan on getting there early if you want a "good" spot.
I plan on getting day passes for the metro for the trip. I am not going to bother trying to get through the traffic in a car.
It won't matter on the 4th since it's a holiday, but on business days the day passes are only good after 9:30 am. Also, depending on just how much you are going to take the metro, a day pass might not be worth it. Of course, it only takes like 4 trips before you come out ahead (depending on the length of the trip and time of day).
I actually find that the best way to get around DC is on the bike, easy to find the little bit of space needed to park and you can move through crowded traffic easily, of course its also easy to get hit either while riding or parked
The 4th is a great day to see the Constitution but be prepared to stand in line for it. The ceremonial units from each of the 5 services do a Joint Guard of Honor there every year and it's a good tourist attraction. I'd show you some pics of the guard but I'm too lazy to go dig out my old Army pics and scan them in.
Good 4th of July parade around noon too.
I have ridden my moto downtown to watch the fireworks twice now. Easy to sneak down and park anywhere. I usually aim for Constitution or Independance between 10th and 20th streets. Just bring a towel and grab a seat, there's always room for one more!
It's hard to leave with large packs of pedestrians not letting cars or motorcycles through. I had a great time one year leaving by following a large pack of rollerbladers. I even pulled them up 23rd street (It was around there, I don't remember exactly which street) they all grabbed on to the passenger handles on my bike for a tow, sort of waterskiing off the back of my bike, hilarious!
Lisa G.
Quote from: Lisa on June 27, 2008, 12:37:33 PM
I had a great time one year leaving by following a large pack of rollerbladers. I even pulled them up 23rd street (It was around there, I don't remember exactly which street) they all grabbed on to the passenger handles on my bike for a tow, sort of waterskiing off the back of my bike, hilarious!
Lisa G.
I am imagining a rolling conga line....
Quote from: fwtcc on June 24, 2008, 12:08:01 PM
So as the title suggests I want to come out there for the fireworks and to see DC in a hurry. I plan on watching some of the parade and the fireworks on Friday then sight seeing Saturday and most of Sunday. Any advice?
Honestly if you plan on doing the sight seeing do it early around 7 til the parade then take the metro to gallery place/ china town and stay there where the arts museums are and the verizon center til rush hour dies down at 5 them take metro to the big fire works special the crowds will be outragious and even more boring seeing as you are going solo this trip but the parade is worth it and so are the fireworks! Metro is the easist way just be sure the have your wallet in your front pocket as July 4th brings out the worse part of dc goodluck and have fun!!!
Well the trip out to see DC was great. Got lots of pictures, saw some fireworks, and other stuff. I saw two Monsters as well. One had the 80's style lettering in gold, I think I recognized it as a bike of the month from TOB or had seen some pictures of it somewhere on here and then a dark with gold lettering, who's ever it is, you really need to get rid of the Mickey Mouse ears and some kid flipped out as he walked past it. After crutching around all weekend I was damn beat though and glad to get home. You guys have a lot of bums though.
Oh, and the low traffic lights really messed me up. I am sure I am going to have about a thousand ran a red light tickets.