Where to park outside DC and how to get to Lincoln Memorial by metro?

We are driving from Indiana and plan to park outside of D.C. Where would be the best suburb or location to park for the day, and how would we get to the Lincoln Memorial by metro? Which metro? Location of boarding and exiting?|||The Lincoln Memorial is actually closest to Foggy Bottom station, which is served by the Orange and Blue Metrorail lines.





Since you're coming from the west, it would probably be easiest to park at any of the Metro stations on the end of the Orange Line along I-66 in Northern Virginia. Vienna station is the furthest out and also has the most available parking. From there you will be able to board any Orange line train headed in the direction of New Carrollton and exit at Foggy Bottom. The ride costs $3 per person each way on off-hours and weekends. You will have the opportunity at Vienna station to use the automated machines to purchase individual fare cards. Any amount can be stored on the cards so it makes sense to put $6 on each card so you won't have to purchase additional fares for your return trip.|||If you are traveling during the weekend you may want to consider crystal city. It is a nice area and very close to DC and tourist spots. Although parking can be expensive during the week, on the weekends there are a lot of free parking garages off of crystal drive.|||Ben! Listen to me my friend, as I know what's what.





If you are traveling all the way from Indiana, then I think you might be staying at a hotel in Virginia or Maryland. If that is the case, check with your hotel to see if they offer free shuttle service too and from the nearest Metro (subway station).





On the other hand, if you were planning on staying further out of town, then this is what I would do...





If you will be arriving on a WEEKDAY, then I recommend that you park your car at one of the long term parking lots at Reagan National Airport. (I think it costs $8 a day to park there.) From there, they have a regular little shuttle bus that picks you up at the parking lot bus stops (make sure you write down with lot you are parked, which row, and which bus stop!). And the little bus will ferry you to the main terminal of Reagan National Airport (the shuttle, of course, is free).





From the main terminal, look for the signs that indicate where the Metro (subway) station is located.





You can buy your Metro fare cards there at one of the many fare card vending machines that they have. The machines take both cash and major credit cards. BUT, be sure to have the cash, because I have had a machine or two refuse my credit card for some strange reason.





The Metro (subway) is one of the cleanest and safest in the USA. I could get lost in my own backyard, but it's almost impossible on the Metro. Just read the signs and feel free to ask questions from people around you.





From National Airport, you will want to make your way to the Smithsonian Metro stop. That is basically in the center of the National Mall and allows you access to just above everything.





OPTION TWO





Do you mind walking a little? IF you arrive on a WEEKEND (Saturday or Sunday), then drive past Regan National Airport to a small park called Gravely Point Park. It's at the north end of the main runway at the airport. Parking here is FREE. From there, you have to WALK north along the Mt. Vernon Bike Trail for about ONE FULL MILE. At this point, you arrive under the 14th Street Bridge on the Virginia side of the river. Just walk across the bridge and it takes you into Washington DC, right next to the Jefferson Memorial. From there, you can walk toward the World War II Memorial and then to the Lincoln Memorial.





I really like walking from Gravely Point Park. It allows you to absorb the skyline of Washington DC from the Virginia side of the Potomac and makes for a memorable visit.