Where is best place to dock for the day to walk the DC sights?

[ZZ13]

My daughter is in town and we are going to walk the monuments and museums at the Mall on Wednesday. We'd like to travel to DC by boat rather than car. Is there a best choice for a place to get a transient slip or dock space for the day? I am thinking Gangplank Marina but don't know if that makes sense.

 

[Mikemapva]

Bill,

I'll let some of the DC experts chime in, but I would think that either Gangplank or Washington Marina would be your best bet.

I think James Creek is too far down to walk from, and the wall in Georgetown is too from the monuments and museums.

Mike

 

[Sous]

Bill,

I'll let some of the DC experts chime in, but I would think that either Gangplank or Washington Marina would be your best bet.

I think James Creek is too far down to walk from, and the wall in Georgetown is too from the monuments and museums.

Mike

Agreed. Wash. is the closest bet to get to the Mall, but Gangplank isn't much farther. James Creek is pretty far away from the Mall, but you could grab the Metro if need be to ease the pain a bit. Both SW waterfront and Navy Yard are about a mile walk.

 

[WDCboater]

As others have stated Washington Marina or Gangplank are the closest. The SW waterfront also has the DC Fish Market which is always interesting.

I'm docked at James Creek. Your best bet from there is to walk to the metro station by Nats park. I would not recommend that walk at night unless there's a ball game.

Georgetown is not a place I'd leave my boat for the day. It's a bit of a free for all.

Columbia Island Marina is a bit of a hike, but not too far from Arlington Cemetery.

Enjoy!

 

[Ike]

I spent 20 years working in DC at USCG HQ which is across the street from James Creek Marina. It's a fine marina, but the neighborhood you would have to walk through is not safe. We had our own bus that transported us through that neighborhood and occasionally we had problems. If you do stay at James creek, hire a taxi or rent a car but do not walk through that neighbor hood, day or night.

The Gangplank and Washington Marina are good choices and are much closer to the mall. It is a short walk, maybe ten minutes and even less to the Jefferson Memorial and the tidal basin.

PS: the FBI was just down the street from the USCG and they moved out many years ago, and now the USCG is moving out as well.

 

[WDCboater]

I spent 20 years working in DC at USCG HQ which is across the street from James Creek Marina. It's a fine marina, but the neighborhood you would have to walk through is not safe. We had our own bus that transported us through that neighborhood and occasionally we had problems. If you do stay at James creek, hire a taxi or rent a car but do not walk through that neighbor hood, day or night.

The Gangplank and Washington Marina are good choices and are much closer to the mall. It is a short walk, maybe ten minutes and even less to the Jefferson Memorial and the tidal basin.

PS: the FBI was just down the street from the USCG and they moved out many years ago, and now the USCG is moving out as well.

USCG is moving across the Anacostia to Bolling. The vacant area in front of their building for about 4 blocks is about to become the new home of DC United. The city is going to build the stadium there and it will eventually be fully developed all the way to Nats Park. Give it 4-5 years, but the neighborhood should look very different.

 

[ZZ13]

We are here. Anchored out right now next to the tidal basin. I have a question. How come my ray 120 GPS receiver craps out whenever I am here near National Airport. Even if I reset it, it very shortly craps again. Is the airport overwhelming it with data.

 

[Mikemapva]

Bill,

I don't think I've had that problem with either the Garmin 540 I have now, nor with the Navman 5500 I had on my old boat. Unless I just wasn't looking down then.

Mike

 

[WDCboater]

We are here. Anchored out right now next to the tidal basin. I have a question. How come my ray 120 GPS receiver craps out whenever I am here near National Airport. Even if I reset it, it very shortly craps again. Is the airport overwhelming it with data.

Not sure about this one. I have a Raymarine C95 on my boat and never have any issues.

Hopefully you're having a good day out on the water.
I was at the boat earlier washing it. We're off to the Bay tomorrow.

 

[Mikemapva]

Ryan,

Have a great trip. I can't wait to hear about it. You're going to a few places that I want to check out.

Mike

 

[ZZ13]

Hot as hell out here. We didn't park it at a dock and walk in this heat. We stayed on the boat anchored.

 

[Mikemapva]

Bill,

Probably a good move with these temperatures. Hope you had a good day.

Mike