If you think you can just waltz onto the National Mall any time on July 4 and get the best spot to watch "A Capitol Fourth" concert and the firework spectacular that follows... well, congrats on your optimism.
Either way, if you're preparing to brave the crowds Thursday, here's a handy guide on what to expect:
Security Checkpoints
Anyone trying to get near the National Mall or any of the memorials will be required to go through security screening. Bags of any kind, including coolers, backpacks and packages, will be subject to inspection. Possession of alcoholic beverages and using personal fireworks are forbidden.
Entrances for National Mall and Memorial Parks:
- West entrance (George Washington Memorial Parkway side) of Arlington Memorial Bridge
- Constitution Avenue and Henry Bacon Drive, NW
- Constitution Avenue and 17th Street NW
- Constitution Avenue and 15th Street NW
- West side of 14th Street at Madison Drive NW
- West side of 14th Street at Jefferson Drive SW
- Maine Avenue and Raoul Wallenberg Place SW (15th Street)
- East Basin Drive SW at Inlet Bridge
- East Basin Drive SW, just south of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial (access to Jefferson Memorial only)
Checkpoints for "A Capitol Fourth":
- 3rd Street SW and Pennsylvania Avenue NW
- 3rd Street SW and Maryland Avenue SW
Metrorail Service
Metrorail will run from 7 a.m. to midnight on July 4, with expected rush hour-esque traffic from 6 p.m. to midnight. Trains will operate on a Saturday schedule for most of the day, ramping up to rush-hour service levels before and after the fireworks display.
All Metro station parking lots will be free for the day. Bicycles and coolers are not permitted on the Metro to save space on the trains.
Metro is advising travelers to avoid transfers if at all possible. The Smithsonian station will be "entry only" after the fireworks, so Metro also recommends avoiding that station as well as the Federal Triangle station due to crowding.
Here is Metro's list of suggested stations for the Fourth:
- Foggy Bottom (Orange and Blue lines)
- Metro Center (Red, Orange and Blue)
- National Archives (Yellow and Green)
- Judiciary Square (Red)
- L'Enfant Plaza (Orange, Blue, Yellow and Green)
- Capitol South (Orange and Blue)
- Federal Center SW (Orange and Blue)
- Arlington Cemetery (Blue)
Metrobus Service
Metrobus will run on a Saturday schedule. Expect delays on any routes near the National Mall due to the large number of street closures.
Metro reminds you that NextBus might not be the most reliable source of bus arrival time information. Basically, do not expect to get anywhere quickly using Metrobus on July 4.
Bicyle Accomodations
There will be a bike corral at 10th Street and Constitution Avenue NW provided by Capital Bikeshare. The corral will be available from 12 p.m. until an hour after the fireworks on the National Mall end.
Emergency Notifications
To stay up to date on National Mall event information from the U.S. Park Police, text JULY4DC to 888777 to sign up for alerts from their July 4 emergency notification system.
Road Closures (All Times Approximate)
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
Driving in D.C. on the Fourth is going to be relatively impossible due to the parade route and road closures.
Streets closed from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.:
- 4th Street between Independence Avenue SW and Constitution Avenue NW
- 7th Street between Independence Avenue SW and Constitution Avenue NW
- 15th Street between Pennsylvania Avenue NW and Maine Avenue SW
- 17th Street between Independence Avenue SW and E Street NW
- 19th Street NW between C Street and Constitution Avenue
- 20th Street NW between C Street and Constitution Avenue
- 21st Street NW between C Street and Constitution Avenue
- 22nd Street NW between C Street and Constitution Avenue
- 23rd Street NW between Independence Avenue SW and C Street NW
- Virginia Avenue NW between 18th Street and 20th Street
- Constitution Avenue NW between 14th Street and 23rd Street
- Independence Avenue SW between 14th Street and 23rd Street
Streets closed from 11:30 a.m. to 11 pm
- 14th Street between Independence Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue NW
- 3rd Street between Maryland Avenue SW and Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Streets closed from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (for parade):
- 9th Street Tunnel from Pennsylvania Avenue to the SE/SW Freeway
- 12th Street Tunnel from the SE/SW Freeway to Pennsylvania Avenue
Reminder: Vehicles are not allowed on or around the Mall.
In addition, DDOT will lift D.C.’s reversible lane restrictions on Thursday. It will also open previously closed lanes from Wednesday at noon though Monday, July 8 at 9:30 a.m.
ALSO SEE:
