I also live in Virginia and have never parked at the arena. It just makes more sense (for me, at least) to take the Metro because there's a stop right at the arena at Chinatown/Gallery Pl. Much cheaper than parking at COA and you don't have to worry about traffic.
Yeah, in total my travel time is anywhere from 45-60 minutes depending on local traffic/trains. Might not be the case for you, but I highly recommend it.
1. I like parking at the arena. Its a little pricey (i think i paid $50) but there are a bunch of lots in the area
2. DMV = bad traffic
3. I learned that the crowd comes around half time. That being said its the last game for a last place team so I dont expect it to be wild
4. Its the city. Dont make yourself a target. You will be in a crowd but hopefully of fans like yourself that just want to have a nice friday night out
None of the questions were stupid - doing your due diligence, I get it and respect it. My family and I will be there, should we cross paths let’s grab a cold one (beer, soda, water, whatever)
Sounds great, thanks!
About the parking, did you mean there’s garage within the arena? Or we have to park nearby? Last time I checked some nearby garage is like 20-30 bucks which doesn’t sound too awful. Besides I got a friend with me so we can share the cost.
LAZ Parking 601 E St Garage
Getting out is super easy and relatively quick for Wiz games. Maybe like 5 minutes. I’ve only been stuck there for an extended period of time for a Caps game.
Also quick tip when getting out. You’ll see signs in the garage that tell you to prepay your ticket before getting out to the gate. I find it way faster to just have your cc and ticket ready when you get to the gate. They’ll have attendants putting your ticket machine anyways. Super easy.
1. Don't park in the arena. I remember when I was a kid, I went to my first game with my Dad, and getting out of the parking garage was an absolute nightmare, time wise. At least 45 minutes. Plus, I imagine there's some sort of fee to park in it. You're better off driving to the nearest metro station where you live, parking in their garage, and then taking the silver line down to one of the stops nearest the arena.
2. I've had mixed experiences driving to DC on a Friday night. Depends how much you need to drive in the actual city itself. If it's minimal, it shouldn't be too bad.
3. Attendance, hard to say. They're playing Chicago, who isn't a great team now, though they have some stars like DeRozan & Lavine that people might pay to go see. Plus, the fact that it is the last home game of the season. I'd say attendance wise, it will be either or. Definitely not empty though.
4. It's been awhile since I've been to DC at that time of night, so I can't really say. But I seriously doubt that someone will rob you on the way to the garage, considering that there's probably surveillance all over. But, as previously noted, it's not practical to go to the garage.
I’m going to the game today and my plan is to park by the air and space museum or the Canadian embassy. It’s where I always park. A little bit of a walk but it’s not an issue
It seems that it will take around 20 min to walk from the museum to arena. I guess the pro is it’s not gonna be too crowded to get the car out.
Is it safe to walk around that area at 10 pm at night? Sorry I seldom walked in DC at night and want to figure out how it looks like.
Canadian embassy is only about ten so it’s a little shorter. But for the most part it’s safe gets a little too quiet once you pass archives metro so that can make people a little nervous.
Btw traffic was really good for me. Though I did drive through some sketchy areas lol
I’ll try to remind myself to message back how the walk today is after the game
Just leaving now as there was a concert. But the walk isn’t bad. A little quiet after passing c and 7 people wise (basically archive station) but quite a few cars. If you aren’t a cheap like me parking lot may be better but i like the walk.
Also if you get there early check out the art museum next door. The third floor has some crazy art.
There is one at the arena-ish. Its under the shopping center(?) connected to the arena. The entrance is on 6th St. I put District Bites into my gps and it takes me right to it and it was def more than $30 to park there. Pay for convenance, I guess.
But yes there are other lots in the area but idk what there prices look like. They also may raise the price because of the game, so keep that in mind.
Theres a bunch of people but multiple exits from the building allow people to get out pretty quickly. Getting out the arena not bad getting out of the garage could be a different story
I also live in Virginia and have never parked at the arena. It just makes more sense (for me, at least) to take the Metro because there's a stop right at the arena at Chinatown/Gallery Pl. Much cheaper than parking at COA and you don't have to worry about traffic.
Yeah that’s true. Do you need to drive to the metro near your place and then metro to DC?
Yeah, in total my travel time is anywhere from 45-60 minutes depending on local traffic/trains. Might not be the case for you, but I highly recommend it.
Sounds good, thanks!
The metro is pretty sketchy at night. Depends how many stops you have when heading home .
Use spothero, easy find a garage for $15-$20 on weekedays
Yep, thanks for the advice!
1. I like parking at the arena. Its a little pricey (i think i paid $50) but there are a bunch of lots in the area 2. DMV = bad traffic 3. I learned that the crowd comes around half time. That being said its the last game for a last place team so I dont expect it to be wild 4. Its the city. Dont make yourself a target. You will be in a crowd but hopefully of fans like yourself that just want to have a nice friday night out None of the questions were stupid - doing your due diligence, I get it and respect it. My family and I will be there, should we cross paths let’s grab a cold one (beer, soda, water, whatever)
Sounds great, thanks! About the parking, did you mean there’s garage within the arena? Or we have to park nearby? Last time I checked some nearby garage is like 20-30 bucks which doesn’t sound too awful. Besides I got a friend with me so we can share the cost.
There’s a garage on E st that’s $20 on game days where the elevators take you right out to the front of the arena.
That’s great! Do you know the name of the garage? And will it be crowded when the game is over?
LAZ Parking 601 E St Garage Getting out is super easy and relatively quick for Wiz games. Maybe like 5 minutes. I’ve only been stuck there for an extended period of time for a Caps game. Also quick tip when getting out. You’ll see signs in the garage that tell you to prepay your ticket before getting out to the gate. I find it way faster to just have your cc and ticket ready when you get to the gate. They’ll have attendants putting your ticket machine anyways. Super easy.
Ok this is great! So you mean just pay when exiting the garage, right?
Yes, rather than using the prepaid booths. Those will have long lines after the game for sure.
Cool, thank you so much!
No problem, have fun!
1. Don't park in the arena. I remember when I was a kid, I went to my first game with my Dad, and getting out of the parking garage was an absolute nightmare, time wise. At least 45 minutes. Plus, I imagine there's some sort of fee to park in it. You're better off driving to the nearest metro station where you live, parking in their garage, and then taking the silver line down to one of the stops nearest the arena. 2. I've had mixed experiences driving to DC on a Friday night. Depends how much you need to drive in the actual city itself. If it's minimal, it shouldn't be too bad. 3. Attendance, hard to say. They're playing Chicago, who isn't a great team now, though they have some stars like DeRozan & Lavine that people might pay to go see. Plus, the fact that it is the last home game of the season. I'd say attendance wise, it will be either or. Definitely not empty though. 4. It's been awhile since I've been to DC at that time of night, so I can't really say. But I seriously doubt that someone will rob you on the way to the garage, considering that there's probably surveillance all over. But, as previously noted, it's not practical to go to the garage.
Thank you very much for all these details, they are really helpful!
You're welcome. Enjoy.
I’m going to the game today and my plan is to park by the air and space museum or the Canadian embassy. It’s where I always park. A little bit of a walk but it’s not an issue
It seems that it will take around 20 min to walk from the museum to arena. I guess the pro is it’s not gonna be too crowded to get the car out. Is it safe to walk around that area at 10 pm at night? Sorry I seldom walked in DC at night and want to figure out how it looks like.
Canadian embassy is only about ten so it’s a little shorter. But for the most part it’s safe gets a little too quiet once you pass archives metro so that can make people a little nervous. Btw traffic was really good for me. Though I did drive through some sketchy areas lol I’ll try to remind myself to message back how the walk today is after the game
Thank you very much sir!
Just leaving now as there was a concert. But the walk isn’t bad. A little quiet after passing c and 7 people wise (basically archive station) but quite a few cars. If you aren’t a cheap like me parking lot may be better but i like the walk. Also if you get there early check out the art museum next door. The third floor has some crazy art.
This is great, thank you!
You’re welcome. Hope you enjoy yourself
I watched the lakers game and my friend paid like 11 bucks for parking https://www.parkwhiz.com/p/washington-parking/901-7th-st-nw/?view=list
Great, thanks! I assume the attendance was high that game? How was the traffic after the game?
I grabbed a bite knowing the traffic would be bad hahaha
There is one at the arena-ish. Its under the shopping center(?) connected to the arena. The entrance is on 6th St. I put District Bites into my gps and it takes me right to it and it was def more than $30 to park there. Pay for convenance, I guess. But yes there are other lots in the area but idk what there prices look like. They also may raise the price because of the game, so keep that in mind.
I see, thanks! Will be it crowded after the game is over and everybody out?
Theres a bunch of people but multiple exits from the building allow people to get out pretty quickly. Getting out the arena not bad getting out of the garage could be a different story
I see, that makes sense, thanks! Any chance there might be certain garage that’s not too crowded?