Road Scholar : Home
Urban Outdoor Adventures: Bicycling Washington, D.C.

Program Number: 20940RJ
Start and End Dates:
3/29/2013 - 4/2/2013;
Duration: 4 nights
Location: Washington, District of Columbia
Price starting at: $1,349.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Bicycling Activity Level: t (see description)
Meals: 9; 4 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 2 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

With Capitol Hill, the Smithsonian Museum complex, Arlington National Cemetery, the monuments of the National Mall and countless other historical and cultural riches within its bounds, Washington D.C. presents a challenge to even the most dedicated explorer hoping to take it all in on foot. So hop on a bike and explore every corner of the city, with time left over to thoroughly investigate the significance of some of the most important shrines to the nation’s heritage.




Highlights

• Pedal to the major sites on and around the National Mall and Capitol Hill, including the Capitol Building, Supreme Court, Smithsonian Museums, World War II Memorial, Washington Monument and more.
• Starting in Alexandria, cycle to the Mount Vernon estate to learn about life at the plantation home of America’s first president, then board the “Miss Christin” for a narrated study cruise on the Potomac.
• Pay homage to the defenders of freedom on an expert-led ride to Arlington National Cemetery, and get a new perspective on the city during an evening ride through the Potomac River Basin, featuring spectacular views.



Activity Particulars

Biking up to 10 miles per day.



Bikes and helmets provided.



Coordinated by Road Scholar.




Washington

From the sophisticated ambiance of Georgetown to the bohemian rush of Adams Morgan, D.C. is a world-class city offering visitors an unparalleled blend of history, politics and culture. One of our nation's magnificent metropolitan creations, it is home to grand monuments, humbling memorials, and some of the country’s most visionary architecture.
Accommodations
Hotel in close proximity to the Washington Metro, and within walking distance from DC’s iconic sites including the White House and Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Meals and Lodgings
   Grand Hyatt Washington
  Washington, DC 4 nights
 Grand Hyatt Washington
Type: Full Service Hotel
  Contact info: 1000 H Street NW
Washington, D.C., USA 20001
Washington, DC 20001 USA
phone: 202-582-1234
web: www.grandwashington.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels-grandwashington/index.jsp?null
  Room amenities: 42" flat screen TV Hyatt Grand BedTM Portico spa amenities Hair dryer Electronic door locks Coffee maker Turndown service (upon request) High-speed wireless Internet access (fee) Concierge Cable movie channels and in-room pay movies Herman Miller® office chair and oversized work desk Iron / ironing board Individual climate control iHome stereo with iPod® docking station Cordless and corded telephones with message lights Wake-up calls (upon request) In-room dining Safe deposit boxes (at front desk)
  Facility amenities: Full-service business center / PDA check-in / Fast Board™ Two gift shops, florist / laundry, dry cleaning / valet service Wireless high-speed internet throughout hotel (fee) / in-lobby metro access Valet & self-parking / Concierge / Hyatt E-Concierge Full-Service FIT Club / Yoga Away Sauna / pool / steam rooms Massage therapy / personal trainers Game room
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Bathroom:
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior:  Contact Road Scholar Boston at (617) 521-5373 for additional night information. Depending on availability, the Road Scholar group rate may be available.
  Check in time: 3:00 PM
  Additional nights after:  Contact Road Scholar Boston at (617) 521-5373 for additional night information. Depending on availability, the Road Scholar group rate may be available.
  Check out time: 12:00 PM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
4:00PM You will be staying at Grand Hyatt Washington that night.
  End of Program:
12:00PM You will be staying at Grand Hyatt Washington the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
  Parking availability:
Valet Parking is $40 per nigh with in/out prvivleges, and Self-Parking s $32 per night with NO in/out prvivleges. Both options are based upon availibilty. Additional parking garages are available in the immediate area.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Washington, DC
  Nearest city or town:  Alexandria, VA
  Nearest highway: I-66
  Nearest airport:  Reagan National Airport
  From End of Program
  Location: Washington, DC
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

From the Reagan International Airport

 

 
 

Service:

 

Public Transportation
Washington Metro
phone: 202-637-7000

   

Take the Blue Line Metro (cost: $1.60) from the National Airport station towards Largo Town Center station, and get off at the Metro Center station. Once at the Metro Center station, take the 11th st exit out of the station and you will see a set of glass doors directly in front of you. Go through these doors and continue straight to the Grand Hyatt entrance. There are also numerous Taxi services from the airport to the Grand Hyatt for approximately $20.

 

From Union Station

 

 
 

Service:

 

Public Transportation

 

Distance:

 

1.6 miles
   

Union Station is the principle hub for Amtrak and Greyhound Services. Participants can transfer to the hotel from Union Station via TAXI or WASHINGTON METRO. From the Union Station Metro stop embark the Red Line towards the Shady Grove station, getting off at the Metro Center stop. Once at the Metro Center station, take the 11th st exit out of the station and you will see a set of glass doors directly in front of you. Go through these doors and continue straight to the Grand Hyatt entrance.
 

By Washington Metro

 

 
 

Service:

 

Public Transportation

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

> $10
Prices are subject to change.
   

Take the Blue, Orange or Red lines to the Metro Center stop. Once at the Metro Center station, take the 11th st exit out of the station and you will see a set of glass doors directly in front of you. Go through these doors and continue straight to the Grand Hyatt entrance.
 
Driving Directions
  From Reagan National Airport to the Grand Hyatt Washington Take George Washington Memorial Parkway North. Merge onto US-1 N toward Washington. Stay straight to go onto 14th Street NW, then turn right onto New York Ave NW. Turn slight right onto H Street NW; The Grand Hyatt is on the corner of 11th and H Streets NW.
  From the north to the Grand Hyatt Washington Take I-95-South to Exit 22 B (Baltimore-Washington Pkwy South); Follow onto New York Avenue for six miles. Turn left onto 5th Street NW and follow for three and a half blocks. Turn right onto H Street NW and follow for five blocks. The Grand Hyatt is at the corner of 10th and H Streets NW.
  From the south to the Grand Hyatt Washington Take I-95-N to 395 North. Continue over the 14th Street Bridge, then merge into the right lane. Take the exit for 12th Street, continue though the tunnel for eight blocks. Turn Right onto H Street and follow for one block. The Grand Hyatt is at the corner of 11th and H Streets NW.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Registration/Welcome Dinner/Orientation/Monuments at Night
(Friday, March 29)
   
 Arrive To: 4:00 - 5:00 PM Check into the hotel. After you have your room assignment, come over to the Road Scholar desk in the lobby to register with the program staff, pick up your arrival packet containing your name tag and up-to-date schedule, and other important information. Bike DC is a new Road Scholar "Flex" program. It is different from other programs with more opportunities for you to dine out and explore on your own. Several meals have been excluded from the program cost and you will have substantial free time for personal independent exploration. Please be aware that program activities and scheduled times could change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. N
 Dinner: 6:00-7:00 PM Welcome dinner and orientation at the hotel
 Evening: This evening take a tour of Washington D.C when the monuments are less crowded, the air is cooler, and the views are magnificent. Explore the new WWII memorial, Vietnam War memorial, Jefferson, Lincoln, FDR memorials, the new Martin Luther King Jr memorial, as well as the White House. Riders are equipped with reflective vests and safety lights.
   
Accommodations: Grand Hyatt Washington
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: City Orientation/United States National Mall/Smithsonian Museums
(Saturday, March 30)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: Enjoy a tour of the Capital Sites, providing you with an overview of the city as you bike to and learn about the major sites on and around the National Mall and Capitol Hill, including the Capitol Building, Supreme Court, Smithsonian Museums, the Washington Monument, and more. Learn about interesting exhibits, local events, and practical touring tips from your guide.
 Lunch: Stop for lunch at the Museum of the American Indian
 Afternoon: The afternoon is free for you to explore the Smithsonian Museums, Washington D.C, or go on a group leader led excursion to the National Portrait Gallery
 Dinner: Dinner on your own
   
Accommodations: Grand Hyatt Washington
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3: Mount Vernon by Bike and Boat
(Sunday, March 31)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: Start in Alexandria and cycle to George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate. George Washington, Commander-in-Chief of American forces in the Revolutionary War and the first President of the United States, called Mount Vernon home for more than 40 years. George Washington and his wife Martha Washington lived at Mount Vernon, which is now the most popular historic estate in America. Visit Mount Vernon, and discover the real George Washington.
 Lunch: Lunch at Mount Vernon.
 Afternoon: board the Miss Christin for a narrated boat cruise upon the Potomac River back to historic Old Town Alexandria.
 Dinner: Dinner on your own
   
Accommodations: Grand Hyatt Washington
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: Arlington National Cemetary/Free Afternoon/Memorials by Night
(Monday, April 1)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: Set out for Virginia and spend the morning in Arlington National Cemetery. Formerly the property of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, the cemetery was founded during the Civil War and is now one of the most reknowned and hallowed military cemeteries in the country
 Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant
 Afternoon: Free afternoon to enjoy Washington DC, or go on an optional Group Leader led excursion to the National Building Museum, America’s leading cultural institution devoted to the history and impact of the built environment. Explore the national architecture, engineering, and design in this magnificent building with a soaring Great Hall, colossal 75-foot-tall Corinthian columns, and a 1,200-foot terra cotta frieze.
 Dinner: Farewell dinner at a local restaurant
   
Accommodations: Grand Hyatt Washington
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Program Wrap Up and Check out
(Tuesday, April 2)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: Program Wrap Up followed by Check Out
   
Meals Included: Breakfast

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Washington, DC Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery, our nations most treasured burial ground, is home to more than 285,000 honored dead. Among the thousands of white headstones are the graves of President John F. Kennedy, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, world champion boxer Joe Louis and the Tomb of the Unknowns. Free. For additional information, visit www.arlingtoncemetery.org
  Corcoran Gallery of Art
Washington DC’s oldest art museum presents the art of our times and of times past. The museum is internationally renowned for its collection of American art as well as European paintings and sculpture For additional information, visit www.corcoran.org
  Ford's Theatre
As a living tribute to Abraham Lincoln's love of the performing arts, Ford's Theatre presents plays and musicals underscoring multi-culturalism and highlighting the eclectic character of American life. For additional information, visit www.fordstheatre.org
  George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens
Explore George Washington's estate overlooking the Potomac River and discover 45 acres of family fun, including hands-on activities, special tours, river cruises, farm animals, shopping, dining, and more. Open every day! For additional information, visit www.mountvernon.org
  National Mall
A splendid green park area extending approximately two miles from the U.S. Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial. Lining either side of the park near the Capitol are 200-year-old American elm trees, several of the Smithsonian Institution museums, National Archives, National Gallery of Art and U.S. Botanic Gardens. For additional information, visit nps.gov/nama
  Smithsonian Museums
Explore the many Smithsonian Museums around the National Mall, including the American Indian Museum, Freer and Sackler Galleries, Natural History Museum, and more. For additional information, visit www.si.edu/
  Washington Visitor's Bureau
Visit this website to get a full overview of the many activities and cultural opportunities Washington, DC has to offer. For additional information, visit www.washington.org
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


You can't find a better value than Road Scholar.


As a not-for-profit organization, we are dedicated to providing all-inclusive educational programs at great value. From lectures to gratuities to field trips to accommodations - the tuition you pay up front is all that you pay.



Specifically, this program includes:

Plus these special experiences...

View the Daily Schedule to see more

And included with all Road Scholar programs:


© Road Scholar 2013 | Call toll-free: 1-800-454-5768