by Can Tran

Created on: November 20, 2008   Last Updated: January 08, 2009

If you enjoy driving around, then Washington DC is really not the place to go. Of all the times I have visited Washington DC, it is nearly impossible to find a parking place. You could spend at least an hour to an hour and a half just to find the perfect parking place. When I visited relatives in Maryland back in Christmas of 2001, my Uncle Chris and my Aunt Linda wanted to take their daughter to see the museums in Washington DC.

The three of them would head towards one museum and I would head towards another museum. All of them made up Washington DC's Smithsonian Institute. My other uncle, who took us, would try to find a parking spot. While I was looking at a World War II museum, I assumed Uncle Long would be meeting up with Uncle Chris and Aunt Linda. Afterwards, we met up again. I would meet with Uncle Long to find Uncle Chris and the others.

I was shocked to hear that Uncle Long had spent at least an hour trying to find a parking space. He mentioned, "I always hate going to DC." From a driving standpoint, I understand where he is coming from.

If you want to find free parking in Washington DC that is going to be much harder. So far, parking companies have made a killing in profits for offering parking services. If you want to find easy parking in Washington DC, be prepared to dish out some money.

The two main parking companies would be "Central Parking" and "Colonial Parking."

Central Parking is a national wide company while Colonial Parking primary caters to the Washington DC area. Due to the location of Washington DC, it is insane to drive around. Still, you can use these two services whether you are a regular or just a visiting guest.

If you do not feel like taking public transportation in traveling around Washington DC, your best bet would be to use one of these two parking services.

Colonial Parking has at least three to five parking garages in the highly populated neighborhoods of Washington DC. In Dupont Circle, there are at least five parking garages that use the Colonial Parking service. In Chinatown, there are at least five parking garages. In Capitol Hill, there are three parking garages.

Depending on what part of Washington DC you are at, you can find at least a parking garage or two. Remember, you will have to dish out some cash to park.

There are three options to use: Hourly & Daily Parking, Monthly Parking, and the Preferred Parker Card.

Options include the: Autopay Program and ECheck Payment.

Central Parking Systems has forty-six locations scattered across Washington DC. But, the locations are close enough to each other.

Like Colonial Parking, you can pay the monthly bill online.

If you are visiting Washington DC, it is best to go with the hourly and daily rates. If you spend most of your time in Washington DC, it is best to either get the monthly rates or the preferred card.

Overall, if you are looking to find parking when visiting DC, expect to pay some money. If you do not wish to pay for parking, be prepared to spend most of the day searching for a parking spot.

If parking garages are not your thing, it is best that you familiarize yourself with parallel parking.

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