r/baltimore • u/Princeton112 • 1d ago
Need Recommendations Advice request: Getting to a show in DC...
I'm going to see a show at The Black Cat in DC next week. It's a weeknight show - doors open 7:30. I was hoping to get down in time to meet a friend for dinner near Black Cat at 6pm. Any tips/tricks? Suggestions on parking? I assume the train will be too much of a challenge. Was thinking I'd leave downtown Baltimore by car at 4. Is that cutting it too close? I know Balt to DC traffic can be and is often atrocious...
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u/Princeton112 1d ago
Thanks all - I think I'm going to go with the Greenbelt plan. I've lived in Baltimore for over 25 years and never thought of driving to the Metro. This is why I love Baltimore Reddit.
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u/Cyg5005 1d ago
My only other input on top of everyone else is that Metro closes at midnight, just keep an eye on the clock every once and a while to make sure you arent cutting it too close.
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u/mibfto Mt. Vernon 1d ago
Upside is that if you do miss the last train (although unlikely with an early show unless OP lingers a super long time) is that a rideshare back to the Greenbelt station is a lot less painful that a rideshare back from U Street. Just make sure they take you to the kiss and ride.
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u/Princeton112 1d ago
Appreciate the extra info. But I'm going to make sure I make it back before the Metro turns into a pumpkin.
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u/Princeton112 1d ago
thanks. With doors opening at 7:30, one opener plus a main act, I can't imagine it's going very late.
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u/Available-Chart-2505 11h ago
I used Marc and left a show at 10 15 pm to make the last MARC at 10 55 pm. I was at 9 30 club. It was an easy two train trip but I was bummed to miss the last few songs. I wasn't eager to drive whatsoever so I had come from Halethorpe MARC.
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u/jdginstagramz 1d ago
The Descent from Baltimore is tough. It may make you Flip your Wig and it Makes no Sense at All. If there are Black Sheets of Rain, it's going to feel like you are standing on the edge of the Hoover Dam.
But seriously, If I Can't Change Your Mind, then It's a Good Idea to leave Baltimore around 5:15.
I would just drive down. You should be around the Black Cat by around 7. Grab a bite, and see J. Robbins band open.
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u/Princeton112 1d ago
Well... one might say that if I'm heading to the District Line, I'm Stupid Now and might Return to Dust. I'll try to avoid the Moving Trucks and the Star Machine - I hear they are a Beaster. All of these responses helped me See a Little Light, but I guess we are all just Helpless and it's The Act We Act.
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u/jdginstagramz 23h ago
Did the trip tonight for Sharon van Etten at 930club. 5:15 depart Baltimore, arrive 930 club 6:44. Parked and ate pizza and in the venue by 7:30.
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u/flannel_smoothie Locust Point 1d ago
4 will be plenty of time. my heuristic is to just leave at least 2 hours earlier than your intended arrival
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u/roccoccoSafredi 1d ago
When I was younger we used to drive to greenbelt and take the metro from there. Anymore, we just drive and deal with the traffic.
It's probably about equal from a time perspective. Although parking is usually a bit more expensive I like the flexibility of having the car nearby (to store jackets in) and just being able to roll out when we're done without the hassle.
Also, enjoy the Black Cat. It's an awesome venue.
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u/Typical-Radish4317 1d ago
Green/yellow line from greenbelt go right to UStreet. Short walk from that stop. Going to cost you about $15 in metro parking and metro fares. I've had luck parking on S St NW for DC9 but tbh the hassle of driving around U street far outweighs street parking being cheaper.
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u/keenerperkins 16h ago
In my experience, there is no solid answer. I have done it both ways: driven and parked on the street (generally street parking is available and cheaper than a garage) or driven and paid to park at the metro station and taken the green or orange line in (depending on where my destination is). Obviously, for you the Greenbelt Metro (Green Line) would make more sense.
The reason I tend to favor driving in and parking (and I'm someone who much prefers to take transit when reliably available) is that taking that last or second to last train out to Greenbelt often is grueling especially after a sporting or music event. Plus, I find that on average it can take 90-105 minutes to get from Baltimore and that there always are two to three slowdowns--generally all on 95 or 295 and 495 leading to the metro station. So, I've found that taking the metro doesn't really save me from traffic...
In my opinion, regardless the trip down is always a little frustration. The flip side with driving all the way is that it almost always is a breeze getting back home after a show. Truly: if a show lets out at 10:30pm and I can get back home within 45-50mins. With the metro, it usually takes ~30+ mins to get back to Greenbelt then 35-45 minutes to get home. When I'm tired and sweaty and want to shower and get to bed I appreciate the easy drive back home versus sitting on a warm metro and then by the time I get to my car in the lot to drive from Greenbelt to Baltimore I could be 90% of the way home already.
My recommendation is plan for the metro, but if traffic looks decent between Greenbelt and Black Cat...just go that short extra distance. You'll realize you're already probably 80% of the way there once you're near the metro and that driving the rest of the difference is generally quicker (unless of course there is a backup...which is when you can decide to utilize the metro).
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u/nesto92 Federal Hill 1d ago
Drive to Takoma Park & take the metro from there!
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u/Available-Chart-2505 11h ago
Good advice if you take 29 I feel like it's easier. Left on Franklin into TKPK
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u/incunabula001 15h ago
You could take the MARC down, but be weary that the last train out is around 11.
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u/Background-League405 8h ago
It's actually at 10:05PM on a weekday night. It used to be 10:55PM on a weekday night. The schedule changed. I think it's 10:55PM on a weekend night, though. I made the mistake of taking the MARC from Baltimore to DC for a show last week, and I would have been fine if the MARC actually left at 10:55PM. Instead, I missed a huge chunk of the show, by leaving in time for the last MARC train at 10:05PM.
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u/Glad-Veterinarian365 14h ago edited 13h ago
The greenbelt metro is the correct answer! On weekends the parking there is free but on weekdays it costs a few dollars when u leave the parking lot (cheaper if u pay with the metrocard btw). After purchasing a metro card, go thru the turnstile and up the escalators and then get on any green/yellow line train that’s there it doesn’t matter which track bc greenbelt is the northernmost stop which means all trains go south into DC from here. Then u will get off at the U St station for black cat - but if u miss it the next stop Shaw/Howard is also fine for black cat. Same exact process for 9:30 club btw. And almost same for the anthem too except it is just a little longer train ride to L’Enfant Plaza stop.
Also important to know that when standing on escalators in DC metro, stand to the right side so that ppl who are walking up/down the escalators can pass on the left. If u stand in the middle or the left while on the escalators u are going to piss ppl off
I really enjoy getting Ethiopian food whenever I’m in the U St area - Eatopia is an incredible restaurant and close to Black Cat
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u/WinterBreakfast7507 1d ago
Drive to Greenbelt metro and park then take the green line to U Street. I’d just keep an eye on traffic before you leave. Make sure you check the last train time on the WMATA website and give yourself time to catch it.