The 2019 Women’s March: What Every Traveler Should Know
We know that hundreds of thousands of you are considering making the trip to Washington, D.C., for the third annual Women’s March on Saturday, January 19. Read on for important logistical tips. And while the current partial federal government shutdown may not allow you to squeeze in visits to the Smithsonian and other cultural gems, which are currently closed, we do have the lowdown on three relevant places that are open that you may want to see before heading home. For in-depth information on planning your trip to the march, visit womensmarch.com/2019.
Getting There
Amtrak will be your best option for getting in and out of D.C., either for a day trip or a weekend stay. Trains arrive in Union Station, which is centrally located for getting to the march and other points of interest.
Where to Stay
At this point, D.C. hotels and home rentals will likely be booked up or pricey. If you’re planning to travel from the mid-Atlantic or Southeast, consider making it a (long) day trip; you can also try booking lodging across the Potomac in Northern Virginia or in nearby Baltimore (a destination in its own right).
What to Bring to the March
First of all, don’t bring your luggage—store it at your lodging or at Union Station. Do bring small backpacks and bags, packed with refillable water bottles (water stations will be available) and healthy snacks (nuts, dried fruits, whole grains) to help you power through the day. Do we really need to remind you to wear walking shoes? And, of course, dress in layers for the changeable weather in D.C.
March Location and Schedule
On Saturday, January 19, marchers can begin gathering at 10 a.m. on the National Mall between 12th and 3rd Streets. The march steps off at 11 a.m. The rally takes place at the Lincoln Memorial starting at 1:30 p.m. (don’t expect to get too close, but watch and listen from a distance like most marchers). There will be a Support Station set up at Constitution Gardens, north of the reflecting pool at 21st and Constitution Avenue NW, offering toilets, water stations, heating and medic stations, and a “lost person” tent. The rally is scheduled to end at 4 p.m.
Public Transportation
You can access the gathering location (on the National Mall between 12th and 3rd Streets) from several Metro stations, including Metro Center, Penn Quarter/Navy Memorial, L’Enfant Plaza, and Smithsonian Metro. The march organizers recommend the following Metro stations for leaving the rally: Smithsonian Metro, Farragut North (at 17th and K Street NW), and Farragut West (18th and I Street NW). If you plan to use the Metro the day of the march, buy a D.C. Metro card in advance at smartrip.wmata.com/storefront.
Visit the National Museum of Women in the Arts
If you wake up in D.C. on Sunday morning wondering what you could do to possibly top the experience of participating in the march, head to the National Museum of Women in the Arts (nmwa.org), the only museum in the world devoted entirely to women artists, with a permanent collection of more than 4,500 works by more than 1,000 women.
Visit the Newseum
After exercising your 1st Amendment right to free speech on Saturday, head to the Newseum (newseum.org) to educate yourself and celebrate our nation’s free press at this highly engaging, interactive museum dedicated entirely to the news. In addition to the permanent collection, there’s still time to catch “1968: Civil Rights at 50,” devoted to the year in which Martin Luther King, Jr., and Robert Kennedy were assassinated.
Visit the Martin Luther King Memorial
In West Potomac Park, next to the National Mall, the memorial to Martin Luther King, Jr., packs a powerful emotional impact any day of the year, but perhaps especially during the national holiday that honors him (Monday, January 21). The understated design of the civil rights leader’s sculpture and the presentation of some of his most inspiring quotes have made this spot one of the most photographed and cherished by visitors to Washington, perhaps especially those visitors who are dedicating themselves to fulfilling the promise of our nation’s founding principles.