<p>I’m trying to decide between staying in the new National Harbor DC area or Pentagon City. In Pentagon City, I would be close to a Metro Station. National Harbor would have the nice view of the Potomac River, does have paid parking as well, but may be too far from Museum of American History, the Portrait Gallery, and Dulles Air Museum, which are definites for our visit. So, do I give up the view of the Potomac and catch a cab the 12 miles to the Mall, or do I stay in Pentagon City and catch the Metro, Yellow Line, while fighting the commuters? Or should I catch a cab from Pentagon City to the Mall? There will be three of us.</p>
<p>The metro ride from Pentagon City is very short, even if you hit rush hour. You could stay there, and if you have time, see the river from Old Town Alexandria; there is a ferry between Old Town and National Harbor.</p>
<p>Stay in Pentagon City. You’ll still have a great view of the Potomac River, the city, National Cathedral, & the monuments from an upper floor (depending on your hotel). Plus you’ll have better access to the city, which you indicated is your main objective. Being close to your destination is the name of the game in DC. Dealing with traffic on the Wilson Bridge & DC Beltway can be a nightmare - avoid it if you can. At Pentagon City, you’ll have access to Metro & lots of nice restaurants, and you’re just a Metro hop from Arlington Cemetery. From there, walk across Memorial Bridge to the Lincoln/Vietnam Memorials. FDR & Jefferson Memorials are also nearby. National Harbor is isolated from the city & pretty much its own destination. There is not much walking in/around Natl Harbor & you will need a car or cab to get anywhere from there.</p>
<p>Yes, the Metro is crowded during rush hour in the morning & evening. But it thins out after peak hours. </p>
<p>If you REALLY want to see National Harbor, rent a car for the day & drive there. You’ll probably need to rent a car anyways if you want to go to the Dulles Air & Space Museum - I don’t know if there is a shuttle from Air & Space on the Mall. Or you could do as smdur1970 recommended: hop the Metro to Old Town Alexandria & take a ferry across the river to National Harbor.</p>
<p>I was interested in the water taxis originally, thus, the focus on the National Harbor. My professional group is having a convention at the Gaylord next week, I can’t go, but they talked about the water taxis to Old Town and Mount Vernon, so that’s why I focused on them. But since this is a trip for son, and he loves the DC area, getting to DC is the main focus of the trip. But don’t want to be trapped in the city with no car, because we do want to get to Dulles this time around. </p>
<p>What kind of cab ride are we talking about from Pentagon City, Army Navy Blvd near the Pentagon City Mall, to say Ford’s Theater and the Portrait Gallery?</p>
<p>Although we were walking distance to a Metro stop, a few blocks, on our last visit to DC, we wound up grabbing cabs most of the time, as husband does not like to walk and if he saw a cab, he grabbed it.</p>
<p>Even though we’ll have a car, I DO NOT want to drive into DC and park and hop a Metro to the different attractions. I remember DC as not being a car friendly city and son hates to be in the car. Driving will be necessary for Dulles and to and from BWI airport, but otherwise, will leave the car in the garage for the majority of the trip.</p>