@abasket - Yes, you can buy passes for the metro at union station. I don’t remember if they are for a period of time or a set amount of money or both. My son recalls that there were a number of options.
http://www.wmata.com/fares/purchase/passes.cfm
Each person will need her own SmartCard. Do not lose them – they are like cash. You can’t cash them out at the end of your trip – so don’t load too much $$ on them. If you load the card using cash, you will only get a maximum of $4.95 in change. Translated: don’t put in a $20 bill for a $5 fare and expect to get change. It will put $15.05 on your card.
You can get a Smart Trip card at any Metro station now. Most of the machines in a station will issue them. You can ask a station manager for help. The bigger stations (Union Station, Metro Center, Shady Grove) usually have someone around to help with these things.
Depending where you are travelling, the Circulator buses in DC are wonderful, frequent and cheap. (If you are in VA, you can catch them to go over the bridge to DC.) They also use Metro Smart Trip cards and trips cost $1 – much cheaper than Metro. http://www.dccirculator.com/bus-basics/fares-payments/
If you are coming into DC Friday afternoon, be aware that the Nationals/Dodgers playoff game starts at 5:30 pm at the Navy Yard. Expect the Metro to be crowded.
Have fun!
When at Gallaudet, hop across the street (across 6th from parking garage) to Union Market for the food hall. Best coffee, ice cream, and assorted other goodies for breakfast or lunch or snack. Hate to say this but with 4 ppl is probably better to Uber than metro (cheaper) unless you are trying to avoid traffic.
You can get metro tickets at any station though
Hey, @treschicos! Welcome to CC. I like your username. 
Oh and best places to eat in Union Station are Shake Shack and Shophouse
@mominva Thanks. I didn’t know they had moved across the street. I recently went to the new location of Ray’s the Steaks. My first time there, and everything was delicious.
Metro has peak and non-peak fares, and rates are based on distance travelled as well – it’s not one set price per trip. Uber or the Connector buses are your friend if you have four people.
All good advice, as always. I’ll check out the Connector buses webpage today as well. I wondered about Uber being cheaper. We will need to get from Union Station to our hotel a couple metro stops away when we arrive w/luggage - would you Uber w/luggage over Metro? (I know we can figure these things out, but I’m somone who likes to have as much info at hand beforehand!)
^^Depends if the Metro escalators are working!
Check the Metro fares from Union Station to your hotel at the time of day you’re arriving, then you can also get an estimate from the Uber app.
I take the Metro from Shady Grove to National Airport (with luggage) – basically the north end of the burbs to the south end, with a transfer midway. It’s doable, but I pack light and I’m too cheap to pay for parking.
Yes, D reported this morning that the Woodley Park metro station is closed completely this weekend. Here’s some info on the current Metro situation: http://dcist.com/2016/10/metro_station_closures_1004.php
I’d Uber. It works well. And the Connector is great!
Oooh, that stinks for people staying at the Wardman Marriott or the going to the Zoo.
Free shuttle buses will run between Woodley Park and Cleveland Park stations according to the article linked above.
The shuttle buses are pretty quick and the best part is you don’t have to pay for them. Currently using them as they do the Safetrack work in Vienna.
Wow, my town is so simple compared to all this.
Uber would make it simple and I agree with others that it would likely be more cost efficient and quicker.
Have a blast, @abasket, and I can’t wait to read a trip report upon your return!
D2 lives in DC and, last time I visited, D heard about a promotion by Lyft for 5 free rides up to $10 for new users. No idea if this is a frequent promotion or a one time thing but I had not previously used Lyft (but had Uber) so we really lucked out over my 3 day visit and much of our transportation was free. @abasket, you might want to check if you don’t already have the Lyft app.
As an aside, each Lyft driver we had was a former Uber driver and each told us that Lyft treated it’s drivers better and they were happier with Lyft. Now, back in my home city, although I rarely need a ride service, I check with Lyft before Uber.
I haven’t heard of Lyft - will keep it in mind!
Hoping that rain or otherwise doesn’t become a problem for us with this trip with all that’s happening south/east coast. An umbrella and jacket WILL be packed!
@abasket Wear layers. Cold in the mornings and evenings. Warm in the afternoons.
Re Lyft: Aren’t you supposed to tip with Lyft? One of the things I like about Uber is the no-tipping policy; you just get out of the car without having to think about tips. (I’m an avid Uber user; haven’t tried Lyft).