Have you stayed at this host location?
Leave a reference for this hostThis site is in the DC metro area (inside the beltway). At the time of posting, there are no other spots listed inside the beltway. I think everyone should have a chance to explore our capital city, so here is what I can offer. Please read carefully because, like many semi-urban areas, space is tight so there are some quirks and rules. (revised Dec 2019).
PARKING SPOT: two options: Street parking or we have been able to get a small to medium size RV (not to exceed 25 ft) in my driveway.
Important note: If parking in the neighborhood, please do not block driveways! Leave at least 3 feet of space between bumper and driveway.
There is on-street parking in front of my home. As noted in the tow vehicle space description, this is a busy, semi-urban thoroughfare and the parking lane is narrow! 7 feet from the concrete curb to center of white line and traffic. I recommend pulling your driver's side rear view mirror in. For safety, it would be best to plan to enter and exit your vehicle on the passenger side if possible. Despite daytime traffic, it is very quiet at night. Email if you have questions/concerns about what might work.
DRIVEWAY: There is a driveway at the side of my home. The driveway area in front of the house measures: width: 8 feet edge to edge (with flora on driver's side when backed in). Height: 10 feet to limbs (they are limbs so could be some wiggle room on height) Length: @ 26 foot max. plan to back in! driveway is fairly but not perfectly level. Do not block a car in the driveway (without prior permission)! It is ok to park on the street in the neighborhood behind the house if time is needed to coordinate getting a car out of the driveway before parking an RV in the driveway. Please allows room for foot passage from the front to the rear of the house. Do not block the sidewalk in front of the house. We have been able to fit a "B plus" in the drive and even a C class, though ground clearance can be an issue with a 25’ (dip from road to driveway). There is little width to spare. I have had RV visitors only. It would be VERY difficult if not impossible to get a travel trailer in and out of here. Sorry. Message me if you have concerns. Please advise if you will need to come and go in your RV while here. We will be “tandem” parked with the RV at the back. Most people heading to the city and museums park and take the bus or metro into the city during the period of their visit.
UTILITIES: You are welcome to hook up to water. There is a spigot with RV filter at the front of the house. (Even if you do not stay, if you are in the area and need water, you are welcome to get what you need from the spigot out front (hose compatible). Message me for details. (Safety note: Please do not leave a hose unattended and running across the sidewalk in front of the house. It creates a safety risk and is may be illegal.) There is an electrical outlet in front of the house but lately we were not able to get it to work. I have been able to run an extension cord from the garage at the rear of the house which will allow for lights and charging. It plugs into a regular household type outlet (with GFI). Please plan accordingly vis-a-vis *limited draw.* (15 amp)
AMENITIES: If you want to set up lawn chairs or barbecue, the back lawn is available. Remaining “low-profile” and quietly enjoying the neighborhood is probably the best idea. Let me know if you need wifi and I will locate the guest password for my service.
LOCAL ORDINANCES prohibit parking of full height travel trailers on residential streets. Sorry. For more detail, you can access the code here:
https://arlingtonva.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2014/01/County-Code-14-2-Motor-Vehicles-and-Traffic.pdf
SEASONAL concerns: In the winter months, please note that snow can be a challenge. It would be best to plan travel to avoid snowy periods if possible. Summer months can be very hot, even at night!
NEIGHBORHOOD: This is in a lovely, suburban/semi-urban close-in suburb of DC. There are nearby parks, playgrounds and multi-modal trails. Many suburban amenities with urban access. Although I find no ordinance prohibiting boondocking, it is probably not encouraged in this area, so visitors should plan for relative quiet/stealthiness. The specified 25 foot max length is somewhat flexible but most lots are not a great deal wider than that in this neighborhood so street parking anything longer would be a challenge. Safety is a subjective thing but I feel safe walking alone at night in this neighborhood. It is well lit and there is light but active foot traffic from early morning until into the evening. There is a McDonald's, a grocery and a 7-11 @ 1-2 blocks away. Numerous restaurants less than a mile away (with sidewalks). Other amenities are between the house and the metro.
TRANSPORTATION: There is a bus stop about three doors down. You can bus or walk @ 3/4 of a mile to metro. I recommend Metro if you are going into the city. It is a short and easy trip. Use wmata.org for local trip planning.
PETS: Not a blanket prohibition on pets but it's usually not feasible to leave them unattended for long periods. If you have a cat in your RV and the weather is moderate, that's no problem (both don't let them roam - not safe on this busy street). Contact me if you have a special request.
IN CLOSING: Feel free to email with questions or for clarification. (Please do not be offended if my availability is limited. It's my demanding schedule and nothing personal!)
No smoking on property. Extreme caution should be exercised owing to traffic on street in front of house. No generators overnight because running a generator might not be welcomed by neighbors. Might get away with it for a little while if it is not loud. (Check with me if you need suggestions.) Quiet and discretion are expected at all times. Nearby parks are available for play and "blowing off steam." A reasonable amount of trash and recycling may be placed in my rather large bins (please do not fill to overflowing). Just be respectful of the neighbors/neighborhood.
My home is on a busy thoroughfare in a semi-urban area. There is street parking in front of the house and in the surrounding neighborhood. Street parking in front of the house is *very narrow* so exercise caution and plan accordingly!
Street parking (narrow)
Extensions of stay on a case-by-case basis. Message me if this is a concern.
Everything the DC metro area has to offer! It's hard to know where to start. Museums, monument, public facilities and attractions. There is a McDonald's and a grocery @ 1 block from this location. There are Planet Fitness locations not far away if you plan to use their facilities. (Closest is 2.6 miles.) In-bound bus stops 3 doors down. Metro rail is < 1 mile away - sidewalks the entire way.
Was only there a day but, host was very helpful and accommodating. A+. Thank you and hope to visit again soon.
Easy location and plenty of room for my class C. Host was very welcoming and helpful with getting around the city.
We were thankful for a place to stay near DC, our host was ready to help out in any way we needed! Thanks
Her detailed instructions were spot on. The area is close to all the best DC, Arlington has to offer.
The bike riding trails were plenty. a couple of days us not enough.
The weather didn't cooperate but hope to return if she'll have us
Thank you again for a wonderful stay.
We enjoyed our time visit with the host and well as seeing the DC attractions. Thanks again!
We are so grateful to Chick-a-go for hosting us at her place! It was a tight fit in our 26-foot class A, but we were able to get in and out easily. The driveway had a nice flat spot with easy access to 15-amp power and a water spigot with an RV filter. We were only in town for a day, but this was exactly what we needed. Thank you so much!
We were running extremely late because of lane closures on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Nonetheless, the host was very accommodating getting our class "B" parked in the dark. You can't get much better than this for sightseeing in Washington D.C. It is very close to public transportation but, we choose to use Lyft for convenience. Lyft is approximately $12 each way to all the D.C. attractions. If we return to the D.C. area, this is defiantly our choice. Way to go, Chick-a-go. Thank you, Dave and Linda.
Great location, quiet and convenient and perfect host!
Perfect site for a Class B for visiting DC and NoVa. Level, quiet, off-street parking in a lovely residential neighborhood and a gracious, welcoming host. Thanks!
The spot is super convenient to all the typical DC attractions. In a safe neighborhood, right off the bus route or just $10 Lyft ride into the city. Driveway is narrow, but ample for a class b camper van. We rolled in much later than planned and host was very helpful and accommodating. Wonderful experience, would definitely recommend.
We had a great time in Washington D.C. Thanks to Chick-a-go, we could stay so close to the city. Easy and quick communication. Definitely recommended.
Place is as described. No issues with the very slight slope on the driveway for our 21 ft campervan
The Street parking in front of the host was on a hill so we passed on parking here. The host was out when we got into town, but was helpful with their texts when we were trying to find elsewhere to overnight in the neighbourhood. We had a quiet sleep street parking beside a park a few streets away from their place and left in the morning. Never got the chance to meet up - maybe next time when we’re in the area :)
We stayed at here for 2 nights and was welcomed by our host who helped us hook up to the electric and water.
We chose this spot as close to Washington DC and it was! Only a 15 minute walk to the Metro station and the 30 minutes to the Smithsonian which is in the centre of everything!
Would definitely recommend this place and would stay again if in the area.
(We were in a 25ft by 8ft. We had to drive in and we fit but was tight and our overhang at the back is low so did slight scrape the road. So wouldn’t recommend any larger.)
We spend two quiet nights at the driveway. We appreciated very much the Tipps and suggestions about activities we can do in Washington and how to use the public transportation system. Thank you very much for offering a safe and nice place close to the capital and sharing your experiences and knowledge.
Host was very warming with a great parking spot for our van! A brief walk & train ride into downtown DC. Very quiet and nice neighbourhood. Really enjoyed our stay!
Great host, very nice neighborhood. Greatly recommended. I had the chance to have great discussion. Thank you very much to make my stay so pleasant.
PF
Great spot close to the attractions. Friendly and accommodating hostess. This is a tight driveway just right for a class B. Anything larger would be uncomfortable. My Winni Travato was a great fit. Quick uber to the national mall
Neighborhood very walkable even at night. A short bus ride to the Metro station and another short train ride to the National Mall/Smithsonian . I had a great time at the museums there