Thousands are expected to descend on the Mall on Tuesday to celebrate Washington’s first major championship team in 26 years with a parade honoring the Capitals’ Stanley Cup win. If you’re planning on being anywhere in the vicinity — whether as a parade-goer or one of the folks stuck in the office during the festivities — you’re going to want to ditch your car and come up with a plan for maneuvering around — and through — the celebrations.
Metro will run extra trains to support the large crowds, and several major streets will be closed to clear the parade route. A huge crowd is expected to attend, with parade organizers estimating more than 100,000 revelers will come out to support the Stanley Cup champions. The federal government — as well as D.C. schools and government– will be open. But the White House is encouraging agencies to grant federal workers two hours of administrative leave between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. so they can participate in the festivities.
Here’s what you need to know if you’re attending the parade or will be working, dining, hitting bars or sightseeing nearby.
Parade Route:
The parade, which starts at 11 a.m., will run along Constitution Avenue NW, culminating in a rally on the Mall. Road closures stretch from 23rd Street to 7th Street NW, with “optimal viewing” from 17th to 7th streets, according to Caps owner Monumental Sports. The NHL and Mayor Muriel E. Bowser’s office described the parade as starting at 17th Street. The parade will turn to the Mall at 7th Street, and that’s where the rally will begin.
Metro
Metro is your best option for getting around Tuesday, and the transit agency is providing extra service for the occasion.
Rush-hour service will be in effect all day to support the throngs of fans, Metro said. That means trains will arrive every eight minutes throughout the system, with more frequent service — every two to four minutes — at core transfer stops such as Metro Center, Gallery Place and L’Enfant Plaza.
There are plenty of Metro stations with access to the parade route. Metro says its busiest stations are expected to be Archives, L’Enfant Plaza, Gallery Place, Metro Center, Arlington Cemetery, Foggy Bottom, Federal Triangle, Federal Center SW, Smithsonian and Union Station. You should avoid transfers and ride directly to a stop along the route.
Be aware of potential disruptions posed by the large crowds. Trains could bypass certain stations if they become overcrowded, and Metro could slow trains approaching stations because of platform crowding — which could cause delays. Get your SmarTrip card in advance and make sure it’s loaded with enough money to get you to and from your destination, as the swarms of passengers could make it difficult to access fare machines. Some stations could become “entry only” or “exit only” as conditions warrant, Metro said.
Road Closures:
The mayor’s office announced nearly two dozen road closures to keep the parade route open to celebrants, rather than vehicle traffic. The restrictions will begin at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday and be in effect through 3 p.m. Here is the full list of road closures, according to Bowser’s office:
- Inbound 14th Street Bridge Main Line, all traffic will be directed toward eastbound I-395
- Inbound 14th Street Bridge HOV, all traffic will be directed toward eastbound I-395
- Northbound 12th Street Tunnel, all traffic will be directed toward Eastbound I-395
- Eastbound Theodore Roosevelt Bridge, all traffic will be directed toward E Street Expressway/Potomac River Freeway
- Southbound 9th Street Tunnel
- Constitution Avenue NW from 6th Street to 23rd Street NW
- 9th Street NW from Pennsylvania Avenue NW to I-395
- 10th Street NW from Pennsylvania Avenue NW to Constitution Avenue NW
- 12th Street NW from Pennsylvania Avenue NW to Constitution Avenue NW
- 14th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue NW to Independence Avenue SW
- 15th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue NW to Independence Avenue SW
- 17th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue NW to Independence Avenue SW
- 18th Street from New York Avenue NW to Constitution Avenue NW
- 19th Street from Virginia Avenue NW to Constitution Avenue NW
- 20th Street from C Street NW to Constitution Avenue NW
- 21st Street from C Street NW to Constitution Avenue NW
- 22nd Street from C Street NW to Constitution Avenue NW
- 23rd Street from Virginia Avenue NW to Constitution Avenue NW
- Virginia Avenue NW from 18th Street to 19th Street NW
- Madison Drive from 4th to 15th streets NW
- Jefferson Drive from 14th to 4th streets SW
- Henry Bacon Drive SW from Lincoln Memorial Circle to Constitution Avenue NW
- Parkway Drive SW from Independence Avenue to Lincoln Memorial Circle
Parking
Parking restrictions will go into effect beginning Monday night. On 7th Street NW, there will be no parking from 6:30 p.m. Monday through 11 p.m. Tuesday in the stretch from Pennsylvania Avenue NW to Independence Avenue SW. The street also will be completely closed from Constitution Avenue NW to Independence Avenue SW during those hours.
Elsewhere, more than a dozen “emergency no parking” restrictions will go into effect at 6:30 p.m. Monday and will not lift until 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Parking will be prohibited in the following areas during that time, according to the mayor’s office:
- Constitution Avenue, NW from 6th Street to 23rd Street NW
- 9th Street NW from Pennsylvania Avenue NW to I-395
- 10th Street NW from Pennsylvania Avenue NW to Constitution Avenue NW
- 12th Street NW from Pennsylvania Avenue NW to Constitution Avenue NW
- 14th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue NW to Independence Avenue SW
- 15th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue NW to Independence Avenue SW
- 17th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue NW to Independence Avenue SW
- 18th Street from New York Avenue NW to Constitution Avenue NW
- 19th Street from Virginia Avenue NW to Constitution Avenue NW
- 20th Street from C Street NW to Constitution Avenue NW
- 21st Street from C Street NW to Constitution Avenue NW
- 22nd Street from C Street NW to Constitution Avenue NW
- 23rd Street from C Street NW to Constitution Avenue NW
- Virginia Avenue NW from 18th Street to 19th Street NW
- Independence Avenue SW from 3rd to 14th streets SW
- Madison Drive from 4th to 15th streets NW
- Jefferson Drive from 14th to 4th streets SW
- Henry Bacon Drive SW from Lincoln Memorial Circle to Constitution Avenue NW
- Parkway Drive SW from Independence Avenue to Lincoln Memorial Circle
Watch for posted signs; violators will be ticketed and towed to legal spaces, the mayor’s office said.
Officials stressed that parade-goers and others commuting into the city should find alternatives to driving if at all possible.
Commuters should “take Metro or rideshare as parking is extremely limited near the parade route,” Bowser’s office said. As usual during large events, bike corrals will travel around until 3 p.m. Tuesday to make more room at Capital Bikeshare stations.
MORE: