Glen Echo Park is inside the beltway near Bethesda
From DC:
If you can get to M Street in Georgetown, it is fairly easy to get to Glen Echo. Get on M Street anywhere downtown and take it toward Georgetown. Go through Georgetown on M and pass the Key Bridge on your left. The first intersection is Canal Road on your left. Pass that and go to the second intersection, which will be MacArthur Blvd. Make a left onto MacArthur Blvd. The road forks once or twice. Watch the signs to be sure you're still on MacArthur. You will go approx. 5 to 6 miles. At about 5 miles you will see signs for Clara Barton Parkway, then signs for Glen Echo; go one block past the Exxon Station at the intersection of MacArthur and Goldsboro Rd and turn left into the Glen Echo Park parking lot.
From I-495 (coming from Virginia):
Cross the American Legion Bridge, staying in the right lane. Take Exit 41 for Clara Barton Parkway. Coming off the exit, bear to the right for Glen Echo/Clara Barton Parkway. Stay in the left lane. Make a sharp, hairpin left turn following the signs to MacArthur Blvd and Glen Echo. Immediately after the sharp left, get in the right lane and bear right at the Y. The road will curve to the right and then end at MacArthur Blvd. at a stop sign. Turn left onto MacArthur Blvd.; go one block past the Exxon Station at the intersection with Goldsboro Rd. and turn left into the Glen Echo Park parking lot.
From I-495 (coming from Silver Spring):
Take Exit 40 for Cabin John Parkway and Glen Echo. Stay in the left-most lane of the exit ramp and bear left at the Y. Follow the Cabin John Parkway east, where it will merge with the Clara Barton Parkway. Follow directions above beginning with
Stay in the left lane.
Via public transportation:
Take the Red Line to Friendship Heights, and from there the
Ride-On Route 29 bus to Glen Echo. (As of this writing, the last bus was at 7:25 pm Sundays, 10:13 pm weeknights, but check with Ride-On [link above] to confirm.) The bus will drop you off next to a gas station at the intersection of Goldsboro Road (the one the bus has taken) and MacArthur Blvd. Cross MacArthur near the strange arrangement of Jersey wall, pipes, and chain-link fencing, and go left (east) along the bike path. You'll see a parking lot on your right; walk along through that (continue east), and turn right after the stone tower under the Glen Echo Park overhang. Follow the paved path toward the carousel (in front of you), and bear left. You'll see both the Bumper Car Pavilion and Spanish Ballroom up ahead. The Arcade is to your left. When you arrive, ask the person at the door to ask the dance chair to announce that you need a ride back to Metro. We've never left anyone at the Park.
Click for a
Ride-On Bus Schedule
Handicapped Access:
All buildings at the park are compliant with ADA requirements; wheelchair access using either ramps, elevators, or lifts, depending on the building. All toilets are fully accessible.
