Heading to Washington DC with little ones in tow? You may be asking the same question I did before I went. Should I take a stroller with me? Today I will share tips to help you decide if you should have a stroller in Washington D.C.
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The Flight
It is likely you will be flying to Washington D.C. I always find it nice to have my stroller with me at the airport. Funny enough I often use it to carry my luggage rather than my kids.
You definitely want to consider the size of your stroller when choosing whether to have a stroller in Washington D.C. I absolutely love my BOB single stroller and Peg Perego stroller. My Peg is awesome when traveling with one child because it is lightweight and easy to fold. However, on our trip to D.C. I brought the BOB because I can fit two kids in it when I utilize the pocket footrest. We also have a Double BOB Stroller that we love, but we knew it would be too big for the trip.
I had no problems with the stroller in the Tampa airport. At security they hand-screened it and I was allowed to gate check it. Washington Dulles airport wasn’t as stroller friendly. They made me take the wheels off to put it through the scanner at security. I was allowed to bring it down on the jetway but they required me to send it with the checked baggage because of the weight.
Airline Requirements
You will need to check with the particular airline you are flying with to see what their specific requirements are concerning strollers. However, here are a few of the main airlines that fly into DC and their current requirements (November 2019) according to their websites:
Delta’s Stroller Policy
Children’s strollers and seat restraints are not counted as part of the standard baggage and therefore can easily be checked for free. For your convenience these items may be checked at the curbside, the ticket counter, or at the gate.
Jet Blue’s Stroller Policy
Strollers and car seats do not count toward your carry-on or checked bag allowance. You may check them through when you arrive at the airport or gate-check them at the jetbridge.
Southwest’s Stroller Policy
Customers traveling with children will be allowed to check one stroller and one Child Restraint System (CRS) or car seat per child without charge. This is in addition to the regular free baggage allowance. The stroller and CRS or car seat allowance applies to any type of stroller (umbrella, full size, jogging stroller, etc.) and CRS or car seat. The Customer may check the stroller and CRS or car seat at the curb, ticket counter, or gate. Southwest Airlines will not assume liability for damage to strollers, CRS’s or car seats.
United’s Stroller Policy
We’ll accept one stroller or folding wagon free of charge for each child in addition to a car seat. This includes children under the age of two traveling on an adult’s lap and infants traveling internationally on 10 percent of an adult fare, charged at the time of infant ticketing. You’ll have to check most strollers or folding wagons at the gate before you depart. You can still use them around the airport, though. Large, non-collapsible strollers or non-folding wagons can’t be checked at the gate, so please see a United representative at the airport check-in counter to check these items.
**Remember the policies listed are current on the date this article was written. Be sure to double-check with your particular carrier to be sure no changes have been made.
Strollers in Washinton D.C.-Public Transportation
Washington D.C. is a great destination for using public transit. From buses, rental bikes and scooters, and the metro you definitely can get around the town for an affordable price. If you are planning to use public transit, you might be wondering if you can have your stroller.
Metrorail Stroller Policy
One excellent way to see the sights of D.C. is with the Metrorail. In our experience strollers were welcome on the Metrorail in Washington DC. With 6 lines and 91 stations the Metrorail travels to most of the city. We had no trouble taking our single stroller on the metro. There are spaces on the train where you can park the stroller and sit adjacent to it. We did ride the metro during off-peak times so it might be a little tricker if you are trying to ride during high traffic times.
When I looked into the specific policy of the Metrorail the only thing I could find was: “If you have a stroller, use the elevator. There’s no safe way to carry an infant in a stroller on an escalator. If the elevator is out of service, carry your infant in your arms, fold the stroller, and take the escalator. ” This statement does not really address whether strollers can be brought on the Metro or not. However, I think you will be able to ride any time of the day with your stroller-and you likely won’t even have to fold it up.
Strollers On Buses
If there is somewhere you want to travel that the Metrorail doesn’t travel you might consider taking the buses. The two buses you can take are the Metrobus and the DC Circulator.
Metrobus
The Metrobus has 325 routes and cost $2 (for regular routes) to ride whether you are paying by cash or SmarTrip (with this card you can get a discount when riding the Metrorail). Children four years and younger, ride free with each adult paying full fare. (up to 2 children). Children five and older pay adult fares. According to their website the stroller policy is, “If you have a stroller, take your child out of the stroller, fold the stroller, and if possible, stow the stroller out of the way.”
DC Circulator
Another option for taking a bus is the DC Circulator. Even better than the Metro, The DC Circulator only charges a $1 base fare and children 5 and under are free (with a paying adult rider). There are many popular routes on this bus including National Mall Route, Georgetown, and Union Station. According to their website their stroller policy is “Children in strollers are welcome on the DC Circulator. Due to space, we must limit open strollers to two at a time on each bus. The maximum size for a stroller is 48” long by 24” wide. Strollers larger than 48×24, such as most jogging strollers, will not be allowed on buses. The DC Circulator does not allow play buggies such as plastic pull-along cars or wagon carts at any time.
If you are considering riding the buses around town you again want to consider the size of your stroller. We never took the bus because we felt like our BOB would be a little too much to bring on. I’m sure we could have made it work but we didn’t want to inconvenience other people. I would suggest you look into all the options ahead of time along with your itinerary to see what will be the best transportation option. At that time you can then decide which stroller you will bring.
Strollers In Washington D.C. Mall & Museums
If you are like our family it is likely that the National Mall & Smithsonian Museums are on the top of the list of places to visit on your trip. These destinations require a lot of walking which was one of the top reasons we wanted to bring a stroller. We knew that walking to all the destinations would do our kids in. We were pleased to find that both the mall area and the museums were very stroller friendly.
Stroller at The National Mall
The National Mall is a gorgeous open landscape that not only requires a lot of walking but also encourages a lot of freedom for exercise for children. During our visit our children would hop in and out of the stroller as we would walk along. We were able to get a close-up view of the Vietnam memorial, the Washington Monument, and the Lincoln Monument. The Vietnam memorial has a paved walkway right next to it so there is no problem seeing it with your stroller. We went up to the Washington Monument but we did not go in so I can’t say to whether you could bring a stroller in or not. The Lincoln Monument has a ramp that you can take which will give you access to an elevator to bring you up to the top. We did not visit the Capitol building but according to their website it appears strollers are allowed except in the House and Senate Galleries. Strollers are prohibited inside the White House.
Stroller At The Smithsonian Museums
Since we were only there one day we were unable to visit all the Smithsonian Museums. We visited the Air & Space Museum and the Natural History Museum. A word of caution: while we were able to bring the stroller into both of these destinations, we found it difficult to maneuver around with our stroller. In the Air and Space Museum there was an exhibit where you could walk through a rocket that our stroller could not go. I stayed with the stroller while my husband took my kids through the exhibit. Many of the exhibits have fairly tight walkways. We were able to maneuver but mind you we were visiting the first week in October. I can’t imagine trying to get through the crowds in the summer months with a stroller.
According to the Smithsonian website their policy on strollers is, “Strollers are permitted in all museums*; a limited number of strollers are available for rent at the Zoo. *No strollers are permitted in Ginny Ruffner: Reforestation of the Imagination. Stroller parking is available at the 17th Street accessible entrance.
Local Restaurants
Of course part of your trip to Washington DC will be eating out. We were allowed to bring our stroller into all the places we ate or considered eating. With that being said remember that most places are compact eateries. So again a smaller stroller or folding up your stroller might be a better option.
Other Recommendations
Another option I didn’t think of before I went was bringing a lock in case we wanted to leave the stroller outside places. Washington D.C. is very biker friendly so many places have a bike rack you can attach your stroller to.
Another option is to bring a fold-up wagon. This might be a good option since you can fit multiple children and it can fold up to be carried inside or locked up outside.
Another option to consider if you have a toddler or lighter child is baby wearing/backpack carrier. Two of our favorite options are Ergobaby carrier for babies and this one or this one for toddlers.
My last and final recommendation is for a stroller accessory that I always use is the Clip & Go. (see picture above). This little gadget is so helpful when you have lots of things to carry in your stroller. In the airport we attached the kids’ backpacks to it. **To save you from embarrassment just remember that a lot of weight potentially is in the back of your stroller when your child stands up.
The Ultimate Question: Would I Bring The Stroller Again?
You’re probably wondering, “if you had to do it over again would you use a stroller in Washington D.C.?” My answer would definitely be yes. I don’t know how my three year old could have kept up without carrying him everywhere. The only thing I might reconsider is bringing a smaller stroller or bringing our Kelty backpack carrier for him. Like I said at the beginning I love that my BOB can hold two kids, but it was very cumbersome for the reasons mentioned above.
Hopefully this article will help you determine whether you want to bring a stroller in Washington D.C. and/or which stroller you want to bring. In addition to the mom clip we have some great suggestions of must-have gear for family travelers in this article. Stay Peachy!
Lots of great specific tips regarding navigating with your stroller. I loved my Peg Perego stroller too!
Jen,
Thanks so much! Yes the Peg is amazing! I’ve always loved how light and maneuverable it was! Happy travels!
This is a great resource for parents traveling with children. You’ve done the research very thoroughly. I love the bike lock idea, because there are definitely places where you would want to leave the stroller before going in. Nice post!
Ellen,
Thanks so much! Yes, I thought of the bike lock after the fact 🙁 but I’m definitely going to have one for the future. Thank you for your kind words!
Great tips for travelers with little ones
Joanne,
Thanks so much! I’m happy you enjoyed it! Happy travels!
That’s adventurous bringing little ones to D.C. Good for you! I always used my umbrella stroller for stuff like that, but I never even tried to travel anywhere like that — maybe Minneapolis! 😊
Ramae,
Thanks so much for your kind words. I’m trying to be more spontaneous and adventurous with them. It’s definitely not the easiest thing but the rewards definitely outshine any difficulties we may encounter 🙂
Thanks for the tips! I have two under 5 so a stroller is definitely necessary when traveling! 🙂
Eileen,
Your welcome! Yes, I can understand why you would need a stroller. I remember that stage when I had 3 under 5-oy vey! Happy travels!
What a great trip! Hoping to take my grandkids there soon!
Tricia,
Thanks so much! I hope you are able to go with your grandchildren. What a great place to make memories together!
Sometimes I think the littles in the strollers are so lucky! What a great opportunity for them to explore the National Mall! Great tips!
Right?! It really is such a great family destination to explore! Thanks for your kind words!
What a helpful post for those young families who travel with their kids!
Jill,
Thanks so much! Happy travels!
I can see how it important it is to have a stroller in DC..and having the rule and policy will help so many families to make their trip enjoyable without all the stress! Great tips!!
Holly,
Thanks so much! I’m happy you enjoyed the tips! Happy travels!
Great ideas here! You are brave to do all that. The thought of travelling with my kids (who are 9 months and 2) and all their gear gives me so much anxiety! Maybe when they are older I won’t be so nervous.
Sonia,
Thanks so much for your kind words! Yes it can be overwhelming to travel when they are so young but I am still going to encourage you to try it :). You will find that you often don’t need as much besides the essentials to have a great time in a new city! Happy travels!
Great guidelines! I lived in the DC area and remember how congested it can be. Definitely intimidating to bring a stroller, but these would definitely be helpful to know before hand!
Michelle,
Thanks so much for your kind comments. Yes, it is overwhelming when planning a trip to know what you can & cannot bring. Thanks for stopping by. Stay peachy!
Wow! This is great information. We live about 2 hours from DC and visit often, but definitely didn’t know all of these details! Thanks so much for sharing!
Tracy,
Thanks so much! I’m happy I was able to provide you with useful information 🙂 Stay peachy!
This post is very helpful. I used to have a stroller that turned into a car seat it was from Europe and it was very convenient. I wonder if it would pass the test at the airport? Thank you for this post!
Briana,
That sounds like a fabulous contraption! Unfortunately, I’m not sure how well it would fare at the airport. Best to probably check with the particular airport you will be traveling with. Thanks for stopping by. Happy travels and fingers crossed the stroller you have works out 🙂
If you have very durable stroller like the ones you listed, it is a great idea to bring. Washington DC = tons of walking! Little kids couldn’t make it without a stroller!
Lisa,
Yes! That is what we realized once we got there. We were so happy we brought ours! Stay peachy!
This is very useful information! I also own a BOB stroller and use it a lot…although I’m always wondering what vacations can handle it and which ones cannot. We also use a Kelty Kid Carrier and find that useful. Thank you!
Tara,
Isn’t the BOB great! We also have a Kelty (that I found at a garage sale for $20 and the people said they had only used once-WHAT?!) that we absolutely love! I’m happy the information was helpful! Stay peachy!
Very helpful information! Thanks for laying out all of the details for us!
Lee Anne,
No problem. I’m happy it was helpful! Stay peachy!
Nice tips for those with littles!
Suzan,
Thanks so much! Stay peachy!
This is super helpful! And I agree, I LOVED my BOB stroller, but the double is difficult if you’re trying to move quickly.
Rachel,
I’m happy this was helpful for you! Yes the double bob is quite large but I love that puppy when I go out for a run with all 3 🙂 Happy travels!
Great information! I had no idea so many companies had different stroller policies.
Right?! And it doesn’t help that some of them aren’t quite as clear as others. Thankfully when we went we really didn’t run into much trouble. Happy travels!
Love all the different airline policies you’ve quoted! I was so confused back in the days when needed to travel by air internationally and bring both a stroller and a car seat! Great tips for new moms 🙂
Thank you! Yes it can be overwhelming at times with all the information you have to try to think of before heading somewhere and then packing on top of that 🙂 Stay peachy!
There are so many things you need to take into consideration with strollers, thank you so much for your recommendations!
Yes you are right! It’s a little overwhelming at times! Happy travels!
Great insights! I have two eight months apart and traveling with our double stroller saved us!
Thank you! Eight months apart-you are a busy mama! Happy travels!
When you have little kids, I think having a stroller in the city is priceless! That Clip n Go looks awesome too!
Tiffany,
Thanks so much! Yes the Clip n Go is amazing. It’s so helpful in carrying things that are too heavy for the basket! Happy travels!
good article! I wish more people would think things like this through….
Jen,
Thanks so much! Stay peachy!
Thank you so much for sharing all the details of the policies of airlines, the bus and rail in DC in regards to strollers. This helps so much for family trips.
Lisa,
Your welcome. I’m happy to help. I was looking for the same info when I was traveling to Washington D.C. with my kids so I was hoping it would help other parents out as well 🙂 Happy travels!
This article was so informative and should be a must read for anyone traveling with stroller kids! I don’t think you left anything out! 🙂
Jeannette,
Thanks so much! I tried to include all the questions I had when preparing for the trip. Stay peachy!
Fabulous article – well written and very informative!
Catherine,
Thanks so much. Happy to help! Stay peachy!
I always pack a stroller when traveling with my kids. As you said it can carry the kid or other stuff lol
Right?! So funny that it is helpful in so many ways! Happy travels!
It’s been years since I’ve been to DC but I do remember how much walking we did, especially around the Mall. A stroller is a must! This is super helpful for parents who will be touring the capital.
Melanie,
I agree. Thanks so much for your kind comments. Happy travels!
Great to know where a stroller is most helpful in DC! Those kiddos can seem like they have boundless energy, until you walk everywhere and then they just want their strollers. Thanks!
Christina,
So true-ha! Thanks for your kind comments. Happy travels-with a stroller of course 🙂
I’m so glad that there are a great deal of “stroller friendly” places including airplanes. I had never had my son on a plane when he was younger but I always wondered about the idea of doing so. Now I know. Thank you.
Susan,
I’m happy to help 🙂 Yes, thankfully most places now are very stroller friendly. Stay peachy!
Great info! I can see how handy a stroller would be in Washington DC…or any big city with lots of sights to see.
Thank you! Yes, we really enjoyed having ours. Thanks for stopping by!
Great info! Strollers are so important when sight seeing. I’m so glad you can take them on planes.
Pauline,
Thanks so much! Me too!