help with metro

Question

I am staying at Crowne Plaza, Crystal City (12-14th) - hoping that is a good spot -if not, please advise :) We will be going to the zoo but it looks like I need to be on the red line. I've looked at the map, but am confused. Can someone help me figuring out the best way to get to zoo from hotel? Also, can I buy metro tickets ahead of time? Or would it be easier to drive to the zoo & park there? After zoo, heading to Natural history museum & then the monuments. Walking to the wharf also. Crowne Plaza charges 44.00 for parking - Is there a closer option to park that costs less? Or is this my best option? I looked at downtown hotels & found Holiday Inn Capital, Nat'l Mall - thats an option if you think that would be easier for what we have in mind. Thanks for any help/advice!

Answer

You’ve picked a very workable location. Crystal City is convenient, safe, and connected directly to Metro. You’ll have an easy time getting around without driving. Below is a clear, step-by-step explanation of how to reach the Zoo, how Metro fares/cards work, parking advice, and whether switching hotels is worth it.

First — Getting from Crowne Plaza Crystal City to the National Zoo
The National Zoo sits in the Woodley Park area on the Red Line. Crystal City is on the Blue/Yellow Line. So you will make one simple transfer.

Walk to Crystal City Metro Station — It’s about a 5–7 minute walk from your hotel.
Take the Yellow or Blue Line toward downtown (Yellow toward Mt Vernon Sq or Greenbelt; Blue toward Largo).
Transfer at Metro Center — This is the key transfer point. Follow the signs for the Red Line.
Take the Red Line toward Shady Grove.
Get off at Woodley Park–Zoo/Adams Morgan Station.
Walk about 8–10 minutes straight up Connecticut Avenue to the zoo entrance.

Approx travel time: 35–40 minutes total door-to-gate. Very straightforward.

Do NOT drive to the Zoo unless necessary.
Parking at the National Zoo is expensive, limited, and must typically be reserved. Traffic and the uphill zoo entrance make driving more stressful. Metro is absolutely easier.

Second — Metro tickets / passes (very easy)

You cannot buy regular WMATA SmarTrip cards online and have them shipped for a short visit, but you can buy them as soon as you arrive at any station kiosk.
You can use Apple Pay / Google Pay (tap-to-ride) directly at the fare gates. This is the easiest option for tourists—no card needed.
If you do want a physical card, purchase a SmarTrip card in the station and add money as needed.
Fares are based on distance and time of day; typically $2–$4 per ride.

Important: You do *not* need to buy anything ahead of time. Tap-and-go works perfectly and speeds things up.

Third — After the Zoo: going to Natural History Museum, then monuments

Return to the Woodley Park Metro station.
Take the Red Line to Metro Center.
Transfer to Blue/Orange/Silver and ride one stop to Smithsonian Station, which puts you directly on the National Mall next to Natural History.
From Natural History, you can walk easily to most major monuments (Washington Monument, WWII, Lincoln, etc.).

Walking to the Wharf
From the Mall area (around Natural History or Washington Monument), it's roughly a 20–25 minute walk to The Wharf. Very doable and safe during daytime/early evening.

Fourth — Parking at Crowne Plaza vs alternatives

Crowne Plaza Crystal City parking at $44/day is on the higher side for Virginia, but still lower than many D.C. hotels that charge $50–$70/night. Crystal City also has numerous public garages.

Crystal City Public Garages (weekend rates are often very cheap, sometimes $5–$10 all day; weekdays may be $20–$25). These are VERY close to your hotel—some within one block.
Street parking: Limited and time-restricted; usually not practical for overnight guests.
Airport garages (DCA): Sometimes offer cheaper long-term parking, but not ideal unless you’re okay taking the Metro back from the airport station.

Best option: Park in a nearby Crystal City public garage (not the hotel garage). They are safe and significantly cheaper. The hotel staff can point you to the nearest ones, or you can look for the “Central District Garage” and “220 20th Street S Garage” options in Crystal City.

Fifth — Should you switch to Holiday Inn Capitol (National Mall)?

That hotel is extremely walkable to the museums, but:

Parking there is also expensive.
You’ll still need to ride Metro (or bus) to the Zoo — it's still on the Red Line, not near that hotel.
You won’t gain much convenience except shorter walks to the Smithsonian museums.
Traffic and congestion in that area are heavier, especially when driving in or out.

Crystal City advantages: quieter, cheaper food options, more hotel choice, safe walking area, direct Metro access, cheaper garages, easy to drive in/out, and very easy to reach both DC and the airport.

My recommendation: Stay at Crowne Plaza Crystal City. Use Metro for everything. Park in a nearby public garage instead of the hotel garage to save money.

Sixth — Summary of the best, simplest plan