I know that Alexandria isn’t *that* far away from downtown DC. But is sure does seem like it sometimes. I had an errand to run there the other day, and my destination was just a block away from the King Street station. My morning commute covers four stations in just under five minutes, so it’s no wonder I get so impatient once I hit the ‘burbs. I reminded myself that it’s really only 17 minutes from L’Enfant to King Street, and settled back with my newspaper and iPod.
Note so self (and every other woman who rides Metro): do NOT attempt to wear cute high heels when tackling a snowy Metrorail platform. I thought I was going to go down for sure. I was taking teensy-tiny steps after I disembarked. I made it to the escalator without incident and then realized…the escalator was out of service. What a surprise!
I tiptoed down the slick steps and thought I was home free until I hit the icy sidewalks. Shouldn’t Metro at least try to provide a safe environment around their stations? No wonder above ground stations like King Street are closed when just a half a foot of snow falls. And for those of you who might think six inches is a lot of snow, try living in Chicago for a few years. Ha.
I returned to the station about three hours later, having spent enough time in Alexandria to tide me over for quite some time. Don’t get me wrong: I’m not hatin’. But as the train rolled across the Potomac toward the monuments, I definitely was ready to get back home. And change into some flats.
What you can't see is the fact that I'm holding on for dear life against the potentially destructive combination of a slick platform and a brisk wind.
Station: King Street Rating (1-10): 7
Ridership: I was there at the height of rush hour and it was a bustling mix of professionals heading home from work and other folks – mostly teenagers, a handful of families – heading back toward DC. There were not a few shopping bags from stores at Pentagon City Mall, er, “The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City.” As usual, golden yellow Forever 21 bags were the predominant leitmotif of the tween set. And when I returned to the station around 8pm, it was still quite busy, although the dress code had changed by that point, with more folks dressed to relax, shop, or hit the bars.
Pros: The station drops you off within blocks of the heart of Old Town, Alexandria, a world set apart from the surrounding strip malls and the buzz of the beltway. There are two exits and the platform is spacious enough to accomodate the increasing amount of riders and provide a smashing view of the George Washington Masonic Memorial. It’s also very easy to catch the VRE or Amtrak at Alexandria Union Station.
Cons: Not too much in the way of parking, which is fine considering the location. I find the surrounding intersections and stop signs, however, to be completely confusing, even as a pedestrian. Be aware if you’re using the KISS and Ride so that you don’t end up in the bus lanes!
Nearby & Noteworthy: I remember when I first moved to Arlington over five years ago, there was one place I was particularly excited to visit: The Crate & Barrel Outlet! I know, I know…but I was young(er) and just starting to acquire my own personal style in home decor. And I thought that having real glasses and ceramic dinnerware was the epitome of cool. At the time, I didn’t have a full-time job, so the prices were right, too. I still go back occasionally, if only to find a one-off that might be interesting.
Latest Metro News: Tomorrow’s a holiday so, of course, there are a bunch of semi-confusing closings, repairs, delays, and schedule changes to wrap one’s head around. Good luck with that.
Two things of note here. First, the city offers a free “King Street Trolley”, which runs back and forth along King St between the Metro station and the waterfront.
Second, regarding your concerns about surrounding intersections, I’d like to note that the city and WMATA are studying a reconfiguration of the station area, including bike, ped, and circulation improvements. They also have about $4 million in funding identified to make the improvements. Here’s a city webpage with some details.
Hey Em! Loved your King Street posting. Yes, please don’t hate the burbs – I live there and love it. Your post was so funny! Take care, Laura
When I lived in Old Town in 2005-2006 the escalators were out of service, and I don’t think they were ever fixed.
The thing I hated most about this station is that it’s outside, and completely dead at night. I spent many Saturday evenings alone and freezing on that platform.
Oh, and I also had a roommate at the time who was obsessed with the Crate and Barrel outlet. When I finally went I discovered that nearly every item there was in our apartment!