skip navigation | text only | accessibility | site map

Directions and Parking

The Kennedy Center is located on the bank of the Potomac River at 2700 F St., NW, Washington, D.C. 20566, at the intersection of New Hampshire Avenue, NW, and Rock Creek Parkway. It is accessible by Metro (via the subway and bus lines), by taxi, and by car. If you are driving, refer to the directions below to find the most efficient route for getting to and exiting the Center. And, always remember to allow extra time when driving as Washington traffic can be unpredictable. The Kennedy Center offers many pre-performance activities to help you make the most of your visit. You can find information on garage hours, fees, and accessibility here under: Parking at the Kennedy Center.

Modes of Transportation

Metro | Bus | Taxi | Car | Bicycle

By Subway / Metro:

The Foggy Bottom/George Washington University Station (on the Orange and Blue lines, at 23rd and I streets, NW) , is the stop closest to the Kennedy Center. From there it is a short walk via New Hampshire Avenue OR use our free Kennedy Center Shuttle (signs are towards the left as you exit the escalator). The shuttle departs every 15 minutes from 9:45 a.m.-Midnight Monday-Friday, and 10 a.m.-Midnight Saturdays, and noon-Midnight Sundays and 4:00 p.m.-Midnight on Federal holidays. For the most up-to-date information about scheduled Metro track work, please go to Metro's Major Track Work page.

Please visit Metro's Accessibility website http://www.wmata.com/accessibility/ for information for passengers with disabilities.

By Bus:

The 80 bus goes to the Kennedy Center. For details on bus routes and schedules, call Metro information at (202) 637-7000 or TTY (202) 638-3780.

By Taxi:

Taxi service to and from the Kennedy Center is convenient and readily available. A taxi dispatcher is available to signal cabs and assign patrons from 6:30 p.m. (3:30 p.m. on matinee days) until 30 minutes after the end of the last performance, and taxis queue in the Plaza each evening to serve patrons. Look for the uniformed dispatcher at the Hall of States entrance.

By Car/ Get Directions:

from Northern Virginia | from Maryland and Northwest DC | from Downtown DC

Please refer to the map below to help plan your trip. Also be sure to check our parking information, garage hours, and fees before arriving.

Important Note About SUV's 6 Feet or Higher
For vehicles taller than 6 ft., there are limited spaces available on levels "B" and "C" South and "C" North (max. clearance 7').

Bicycle Parking

Bike racks are available for patron convenience at the following locations: F St. & New Hampshire Ave., next to the Metro Bus stop on the front plaza, and inside Level C garage entrances both north and south.

A Capital Bikeshare rack is located on the front plaza across from the Hall of Nations entrance.

Wide Area Map

wide area map

Download PDF of Map

Directions

from Northern Virginia | from Maryland and Northwest DC | from Downtown DC

From Northern Virginia:

  • Via the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge (I-66 & Rte. 50):

    There are two ways to get to the Center off of the bridge. Option 1 is to take the first right upon crossing the bridge, and turn right onto Ohio Drive/Rock Creek Parkway at the stop sign. Make the first right to access the garage's "B" or "C" level South entrances. Option 2 is to take the first left upon crossing the bridge, staying to the left on the Potomac Expressway (toward Rock Creek Parkway). At the yield sign, turn left and proceed to the second stoplight at Virginia Avenue. Turn left on Virginia Avenue. Turn right onto 25th Street and follow the signs for the Kennedy Center.

  • Via Key Bridge (Rt. 29/ Lee Hwy.):

    From Key Bridge, take the first right onto the Whitehurst Freeway. Proceed straight to the stoplight at 27th Street--do NOT take the right exit to I-66. Turn right and proceed to the second stoplight at Virginia Avenue. Turn left on Virginia Avenue. Turn right onto 25th Street and follow the signs for the Kennedy Center.

  • Via Memorial Bridge (from I-395):

    From I-395 North, take Exit 8B, Washington Blvd. towards Pentagon/Arlington Cemetery/Rosslyn/Memorial Bridge. Merge onto Washington Boulevard. Take the Rte. 50 West/George Washington Memorial Parkway North exit. Merge onto Arlington Memorial Bridge and get in the left lane. Begin to loop around the Lincoln Memorial (at right). Take the first left onto 23rd Street and get in the left lane. After E Street, turn left onto Virginia Avenue. At the second stoplight, turn left onto 25th Street and follow the signs for the Kennedy Center.

From Maryland and Northwest DC:

  • Via the Capital Beltway (I-495 from I-270 S and I-95 S):

    Take I-495 toward Tysons Corner (if coming from I-270, take I-495 South; if coming from I-95, take I-495 West). Upon crossing the American Legion Bridge, take exit 43 onto the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Take the GW Pkwy approx. 12 miles to the right-hand exit onto Rt. 50 East via the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge (toward D.C.). There are two ways to get to the Center off of the bridge. Option 1 is to take the first right upon crossing the bridge, and turn right onto Ohio Drive/Rock Creek Parkway at the stop sign. Make the first right to access the garage's "B" or "C" level South entrances. Option 2 is to take the first left upon crossing the Roosevelt Bridge, staying to the left on the Potomac Expressway (toward Rock Creek Parkway). At the yield sign, turn left and proceed straight to the second stoplight at Virginia Avenue. Turn left on Virginia Avenue. Turn right onto 25th Street and follow the signs for the Kennedy Center.

From Downtown DC:

  • Via Independence Avenue (west from the Capitol):

    Proceeding west on Independence Avenue the road becomes Rock Creek Parkway. Get in the left lane and pass under three bridges. During matinee and evening performance times: After driving under the Kennedy Center River Terrace, exit right to the garage's "C" Level North entrance. All other times: After passing under the third bridge, exit right to the garage's "B" or "C" level South entrances.

  • Via Rock Creek Parkway South:

    Turn left onto Virginia Avenue. At the second stoplight, turn right onto 25th Street and follow the signs for the Kennedy Center.

    Important Note: Mon.-Fri. from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Rock Creek Parkway South is inaccessible due to rush-hour lane closures.

    During these hours, follow Massachusetts Avenue downtown, then turn right onto 22nd Street. Proceed to Washington Circle. Proceed almost halfway around the circle, then turn right onto New Hampshire Avenue. At the first stoplight cross Virginia Avenue and follow signs around Juarez Circle to the Kennedy Center.

Exiting the Kennedy Center

To Roosevelt Bridge | To Northbound Rock Creek Parkway/Key Bridge | To Independence Avenue/Memorial Bridge

To Roosevelt Bridge:

At all times:

  • From A, B, or C Level South --Proceed past the front of the Center, then turn right onto the ramp to the Potomac Expressway for direct access to the Roosevelt Bridge.
  • From A or B Level North --Turn right out of the garage onto F Street. Merge right onto 25th Street leading into the Kennedy Center site. Take an immediate left onto the ramp to the Potomac Expressway.
  • IMPORTANT NOTE: Access to F Street (Eastbound) is not available from the "C" Level North exit.

To Northbound Rock Creek Parkway and Key Bridge:

(For Key Bridge, once on Rock Creek Parkway, follow signs for Whitehurst Freeway)

Mon.-Fri., from 4 to 6:30 p.m.:

  • From A, B, or C Level South --Proceed past the front of the Center and Saudi Arabian Embassy. Turn left onto Virginia Avenue and follow signs.
  • From B Level North --Turn right out of the garage. Turn left at New Hampshire Avenue. Turn left onto Virginia Avenue and follow signs.
  • From A Level North --Proceed straight onto New Hampshire Avenue. Turn left onto Virginia Avenue and follow signs.

All other times:

  • From B or C Level North --Proceed straight at stoplight and merge onto Rock Creek Parkway.
  • From A Level North --Turn left out of garage and, at stoplight, merge onto Rock Creek Parkway.

To Independence Avenue and Memorial Bridge:

Mon.-Fri., from 4 to 6:30 p.m.:

  • From C Level North --Proceed straight at stoplight and merge onto Rock Creek Parkway North. Turn right onto Virginia Avenue and follow signs.
  • From B Level North --Turn right out of the garage. Turn left at New Hampshire Avenue. Merge to the right onto Virginia Avenue and follow signs.
  • From A Level North --Proceed straight onto New Hampshire Avenue. Merge to the right onto Virginia Avenue and follow signs.

All other times:

  • From A, B, or C Level North --Turn left out of garage to turn left at stoplight onto Rock Creek Parkway South and follow signs.

Parking at the Kennedy Center

Garage Hours:

6 a.m.- Midnight daily. Hours subject to change on holidays.

Performance Parking: $23.00

Performance parking rate is currently available to patrons on a first come first served basis for $23.00, pre-paid at the parking entrances. Pre-paid fees are collected beginning at 1 p.m. during the week and at all times on weekends and holidays. Exceptions are weekday matinees when the pre-pay typically starts at 10 a.m. Accessible parking spaces are available on all levels and are located on the west side of the motor lobbies nearest the river, to the left as you enter. "A Level South" is now open after 5 p.m. on weekdays and on weekends for matinees and evening performances. All major credit cards accepted: MC, Visa, AMEX.

Free Box Office and Gift Shop Parking:

Sixty minutes of free parking is available when visiting our Box Office or spending $10.00 or more at our Gift Shops (if validated at the Box Office or Gift Shops). Box Office validation is not available when picking up free tickets. Validations are only accepted on Parking Level "B," provided the one-hour limit has not been exceeded.

Accessible Parking Spaces:

Available on all garage levels on the west side of the motor lobbies.

Over-sized Vehicles:

For vehicles taller than 6 ft., there are limited spaces available on levels "B" and "C" South and "C" North (max. clearance 7').

Donor Reserved Parking:

When attending performances, Kennedy Center Donors of the Producers' Circle level or higher may reserve a centrally located parking space on "C" Level. To make a reservation or learn more about donor benefits, call the Circles Services Line at (202) 416-8068 Mon.-Fri. from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Parking Questions:

Call (202) 416-7984 weekdays, 9-5; (202) 416-7987 evenings and weekends.

Pre-Performance Activities

To make your visit a memorable one, the Kennedy Center offers many pre-performance activities for you to enjoy. Arrive early and...