Local Information [Español]
Except for Thursday's Round Table and Friday's reception, conference events will be held in the Original Building of the George Mason Arlington campus (3401 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington VA 22201). This campus is located just a couple of miles from Washington DC and is easily accessible by Metro (Virginia Square station, on the orange line).
GMU's Arlington campus is located right next to the FDIC residence, and approximately half a mile from the Hilton. Since the Hilton is also on North Fairfax Drive, getting to GMU from the Hilton is easy: walk east approximately 5 blocks. GMU is located on the left hand side, just after the FDIC. Alternatively, you could take the Metro from Ballston station (accessible
from the Hilton) one stop to Virginia Square.
Maps of the area are available from Metro and Google. George Mason also has an online map of the campus (as well as a photo of the Original Building).
Computer access at the conference
Participants at the conference will have free wireless internet access in the Original Building duing the conference (log-in name and password will be provided in the conference folder). The Hilton also provides internet connections, for approximately $10/day.
Conference participants may also use the computers in the GMU-Arlington library. Conveniently located in room 101 of the Original Building, the library is free and open to the public during the day.
Arriving by plane
National Airport
Also known as Reagan Airport, National is the airport closest to George Mason's Arlington Campus and to Washington DC. Taking the Metro to GMU-Arlington or the Hilton takes approximately 20-25 minutes and costs under $2 (the exact fare depends on time of arrival).
To take the Metro, check the fare on the list at the airport station and buy a farecard from the machine (bills, coins & credit cards accepted). Each person must have their own farecard. After inserting your ticket and passing through the turnstile, be sure to save your ticket: you'll need it to exit. The airport is on both the blue and yellow lines, which share tracks. Take the yellow line towards Gallery Place and get off at L'Enfant Plaza. Change here to the orange line, heading towards Vienna. For the Hilton, exit at the Ballston station; for GMU-Arlington or the FDIC, exit at Virginia Square. Insert your farecard in the turnstile to exit. If you have money remaining on your card, your card will be returned as the turnstile opens; if your card has the exact fare, your card will not be returned. If you have insufficient funds on your card, the turnstile will not open; you can add funds using the AddFare machines inside the station.
From National Airport you also take a taxi (10-15 minute drive, approximately $15, plus tip) or a Super Shuttle van (approximately $9 for one passenger; passengers traveling together pay less).
Dulles Airport
Washington DC's closest international airport is located approximately 25 miles from the conference site and the Hilton. Unfortunately, Metro service to Dulles is still in the planning stages, so the primary transportation options are either taxi (30-40 minute drive, approximately $50, plus tip), a Super Shuttle van (approximately $26 for one passenger; passengers traveling together pay less), or the 5A bus (DC-Dulles Line, $3) which goes to the L’Enfant Plaza Metro station, where you'll take the orange line to Ballston station for the Hilton, or to Virginia Square for GMU-Arlington or the FDIC (detailed Metro directions provided in National Airport section).
Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) Airport
Of the three Washington area airports, BWI is the farthest from the conference site and Washington DC. In addition to taxis (a one hour drive, approximately $75) and the Super Shuttle van (approximately $41 for one passenger; passengers traveling together pay less, but check the website for availability), it is possible to take a train from BWI to DC's Union Station (service provided by MARC and Amtrak), and then take the Metro (or a taxi) to the conference site or the Hilton (see below). Another option is to take the B30 bus (Greenbelt-BWI Airport Line, $3), which goes from BWI to the Greenbelt Metro station. From there, take the green line to L'Enfant Plaza and then take the orange line to Ballston for the Hilton, or to Virginia Square for GMU-Arlington or the FDIC (detailed Metro directions provided in National Airport section). BWI is the least convenient airport for attending the conference.
Arriving by train
Amtrak and MARC trains arrive in Washington at Union Station, located on the Metro red line.To take the Metro to the conference site or the Hilton, check the fare on the list at the station and buy a ticket from the fare machine (bills, coins & credit cards accepted). After inserting your ticket and passing through the turnstile, be sure to save your ticket: you'll need it to exit. Take the red line towards Shady Grove and get off at Metro Center and change to the orange line. At Metro Center, the blue and orange lines share tracks; be sure to take the orange line, heading towards Vienna. For the Hilton, exit at the Ballston station; for GMU-Arlington or the FDIC, exit at Virginia Square. Insert your farecard in the turnstile to exit. If you have money remaining on your card, your card will be returned as the turnstile opens; if your card has the exact fare, your card will not be returned. If you have insufficient funds on your card, the turnstile will not open. You can add funds using the AddFare machines inside the station.
Arriving by car
Directions to GMU Arlington campus are available on Google. The Hilton provides driving directions to the hotel.
Parking
On Saturday and Sunday, the GMU-Arlington parking lot (entrance on Kirwood Street) is free and open to the public. On Friday, you may wish to park at the Foundation Building parking lot, located on Washington Blvd between the Giant grocery store and the Truland Building. The cost is $2/hour for the first three hours, $10 for 4-8 hours, and $15 for 8-24 hours. You may be able to find metered street parking.
The Hilton charges approximately $15 for overnight or all-day parking, and a discounted day-rate of approximately $6 if you arrive by 9:00 am.
Getting around while at the conference
There are several restaurants, coffee shops and stores within walking distance of the conference and the Hilton. More restaurants and shopping options are just a few minutes away by Metro, at the Clarendon station (1 stop from GMU & the FDIC; 2 stops from the Hilton Arlington).
In Virginia, it is not easy to find a taxi on the street, but there is a taxi stand at the Hilton. If you need to request a taxi, you can do so at your hotel, or by telephone: Arlington Red Top Taxi: (703) 522-3333; Arlington Blue Top Taxi: (703) 243-TAXI (703-243-8294).
To take the Metro, check the fare on the list at the station where you got on and buy a farecard from the machine (bills, coins & credit cards accepted). Each person must have their own farecard. After inserting your ticket and passing through the turnstile, be sure to save your ticket: you'll need it to exit. To exit, insert your farecard in the turnstile. If you have money remaining on your card, your card will be returned as the turnstile opens; if your card has the exact fare, your card will not be returned. If you have insufficient funds on your card, the turnstile will not open; you can add funds using the AddFare machines inside the station.
The museums, monuments, restaurants, and neighborhoods of Washington DC are also a short easy ride by Metro. Metro operates until midnight Sunday through Thursday and until 3:00 am Friday and Saturday; however, since the last train leaves some stations earlier, you should check times on the Metro website or in the station if you plan to ride Metro within an hour of closing. Taxis are fairly easy to hail on the streets of DC. Please note that in Washington DC, taxis do not use meters but instead calculate fees using a zone system within the District and using mileage (from the odometer) when traveling outside of DC. The fare from most places in Washington DC to the Hilton will likely be approximately $15. Be advised that with DC cabs, there is a small fee for each additional passenger, as well as a rush-hour surcharge.
Useful links
Washington DC Tourism Site
Arlington Visitors' services
George Mason University Visitor Information
Metro homepage and map
Area maps from Metro and Google
Arlington VA weather
