Safe to walk from the National Mall to the Wharf after dark?

[Anonymous]

This is a really silly question, but I mentioned to my husband that a friend of mine who is visiting and I will walk over to the Wharf one night for dinner after she does some sightseeing. He was worried because we will have to walk under 395 which can get dark and isolated. Is there a better route than others? 7th St route?

Didn’t cross my mind to worry but thought I would ask since I haven’t walked that route before.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

I mean, I'm sure you will be fine if you stick to 4th street, but it won't be scenic.

[Anonymous]

By the tidal basin, or via L'Enfant Plaza. There are plenty of options. It isn't an unsafe area.

[Anonymous]

7th St goes over 395.

It's certainly not scenic though, and is sort of business center. So after 6pm and on weekend evenings, there's not much between the Mall and the Wharf.

You can do a google street view of the route you're planning.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't given current crime stats. Just Uber.

[Anonymous]

No. Just Uber.

[Anonymous]

I agree to Uber. If you can make it to L’Enfant there is a $1 circulator bus that will take you around the Wharf. If you insist on walking I would take 7th over 4th after dusk as it has a little more foot traffic in the evening.

[Anonymous]

I walk my kids home from daycare along 7th st after dark (in the winter). I’ve never felt unsafe. But I don’t feel unsafe on 4th st either.

Depending on what tourist things are going on the day of your dinner, the whole area might be quite crowded with tourists or pretty empty after the commuter crowd goes home.

[Anonymous]

7th street is fine

[Anonymous]

I would Uber just out of convenience.

[jsteele]

The Warf has a free shuttle from the mall (and from L'Enfant Plaza):

https://www.wharfdc.com/getting-here/southwest-shuttle/

[Anonymous]

Middle-aged tubby white guy here. I walk it all the time, sometimes with an expensive camera. Never had an issue walking from the Wharf, up Maine to 12th (under 395) and then up 12th to the Mall. Lot of federal offices there so it is empty at night, but I stay alert and cross the street if something seems off. I haven't had to do that in probably five years though.

[Anonymous]

You will be absolutely fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't given current crime stats. Just Uber.

Lol

[Anonymous]

I would walk down 7th street, no worries at all. It's also the least confusing route. It's kind of a trip to walk down L'Enfant Plaza SW (between 7th and 12th) but can get a little confusing to get through Banneker Park to the Wharf.