Accommodations

Out-of-town guests will stay at the Holiday Inn Ballston. If you have friends or relatives in the area with whom you’d prefer to stay, you may do so. If you are staying elsewhere, you are responsible for transportation to campus.

Getting to GMU Arlington

The classroom portion of the institute will be on George Mason University’s Arlington campus in Founders Hall on the first floor. June 11-14 and June  18-21 we will meet in Room 111. On Friday, June 15 we will meet in Room 120, and on the final Friday, we will meet in the all- purpose room just inside the entrance of Founders. Click here for a campus map. It is approximately 1 mile from the hotel.

Other Transportation Options

You may walk, bike, or ride the Arlington County bus. The Ballston Metro station (on the Orange and Silver lines) is three blocks from the hotel (.3 miles),  from which you may ride one stop to the Virginia Square-GMU station. 

• Free Area Shuttle (operated by Holiday Inn Ballston) provides transportation within a one-mile radius of the hotel, which includes the Ballston Metro Station, shopping center, and the Kettler Capitals IcePlex.
• Arlington Transit Buses (ART)
• Capital BikeShare stations are available at the GMU Arlington campus and a short walk from the hotel.
• Taking Metro  The closest stops are the Virginia Square/GMU Metro Station and the Ballston Metro station on the Orange and Silver lines. Please note: this summer extensive repair work will be conducted across the Metro system resulting in temporary station closures and  scheduled delays. Please make use of Trip Planner to schedule your travel around these modified Metro train (subway) and bus itineraries.
• It is possible to drive your own vehicle to Arlington, and you will be reimbursed after the institute for mileage. We do not pay for rental cars.

Fitness & Wellness Options

• Holiday Inn Ballston provides access to an outdoor pool and fitness center for guests.
• Public Skating events at the Kettler Capitals IcePlex can keep you cool while you get moving.
• Popular hiking routes are a great option for those who enjoy a run or scenic stroll.

Dining Options

On campus, the Einsteins Brothers Bagels is open 8am-6:00pm Monday – Thursday, and 8am – 3pm on Friday.

There are a number of options off-campus. There are many restaurants along Wilson and Clarendon Boulevard near the Clarendon Metro station, less than a third of a mile from campus. The following dining options are within 3 blocks of campus:

• Liberty Tavern, 3195 Wilson Blvd. Sit down and take away “new American.”
• Northside Social, 3211 Wilson Blvd. Coffeeshop, cafe, and wine bar.
• Silver Diner, 3200 Wilson Blvd. American diner food.
• El Pollo Rico, 932 N. Kenmore St. Peruvian chicken.
• Z Burger, 3325 Wilson Blvd.
• Cosi, 3503 N. Fairfax Dr. Pizzas and sandwiches.
• 7-Eleven, 3503 N. Fairfax Dr.
• Starbucks, 901 N. Nelson St.
• Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company, 3471 Washington Blvd.
• Mala Tang, 3434 Washington Blvd. Sichuan hot pot, Asian fusion.
• Giant, 3450 Washington Blvd. Grocery
• If you are interesting in venturing out, the Washingtonian recently highlighted a list of the Best Cheap Restaurants in Arlington.

Evenings and Weekends

• Arlington Farmer’s Market, Saturdays from 8 am to noon near the Arlington County Courthouse Parking Lot (Courthouse Metro, Orange and Silver lines).
• Ballston Farmers Market, Thursdays 3 to 7pm,Welburn Square (901 North Taylor St).
• Clarendon Farmers’ Market, at the metro plaza, Wednesdays, 3-7pm
• Free in DC blog with updated listings, or follow @FreeinDCBlog on twitter
• DCist, for news and events in and about DC.
• The Museums section of the Washington Post Going Out Guide.
• Tours at the Folger Shakespeare Library (registration required for Reading Room tours, Saturdays only).
• The National Mall, home to museums, monuments, and the U.S. Botanical Gardens. Use Histories of the National Mall on your phone to enhance your visit.

DC Food blogs

Because there is really good food in DC.

• 100 Very Best Restaurants, Washingtonian
• Washington DC Eater
• Tyler Cowen’s Ethnic Dining Guide (recommendations for several places in Arlington)

Quick Reference Map

For a larger version, click here.

Per Diem for Meals and Incidentals

We will provide a handful of breakfasts and lunches at the institute, but all participants will be responsible for arranging their own meals outside of these instances. Participants will receive a per diem ($100/day) at the beginning of the institute, which is above the current federal per diem rates for Washington, DC. Any DC area participants will use the per diem to pay for their transportation and/or parking to and from GMU. Please plan accordingly.

Airport Transportation

There are three major airports located in the Washington D.C. Metro area. Therefore, there are different alternative transportation options for getting to and from Mason’s Campuses using alternative transportation.

Below you will find information about each airport. While there are a variety of transportation options from the different airports in the D.C. region, we suggest booking Super Shuttle or the Washington Flyer Taxi.

BALTIMORE / WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (BWI) Driving Distance from GMU Fairfax Campus to BWI=53.02 miles

DULLES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (IAD) Driving Distance from GMU Fairfax Campus to IAD=15.02 miles

RONALD REAGAN WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (DCA) Driving Distance from GMU Fairfax Campus to DCA=19.45 miles