To some GAC attendees navigating the D.C. area is familiar, but to others who haven't regularly attended the conference, just like any new city, shifting through the metro, buses and street names can be overwhelming. In a city like D.C. entertainment is no problem, it can be figuring out how to get to the entertainment that becomes the problem.
D.C. is broken into four different quadrants, Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, and Southeast.
Streets and addresses are labeled, NW, SW, NE, SE to indicate the quadrant it's located in.
Numbered streets run north-south.
Lettered streets run east-west alphabetically becoming two syllable names, then three syllable names as you travel out farther from the center.
Avenues named for U.S. states run diagonally and often meet at traffic circles and squares.
The U.S. Capitol building
marks the center where the
quadrants meet.
There are five rail lines that are named for colors: Red, yellow, blue, green, and orange.
Metro stations are marked by brown pylons capped with the letter "M" and colored stripes to indicate which lines are available.
For Metrobus and Metrorail fares, schedules, and maps visit www.wmata.com.
For those that prefer cabs over the metro, D.C. cabs have moved to a metered system from the long used zone system. Cabs now charge a $3.00 drop fare with a charge of 25 cents per 1/5 mile. Some cabs now take credit cards, which makes it easier to keep track of expenses.
If you need a quick ride and there's no cabs in sight here's some numbers to call:

Yellow Cab Co. of D.C.: 202-544-1212
Atlantic Cab Co.: 202-488-0609
Capitol Cab: 202-636-1600
Dupont Cab Association: 202-398-0527
Five Star Cab Association: 202-484-2222
If you're not in a rush take the D.C. Pedicab: 202-345-8065