About this Location

Facility Overview

The Colonial Parking facility at 398 6th St SW provides premium, centrally situated covered parking in the heart of Washington, D.C.\'s Southwest Federal Center district. Positioned directly between the vibrant Southwest Waterfront and the historic National Mall, this multi-level underground parking garage offers secure, sheltered spaces protected from mid-Atlantic weather elements. The garage features clearly demarcated bays, wide circulation lanes, and well-lit pedestrian pathways. Standard passenger cars, sedans, crossovers, and compact to mid-size SUVs can park effortlessly. However, because this is an underground parking structure with a posted vehicle clearance restriction (typically 6\'2\" to 6\'6\"), drivers operating oversized lifted pickup trucks, commercial transit vans, or vehicles equipped with rooftop cargo carriers should check entryway height signage before descending.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

This parking facility is exceptionally well-located for government employees, business consultants, eventgoers, and National Mall sightseers alike. Key landmarks and cultural destinations within comfortable walking distance include:

National Air and Space Museum: Approximately a 6- to 8-minute walk (0.3 miles) north along 6th Street SW directly onto Independence Avenue.
Museum of the Bible: Located just 2 blocks northeast (around a 4-minute walk), making this garage one of the most practical parking choices for visitors.
Smithsonian Museums & The National Mall: Quick pedestrian access to the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, National Museum of the American Indian, and the U.S. Capitol Grounds (10–15 minutes walking).
Major Federal Agency Headquarters: Directly adjacent to or within 1–3 blocks of the Hubert H. Humphrey Building (HHS), NASA Headquarters (Mary W. Jackson Building), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The Wharf DC: An easy 10- to 12-minute stroll south brings visitors to the bustling Southwest Waterfront dining, shopping, and entertainment district along Maine Avenue SW, including The Anthem concert venue.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Vehicle ingress and egress are positioned along 6th Street SW, facilitating smooth arrivals and departures. The facility benefits from immediate connectivity to major regional thoroughfares, including the Southeast/Southwest Freeway (I-395 / I-695), allowing motorists to bypass congested surface streets when commuting to and from Northern Virginia or suburban Maryland via the 14th Street Bridge or the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge.

For multi-modal transit connections, the garage is exceptionally well served:

L\'Enfant Plaza Metro Station: Located less than three blocks west, offering rapid transfers across five major Washington Metro lines (Blue, Orange, Silver, Green, and Yellow), as well as Virginia Railway Express (VRE) commuter rail connections.
Federal Center SW Metro Station: Situated roughly three blocks east, servicing Blue, Orange, and Silver lines.
WMATA Metrobus Lines: Multiple cross-city bus routes run along 7th Street, D Street, and Independence Avenue SW.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Clean, covered, multi-level underground parking providing weather protection.
Accessible ADA-compliant parking stalls located near elevator banks and pedestrian exits.
Well-illuminated interiors with active surveillance and regular staff patrols.
Automated pay-on-foot stations accepting credit cards and contactless digital payments.
Reservation integration with leading digital parking platforms such as ParkWhiz and SpotHero for advance guaranteed space booking.
Effortless elevator and stairwell pedestrian egress leading straight to street level.

Ideal For

Federal Employees & Contractors: Daily commuters working at neighboring government agency complexes and regional headquarters.
National Mall & Museum Tourists: Families and travelers seeking affordable, secure all-day parking steps away from Smithsonian institutions without dealing with street parking restrictions.
Southwest Waterfront & Wharf Visitors: Evening diners and concert attendees at The Anthem who prefer a short walk over congested waterfront parking rates.
Business Travelers: Professionals attending conferences or meetings in the L\'Enfant Plaza and Southwest business corridor.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Morning rush hour on 6th Street and surrounding federal corridors tends to peak between 7:30 AM and 9:00 AM, so arriving slightly early ensures a quick entry and optimal space selection. Tourists heading to the Smithsonian museums during peak spring and summer seasons (especially during the National Cherry Blossom Festival) should reserve a space in advance via mobile parking apps to lock in daily rates and avoid sold-out garages. Always note your garage pillar number or take a quick photo of your parking level before taking the elevator to street level, and check garage closing hours if parking into the late evening.