The Smithsonian Station works too....although I’ve always noted that the crowds really drift to it as an event ends, and it’s hectic. My general advice, it’s better to walk an extra ten minutes to get beyond the heaviest and crowd-prone station. And if weather is bad...plan accordingly.
The L’Enfant Plaza is one that I would skip entirely....too many punks, pickpockets and assault possibilities (Green line runs through it).
Generally, if parking....I’d park as far west or far south as possible...using just the blue or yellow line, and try to avoid changing trains. Folks in Arlington get all peppy about parking, with tickets handed out easily, so don’t think just because a street is open....several spots are open on it....that’s all OK.
Finally, if you can get a decent hotel up in Rockville, Maryland, near the METRO station...that’s a clearcut path on the redline to METRO Center.
And if you suddenly realize you accidentally got on the Greenline and crossed the river into Anacostia...please be quick to get off the train, scramble over to the other ramp and take very next train heading north. Don’t loiter or stand there inviting trouble.
Good point about the hotels in Rockville. That’s usually what we do. We normally park at Shady Grove and ride in. Although, with the new Silver line open, some of the hotels out by Dulles give pretty good weekend deals, so I am tempted to stay out that way and park at Wiehle-Reston East and take the Silver line in. Any thoughts on that?