Your guide to All-Star week

A flag in the shape of the United States is seen at Nationals Park in D.C. on Fourth of July 2018. (WTOP/Jonathan Warner)

WASHINGTON — Forget Shakespeare’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream” — this is the Midsummer Classic.

And after nearly 50 years, it is returning to the nation’s capital, with All-Star week running from Friday, July 13 to Tuesday, July 17.

Three Washington Nationals will represent D.C. on the National League team: Bryce Harper, Max Scherzer and Sean Doolittle.

For Washington-area residents and those visiting the District, there is a lot to be aware of, including road closures, parking restrictions, fun events, deals, discounts and more.

Here’s everything you need to know.

Getting around

Public transportation is your best bet for getting around during All-Star Week. (D.C. government refers to driving and parking near Audi Field, Nationals Park and the Convention Center as “challenging.”)

To get to Nationals Park on Metro, take the Green Line to Waterfront, Navy Yard or Capitol South stations.

DC Circulator is another good option. Take the Eastern Market to L’Enfant route.

For those headed to FanFest at the Convention Center, take the Yellow or Green Line to Mt. Vernon Square/7th Street Convention Center station.

The District has also set up a website for anyone who needs more information as well as an FAQ page about transportation, taxis and ride-hailing services.

For those in Alexandria who plan to attend the Home Run Derby or the All-Star Game (or both), the Potomac Riverboat Company has a “Baseball Boat” that can help fans skip traffic and congestion entirely.

For $25 per-person round-trip, the Baseball Boats will take people from Alexandria City Marina up to Nationals Park.

The company said there will be a variety of both kid-friendly and adult beverages to buy on board.

The trip takes about 40 minutes each way. And if the games go late, PRC says not to worry, because the Baseball Boats will wait twenty minutes after the last pitch.

Potomac Riverboat Co.’s Baseball Boat route

Road closures

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, Police Chief Peter Newsham and D.C. Director of Transportation Director Jeff Marootian announced a slew of preparation plans ahead of next week’s MLB All-Star Game — those include road closures, new parking restrictions and transit changes.

Read more on road closures

And be sure to check in with WTOP’s Traffic Center for the latest traffic conditions.

Parking restrictions

Parking will also be heavily affected by the All-Star Game.

Read more on parking restrictions

Metro

Metro will be open later than usual on the nights of the Home Run Derby and the All-Star Game.

T-Mobile will foot the bill on Monday, July 16, and MasterCard will do so on Tuesday, July 17 for the All-Star Game.

If either the Home Run Derby or All-Star Game runs past Metro’s usual 11:30 p.m. closing time, the Navy Yard Metro station will remain open until 30 minutes after the end of each event.

Metro is also offering a special edition All-Star SmarTrip card, which is currently available at all stations in special fare vending machines while supplies last.

Weather

The weather outlook so far has the D.C. area on track to be sunny but very hot and a bit humid during All-Star Week.

As always, check WTOP’s Weather Center for the latest.

Fan events

Starting Friday, July 13 and running up to the big Midsummer Classic on Tuesday, July 17 at Nationals Park, there are lots of official events scheduled.