1. Directions to 2nd Street Gate
Fort Lesley J. McNair, 300 5th Avenue, Building 62 Washington, DC
Visitors Gate: The visitor's gate on 2nd Street SW is open 24/7. A government-issued photo ID is required. Non-military/federal employees' vehicles are subject to search.
Main Gate/Ceremonial Gate: The main gate on 4th Street SW is open from 0600 to 1600 Monday-Friday. A military/federal civilian employee photo ID is required to enter this gate by vehicle; pedestrians may enter with a government-issued photo ID.
Via METRO: Fort McNair is located about one-half mile from the Washington Metro’s Waterfront station on the Green Line. Leaving the station, cross Maine Avenue/M Street and walk south down 4th Street SW for three blocks until 4th Street SW turns left and becomes P Street SW. The Fort McNair main gate will be plainly visible on the immediate right. Pedestrians may enter with a government-issued photo ID.
From Virginia (West) via I-66: Follow Route 66 toward Washington, D.C., and take the Independence Avenue exit. Follow the signs for Maine Avenue. Stay straight on Maine Avenue, which becomes M Street SW near Arena Stage (on your left). Turn right onto 4th Street SW (Waterfront metro station is on your left), and continue for three blocks. When 4th Street SW ends/turns left and becomes P Street SW, the Fort McNair main gate will be plainly visible on the right. NOTE: Visitors must enter Fort McNair through the 2nd Street gate. From the 4th Street main gate, continue onto P Street SW for along the Fort McNair wall for two blocks, and take a right on 2nd Street (following the turn of the wall). The visitors gate is one block down 2nd Street, on the right. 
From Virginia (South) via the Woodrow Wilson Bridge: Once on the Maryland side of the Wilson Bridge, take I-295 north towards Washington, D.C. Take Exit 3B (Suitland Parkway) towards South Capitol Street/Nationals Stadium/Downtown. Merge onto Suitland Parkway, then onto South Capitol St. SE, then onto the Frederick Douglas Bridge (South Capitol Street), staying in the right lane. Stay in the far right lane past Nationals Stadium, avoiding the underpass. Turn left onto M Street SW at the light (this takes you over South Capitol Street). Turn left at the light on 1st Street SW and pass the community center. Turn right onto Canal Street SW and pass the community center's athletic fields. Canal Street SW becomes 2nd Street SW when it crosses P Street SW. Go straight for one block on 2nd Street SW, following the Fort McNair wall; the visitor's gate is on the right. For the main gate, turn right on P Street SW and go one block; the main gate is on your left.
From Maryland: Follow the Capitol Beltway (I-495 or I-95) to the Baltimore-Washington (B-W) Parkway exit. Proceed Southbound on the B-W Parkway. As you near Washington, the B-W Parkway becomes I-295 South. Continue on I-295. Take Exit 3B towards Howard Road/South Capitol Street/Nationals Stadium. Turn right onto Howard Road SE. Merge onto the Frederick Douglas Bridge (South Capitol Street), staying in the right lane. Stay in the far right lane past Nationals Stadium, avoiding the underpass. Turn left onto M Street SW at the light (this takes you over South Capitol Street). Turn left at the light on 1st Street SW and pass the community center. Turn right onto Canal Street SW and pass the community center's athletic fields. Canal Street SW becomes 2nd Street SW when it crosses P Street SW. Go straight for one block on 2nd Street SW, following the Fort McNair wall; the visitor's gate is on the right. For the main gate, turn right on P Street SW and go one block; the main gate is on your left.
From Northwest D.C.: From Constitution Avenue, heading east towards the Capitol, turn right on 7th Street SW, which will bring you to Maine Avenue SW (Waterfront is straight ahead). Turn left on Maine Avenue SW at the traffic light. Follow Maine Avenue SW which becomes M Street SW near Arena Stage. Turn right onto 4th Street SW (Metro and Waterside Mall is on the left) and continue three blocks until 4th Street SW turns left and becomes P Street SW. Immediately after turning left on P Street SW, the Fort McNair main gate will be plainly visible on the right. NOTE: Visitors must enter Fort McNair through the 2nd Street gate. From the 4th Street main gate, continue on P Street along the Fort McNair wall for two blocks, and take a right on 2nd Street (following the wall). The visitors gate is one block down, on the right.