UFC Freedom 250 · Family Trip

Jun 12–15
Hinsdale MA → Great Wolf Lodge → Washington DC
4
Nights total
2
UFC days
~$17
Parking/day
⚠️

About Your Tickets

The fight takes place on the South Lawn — military/VIP only. Your tickets are for The Ellipse Fan Fest, an outdoor watch party with large screens. Up to 85,000 attendees. Gates open 3:30 PM Saturday and Sunday.

🔒

SEAR 1 Security — Both Event Days

Highest security classification (Super Bowl level). Explosive detection, multiple checkpoints, no drones. Photo ID required. Arrive 45 min before gates. Sign up at alert.dc.gov.

🎸

Saturday Bonus: Weigh-ins + Zac Brown Band

Ceremonial weigh-ins 8:30 PM · Zac Brown Band headline concert 9:30 PM — both included with your Ellipse tickets.

🥊

Friday Night: UFC Press Conference

Free public event at the Lincoln Memorial — Friday June 13 at 8:30 PM. ~33 min walk / 1.4 mi from hotel.

Schedule Overview
Full Trip at a Glance
Thu Jun 12 → Mon Jun 15
Thu 6/12
Drive Hinsdale → Great Wolf Lodge Poconos. Overnight + water park.
Fri 6/13
Leave ~11 AM → Old Bridge Krispy Pizza → DC. Arrive ~3:30 PM. National Mall walk. Monuments by Moonlight trolley 6:30–7 PM. UFC Press Conference 8:30 PM.
Sat 6/14
Holocaust Museum + American History Museum AM. National Mall memorials. Fan Fest gates 3:30 PM → Weigh-ins 8:30 PM → Zac Brown Band 9:30 PM.
Sun 6/15
Spy Museum AM. Rest PM. Fan Fest gates 3:30 PM → Prelims 4 PM → Main card watch party 8 PM. Walk home midnight+.
Mon 6/16
Check out. Drive home. Krispy Pizza Jersey City + Liberty State Park on the return. Home by evening.
Hotel
Hilton Garden Inn Washington DC Downtown
815 14th St NW · Fri–Mon · Garage parking next door
Address
815 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
Check-in
Friday June 13 · Check-in 3 PM
Check-out
Monday June 16 · Check-out 12 PM
Parking
1350 I St NW Garage — enter at 819 14th St NW, one driveway from the hotel. Operated by One Parking. ~$17/day early bird rate. Self-park, covered. No in/out access — car stays until you leave for good. Height restriction: 6'7".
Metro
McPherson Square (Blue/Orange/Silver) — 3 min walk, directly across the street.
UFC Tickets
Ellipse Fan Fest
Sat June 14 + Sun June 15 · Gates 3:30 PM
Tickets
Mobile-only via Ticketmaster. Non-transferable. Download offline. Do NOT screenshot — rotating barcodes.
Cost
Free (won) — no public ticket sales exist for this event.
Gates
3:30 PM both days. Arrive by 2:45 PM to clear security.
Walk
~0.6 mi · ~12 min from hotel
Bag
Check ufc.com/freedom250 for bag policy — clear bag likely required
Pre-Trip Checklist
Confirm Hilton reservation · note garage at 819 14th St NW (1350 I St garage)
No in/out · height limit 6'7" · ~$17/day early bird · Sat–Sun opens 9 AM
Download Ticketmaster app — save both Ellipse tickets offline
Sign up AlertDC — alert.dc.gov
Book Monuments by Moonlight — trolleytours.com
~$53/adult · Ages 4–12 child rate · Under 4 free · Non-refundable
Holocaust Museum timed passes — ushmm.org
Free · June 2026 available now · BOOK IMMEDIATELY
Washington Monument timed passes — recreation.gov
Free · Books up weeks ahead
Spy Museum tickets — spymuseum.org
Dynamic pricing — buy in advance for best rate. Under 7 free.
National Archives passes — archives.gov
Free · High demand this weekend
Check ufc.com/freedom250 for security/bag policy
Buy SmarTrip card for Metro (at any station kiosk — $2 card fee)
Pack ponchos for all 4 — events are rain or shine
Portable battery pack — long days away from outlets
Confirm Paramount+ — fight airs live on CBS / Paramount+
Thursday June 12 — Great Wolf Lodge
🐺

Great Wolf Lodge Poconos

1 Great Wolf Dr, Scotrun PA 18355 (I-80 Exit 298). Drive from Hinsdale ~3.5 hrs. Check in, water park evening. Check out Friday morning after breakfast.

Great Wolf Lodge Details
Scotrun, PA · Water park included
Address
1 Great Wolf Dr, Scotrun, PA 18355
Exit
I-80 Exit 298 onto Route 611 North
Drive
Hinsdale MA → Great Wolf Lodge: ~3.5 hrs via I-84 West + I-80 West
Depart
Leave Hinsdale mid-afternoon Wednesday for comfortable arrival
Friday June 13 — Drive to DC

Depart Great Wolf Lodge ~11:00 AM

Morning rush hour cleared. Hits Old Bridge Krispy Pizza around 12:30 PM, arrives DC ~3:30 PM — before afternoon rush tightens and well before the Moonlight Tour.

Route — Scotrun PA to Washington DC

A
Great Wolf Lodge — Depart 11:00 AM
Take I-80 West briefly → PA-33 South toward Stroudsburg/Allentown area. This keeps you moving south without backtracking east toward NJ metro traffic.
B
PA-33 South → I-78 West
PA-33 carries you south across the Lehigh Valley into Allentown area where you pick up I-78. Avoids the I-95 coastal corridor entirely.
C
🍕
Krispy Pizza — Old Bridge, NJ · ~12:30 PM
Exit NJ Turnpike for Old Bridge. Opens 11 AM weekdays. Budget 45 min lunch, then south on Turnpike toward DC. See NJ tab for full details.
D
NJ Turnpike South → I-95 → Baltimore → DC
~2.5 hrs midday Friday. You're past the AM rush, well ahead of PM rush. Use Waze live. Enter DC via New York Ave NW.
E
Hilton Garden Inn DC — ~3:30 PM
Check in. Park at 1350 I St NW garage (enter 819 14th St NW — one driveway from hotel). Car stays until Monday.
Friday Afternoon + Evening
3:00–4:30 PM
Check in + park
Park at 1350 I St NW garage (enter 819 14th St NW, one driveway down). Check in to hotel. Car stays put — walking everywhere from here.
4:30–6:00 PM
National Mall — first look
White House exterior, Washington Monument grounds, start of the Reflecting Pool.
~0.9 mi · ~18 min to WWII MemorialFree
6:00–6:30 PM
Dinner near hotel
Walk to Penn Quarter or eat at hotel restaurant (The Third Rail). You need to be at the Welcome Center by 6:30 PM at the latest.
6:30 PM — Check in at Welcome Center
🚎 Monuments by Moonlight Trolley
Must check in 30 min before departure or seats may be released. Departs daily 6:30–8:00 PM. Tour is 2.5 hrs, stops at FDR, Lincoln, Vietnam, Korean War, Iwo Jima memorials.
~0.6 mi · ~11 min walk from hotel~$53/adult · Ages 4–12 child rate · Under 4 freeNon-refundable — book in advance
8:30 PM (overlaps with trolley)
🥊 UFC Press Conference — Lincoln Memorial
Free, open to the public. The trolley stops at the Lincoln Memorial during the tour — you may catch part of the press conference from the trolley stop itself. Confirm timing when you book. If the tour Lincoln stop is around 8–8:30 PM, you may be able to linger and catch staredowns.
Free~1.3 mi · ~27 min from hotel (or via trolley)
Monday June 16 — Drive Home

Monday Morning Out of DC is Easy

Commuters flow inbound. Leave by 9–10 AM to clear DC + Baltimore easily. Jersey City Krispy + Liberty State Park on the return — perfect northbound detour.

8:30–9:30 AM
Check out + retrieve car
Check out of hotel, retrieve car from 1350 I St garage. Pack up and aim to depart by 9:30 AM.
9:30 AM
DC → Baltimore → NJ Turnpike North
I-95 North or New York Ave → I-295 → Baltimore (~1 hr). NJ Turnpike North (~2 hrs). Smooth on a Monday morning.
~12:30 PM
🍕 Krispy Pizza — Jersey City + Liberty State Park
Exit NJ Turnpike for Jersey City. Krispy opens 11:30 AM weekends. Lunch then 5 min to Liberty State Park for Statue of Liberty views. See NJ tab.
~1 hr total stop
~2:00 PM
Jersey City → Hinsdale
NJ Turnpike North → I-287 North → I-87 (Thruway) → Taconic State Pkwy → I-90 East → Hinsdale. The Taconic is scenic and low-traffic on a Monday. Est. home: 5:30–6:30 PM.
Saturday June 14
9:00–10:00 AM
Breakfast + slow start
Long drive day yesterday. Hotel restaurant opens for breakfast. Easy morning.
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
🏛️ Holocaust Memorial Museum + American History Museum
These two are a 7 min walk from each other. Start with the Holocaust Museum (emotionally heavy — do it first while energy is highest). American History Museum after for contrast.
  • Holocaust Museum — 1.1 mi · ~22 min walk from hotel. Allow 2–3 hrs minimum.
  • American History Museum — 0.8 mi · ~16 min walk from hotel. 7 min walk from Holocaust Museum.
Both FreeHolocaust Museum: timed pass required — ushmm.org
1:00–2:30 PM
🍽️ Lunch + National Mall memorials
Grab lunch then walk the Mall — WWII Memorial, Washington Monument exterior, Reflecting Pool area. Keep it manageable since wife + 3-yr-old will split off before 3 PM.
  • WWII Memorial: 1.2 mi · ~25 min from hotel
  • Washington Monument: 0.9 mi · ~18 min from hotel
FreeWashington Monument interior: timed pass — recreation.gov
2:45 PM
🥊 Head to Ellipse — you + son
20 min walk + security buffer before 3:30 PM gates.
~0.6 mi · ~12 min walk
3:30 PM
Fan Fest Day 1 opens
Athlete appearances, meet & greets, interactive experiences, large screens. Get good spots early.
8:30 PM
⚖️ Ceremonial Weigh-ins at the Ellipse
All fighters on the scale. Staredowns. Crowd energy will be at its peak.
9:30 PM
🎸 Zac Brown Band
Multi-platinum Grammy-winning country-rock. Included with your Ellipse tickets. Runs late.
Sat afternoon/eve — wife + toddler
Options while you're at the Ellipse
  • U.S. Botanic Garden — 1.6 mi / ~32 min from hotel · Free · Closes 5 PM
  • Natural History Museum — 0.9 mi / ~18 min · Free · Closes 5:30 PM
  • Penn Quarter neighborhood exploring
  • Hotel room + room service
Sunday June 15 — Fight Night
⚠️

Largest Crowds of the Weekend

Roads around the Ellipse and Mall restricted from early AM. Walk everywhere. Post-fight rideshares will be unavailable or heavily surging — plan to walk the ~12 min back to hotel.

9:00–11:30 AM
🕵️ International Spy Museum — all 4 or you + son
Plan 2–3 hours. Guests receive a cover identity at entry and carry it through an interactive mission across two floors in 25,000 sq ft.
  • Walk: 1.4 mi · ~33 min
  • Metro option: McPherson Sq → L'Enfant Plaza (Blue/Orange/Silver, 2 stops, ~5 min, ~$2.50/person)
Adults ~$26–$36 · Youth (7–12) discount · Under 7 freeBuy at spymuseum.org — prices rise closer to date
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
🍽️ Lunch + return to hotel
Sit-down lunch near the Mall or Penn Quarter. Back to hotel for rest before the long night ahead. Fight runs past midnight.
1:30–2:30 PM
Rest + charge devices
Charge everything. Pack layers, snacks, water. Portable battery is critical tonight.
2:45 PM
🥊 Head to Ellipse — you + son
Even larger crowds than Saturday. Allow extra security time.
~0.6 mi · ~12 min walk
3:30 PM
Fan Fest Day 2 opens
More athlete appearances, interactive experiences. Anticipation builds.
4:00 PM
📺 UFC Prelims begin
Undercard bouts on the screens. Simulcast live on CBS / Paramount+.
8:00 PM
🏆 Main Card Watch Party
Co-main: Pereira vs Gane — UFC Interim Heavyweight Title.
Main event: Topuria (17-0) vs Gaethje — Lightweight Unification Title.
~11:30 PM – Midnight+
Walk back to hotel
Do not rely on rideshare. Walk.
~0.6 mi · ~12 min from Ellipse to hotel
Sun evening — wife + toddler
Hotel evening
Room service, movie night. Fight airs live on CBS / Paramount+ from the room if she wants to follow along.
🎟️

Book These Before You Leave

Holocaust Museum — ushmm.org · Free · Book immediately, June fills fast
Spy Museum — spymuseum.org · Paid · Price rises closer to date
Washington Monument — recreation.gov · Free · Books up weeks ahead
National Archives — archives.gov · Free · High demand this weekend

Priority — Top 4 Attractions
International Spy Museum
1.4 mi · ~33 min walkPaidBook ahead

700 L'Enfant Plaza SW. Two-floor museum on the history of espionage. Guests receive a cover identity at entry and carry it through an interactive mission. Exhibits cover spy tradecraft, Cold War intelligence, real spy gadgets, cyberwarfare, and global operations. 25,000 sq ft across two floors. Most visitors spend 2–3 hours. No café on-site; food court accessible at L'Enfant Plaza.

Cost
Dynamic pricing — buy earlier for lower price.
Adult (13–64): ~$26–$36 depending on how far in advance
Youth (7–12): discounted rate
Under 7: Free
Senior/military discounts available
Tickets
Book at spymuseum.org — buying in advance guarantees availability and best price. Can sell out on summer weekends.
Hours
10 AM – 6 PM (verify at spymuseum.org — extended summer hours possible)
Walk
1.4 mi · ~33 min from hotel
Metro
McPherson Sq → L'Enfant Plaza (Blue/Orange/Silver, 2 stops, ~5 min, ~$2.50/person). Exit: 9th & D St SW.
Under 18
Must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Stroller
Yes — elevator access throughout
US Holocaust Memorial Museum
1.1 mi · ~22 min walkFreeTimed Pass Required

100 Raoul Wallenberg Place SW. National memorial to the Holocaust. The Permanent Exhibition documents the Holocaust through artifacts, photographs, film footage, and personal histories across three floors. Plan 2–3 hours minimum. Emotionally demanding — recommended for 11+ for the Permanent Exhibition. "Daniel's Story" (free, no ticket) is appropriate for younger children.

Cost
Free — Permanent Exhibition requires a free timed pass. No charge. $1 Etix transaction fee per ticket.
Tickets
Book immediately at ushmm.org. June 2026 passes available now. Same-day passes available online at 7 AM daily (limited). Peak season (Mar–Aug): timed passes required.
Hours
10 AM – 5:30 PM daily. Last entry to Permanent Exhibition: 4:30 PM.
Walk
1.1 mi · ~22 min from hotel. 7 min walk from American History Museum.
Metro
Smithsonian (Blue/Orange/Silver) — 1 block east of museum. Federal Triangle also nearby.
Security
Enter via 14th St entrance. Allow 15 min for security screening. No knives, mace, or weapons.
Stroller
Yes — accessible throughout
National Museum of American History
0.8 mi · ~16 min walkFree

Constitution Ave NW & 14th St. Smithsonian museum. The original Star-Spangled Banner — the actual 30×34 ft flag that flew over Fort McHenry in 1814 — is displayed in a dedicated dim-light gallery. Additional holdings include the First Ladies' gown collection, artifacts from American popular culture, the presidency, and an exhibit on the American flag. America's 250th anniversary makes this especially relevant this weekend.

Cost
Free · No tickets needed
Hours
10 AM – 5:30 PM daily
Walk
0.8 mi · ~16 min from hotel. 7 min walk from Holocaust Museum.
Nearby
2 min walk from Natural History Museum
Stroller
Yes — fully accessible
National Mall Memorials
All Free · All 24/7

Walking distances are from your hotel at 815 14th St NW. Spot-to-spot times listed below. All memorials open 24/7 with park rangers on duty 9:30 AM – 11:30 PM. All free, no tickets needed (except Washington Monument interior).

White House
0.4 mi · ~7 min · Exterior viewing only
Ellipse
0.6 mi · ~12 min · Fan Fest location
Washington Mon.
0.9 mi · ~18 min. Interior: free timed pass — recreation.gov (sells out weeks ahead). Same-day passes at grounds from 9 AM.
WWII Memorial
1.2 mi · ~25 min. Then 14 min walk to Lincoln.
Lincoln Memorial
1.3 mi · ~27 min from hotel. 5 min from Vietnam Memorial. 3 min from WWII Memorial.
Vietnam Vets
1.1 mi · ~22 min from hotel. 5 min from Lincoln Memorial. 58,279 names in black granite. Directory at each end to find specific names.
Natural History
0.9 mi · ~18 min. Free. Hope Diamond, T-Rex, Ocean Hall. Closes 5:30 PM.
National Archives
0.9 mi · ~17 min. Original Declaration, Constitution, Bill of Rights. Free timed pass — archives.gov. Book ASAP — extremely busy this weekend.
Also Nearby
National Building Museum
0.8 mi · ~16 min walk$10 adult · $7 youth/senior

401 F St NW. Housed in the 1887 Pension Building, a National Historic Landmark. The Great Hall features 75-foot Corinthian columns — one of the most spectacular interior spaces in DC. Current exhibits include architecture, design, and engineering-focused content. The Great Hall and Museum Shop are always free to enter without purchasing exhibit tickets.

Cost
Exhibition admission: $10/Adult · $7/Youth & Seniors. Great Hall + Museum Shop entry: always free, no ticket needed.
Hours
Thursday–Monday, 10 AM – 5 PM. Closed Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas.
Tickets
Advance purchase suggested at nbm.org but not required. Walk-up available.
Walk
0.8 mi · ~16 min from hotel. Across the street from Judiciary Square Metro (Red Line).
Stroller
Yes — fully accessible
U.S. Botanic Garden
1.6 mi · ~32 min walkFree

100 Maryland Ave SW. Indoor conservatory with tropical plants, cacti, orchids, medicinal plants, and themed garden rooms. The adjacent Bartholdi Park is also free. Good option in hot weather or rain. Fully stroller-accessible.

Cost
Free · No tickets needed
Hours
10 AM – 5 PM daily
Walk
1.6 mi · ~32 min from hotel. Base of Capitol Hill.
Stroller
Yes — fully accessible throughout
Metro Guide
DC Metro — When + How to Use It
SmarTrip card · ~$2–$3.50/ride
Your stop
McPherson Square (Blue/Orange/Silver) — 3 min walk, directly across from hotel on 14th St.
SmarTrip
Buy at any station kiosk. $2 card fee, load any dollar amount. Required to ride — cash not accepted at turnstiles.
Spy Museum
McPherson Sq → L'Enfant Plaza · 2 stops · ~5 min · ~$2.50/person · Exit: 9th & D St SW
Holocaust Museum
McPherson Sq → Smithsonian · 1 stop · ~3 min · ~$2.25/person · 1 block east of museum
Archives
McPherson Sq → Archives/Navy Memorial · 2 stops · ~4 min · ~$2.50/person
Budget
Family of 4 across 2–3 Metro trips: budget ~$30–$40 total
Note
Metro will be very crowded Sunday fight night. Walk back to hotel from Ellipse after the event — rideshares will be surge-priced or unavailable.
🗺️

The Plan

Friday (going down): Old Bridge — on the way, zero detour from PA route.
Monday (coming home): Jersey City — Krispy Pizza + Liberty State Park + Statue of Liberty views. Perfect northbound stop.

Friday Stop — Krispy Pizza Old Bridge
Krispy Pizza — Old Bridge
Best for the trip DOWN · Friday ~12:30 PM
Address
2590 County Rd 516, Old Bridge, NJ 08857
Hours
Mon–Thu 11 AM – 10 PM · Fri–Sat 11 AM – 11 PM · Sun 12 – 10 PM
Menu
Grandma's Pizza (thin-crust Sicilian, fresh mozzarella, EVOO, basil) · Bruschetta squares · Rice balls · Chicken parm pie · Heroes
Timing
Leave GWL 11 AM → arrive ~12:30 PM. Opens at 11 AM weekdays — plenty of buffer.
After
Continue south on NJ Turnpike → I-95 → DC. No other stops needed — arrive DC ~3:30 PM.
Monday Stop — Krispy Pizza Jersey City + Liberty State Park
Krispy Pizza — Jersey City
Best for the trip HOME · Monday ~12:30 PM
Address
33 Hudson St, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Hours
Mon–Fri 10:30 AM – 9 PM · Sat–Sun 11:30 AM – 9 PM
Note
Monday is a weekday — opens 10:30 AM. You'll arrive ~12:30 PM, well within hours.
Menu
Same family operation as Old Bridge. Grandma's Pizza, rice balls, heroes, bruschetta squares.
After
5 min drive to Liberty State Park for Statue of Liberty views. Then continue north toward Hinsdale.
Liberty State Park
Liberty State Park
200 Morris Pesin Dr, Jersey City · 5 min from Krispy
Cost
Free to enter. Parking ~$7–$10 (smartphone payment).
Hours
6 AM – 10 PM daily
Views
2,000 ft from the Statue of Liberty. Unobstructed views of Lady Liberty, Ellis Island, and lower Manhattan skyline from the 2-mile waterfront promenade.
Features
2-mile paved promenade · Playground at south end (toddler-friendly) · Empty Sky 9/11 Memorial · Historic CRRNJ Terminal
Ferry
To Liberty Island + Ellis Island — Adults ~$25.50 · Ages 4–12 ~$16.50 · Under 4 Free. Includes both islands. Book at statuecruises.com. ~15 min ride.
Budget
45–60 min for promenade + playground before heading home.
Stroller
Yes — paved promenade throughout
📍

Live Google Map

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Walk to Any Location from Hotel
P
Parking Garage
819 14th St NW · 1 min
M
McPherson Metro
~2 min walk
E
The Ellipse
Fan Fest · ~12 min
🌙
Welcome Center
Moonlight Tour · ~11 min
HC
Holocaust Museum
~22 min walk
AH
American History
~16 min walk
SP
Spy Museum
~33 min walk
WM
Washington Mon.
~18 min walk
LM
Lincoln Memorial
~27 min walk
W2
WWII Memorial
~25 min walk
VN
Vietnam Memorial
~22 min walk
NA
National Archives
~17 min walk
NH
Natural History
~18 min walk
BM
Building Museum
~16 min walk
BG
Botanic Garden
~32 min walk
WH
White House
~7 min walk