Directions to the U.S. National Ice Center

The U.S. National Ice Center (USNIC) is located in the NOAA Satellite Operations Facility (NSOF) at the Suitland Federal Complex in Suitland, Maryland, approximately 7 miles east of the Capitol. All visitors must enter through Gates 5 or 7.

By Metro

• Take the Metro Green Line toward Branch Avenue and exit at the Suitland stop.
• Go up the escalator to the Mezzanine level. Proceed past the fare card machines and take the Up Escalator at the sign on the wall which reads To Parking Structure.
• At the top of the escalator, continue through the covered bridge until you reach the parking garage. The access point (Gate 7) to the Suitland Federal Center from the Suitland Metro Station is located across from the left-end entrance to the Metro garage.
• Cross the street using the pedestrian walkway, under the canopy, to the visitor center. Proceed through the main entrance.
• Visitors must obtain a Visitor's Pass from the guard. To do so, individuals will need photo identification, along with the name and telephone number of their point of contact at USNIC.
• After being clear, proceed on the walking path to the left that follows the west side of the U.S. Census Bureau and then continue following Swann Road until you reach the NSOF control point.

By Car

From Northern Virginia:

• Take Interstate 95 (Capital Beltway - Outer Loop) toward Alexandria
• Proceed across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and continue to Exit 11B, Pennsylvania Avenue - Washington
• Take Pennsylvania Avenue to a left on Silver Hill Road (approximately 2.5 miles - 5 traffic lights)
• Follow Silver Hill Road to a right into the Suitland Federal Center at Gate 5 (at the 5th traffic light, Swann Road)
• Park at the guard station to register and obtain a visitor’s parking permit. The guard will direct you to proceed along Swann Road to the NSOF control point where you will again present ID and then be directed to Visitor Parking.

From Bethesda/Silver Spring/Wheaton:

• Take the Capital Beltway - Inner Loop toward Andrews Air Force Base/Richmond (will be either Interstate 495 or 95 depending on where you get on the Beltway)
• Take Exit 11B, Pennsylvania Avenue - Washington
• Take Pennsylvania Avenue to a left on Silver Hill Road (approximately 2.5 miles - 5 traffic lights)
• Follow Silver Hill Road to a right into the Suitland Federal Center at Gate 5 (at the 5th traffic light, Swann Road)
• Park at the guard station to register and obtain a visitor’s parking permit. The guard will direct you to proceed along Swann Road to the NSOF control point where you will again present ID and then be directed to Visitor Parking.

From Baltimore:

• Take the Baltimore-Washington Parkway or Interstate 95 toward Washington
• Exit at the Capital Beltway, taking Interstate 95 South (Beltway - Inner Loop)
• Continue toward Andrews Air Force Base and get off at Exit 11B, Pennsylvania Avenue - Washington
• Take Pennsylvania Avenue to a left on Silver Hill Road (approximately 2.5 miles - 5 traffic lights)
• Follow Silver Hill Road to a right into the Suitland Federal Center at Gate 5 (at the 5th traffic light, Swann Road)
• Park at the guard station to register and obtain a visitor’s parking permit. The guard will direct you to proceed along Swann Road to the NSOF control point where you will again present ID and then be directed to Visitor Parking.

From Washington, D.C.:

• Take Pennsylvania Avenue to a right onto Silver Hill Road (approximately 2 miles from the Maryland-DC line)
• Follow Silver Hill Road to a right into the Suitland Federal Center at Gate 5 (at the 5th traffic light, Swann Road)
• Park at the guard station to register and obtain a visitor’s parking permit. The guard will direct you to proceed along Swann Road to the NSOF control point where you will again present ID and then be directed to Visitor Parking.

Suitland Federal Center Map - click to enlarge.

Suitland Federal Center Map

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