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The train ride to DC was agitating. I am getting fed up with these long-distance trains, especially the coach cars. Luckily I am writing this from my short three-hour train ride into New York City. If you plan on using the overnight trains, particularly on the East Coast, where the seats are all a pleather material, make sure to wear moisture-wicking materials and pack some body powder. Luckily, the lady beside me helped pass the rest of the train ride into DC with our conversation. She was extremely friendly and a joy to chat with. She told me about her life, from how she started in the military and traveled worldwide to her current life in Philadelphia as a great-grandmother. She was returning from visiting her great-grandson in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. I really enjoyed her stories and had a lot of fun with her. However, towards the end of the ride, I was getting antsy to deboard the train and stretch my legs. To top it all off, the train experienced significant delays just outside of DC due to a disabled train inside the tunnel to the city. Luckily, it could pull into the Alexandria station, where I got off and opted to take the Metro into the capitol. My ride on the Metro was the smoothest I have ever felt for a transit system, and I was very impressed with how quick the headways were. I was also amazed at the length of the Metro trains and how massive the stations were underneath the urban core of DC. The fare system, however, was highly confusing. I had to pick my destination and load value based on how far I was going, similar to riding a Metra train. I was not too fond of this and purchased a rather expensive day pass.
The train ride to DC was agitating. I am getting fed up with these long-distance trains, especially the coach cars. Luckily I am writing this from my short three-hour train ride into New York City. If you plan on using the overnight trains, particularly on the East Coast, where the seats are all a pleather material, make sure to wear moisture-wicking materials and pack some body powder. Luckily, the lady beside me helped pass the rest of the train ride into DC with our conversation. She was extremely friendly and a joy to chat with. She told me about her life, from how she started in the military and traveled worldwide to her current life in Philadelphia as a great-grandmother. She was returning from visiting her great-grandson in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. I really enjoyed her stories and had a lot of fun with her. However, towards the end of the ride, I was getting antsy to deboard the train and stretch my legs. To top it all off, the train experienced significant delays just outside of DC due to a disabled train inside the tunnel to the city. Luckily, it could pull into the Alexandria station, where I got off and opted to take the Metro into the capitol. My ride on the Metro was the smoothest I have ever felt for a transit system, and I was very impressed with how quick the headways were. I was also amazed at the length of the Metro trains and how massive the stations were underneath the urban core of DC. The fare system, however, was highly confusing. I had to pick my destination and load value based on how far I was going, similar to riding a Metra train. I was not too fond of this and purchased a rather expensive day pass.
DC Metro
Once I arrived at the hostel, I checked in and showered upstairs. This hostel was similar to the Freehand in Los Angeles, which felt more like a traditional hotel than a hostel. It was very fancy and had a great location near Dupont Circle. I met someone in the hostel traveling out of New York City and had arrived in the morning. We decided to get dinner together at a nearby Greek restaurant and explore the city. The Greek restaurant was situated on a closed-off street designated for outdoor seating. DC is by far the most pedestrian-friendly city I have visited. There are incredibly long crosswalk times, multiple pedestrian malls, and bike lanes everywhere you look. Combine all this with the beautiful Metro system; it felt like one of the safest cities I have ever experienced.
Once I arrived at the hostel, I checked in and showered upstairs. This hostel was similar to the Freehand in Los Angeles, which felt more like a traditional hotel than a hostel. It was very fancy and had a great location near Dupont Circle. I met someone in the hostel traveling out of New York City and had arrived in the morning. We decided to get dinner together at a nearby Greek restaurant and explore the city. The Greek restaurant was situated on a closed-off street designated for outdoor seating. DC is by far the most pedestrian-friendly city I have visited. There are incredibly long crosswalk times, multiple pedestrian malls, and bike lanes everywhere you look. Combine all this with the beautiful Metro system; it felt like one of the safest cities I have ever experienced.
After dinner, we took the Metro to see the White House, which was much smaller than I expected. It bore a lot of resemblance to Cane Garden, where I grew up, built around the same time period. The arches above the windows even have the same pattern in each house. We then walked to the National Mall to where the Washington Monument was. While I was surprised by how small the White House was, I was not expecting how tall this obelisk was. The friend I had made told me about how they changed the material to make it, which created a noticeable color change, a third up the structure. We then walked to the World War II Memorial, where I discovered that not only were the states represented, but the territories as well. I located the Virgin Islands pillar before we continued walking the length of the reflecting pool to the Lincoln Memorial. We didn't actually go to the memorial, as it was extremely crowded and getting late. Instead, we returned to the city and took the Metro to the hostel.
After dinner, we took the Metro to see the White House, which was much smaller than I expected. It bore a lot of resemblance to Cane Garden, where I grew up, built around the same time period. The arches above the windows even have the same pattern in each house. We then walked to the National Mall to where the Washington Monument was. While I was surprised by how small the White House was, I was not expecting how tall this obelisk was. The friend I had made told me about how they changed the material to make it, which created a noticeable color change, a third up the structure. We then walked to the World War II Memorial, where I discovered that not only were the states represented, but the territories as well. I located the Virgin Islands pillar before we continued walking the length of the reflecting pool to the Lincoln Memorial. We didn't actually go to the memorial, as it was extremely crowded and getting late. Instead, we returned to the city and took the Metro to the hostel.
The White House
Cane Garden (For Reference)
The Washington Monument
The Washington Monument Across the Reflecting Pool
Me Next to the VI Pillar
I left the hostel around 9:00 AM to get breakfast the next day. I walked down Connecticut Avenue to the City Place Cafe. I had a delicious Mediterranean-style scrambled eggs, potatoes, and toast breakfast. I then continued my walk back towards the White House again. Since this was during rush hour, everyone was in suits on the way to work. Being caught up in all that made me want to move here. If I were to move anywhere for a planning or policy job, it would be in DC. Once at the White House, I headed to the Mall to walk the parts I didn't get to the night before. Secret Service was all over the park in front of the White House, presumable getting it ready for Memorial Day. I started my adventures with a visit to the Smithsonian's American History Museum. I had little time, so I only explored their transportation exhibit. I was pleasantly surprised to find a reconstruction of the Madison & Wabash CTA elevated station, complete with a 6000-series CTA railcar. After leaving the American History Museum, I headed to the Air and Space Museum, where I had reserved an 11:00 AM spot earlier. Unfortunately, even with reservations, the line was incredibly long, so I decided to forego that and continue down the Mall to the Capitol building, which was undergoing construction so I couldn't get any good pictures. I then turned right and headed towards the Navy Yards, where the US Department of Transportation is housed. Once there, I walked along their Transportation Walk before returning to the hostel on the Metro.
I left the hostel around 9:00 AM to get breakfast the next day. I walked down Connecticut Avenue to the City Place Cafe. I had a delicious Mediterranean-style scrambled eggs, potatoes, and toast breakfast. I then continued my walk back towards the White House again. Since this was during rush hour, everyone was in suits on the way to work. Being caught up in all that made me want to move here. If I were to move anywhere for a planning or policy job, it would be in DC. Once at the White House, I headed to the Mall to walk the parts I didn't get to the night before. Secret Service was all over the park in front of the White House, presumable getting it ready for Memorial Day. I started my adventures with a visit to the Smithsonian's American History Museum. I had little time, so I only explored their transportation exhibit. I was pleasantly surprised to find a reconstruction of the Madison & Wabash CTA elevated station, complete with a 6000-series CTA railcar. After leaving the American History Museum, I headed to the Air and Space Museum, where I had reserved an 11:00 AM spot earlier. Unfortunately, even with reservations, the line was incredibly long, so I decided to forego that and continue down the Mall to the Capitol building, which was undergoing construction so I couldn't get any good pictures. I then turned right and headed towards the Navy Yards, where the US Department of Transportation is housed. Once there, I walked along their Transportation Walk before returning to the hostel on the Metro.
Madison & Wabash Station Display
CTA 6000-Series Railcar
Capitol Building Under Construction
US Department of Transportation
I checked out of the hostel at 2:00 PM and met my friend from earlier since his train, the Capitol Limited, left around the same time as mine. We rode to Union Station, where he split off to get some groceries before we met back up again inside the station. Union Station was so massive, and the architecture in DC continued to surprise me. I had a late lunch at Chipotle before hopping on the Northeast Regional train bound for NYC, which is moving much faster now that we are on Amtrak-owned tracks.
I checked out of the hostel at 2:00 PM and met my friend from earlier since his train, the Capitol Limited, left around the same time as mine. We rode to Union Station, where he split off to get some groceries before we met back up again inside the station. Union Station was so massive, and the architecture in DC continued to surprise me. I had a late lunch at Chipotle before hopping on the Northeast Regional train bound for NYC, which is moving much faster now that we are on Amtrak-owned tracks.
DC Union Station
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