You can’t help but look up as you enter Union Station, Washington DC’s historic train station. Even travelers and harried travelers marvel at this impressive Beaux-Arts building, with its vaulted ceiling covered in gold leaf. Union Station is not just a hub for travel around DC and the East Coast. It is a commercial center and a venue for world-class exhibitions and international cultural events.
It’s no wonder Union Station is among the most visited destinations in Washington, DC, with over 40 million visitors each year, which includes both passing travelers and tourists who make a point to visit this beautiful terminal. .
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Built in 1907, Union Station is regarded as one of the finest examples of Beaux-Arts-style architecture with 96-foot vaulted ceilings, stone inscriptions, and expensive materials like white granite, marble, and gold leaf. The train station was built in 1907 as part of the McMillan Plan, an architectural plan for the City of Washington that was created to enhance the original city plan designed by Pierre L’Enfant in 1791, to surround public buildings with landscaped parks. and open spaces.
At that time there were two train stations located less than half a mile from each other.
Union Station was built to consolidate the two stations and make room for the development of the National Mall. In 1912, the Christopher Columbus commemorative fountain and statue was built at the station’s main entrance. The construction of the train station was an important milestone in the development of the central area of the nation’s capital.
As air travel became popular, train travel declined and Union Station began to age and deteriorate. In the 1970s, the building was uninhabitable and in danger of demolition. The building was designated a historic landmark and completely restored in 1988. It was transformed into a transportation terminal, shopping center, and place for special exhibits as it is today. In recent years, historic preservation allowed the building’s golden roof to shine again. Future plans for station improvements continue to evolve, with plans for a renovation of the station’s passenger lobby in the works.
The book, “Railroad Images: Union Station in Washington DC,” includes 200 historical images of the city of Washington, Union Station, and the railroads in the region.
Trains and waiting rooms
Union Station is the train station for Amtrak, MARC Train (Maryland Rail Commuter Service) and VRE (Virginia Railway Express). It is a popular destination for customers traveling north of DC to Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. Midwest routes travel from DC to Cincinnati, Indiana, Chicago, or head south to Richmond, Raleigh, and Charlotte. Visit the Amtrack website for full schedules and destinations. There is plenty of space inside the terminal near the tracks for customers to wait. Find the MARC train waiting area near the Metro station, with waiting areas for the Amtrak train past the main hall.
Up in the parking lot, buses like Bolt Bus, Megabus, Greyhound, Peter Pan, DC2NY, and Washington Deluxe leave for destinations like New York, Boston, Philadelphia and beyond. Bus riders can wait upstairs in a new waiting area that is covered by the element.
Location and how to get there
Union Station is located at 50 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, and is on the Red Line of the Washington Metro system. Taxis are also easy to hail from the front of the station. If you prefer to drive, there are over 2,000 parking spaces, all accessible from H St., NE. Expect to pay between $ 4.95 for an hour with a pass validated at $ 72 for 72 hours. Parking is open 24/7. .
Shopping, dining and more things to do at Union Station
The Food Court at Union Station with outposts like Bojangles is a great place to grab a snack or take the whole family out for a quick and inexpensive meal. Full-service restaurants include Johnny Rockets, Pizzeria Uno, Thunder Grill, and the new Legal Sea Bar, a sophisticated seafood venue. Close to the slopes are fast casual eateries like Shake Shack, Cava, Chop’t, Roti, and Chipotle.
The stores at Union Station sell everything from men’s and women’s fashion to jewelry, decorative arts, games, and toys. Find a new look at clothing stores like Victoria’s Secret, H&M, and Jos. Go to Bank and enjoy cosmetics at MAC, Bluemercury, and The Body Shop. Remember your vacation in America! where you can take home a DC themed souvenir. Travelers will appreciate stores like Hudson and EZ Travel Solutions for their books and travel essentials.
Where to stay nearby
Staying on Capitol Hill is very convenient for Union Station; It is a short taxi ride away. Here’s a rundown of 12 hotels in and around the Capitol Hill neighborhood, from upscale hotels like the Mandarin Oriental Hotel to more budget options like the Residence Inn.
What to do nearby
Union Station is located in the heart of Washington, DC. Conveniently, sightseeing tours such as the Gray Line, Big Bus, and DC Ducks also depart from Union Station. If you’re not joining a group tour, head to nearby tourist attractions like the Library of Congress, the National Mall, and the US Capitol. USA
