Union Station is THE Train station in Washington, DC. Metro stops here, of course, and Greyhound is only a few blocks away, but it is the Amtrak Station, which means that travel up and down the Eastern Seaboard happens from this spot, and two different commuter train lines, VRE from Virginia and MARC from Maryland, also stop here.

The train station has all the amenities you'd expect of a train station, and reminds me of European train stations. Near the tracks are the services, rental cars, currency exchange, newsstands, travel shops, ice cream and pretzels, shoe shines, and ATMS. Further out you'll find a two story mall with unique and often expensive wares. Further out from that you find a grand entranceway, a room full of unique gift and art sales, fine restaurants, and the grandeur of the train station in a capitol of the world.

Even if you don't arrive in Washington via Union Station, consider coming here just to drink in the ambiance, have a good meal, and rest your feet. Dining here ranges from the fast food in the basement (see my dining entry) to linen tablecloths.

Union Station is at the Union Station stop on Metro's red line. It is three blocks south (on 1st st) from the bus station, and on MARC, VRE, and Amtrak lines.

One of my favorite stores in Political Americana. Depending on the day, they sometimes have some great collectable political memorabilia at decent prices. I got a press pass from the 1972 GOP National Convention for $6. They have buttons, bumper stickers, photos - both new and old, genuine and reproductions. Across the hall is AMERICA!, a store filled with faux White House accessories like coffee mugs and towels as well as other patriotic and whimsical, and decidedly American items. Also there is a Discovery Channel Store - one of my favorites - especially around Christmas time, they have excellent ornaments.

Downstairs is a food court that is great for lunch, but I also found that you can get a hot breakfat there - somehting other than a bagel and cream cheese. There is an Italian bakery, too.

Anyone used, as I am, to modern, post-war, utilitarian European railway stations will find Washington's Union Station something of a revelation. This is not a place you necessarily want to get in and out of as quickly as possible. This is a monument to the railways and a celebration of turn-of-the-19th-century American power and wealth in all its Beaux Arts glory, for Daniel H. Burnham, Union Station's architect lived up to his oft-quoted dictum, "Make no little plans." His structure is a massive 760' x 344' with gigantic columns, arches, statues, gilded ceiling coffers, and solid mahogany woodwork. It cost a staggering $25,000,000 when it was built, and its refurbishment in the 80s hit $160,000,000.

Today, the station handles 60,000 passengers a day, both suburban commuters and long distance, transcontinental passengers. But beyond that, it houses scores of shops, restaurants, two major bookshops, and a multi-screen cineplex. Unlike Victoria or the Gare de Lyon, this is a social and commercial center as well as a transport hub -- and it's all just a five minute cab ride away from the Capitol building.

Transport Options

Amtrak runs trains up and down the eastern seaboard as well as transcontinental services.
Metro There is a Metro station beneath the building.
Taxis and Buses There are taxi stands and bus stops in front of the station.