Picture This: Union Station in Washington, DC

Thanks to Amtrak for providing the train travel portion of this adventure through Boston, Philadelphia, New York, and Washington, DC! As always, all opinions are our own.

Washington DC's Union Station

Exterior close up of Union Station, DC
The statues along the top of the exterior each weigh 25 tons and represent fire, electricity, agriculture and mechanics.

Washington DC's Union Station

Union Station in Washington, DC is the most impressive depot we have ever traveled through.

From the bright shopping area around the gates, to the amazing, massive main hall almost one hundred feet high, the station left our jaws dropping.

The statues in Union Station are nudes, but shields have been put up hide this fact. Washington, DC

The thirty-six statues in the main hall are Roman legionnaires and are depicted nude.

In order to protect the eyes of the innocent, it was decided to add shields to cover the naughty bits.

The ceiling of Union Station, Washington DC
“Egg and dart” molding, enhanced with gold leafing, decorate the coffers that connect the ceiling to the roof structure.
Union Station, Washington, DC
Netting has been erected so the station can remain open and viewed during restoration and repairs.

See our full America’s Founding Cities Tour by Train here!

Washington DC's fabulous Union Station

Opened in 1907, this grand old terminal was the largest in the world at that time and has seen many kings, queens, and, of course, presidents pass through.

Back in the pre-Air Force One days, seventeen presidents from Taft to Eisenhower used a private suite added in 1909. But perhaps even more surprising were the mortuary, bowling alley, YMCA, and Turkish baths that were also on the premises.

The East Hall, Union Station, Washington, DC
The East Hall
The Center Cafe in Union Station, Washington, DC
The Center Cafe is one of over thirty-five restaurants in the station…
Over 100 shops in Union Station, Washington, DC
…and there are over one hundred shops.

See our full America’s Founding Cities Tour by Train here!

Union Station, Washington, DC

Equally impressive is the exterior of the building.

The neoclassical design set the tone for many of the memorials and buildings throughout Washington, DC.

Exterior of Union Station, Washington, DC

The Columbus fountain outside of Union Station, Washington DC
The Columbus Fountain stands in front of the station.

The Capitol Building is visible as soon as you step out of Union Station in Washington DC

The Capitol Dome highlighted the view as we walked out the front doors, and instantly we knew we were in a city like no other in America.

Or anywhere else for that matter.

Just outside the station, there were bikes for rent — so we hopped on a couple of trusty steeds and headed out toward the National Mall… Follow us to the memorials and monuments!

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

Thanks to Amtrak for providing the train travel portion of this adventure through Boston, Philadelphia, New York, and Washington, DC! As always, all opinions are our own.

See our full America’s Founding Cities Tour by Train here!


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10 thoughts on “Picture This: Union Station in Washington, DC”

  1. People always say to stop and smell the roses…I have traveled through this station numerous times and never really looked at it. Thank you for bringing this to my attention and next time I pass through I will slowly pass through and not race to catch my train so I can appreciate the details.

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