Washington DC

Exploring America's capital city - from arriving by Amtrak to discovering the iconic landmarks that define the heart of American democracy.

Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Part of Across America Journey
20 Photos
Amtrak train car #621 detail with American flag

Arriving by Amtrak

The iconic Amtrak experience - train car #621 proudly displaying the American flag as we arrive in the nation's capital.

Arriving by Amtrak

The iconic Amtrak experience - train car #621 proudly displaying the American flag as we arrive in the nation's capital.

Amtrak train at underground station platform

Union Station Platform

The impressive underground platforms of Washington DC's Union Station, gateway to the capital city.

Union Station Platform

The impressive underground platforms of Washington DC's Union Station, gateway to the capital city.

Street view toward US Capitol with bike share bikes

Capitol Street Scene

Classic DC street view with the Capitol dome in the distance, green bike share bikes, and tree-lined avenues that make the city so walkable.

Capitol Street Scene

Classic DC street view with the Capitol dome in the distance, green bike share bikes, and tree-lined avenues that make the city so walkable.

Portrait at Lafayette Park monument

Lafayette Park Moment

A beautiful moment at Lafayette Park, wearing traditional African prints while exploring this historic park across from the White House.

Lafayette Park Moment

A beautiful moment at Lafayette Park, wearing traditional African prints while exploring this historic park across from the White House.

White House area directional signs

Presidential Area Navigation

Professional wayfinding signs guiding visitors to the White House Visitor Center, African American History Museum, and Washington Monument.

Presidential Area Navigation

Professional wayfinding signs guiding visitors to the White House Visitor Center, African American History Museum, and Washington Monument.

DC landmarks directional signs

Historic Landmarks Guide

Directional signage pointing to DC's most important sites: the Old Post Office, National Archives, and U.S. Capitol.

Historic Landmarks Guide

Directional signage pointing to DC's most important sites: the Old Post Office, National Archives, and U.S. Capitol.

White House South View directional sign

White House Viewing Areas

Signs directing visitors to the White House South View and the Ellipse - prime spots for viewing the presidential residence.

White House Viewing Areas

Signs directing visitors to the White House South View and the Ellipse - prime spots for viewing the presidential residence.

DC street intersection signs with classic architecture

DC's Grid System

The organized street grid of Washington DC at E Street NW and 15th Street, with beautiful classical architecture in the background.

DC's Grid System

The organized street grid of Washington DC at E Street NW and 15th Street, with beautiful classical architecture in the background.

Modern government building with distinctive architecture

Federal Architecture

Modern federal building showcasing the blend of contemporary and classical architectural styles that define Washington DC's government district.

Federal Architecture

Modern federal building showcasing the blend of contemporary and classical architectural styles that define Washington DC's government district.

Lafayette Park sign on glass surface

Lafayette Park

The historic Lafayette Park sign, marking this important green space directly across from the White House.

Lafayette Park

The historic Lafayette Park sign, marking this important green space directly across from the White House.

Museum grand staircase with classical architecture and visitors

Museum Grand Hall

The magnificent grand staircase and classical architecture of one of Washington DC's premier museums, showcasing the city's commitment to preserving history and culture.

Museum Grand Hall

The magnificent grand staircase and classical architecture of one of Washington DC's premier museums, showcasing the city's commitment to preserving history and culture.

Bronze statue of government official in formal building

Government Leader Statue

Bronze statue commemorating an important government leader, representing the many figures who have shaped American democracy.

Government Leader Statue

Bronze statue commemorating an important government leader, representing the many figures who have shaped American democracy.

Willa Cather statue representing Nebraska in the Capitol

Willa Cather - Nebraska's Voice

The statue of author Willa Cather (1873-1947) representing Nebraska in the U.S. Capitol, with her inspiring quote about pioneers and the heart of every country.

Willa Cather - Nebraska's Voice

The statue of author Willa Cather (1873-1947) representing Nebraska in the U.S. Capitol, with her inspiring quote about pioneers and the heart of every country.

Portrait with Rosa Parks statue in the U.S. Capitol

With Rosa Parks

A meaningful moment standing beside the Rosa Parks statue (1913-2005) in the U.S. Capitol, honoring the civil rights icon who changed American history.

With Rosa Parks

A meaningful moment standing beside the Rosa Parks statue (1913-2005) in the U.S. Capitol, honoring the civil rights icon who changed American history.

Government building with landscaped gardens and flowers

Capitol Grounds Gardens

Beautiful landscaped gardens surrounding the government buildings, with vibrant flowers adding natural beauty to the formal architecture of the nation's capital.

Capitol Grounds Gardens

Beautiful landscaped gardens surrounding the government buildings, with vibrant flowers adding natural beauty to the formal architecture of the nation's capital.

U.S. Capitol Rotunda with paintings and visitors

Capitol Rotunda

Inside the iconic U.S. Capitol Rotunda, featuring the famous historical paintings, classical columns, and the heart of American democracy where history unfolds daily.

Capitol Rotunda

Inside the iconic U.S. Capitol Rotunda, featuring the famous historical paintings, classical columns, and the heart of American democracy where history unfolds daily.

John Quincy Adams desk location plaque in the Capitol

John Quincy Adams' Desk

The floor plaque marking where John Quincy Adams sat as Representative from Massachusetts (1831-1848), a tangible connection to presidential history in the House chamber.

John Quincy Adams' Desk

The floor plaque marking where John Quincy Adams sat as Representative from Massachusetts (1831-1848), a tangible connection to presidential history in the House chamber.

Capitol Statuary Hall with chandelier and classical statues

Statuary Hall Grandeur

The ornate Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol, featuring magnificent chandeliers, classical columns, red draping, and statues representing the states of America.

Statuary Hall Grandeur

The ornate Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol, featuring magnificent chandeliers, classical columns, red draping, and statues representing the states of America.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson office entrance with American flags

Speaker's Office

The entrance to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson's office, marked with American flags and representing the current leadership of the House of Representatives.

Speaker's Office

The entrance to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson's office, marked with American flags and representing the current leadership of the House of Representatives.

Rosa Parks and Frances Willard statues in the Capitol

Statuary Hall Collection

The Rosa Parks statue alongside Frances Willard's statue in the Capitol's Statuary Hall, representing the diverse voices and contributions that built America.

Statuary Hall Collection

The Rosa Parks statue alongside Frances Willard's statue in the Capitol's Statuary Hall, representing the diverse voices and contributions that built America.

Part of the Across America Journey

Washington DC was a significant stop during my epic coast-to-coast journey across America, covering 43 destinations from San Diego to the nation's capital. The city represents the culmination of American democracy and history.