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.

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 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.

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

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.

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

Equally impressive is the exterior of the building.

The neoclassical design set the tone for many of the memorials and buildings throughout 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!