Tourism: Union Station

Photo courtesy of
‘Color Photo – Arriving at Union Station’
courtesy of ‘CathyLovesDC’

Despite the history, the sculptures, the uniqueness, it’s still kind of hard to wax poetic about Union Station. You see, when Union Station was built, residents lauded the civic project for finally bringing an impressive and worthy gateway for visitors into the nation’s capital. But today, people run in and out of Union Station faster than… well, faster than a speeding train.

Photo courtesy of
‘Flagpole Eagle’
courtesy of ‘CathyLovesDC’

Did you know that Union Station is DC’s most visited site? With 32 million people in and out of it every year. (All of the Smithsonian’s combined only obtain 28 million visitors.) With all that foot traffic, I’ll bet 31.5 million didn’t stop to look at the history. In fact, I felt like the first person to ever walk into Union Station expecting, *gasp*, some historical explanations! Or, no – maybe even a tour!

Photo courtesy of
‘No crack in this bell’
courtesy of ‘CathyLovesDC’

But Union Station is all business these days. After falling into disrepair while airplane usage increased, Union Station eventually shut down for good with Congress scrambling to figure out what to do with it. They considered razing it to the ground, but ultimately opted for giving it a chance, as long as it could sustain itself financially in other ways than train service.

Photo courtesy of
‘The old and the new’
courtesy of ‘CathyLovesDC’

To that end, Union Station took on vendors and restaurants in each of its nooks and crannies. It sells itself out for private parties and the biggest and best of all DC parties, the Inaugural Ball. It serves as the headquarters to Amtrak, and as the bustling center for bus and bike tours of DC.

Photo courtesy of
‘Bikestation DC’
courtesy of ‘CathyLovesDC’

But despite all the buzz going on within the historical structure itself, I found the real deal just outside the front door. Walking through the 600 foot long facade of arches when exiting Union Station (or entering) makes you feel like an emperor returning in all his glory from a successful battle. The intersection of two Pierre l’Enfant avenues, the curving Columbus circle, the huge lions watching over the Columbus memorial fountain: the symbolism and distinct feelings of dominance and power are overwhelming. And the view of the Capitol just five blocks away only contributes to the awareness that you have just arrived in the nation’s capital.

Photo courtesy of
‘Power! Dominance! Intrigue!’
courtesy of ‘CathyLovesDC’

So the next time you are rushing through Union Station, and it’s a gorgeous day outside just calling you to take a breather, stop by the Columbus circle monuments. Get lost next to the huge Liberty-style bell. Stand under Columbus. See if you stand taller than the eagle. Just take it all in, and remember that you’ve just arrived in the middle of something important, the nation’s capital.

Let’s just say, it’s not the same feeling I get when I’m kissing the ground at Reagan National.

Cathy was fortunate to spend a year in Paris – traveling to all surrounding countries and touring all that is worthy. Upon realizing that there is no place like home (she does hail from Kansas City – but did not click her heels to get back – thank you, Air France), she returned to America where she set out to explore every last inch of our massive country. From her base in the nation’s capital, she has worked in marketing and event planning for the past 4 years. Mail any and all DC related tips to Cathy (at) WeLoveDC (dot) com.

3 thoughts on “Tourism: Union Station

  1. I love Union Station and am so proud we still have it in DC.

    I think of how lucky we are every time I arrive in that hellhole Penn Station in NYC and bemoan the fact that the original beautiful structure was razed to the ground.

    We’re so so lucky to have this gorgeous building when so many have been lost!

  2. I have worked across the street from Union Station for 15 years and I still get a bit awestruck each time I enter the building–it never gets old.