Washington DC is reachable from Philadelphia by Amtrak in under two hours on the Acela, making the National Mall's free Smithsonian museums and monuments feasible as a day trip. Because the Smithsonian museums and most outdoor monuments are free, the cost of the day is mostly the train ticket rather than admissions, which is unusual for a major-city day trip. The Mall itself is long - walking from the Capitol end to the Lincoln Memorial end is a genuine hike, so plan around distance rather than assuming everything is close together.
| Distance | 140 miles from Philadelphia |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 1 hour 45 min (Amtrak Acela) to 2.5 hours (Northeast Regional) |
| Getting there | Amtrak from 30th Street Station; Acela from $105 USD, Northeast Regional from $50 USD; book at amtrak.com |
| Address | Union Station, 50 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002 |
How to get there
- Amtrak; car (~2.5 hours via I-95 South); Greyhound from $25 USD
Location
Union Station, 50 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
38.8971, -77.0069 View on map
Highlights
- The National Mall - the long green corridor connecting the Capitol, the monuments, and most Smithsonian museums
- National Air and Space Museum - one of the most visited museums in the country, covering flight and space exploration
- Lincoln Memorial - the statue and steps at the western end of the Mall, with a view back down toward the Capitol
- National Museum of American History - the Smithsonian collection covering everyday American life and major historical objects
- U.S. Capitol - viewable from outside without a ticket, or toured with advance reservation