Our final Amtrak train ride is Philly to DC, a two hour journey. The train is full, as it is Memorial Day on Monday, so a long weekend for Americans.
It is a comfortable twenty minute walk from the train station, with a pass by of Capitol Hill. We check in to our hotel, then walk to the Mall, and the iconic Washington buildings.
We find an American pub, Hawk n Dove for dinner. Classic pub fare and pretty good.
Breakfast is included in this hotel visit, but there is a large Italian tour group here, so it was pretty crowded. Also, average food to be fair.
This morning we have our group bike tour. Kirby is our guide and does a good job of leading us around the Capitol Hill area. A lot was a rehash of what we saw yesterday, but with a detailed commentary. Still, we found it worthwhile.
After lunch from one of the many food trucks, we walked to the Lincoln Memorial, which is at the far end of the National Mall. Our first Museum was next, the Natural History. Place was packed, and quite difficult to get around. We did however see the “Hope Diamond”, the largest known blue diamond. Also, lots of dinosaur fossils.
Dinner is at a nearby Mexican restaurant called Los Caballeros. Excellent food and very prompt service.
After an exhausting previous day of cycling and walking, today we will make extensive use of the DC Metro system. It turns out to be modern, cheap and efficient.
Our first destination is the Arlington National Cemetery, across the river from DC in Arlington, Virginia. Monday is Memorial Day, so there are many people visiting for the weekend. More than 400,000 people are buried in its 639 acres. It is maintained by the US Army, and is pristine.
Back on the Metro, and back across the river to The Wharf area, with restaurants, hotels and a fish market. We have a sandwich for lunch, and Metro to the Smithsonian National Art Museum. This place is huge, and the crowd is not too bad. The older, original building hosts older artworks, and the newer East Wing, the more modern. A lot to see!
Our dinner destination is the historic Mr Henry’s, which has been in Capitol Hill since 1966. Roberta Flack began her singing career there!
Unfortunately, the food and service were mediocre. Plenty of it, as expected, and we had salads, but only average.
Our final full day in DC, and we hit the Metro and visit Georgetown, via the Foggy Bottom stop. The latter has Washington DC University, the former, Georgetown University, where Bill Clinton once studied. There is a nice park and eating area along the river (similar to the Wharf), and some nice shops and lovely old row houses. A number of films feature this Georgetown neighbourhood, with steps featuring in The Exorcist. We walked across the Potomac river into Rosslyn, and Metro back to our hotel for some lunch.
Although the Smithsonian National Museums are free, a time must be booked for the Air and Space Museum. The reason being it is relatively small, and very popular. Being Memorial Day, there is also a procession down Constitution Avenue of marching bands etc. Impressive on both counts.
After another big walking day, dining again is local, a Thai Restaurant, which we thoroughly enjoy. Tomorrow, a domestic flight to Nashville.