Hello Everyone;

Be gentle please! This is my first trip outside of Canada, and I really don't know what I am doing, so I am learning as I go!

The plan so far is:

Train
from Vancouver to Orlando
Thurs Sep 30 2010 1130 Van
transfer--Seattle Thurs Sept 30 440 pm--getting to Seattle from Vancouver by bus
Arrive Chicago Sat Oct 2 355 pm
Transfer Chicago Sat Oct 2 640pm
Arrive Washington DC Sunday October 3 110 pm
Smithsonian? White House?
Transfer Washington DC Sun Oct 3 730 pm
Arrive Orlando Monday Oct 4 1255 pm

My question is can I plan to do anything in DC in that time I have available? I would love to go sight seeing a little in that five and a half hours, but not having been there nor travelled by train before, I don't know if that is possible.

Any help and advice is muchly appreciated. Oh, and this is for next Oct (2010).

Thanks
Katy

Katy:

Your plan looks good....but....trains (and especially long distance) have a "habit" of being late. You will probably have time in DC---but do not count on the entire 5 1/2 hours.....you will just have to wing it and play it by ear as to when you will "really" arrive. Sometimes it is annoying, but sometimes it is part of the adventure

Do you have any suggestions on what I should 'anticipate' being able to do, so that I have a reasonable time frame?

Katy,
First, welcome to OTOL!

That is quite a trip you have planned, going through virtually opposite corners of the USA (northwest and southeast).

Regarding Washington, DC, I would plan something, but nothing that you would need an appointment for or that you would pay for in advance. Yes Amtrak has gotten the reputation over the years of being late, but in the recent two years things have much improved and it's not strange for a train to reach its destination early!. So you could end up with even more than 5-1/2 hours on your hands. That is not to say that your train might be a little or a lot late -- every trip is a new adventure.

The Washington Metro serves much of the city, and almost all of the sites are within walking distance of a Metro station. The Red Line provides frequent service to Washington Union Station. Just follow the signs to Metro after you arrive.

I believe that the White House tour usually has long lines, something you don't want with limited time in town. The Smithsonian may be a better idea, as you can choose among many different museums to suit your interests and go at your own pace. There is a Metro station on the Blue/Orange Lines at Smithsonian, but the complex is so enormous that some of the buildings are actually closer to other stations.

We have some members who live in northern Virginia, just outside the city of Washington, who may be able to add something about what would be a worthwhile and reasonable use of the dwell time you have between trains.

While it's wonderful to plan so far ahead, please keep in mind that Amtrak changes its timetables at least twice a year. We just had one the last full weekend in October, but there will be one more in the Spring, usually April or early May. If you do make reservations this far in advance, double check them after that time, as the long distance train schedules might change slightly.

Enjoy your trip, and after you go please let us know your impressions!

Well, the reason I decided to take the train was because i needed some way to get to Orlando to go to Disney World, and I figured passenger trains are not going to be around forever, so I wanted something unique!

I will look into the Smithsonian for sure. One other thing, though; do they have lockers for your carry on luggage, or do I need to take into account that I will be bringing it with me?

Katy,

No lockers unfortunately.

If you are traveling in a sleeper, then you would have access to the Club Acela lounge in DC, and you would be able to leave your carry on bag there for free. If you're in coach, there is a place where you can day check your bag for a fee.

Fortunately the train station in DC is near the Capitol (where the Congress meets). Unfortunately, there are usually long lines to get in! There are a number of museums well worth while along the big green stretch they call "the Mall." It depends on what you like; try the National Art Gallery (a breath-taking collection of masterpieces) which is on the side near the train station, or directly opposite is the American Indian Museum and the Air and Space Museum (my personal favorite). There is a large cafeteria inside the Air and Space Museum. Entry to most government museums in DC is free.

During the Bush Administration years the White House was all locked up; today the "tours" are back in limited form, but I doubt you would be able to visit since there is a big crush. Tight security checks also.

If you wander down the Mall (the grassy part) a bit you will find the war memorials, of which the Vietnam War Memorial is quite sobering.

At the far end is the Lincoln Memorial which (to me) inspires reflection, but that is a solid mile-plus from the train-station end.

It is very much a "tourist town" and the locals, including policemen and even businessmen between errands, are unfailingly polite and helpful. Get a good guidebook on-line, sort out your preferences, and enjoy!

Guided tours of the US Capitol are still offered, but all most visitors will get to see is the new US Capitol Visitors Center, which just opened in December of 2008. Post-9/11/01 events they built this center adjacent to the Capitol in order to reduce security risks within the main building and its chambers.