A Day Trip from Richmond to Washington DC.
Written by Haley Cash. March 14, 2023.
Are you looking for a Week-Long Vacation or a Quick, 2 Day Getaway?
Whether it’s with your Family, Significant Other or Friends, Washington DC offers amazing experiences for all ages.
We were looking for a way to spend some quality time together and celebrate our youngest’s birthday.
Our 2-Day Trip to Washington DC was perfect!
Transportation:
After comparing cost of gas, as well as wear and tear on our vehicle and sanity while driving in DC, we decided to purchase a Round-Trip ticket on Amtrak.
If you haven’t traveled on a train before, I highly recommend it. Such a fun experience.
There are 2 Train Stations in Richmond – Main Street Station and Staples Mill Road Station.
AMTRAK recommends arriving at the station at least 30 minutes before your train is scheduled to depart.
There is an option to park your car overnight at the station for an additional cost.
Photo by Haley Cash
Train Ride to Washington DC.
The National Archives Museum:
The National Archives Museum is located at 701 W Constitution Avenue, NW. It’s home to the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights. The Museum is open and FREE to visitors from 10 AM to 5:30PM daily.
Photography is prohibited in all exhibition areas in the National Archives Museum. For more details on the Photography Policy, visit here.
The documents displayed in this Museum are extremely fragile and at risk to fading from light. In fact, the Declaration of Independence is very faded and almost unable to read.
Photo by Matt Cash.
National Archives Museum.
Ford’s Theatre:
Ford’s Theatre is located at 511 Tenth Street, NW.
Unfortunately, when we made our trip to Washington DC, it was not open, so we weren’t able to see the Historic Site of Abraham Lincoln’s Assassination.
There is a Virtual Tour of Ford’s Theatre available should you ever encounter this.
It is recommended that you purchase tickets to Ford’s Theatre prior to your visit.
Photo by Matt Cash.
Original Ford’s Theatre.
The Museum:
View exhibits that follow Abraham Lincoln from the beginning of his presidency to the moments leading up to his assassination.
Learn about actor John Wilkes Booth, the roots of his hatred toward Lincoln, and the group of people who joined his conspiracy to dismantle the United States government.
The Museum features artifacts related to the assassination, including the weapons Booth used.
Photo by Haley Cash.
Bronze Statue of Abraham Lincoln in the Museum at Ford’s Theatre.
The Petersen House:
On April 14, 1865, after John Wilkes Booth shot President Lincoln, Lincoln was carried out of the theatre and into a boarding house across the street, known as the Petersen House.
Watch as it changes through the years.
Standing inside the house where Abraham Lincoln died is an eerie feeling.
Even more strange, it was found that John Wilkes Booth rested in the very same bed a month earlier when he visited fellow actor Charles Warwick, who was renting the room.
Photo by Haley Cash.
The Petersen House.
The Aftermath Exhibits:
The Aftermath Exhibits take you to Washington Street the morning after Lincoln’s assassination.
Follow Lincoln’s Funeral train back to his hometown of Springfield, Illinois.
Learn about the 12-day manhunt for Booth, his capture in Virginia and the trial and fate of his conspirators.
Photo by Haley Cash.
34-foot book tower including over 15,000 books written about Abraham Lincoln.
The National Museum of American History:
The National Museum of American History is located at 1300 Constitution Avenue, NW. It’s open and FREE every day, except December 25, from 10AM to 5:30PM.
A visit to the Smithsonian involves a lot of walking, so wear comfortable shoes and layers of clothing.
Photography is encouraged throughout the museum, except for the 200-year-old Star-Spangled Banner Exhibit, where photography is prohibited.
It’s recommended to print a Museum Map at home before coming to the museum. I would recommend circling exhibits that you want to visit because the museum is LOADED with exhibits.
My favorite exhibit was Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers.
Photo by Haley Cash.
Dorothy’s Ruby Slipper - The National Museum of American History.
The Washington Monument:
The Washington Monument was built to honor George Washington, the United States’ first president.
Upon its completion in 1884, the Washington Monument was the tallest building in the world at approximately 555 feet.
The monument is made of marble, granite and bluestone.
Photo by Eli Cash.
Washington Monument.
The Lincoln Memorial:
The Lincoln Memorial was built to honor Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States.
It is located on the western end of the National Mall, across from the Washington Monument.
The memorial is open to the public 24 hours a day, and visited by more than 7 million people annually.
Photo by Lucas Cash.
Lincoln Memorial.
Additional Tips:
Be Prepared for Weather with Season-Appropriate Clothing.
Our Trip was at the beginning of February, and it was unusually windy and cold. Luckily, we brought gloves, hats, and neck gaiters. They were absolute life savers.
Escalator Etiquette: Don’t block the entire escalator.
I didn’t realize there was such a thing as “Escalator Etiquette” until after our visit.
Standing Still/Not in a Rush - stand to the right of the Escalator.
Walking - use the left side of the Escalator.
Purchase a Metro Ticket.
Rather than attempting to Uber from the Train Station to our different locations, a close friend suggested we purchase a Metro Ticket. This was also a LIFESAVER!
You can plan your trip here.
Whether you’re looking for a Week-Long Vacation or a Quick, 2 Day Getaway, I highly recommend visiting Washington DC. There are so many AMAZING things to see.
We had the best time and can’t wait for our next trip!