The route from New York, NY to Washington, DC
Multiple services make the 260+ mile trip from New York to Washington. While similar in terms of destination, they can differ drastically in terms of the trip. Some are direct services between the two cities, hitting the highways for speed. Others meander across the North East with stops along the way. The most popular and regular bus services are run by Greyhound and Megabus. Other options include FlixBus, OurBus, BestBus, BoltBus, and Washington Deluxe.
Most buses depart from Midtown Manhattan, with Greyhound services leaving from Penn Station. While the fastest routes tend to head over the Hudson Bridge via Newark, others make other stops within the city. Most modern bus services for Washington offer a range of onboard benefits, from free Wi-Fi to bathrooms. More spacious luxury buses are also available with fewer seats and first-class chairs. Whatever service you choose, ensure you arrive at your New York stop 15 minutes prior to departure. Midtown Manhattan can get extraordinarily busy – so give yourself time to get there and settled in.
Driving through New Jersey
Departing New York, your bus will cross into New Jersey, taking the Interstate 95 south. This route cuts through the more rural heartland of the state, passing Edison and Hamilton Township. You exit the I-95 for Interstate 295 through southern New Jersey. It’s mostly fast-paced highway travel on this stretch, depending on traffic. As you pass Woolwich Township, you'll head for the Delaware River. Here, your bus crosses into Delaware state by the Delaware Memorial Bridge.
Your bus passes through Delaware, skirting the edges of Wilmington. As you navigate around Wilmington Airport, your bus rejoins the I-95 west through Christiana. You’ll pass into Maryland by the same route. Views open up as you cross the Susquehanna River, where you’ll spot the rich riverside forests of Maryland. You follow the I-95 into Baltimore via the Fort McHenry Tunnel.
Into the capital
Your bus skirts through south Baltimore, taking the Baltimore–Washington Parkway. You pass BWI Airport, Patuxent Reserve, and the leafy Greenbelt Park en route to Washington. This road leads directly into the District of Columbia, arriving at Washington via the United States National Arboretum. You'll pass the H Street Corridor before stopping at Washington Union Station.
Union Station is the main depot for travel through Washington. It’s centrally located and overlooks both Columbus Circle and Capitol Hill. It’s also Washington’s Amtrak center, offering rail connections onward as well as Metro links through the city. The station itself is among the most beautiful in the country. Opened in 1907, it boasts impressive Beaux-Arts architectural features, grand arches, and Attic statues.
Explore the magnificent capital city of Washington, DC
Washington, DC is an iconic capital teeming with landmarks and grand monuments. Leafy parks, spectacular food, and an air of sophistication all give Washington incredible depth. First and foremost, however, are the world-famous museums that line the National Mall and historic outer reaches.
A cultural capital loaded with museums
Washington is home to the world-famous Smithsonian Institution, a network of 19 stellar museums. Packed with famed artifacts and iconic American masterpieces, history, science, and American ingenuity are all represented. Highlights include the National Air and Space Museum, home to antique airplanes and Apollo space exhibits. Other big-hitters include Natural History and African American History museums, and the impressive National Portrait Gallery.
Outside of the Smithsonian, you’ll find over 70 museums in Washington. These include landmark collections of local and world art. The National Gallery of Art, for instance, houses medieval, modern, and present-day masters. Incredible art institutions like the Phillips Collection and Kreeger Museum collect from Europe and local DC artists. Little ones will love the DAR Museum too, which presents period pieces in a fun and interactive way. From historic houses dating from the American Revolution to Masonic temples, Washington is bursting with magnetism.
Political icons and national monuments
Washington’s landmarks include monolithic monuments commemorating great Presidents and fallen heroes. Chief among these is the Lincoln Memorial, among the country’s most iconic sites. Located at the end of the National Mall, this stunning neoclassical temple seats a dignified Lincoln. It's a breathtaking sight at dawn and opens 24/7. Opposite Lincoln, you’ll find the Washington Monument, a 555ft-tall obelisk which you can climb for impressive panoramas.
Elsewhere along the National Mall, you’ll find countless memorials and peaceful areas to picnic and memorialize American political icons. War memorials to Vietnam and Korean war veterans are among the most poignant sites. There's also a stunning World War II Memorial and the somber Arlington National Cemetery over the Potomac River in Virginia. Wander the scenic Potomac Park to discover memorials to heroes Martin Luther King Jr, Thomas Jefferson, and John Paul Jones.
A political center
Washington, DC is the US’ political seat and, as such, offers plenty of congressional attractions. Capitol Hill hosts the US Capitol building, open since 1800. You’ll need a pass to actually watch Congress, but tours are available. Right next door, you’ll find the Supreme Court and Library of Congress, two great sites of US politics.
By far the biggest politicial draw, however, is the White House. Open to tours, you’ll have to plan well in advance for a chance to walk its famed hallways. If you can’t catch a tour, the visitors center makes a fine introduction to perhaps the world’s most famous residence. The surrounding grounds are equally stunning and loaded with iconic statues.
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