Washington DC

Feb 14-16, 2020
UA1851 IAH-BWI, UA 1411 BWI-IAH

We always enjoy our time in the Washington area, and it is a nice easy connection from Toronto and Houston. I also get a free night every year from the IHG hotel chain, and found availability for a nice room at the historic Kimpton Monaco hotel. For our flights, there are no actual airports in Washington, DC. While Reagan National is the most convenient, it has higher fares. To save a bit on travel, we flew in and out of Baltimore and used the train to get into the city, which as a first for us.

Feb 15

After arriving late the night before, we had breakfast at our airport hotel before making our way to the train and into the city. Our friend Karen from Houston was coincidentally visiting her son that same weekend so in addition to touring the capital we got to connect with her as well.

Looking at the Washington Monument across the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool

Lincoln himself

Up close with the monument

Folks enjoying a beautiful Saturday on the mall

Inside the very impressive National Museum of African American History

Pullman Palace Car showing the shameful history of segregated seating

Stearman biplane used for training African American pilots

View of the mall from the museum

Exterior of the National Museum of African American History

“Mushroom” by Foon Sham outside museum

William Jefferson Clinton Federal building

With a long walk under our belt, we found our way back to the hotel before heading out to dinner with Karen and her son.

Feb 16

After breakfast, we decided to spend the rest of the day continuing to explore the Smithsonian museums.

Burton Batmobile at the National Museum of American History

Industrial Revolution area of American History Museum

The beginning of the modern electric vehicle with a rare surviving GM EV1

1974 Toyota Civic

Steam engine

Investigating the history of Oil and Gas

One of the original stop light designs

Dorothy’s iconic ruby slippers from the Wizard of Oz

Looking out towards the Museum of African American History

His Master’s Voice, iconic record label created by the Gramophone Co. Ltd. in 1901.

Star Spangled Banner

Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium

Smithsonian American Art Museum

Exterior of Kimpton Hotel Monaco before we checked out