The station was built in the early twentieth century, and was designed by famous architect Daniel Burnham. It opened on October 27, 1907 and has operated continuously since that time. The restoration was completed in 1988, and not only re-established the grandeur of Union Station, but recreated it as a destination for travelers and locals alike.
Union Station now includes a beautifully designed and executed shopping and dining center; yet, the functionality of the station as a transportation hub has not been sacrificed, but rather has been improved. With 23.4 million visitors each year, Union Station is the most visited site in all of Washington, D.C.
Our layover in the Capitol during our return home from New Orleans was only a few hours, so we spent that time in and around Union Station. Before dinner, we had a beer at the Capitol Brewing Company, right across the street from Union Station, in the Post Office Building. This is a local microbrewery that also offers a full menu.
As if we didn’t already get enough Creole food in New Orleans (never enough!), we ate at B. Smith’s, located inside the station. The food at B. Smith’s is Southern/Creole and includes the standards as well as some very original dishes. If you don’t like spicy food, you will still find plenty of dishes at this restaurant, because there is good variety. B. Smith’s is on the site of the former Union Square Presidential Suite, within which U.S. Presidents officially welcomed visiting foreign dignitaries, including kings, queens and prime ministers.
Until you visit, you will probably not realize just how large Union Station is, and what variety you will find there. A tiny sampling of shops and services includes an AMC Theatre (for that long layover), a Discovery Channel store, Cook’s currency exchange, and the Heel Quik shoe repair shop. That is in addition to about thirty restaurants and cafes, and numerous specialty shops, shoe stores, men's and women's clothing stores, bookstores, music stores, toy stores and gift shops.
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