Intercity bus services are the best to travel short distances of about four to five hours. If you live in NYC, you can visit Washington, DC, like many others. Of course, you have flights, trains, and self-drive options. However, all these come with some unique challenges. Trains require advance ticket booking due to availability issues. Flights are a no-brainer, but they’re expensive. Unless there is an urgent business meeting or social gathering to attend, it doesn’t make sense to spend a significant amount just on commute. You would instead want to save money and utilize it on your fun trip.
If it’s a weekend or a mini vacation plan, you can buy a ticket for the NYC to DC bus. The trip on the luxury bus will be comfortable. When you get off, you can head to your accommodation or attractions per the plan. Have you already decided on your itinerary, or is it still in the planning phase? Since intercity buses run frequently between these two prime US locations, you can take a little time. Just be careful with peak hours and days closer to weekends. Seats fill up quickly around this time. Here are some unique suggestions to help you prepare your itinerary more speedily and make it more appealing with lesser-known spots in the city.
- Hillwood Museum & Gardens
Walk Downtown to reach this peaceful residential neighborhood and explore the rich art collection. The garden and the house belong to Marjorie Merriweather Post, who stored her Russian and French decorative artwork here. She spent 18 months in Russia in the 1930s and collected imperial Russian art outside it. You can look at the paintings of tsars and tsarinas and furniture items. The 12-acre, well-groomed grounds feature a Japanese-inspired garden and a waterfall. If you plan to visit this place with your partner, consider taking a guided evening tour. The gardens provide the perfect romantic setting in the waning light.
- Kogod Courtyard
This beautiful courtyard is another secret spot in the city. The glass and steel ceiling is a must-see. The courtyard flanks the National Portrait Gallery. You can spend time here in peace, reading your favorite book, refreshing yourself, or finishing your important meeting.
- Spanish steps
It was built in the Kalorama neighborhood of the city in 1911. The multi-tiered wonder offers excellent opportunities for photo shoots and picnicking. There is also a fountain in the backdrop. On either side of the staircase, you can enjoy the freshness of the magnolia trees and other foliage. Few people know about this place, and many arrive here by chance. So, you’re lucky to have discovered it before most.
- Rooftop bars
Washington, DC, is more than its history and politics. It is also a fun place for everyone. To witness this, you must check out the rooftop bars that let you admire its charm from height. For example, you can visit The Wharf for a chic rooftop spot overlooking the Potomac waterfront and the city’s iconic skyline. As the vibrant music plays in the background and a tasty cocktail is prepared, you can enjoy and marvel at DC’s splendor, which may surpass even NYC’s charm. Some rooftop bars offer lawn games, quick bites, and season-friendly cocktails.
Traffic and weather conditions can add an extra one or two hours to your road trip from NYC to DC. However, you won’t get bored, as the views outside your bus window will keep you engaged.