Pennsylvania Avenue is a world famous 35.1 mile roadway that travels northwest to southeast from Georgetown to Wayson's Corner, Maryland. 5.8 miles of the road are in Washington D.C., with the most famous 1.2 mile segment connecting the White House to the Capitol. Pennsylvania Avenue is also a linear historic site dating back from 1791 when President Jefferson made a reference to it in a letter. Pennsylvania Avenue is a famous Avenue of numerous names. President Washington called it "A Grand Avenue." It is called the "Ceremonial Heart of the Nation" and "America's Main Street". I see it as the paved carpet joining the White House gate to the Capitol steps. This review is based on my experiences touring Pennsylvania Avenue between the White House and the Capitol.
When reviewing a fascinating subject like Pennsylvania Avenue which just so happens to be a road, it is a written report on a disjointed Boulevard with numerous segments. The 1.2 mile segment is made up of the pedestrianized walkway in front of the White House and the 8-lane commuter Boulevard from 14th Avenue to the White House. In my opinion, Pennsylvania Avenue overlaps 14th Avenue from Freedom Park to the White House segment.
A White House Promenade: 17th to 14th Street:
The Oklahoma City bombing and 911 tragedies changed Pennsylvania Avenue into a pedestrian promenade. We spent a lot of time here looking at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue which is the White House. Bordering the Avenue to the north is Lafayette Park, which is the only place in the World where you can have a picnic in the shadow of the White House.
A Grand Avenue: 14th Avenue to the Capitol steps
From the moment you turn the bend east of Freedom Park, sensory overload takes affect when you set eyes on the distant Capitol with several historical buildings and Lombardy poplars between. When I toured this segment of Pennsylvania Avenue, I was surrounded by Federal buildings and museums. There was zero doubt that I was walking in the Federal Capital. Pennsylvania Avenue is to Washington D.C., what the Las Vegas Strip is to Las Vegas. I was experiencing one of Pierre Charles L' Enfant's first grand Boulevards of the Federal Capital. I'd pass many points of interest including the FBI Headquarters, Newseum, Ronald Reagan Building, U.S. Navy Memorial, & museums. Photographing Trump Tower, I thought to myself that is Donald Trump is elected, he will be the first to have a monument before the primaries. The Lombardy poplars that have roots to the Jefferson administration provided shade that made for comfortable resting points.
Pennsylvania Avenue is where parades and processions are held. On our visit we saw a motorcade carrying Vice President Bidden.
Pennsylvania Avenue with the National Mall and 14th Avenue makes for a nice triangular- loop walk in the heart of the Nation's Capital. I suggest walking the National Mall East towards the Capitol with a couple museum stops, take in the Capitol at sundown, then walk northwest on Pennsylvania Avenue with a stop for dinner. I recommend Plan B Burger & Capitol Grill. Then ultimately walk south on 14th to the Washington Monument or north to the White House Promenade. No matter how you tour it, the asphalt carpet joining the White House to the Capitol is a must see when visiting Washington D.C. read more