10 Great American Public Spaces
What the APA Says: It was named for its “vibrant social and welcoming atmosphere, its transportation options, its historic position in the L’Enfant Plan for Washington, and its sustained civic support and revitalization after periods of decline.”
Why They’re Right: In a city known for grand edifices and soaring public spaces, Washington’s Union Station holds its own. The terminal’s classical façade—three monumental arches with alternating columns and a pediment soaring 600 feet high—faces the Capitol building five blocks away, providing a dramatic entrance into the heart of the city. The scale of the main waiting room, with 96-foot-high vaulted and coffered ceilings, is somewhat softened by the noise and motion of the 20 million people who pass through annually. Not only is Union Station a transportation hub for Amtrak, Washington D.C.’s Metro and transit buses, and suburban train lines, but it’s also a destination for restaurants, music, and shopping, and its easy walking access from the surrounding neighborhoods ensure that it serves more than just train passengers.
10 Great American Public Spaces
