Washington, DC Day 2: Riding the Old Town Trolley on a Rainy Morning

Our Washington DC Day 2 started with light rain, gray skies, and a slower pace than we expected.

It was not pouring. Still, it was wet enough to make us rethink how we wanted to explore the city. Instead of rushing out, I decided to ease into the morning. My husband and I headed to Union Station, where we planned to board the Old Town Trolley.

In the end, that slower start worked out beautifully.

Exploring Union Station Before Boarding

Before boarding, we spent a little time inside Union Station.

My husband and I both love architecture, so this stop was a treat for us. The tall arched ceilings, stone details, and wide open spaces made the station feel elegant and historic. Even with the rainy weather outside, it still felt lively inside.

I also liked that Union Station was more than a transit hub. There were shops, restaurants, and plenty of corners to explore. Because of that, it felt like a destination on its own and not just a place to pass through.

That quiet time inside helped set the tone for the day. Instead of feeling annoyed by the drizzle, I started to enjoy the slower rhythm of the morning.

Washington DC Day 2 on the Old Town Trolley

After exploring the station, we went outside to the Old Town Trolley stop.

We ended up being the first passengers on that round, which gave us a chance to talk with the driver before things got busy. That turned into one of those fun travel moments I always remember. He told us he was from Florida and had worked with the St. Augustine trolley tours before being transferred to Washington, DC. It felt like such a small-world connection.

Once we got settled, I was happy to let someone else do the navigating. On a rainy day, that alone felt worth it.

The ride felt comfortable, and it gave us a relaxed way to see the city without having to walk in the drizzle the whole time. Since we started later in the morning, the roads were already busy. There were also many student field trips happening that day, so traffic moved more slowly than usual.

Even so, I still enjoyed the ride.

The official Old Town Trolley site says its Washington route includes hop-on, hop-off sightseeing and a fully narrated tour with multiple stops around the National Mall.

What We Saw Along the Way

Even without hopping off at every stop, we were able to pass and see many major landmarks, including:

• The U.S. Capitol
• The White House
• The Washington Monument
• The Lincoln Memorial

We didn’t include Arlington National Cemetery in our package since we had already visited it the day before.

Seeing everything from the trolley gave us a helpful overview of the city’s layout. It helped us get our bearings before doing more walking on our own.

Hopping Off at the National Museum of Natural History

Later, we decided to hop off at the National Museum of Natural History.

By that point, the rain had eased up, but it was already getting late. Since the museums were starting to close and we did not have enough time to visit another one, this ended up being the main stop for the rest of our day.

Even so, it felt like a good choice. It gave us a chance to get indoors, slow down, and make the most of the time we had left. Rather than trying to squeeze in too much, we focused on one museum and enjoyed it at a more relaxed pace.

It may not have been a full museum-hopping afternoon, but it still became one of the biggest highlights of our Day 2 in Washington, DC.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History is free to visit and is open daily except December 25, according to the museum’s official website.

Pros of Riding the Old Town Trolley

There were several things I really liked about using the trolley that day.

• It gave me a great overview of the city
• The live narration added history and local stories
• It was comfortable on a rainy morning
• The hop-on, hop-off setup gave us flexibility
• It let us rest our feet while still sightseeing

Cons to Keep in Mind

There were also a few downsides.

• Traffic can slow everything down
• Rain can affect visibility
• A later start means more crowds
• Busy school trip days can make stops feel more packed

None of these were deal-breakers for me, but they are worth knowing ahead of time.

Is the Old Town Trolley Worth It?

For me, yes — especially on a drizzly day.

It gave us a simple way to see major landmarks without getting soaked. It also helped us learn a little history while taking a break from walking. Most of all, it made our morning feel relaxed instead of rushed.

If you are visiting for the first time, I think it is a nice way to get your bearings. It is also helpful when the weather is unpredictable and you want a flexible sightseeing option.

For our trip, it fit perfectly into the pace of the day.

Final Thoughts on Our Washington DC Day 2

Looking back, I am glad we chose the trolley that morning.

The drizzle could have easily made the day feel disappointing. However, it ended up becoming one of those slower travel mornings that felt memorable in a different way. We explored a beautiful station, met a friendly driver, saw some of DC’s most famous landmarks, and ended the ride with a museum stop we really loved.

That is the kind of travel day I always appreciate most. It may not go exactly as planned, but it still turns into something special.

You can read our full 4-day DC itinerary here.