Washington, DC Day 1: Arriving, Riding the Metro, and Visiting Arlington
Our Washington DC Day 1 started early in the morning when we left the house for the airport, feeling excited and honestly a little unsure of what to expect. Since it was our first time visiting Washington, DC, everything felt new. We flew with Southwest, which turned out to be a great choice for our trip. Even better, we used our credit card rewards points, so our round trip plane ride was absolutely free, which made the start of our trip feel even sweeter.
This is the view from our window seat as the sun is about to rise.
We landed at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport around 1:00 PM, and right away we had that “okay, where do we go now?” moment. Since it was our first time there, we were not exactly sure where to go after baggage claim. Luckily, the information desk pointed us in the right direction and helped us find the Metro station.
On the way there, we also passed a small airport exhibit area, which was such a fun little surprise. Reagan National has an Exhibit Hall in Terminal A with displays about the airport’s history, and I especially loved seeing the old airline ticket office signs with the names of airlines from years past. It was a neat little stop and such a fun detail to notice before starting our trip into the city.
According to WMATA, the airport connects directly to Metrorail through covered walkways, which makes it very convenient for travelers. The walk from the terminal to the Metro station took about 15 minutes, but we honestly did not mind at all. After sitting on the plane and waiting at the airport, it actually felt nice to stretch our legs and get a little exercise.
Figuring Out the Metro on Our First Day
Once we got to the Metro station, I had no clue how to get a Metro card or where to even begin. Thankfully, a very kind security officer helped us, and that made a huge difference. He was so nice and patient, which was exactly what we needed after traveling.
Our stop was McPherson Square, and while we were on the train, I kept wondering how far our hotel would be once we got off. To our surprise, it was basically right across the street. That felt like such a win, especially after a travel day.
We dropped off our luggage at the hotel, took a quick breath, and then headed back out. Since we wanted to make the most of our first afternoon, we hopped back on the Metro and made our way to Arlington National Cemetery.
Washington DC Day 1 at Arlington National Cemetery
We bought our tickets online ahead of time, and I was so glad we did. It made things much easier. We did not need to stop at the ticket desk, and instead we went straight toward the trolley area. After leaving the small entry building, it was only a short walk to the tram stop, where a staff member checked our online tickets.
Arlington National Cemetery’s official visitor information says the tram tour is the cemetery’s authorized interpretive tour service, with stops including the JFK gravesite, John J. Pershing gravesite, Memorial Amphitheater and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington House, the Marine Corps War Memorial near the Ord and Weitzel Gate, and the Coast Guard Memorial.
The whole visit felt solemn, peaceful, and beautifully maintained. The grounds were so well kept, and everything looked thoughtful and respectful. One of the most memorable parts for me was seeing the cherry blossom trees still in bloom. They were absolutely gorgeous and added such a soft beauty to a place that already carried so much meaning.
We were also able to watch the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and that was something I will not forget. It was quiet, moving, and very powerful to witness in person. Arlington National Cemetery says the Tomb has been guarded 24 hours a day, 7 days a week since 1937. The ceremony itself happens every hour from October 1 through March 31 and every half hour from April 1 through September 30.
Dinner at Ambar in Clarendon
After our visit to Arlington, we headed to Ambar Restaurant in Clarendon for dinner. This was our first time trying Balkan cuisine, so we really did not know what to expect. That actually made it even more fun.
The food was so good. Everything felt a little different from what we usually eat, but in the best way. They serve the dishes as small plates, which I loved because it gave us the chance to try several things in one meal. Even better, you can reorder the dishes you like, so it is easy to go back for favorites.
Here are some of the food we had….
Ambar’s official site describes its Clarendon dinner as an unlimited dining experience, and at the time of writing, the Clarendon location lists unlimited dinner at $49.99.
We left that restaurant full, happy, and very satisfied with how our first day turned out. It felt like a great mix of figuring things out, seeing something meaningful, and ending the day with a fun meal.
Ending Our First Day in DC
By the time we got back to the hotel, we were definitely ready to rest. It had been a full day, but it was such a good start to our Washington, DC trip.
Looking back, I think Day 1 was the perfect introduction to the city. We learned how to use the Metro, made it to our hotel without any major problems, visited one of the most meaningful places in the area, and ended the evening with a memorable dinner.
For a first day in a new city, I really could not ask for much more.