Home Indoor Fun 8 Underground Hideaways Kids Love by rtstephaniekanowitzJanuary 19, 2016 Search more like this family friendlyself guided tourtravelvisitor centerundergroundcost freeshopping mallfood courtmusical instrumenttourtrainorganridesubway Advertisement Trending Now Celeb & Entertainment Melanie Lynskey Talks about Being Body-Shamed in Hollywood & ‘Starving Herself’ Viral & Trending Viral TikTok Explains Why You Don’t Owe Toxic Parents a Relationship with Your Kids Celeb & Entertainment ‘Bluey’ Season 3 is Coming to Disney+ This Week! Viral & Trending Dad Gets Shamed for Using a Leash with 5-Year-Old Quintuplets News Chrissy Teigen Announces She’s Pregnant Almost 2 Years after Losing Jack Advertisement “The DaVinci Code” taught us to look twice at Washington’s infrastructure, and indeed there is more than meets the eye. Plenty of secret and not-so-private meetings happen underground in tunnels and passageways connecting some of D.C.’s best-known buildings. Then there are the better-advertised subterrestrial sites: caverns, public transportation access and even a shopping mall. Whether you’re looking to rub shoulders with members of Congress, admire centuries-old rock formations or just grab a bite to eat, here are eight ways to see the region below street level.Photo: qchristopher via Flickr U.S. Capitol Subway System Metro isn’t the only way to get around underground. Three electric people mover systems connect the Capitol to the House and Senate office buildings. Open only to members of Congress and approved guests, you can hitch a ride during an official Capitol Tour.Cost: FreeWhere: East Capitol St., NE and First St., SEWhen: Check website for availabilityOnline: visitthecapitol.govLibrary of Congress Tunnel Feel like a Washington insider by walking this tunnel that connects the world’s largest library to the Capitol Visitor Center. Of course, a look at the reading rooms and guided tours above ground are also well worth the time.Cost: FreeWhere: First Street, SEWhen: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.Online: loc.govMetro The best-known of Washington’s below-ground spaces is the Metro, which began operating in 1976. It now has 118 miles of track serving 91 stations – 50.5 of those miles and 47 of those stations are subterranean. For added fun, ride the Western Hemisphere’s longest escalator (230 feet) at Wheaton station or stop at the deepest station (196 feet) in Forest Glen.Cost: $1.75 to $5.90, depending on distance traveled and time of dayHours: Opens 5 am weekdays and 7 am weekends, closes midnight Sunday through Thursday and 3 am Friday and SaturdayOnline: wmata.comUnion StationConstructed in 1907, this is more than a place to catch a train – or bus or Metro. It’s also a shopping mall with and underground concourse, 130 stores, six restaurants, a food court and special events like the holiday train. Bonus: Take a self-guided tour using the Union Station Tour App.Cost: Free to exploreWhere: 50 Massachusetts Ave., NEWhen: Stores are open Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 9 pm and noon to 6 pm Sunday; food court and restaurants varyOnline: unionstationdc.com Luray Caverns Stalactites, stalagmites and pools decorate the largest series of caverns in the eastern United States. Discovered in 1878, they’re easy to navigate now, with well-lit, paved walkways and a guide leading the way. Bonus: Listen to the Great Stalacpipe Organ, the world’s largest musical instrument.Cost: $26/adult; $14/child ages 6 to 12; free for 5 and youngerWhere: 101 Cave Hill Rd. (Luray, Va)When: Tours begin daily at 9 am and end between 4 and 7 pm depending on the seasonOnline: luraycaverns.comSkyline CavernsOpen to visitors since 1939, the caverns are a cool 54 degrees year-round and as deep as 250 feet below ground. Features include the unmoving Fairyland Lake, which mirrors the formations above it to create an optical illusion, and anthrodites – crystallike formations that are the only ones of their kind in America.Cost: $20/adult’ $10/kid ages 7 to 13; free for kids 7 and younger Where: 10344 Stonewall Jackson Hwy. (Front Royal, Va)When: 9 am to 4 pm or 6 pm, depending on the seasonOnline: skylinecaverns.comCrystal City Shops Take an urban stroll underground. Originally a subterranean mall, this has become a system of corridors and walkways lined with shops and restaurants and connecting the northern and southern ends of Crystal City. Grab a handspun shake at Good Stuff Eatery after browsing the Puppet Heaven store.Cost: Free to exploreWhere: 1750 Crystal Dr. (Arlington, Va)When: 10 am to 6 or 7 pm Monday through Friday; 10 am to 6 pm Saturday; closed SundaysOnline: thecrystalcityshops.comDupont Underground OK, so this is a work in progress, but the plan is to turn an abandoned trolley station 20 feet beneath Dupont Circle into an artistic haven (plus retail and dining) inside the 75,000-square-foot space that has sat empty since the 1990s.Online: dupontunderground.org Have you checked out any of these family friendly underground spots yet? Tell us about them in the comments below. —Stephanie Kanowitz Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Copy (Opens in new window) Search more like this family friendlyself guided tourtravelvisitor centerundergroundcost freeshopping mallfood courtmusical instrumenttourtrainorganridesubway Welcome to our Tinybeans family! Be sure to check your email for new activities, recipes and parenting hacks – and to see if you’ve won! Do you have a dog or cat? Select YES below and click submit to start receiving FREE pet ideas and inspiration, news about new pet products, exclusive offers and limited-time promotions. Yes, I have a pet! Submit GET READY FOR SUMMER! Enter to Win a $250 Gift Card! Enter your email and zip code below for a chance to win a Mastercard Gift Card. We’ll pick one winner per month through August 31, 2022 – 5 lucky winners in all! email zip_code campaign_name Enter Now! I agree to the official rules and to receive email communications from Tinybeans. By providing my email address, I agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience possible. Accepting the use of cookies enables important site functionality including personalization and analytics. Accept Decline Create an account to save this content on Tinybeans Choose how you would like to sign up. Continue with Apple Continue with Facebook Continue with Google or Continue with Email By signing up, you agree to Tinybeans Terms of Service and acknowledge you have read and agreed to our Privacy Policy. Sign in to your Tinybeans account Don’t have any account? Create an account here. Forgot your password? Reset it here. Sign In or Continue with Apple Continue with Facebook Continue with Google Personalized recommendations Tinybeans uses personal information to share useful recommendations and ideas for your family. This may include your previous activity, family profile and your hometown. Tinybeans keeps your data safe and does not sell personal information to any third party. Learn more about your privacy and location choices. Close
Celeb & Entertainment Melanie Lynskey Talks about Being Body-Shamed in Hollywood & ‘Starving Herself’