Relive a pretty afternoon on the ballpark ferry

Washington’s growing fleet of water taxis are useful as transportation, but they’re also a fun and unique way to see the city. I used an American River Taxi to travel to a Nationals game a few weeks ago, and photographed the trip for posterity.

ART ferries sailing to the ballpark pick up passengers at Washington Harbor, in Georgetown. Boats pull directly up to the boardwalk, and passengers simply walk straight on.

Inside, the boats have a double row of seats and a crew of 2 or 3. There are no bathrooms, and no vending.

Shortly after casting off from Washington Harbor there are great views of Georgetown and Foggy Bottom.

Thanks to calm water and shoreline trails, the river and its banks are multi-modal.

The Roosevelt Bridge is the first of many that the ferry passes under.

Between Roosevelt and Memorial bridges, the monuments of the National Mall are visible.

Memorial Bridge is the most ornate of Washington’s Potomac bridges.

Monuments continue to be visible as the ferry passes West Potomac Park.

The 14th Street Bridge looks very plain.

Metrorail’s Yellow Line bridge is even plainer.

Last and oldest of the 14th Street Bridge cluster, the Long Bridge looks ancient compared to any other on the river.

After crossing below Long Bridge, East Potomac Park becomes visible on the east bank, while Crystal City and National Airport dominate the west bank.

Looking back upstream, Rosslyn, the National Cathedral, and the Washington Monument are prominent.

At Hains Point the ferry turns to go up the Anacostia River.

Looking up the Anacostia, the Frederick Douglass Bridge rises, and the baseball stadium comes into view.

Yards Park becomes visible beneath Douglass Bridge.

The stadium looms large above the river.

Finally, the ferry docks at Diamond Teague Park, just downstream from Navy Yard.

For even more photos of the ride, view the complete Flickr set.