The Chain Bridge

It certainly is a pretty bridge. Heading over from DC to VA, this is a more laid back way across than the Key Bridge. Sometimes I forget about this one. There's no bike/walking area across it, and there's nothing mind blowing architectural about it. Yet with the leaves changing, and the Potomac River it is nice to drive over. This is one you know, if you hike or bike the C&O, or the backwoods area from Fletchers Cove.

I do like how it's close to recreational areas. This side of the district and Virginia, seem miles away from the hustle and bustle. On weekdays it can be commuting hell. It's all in how you decide to access it. I was pleased to drive it today. It's only a quick few seconds, but ultimately a secure bridge, that connects the jurisdictions.

Not to be confused with The Chain Letter (which is more annoying), The Chain Gang (ask Chrissie Hynde), or The Chainsmokers (ask Halsey... or don't).

The Chain Bridge!

For years I lived in Northern Virginia and didn't understand why Chain Bridge Road was called Chain Bridge Road - because I never saw a Chain Bridge down in Vienna or Fairfax. Of course the Chain Bridge is way up at the crossing from DC into Virginia, so that's the part of this road that I never used.

It's a pretty amazing bridge that was put up in the 1700 and then redone in the 1810s, and then redone again in 1939, although the pillars date back to the mid eighteen hundreds.

It takes about 25,000 cars a day. It's full of history and has a lovely view, and the only problem is that you'll often get stuck on here during a lot of different times of day, not even just at rush hour.

People tend to either like coming this way or like using the Key Bridge, but for me personally, I think both are beautiful. And very useful, but not nearly speedy enough for my liking.

Love this little snippet of a bridge that crosses over the Potomac between Maryland and Virginia. Especially gorgeous at sunrise and sunset, the bridge is subject to traffic pattern changes and by virtue of its design offers plenty of opportunities to admire the view as you sit in a traffic snarl.

There's a parking lot just north of the bridge, and this is a good area to see the Potomac from. The canal towpath is and the Capital Crescent Trail are both accessible near here, making this a good starting point for hikers and bikers..

As to the actual bridge, this is as good a way to get between Virginia and DC as any, but every way is bad during rush hour. At least you'll be stuck with a nice view.

This is a bridge and it does that job quite nicely. I have no complaints about the 'bridgeyness' of this bridge. I feel a bit misled though by the lack of chains. I didn't see any at all.

But despite the lack of chains on Chain Bridge, it seemed to be a good bridge. Two lanes of traffic. I was on my bike and so I was very interested in its bike-ability. There is a sidewalk on one side that works well for biking and walking. If you're out for a bike ride on the canal and want somewhere to stop to take in the view, this works great for that. There are also some parking options by the bridge as well.

Overall, this bridge is a bridge. It deserves all the praise that a nice, fully functioning bridge receives. I'll give it four stars because I'm still upset it wasn't an actual chain bridge. Gorgeous river view.

The views of the Potomac from here are beautiful! You find yourself hundreds of feet above VA/Georgetown with rocky cliffs and a gently curving river below. If you have done the monuments and the Smithsonians, I'd say this is the next most impressive thing to see in DC.

A bridge, I know not something you would think should be reviewed. However, if you don't know about this bridge you are missing out! Especially if you are a Key Bridge HATER, like me.

For those that don't know... if you continue north on Glebe it curves through a little mini forest, crosses the Potomac at a very pretty point and takes you into NW DC in the Palisades neighborhood at McCarthur Blvd (if you turn left on Arizona).

It saves tons of time, I think its even faster to Georgetown b/c you can just stay on canal. It can be tricky if you don't know the times the lanes change, but other than that its the fastest way into the district!

It's already been said that the Chain Bridge is one of the most scenic connections between the Nation's Capital and old' Virginny. Traffic snarls aside, it provides commuters with picturesque views of the lush green landscape along the Potomac River.

While I cannot trump the other reviews, I'd like to offer some interesting tidbits about the bridge:

- The first bridge on this site was erected in 1797 as a way to ease trade between Virginia and Georgetown

- Several bridges were constructed on this site and suffered ill fates due to flooding between 1797 and 1939

- in 1810, a suspension bridge, supported by chains, became known as Chain Bridge and survived for several years.

- Prior to 1833 commuters were charged 25¢ per horse that crossed the bridge; public outrage ensued.

- During the Civil War the bridge was occupied by Confederate soldiers in Virginia and Union soldiers on the Washington side. Two metal gates were placed in the center of the bridge to keep the opposing sides at bay.

- The eighth and present day bridge was built in 1939 and sits on pillars from the 1870s

- Approximately 22,000 cars cross Chain Bridge daily

The next time you're stuck in traffic, take a moment to ponder the historical significance of Chain Bridge. Next, take a breath and then resume screaming at the car in front of you for being an incompetent driver and wondering what box of Cracker Jacks comes with a prize that awards an idiot a driver's license.

This bridge is way more picturesque than the others if you're sick of the urban bridges that span Arlington and the District.

You'll get a great view of the Potomac river, plenty of trees, and plenty of rocks. No monuments, no buildings, no high rises, nothing - just you and your Thoreau self - and about 22000 cars a day that pass over this thing. Just ignore that and you can enjoy the view.

While Chain Bridge can be one of the more picturesque bridges in the D.C. area, it sucks during rush hour.

It offers a beautiful view of the Potomac and the cliffs along the Virginia side of the river. And trust me, you will have plenty of time to look at them as you are sitting in jammed traffic around 8:30a.m.

If you want to check it out, I'd recommend walking.