The 30s bus lines traverse many major thoroughfares in the city, including Pennsylvania Avenue. The 32 and 36 are responsible for transporting passengers from Southern Avenue (32) and Naylor Road (36) toward Foggy Bottom, but also make up a rather impressive landmarks tour from Southeast to Southwest DC.

Like other areas of Washington, Southeast includes remnants of the city's Civil War Fort Sites, which are now green spaces known as the Fort Circle Parks. In this case, Fort Stanton and Fort Ricketts. Southeast Washington also contains the Suitland Parkway, an important link between DC and Prince George's County, Maryland. This roadway was constructed during the 1940s for defense purposes, as it connected the city to Andrews Air Force Base, where the president's plane, Air Force One, is based today. The two bus routes then join at Pennsylvania Avenue SE and cross the Anacostia River.

After passing through Barney Circle, the buses enter the Capitol Hill Historic District, the city's largest historic district. Along (and near) Pennsylvania Avenue SE are sites of both local and national importance: Congressional Cemetery, the Old Naval Hospital, Eastern Market, the Library of Congress, and the Cannon House Office Building. As the buses drive along Pennsylvania Avenue, the US Capitol's 287-foot dome appears above the wide thoroughfare.

The buses then descend Capitol Hill and pass along the southern edge of the National Mall before turning north and then northwest onto Pennsylvania Avenue NW. In this area, passengers will see the many monumental buildings constructed during the early-to-mid-20th century as the federal government expanded. This is best illustrated by the Federal Triangle Historic District. Many Smithsonian museums, as well as the National Gallery of Art, are also found along this route.

At 12th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW is the Old Post Office, which was threatened with demolition in the early 1970s. Because of this, Don't Tear It Down (DCPL's original name) was founded on Earth Day in 1971. The campaign to save the building was successful and DCPL has continued its work towards formally nominating over 160 landmarks and historic districts (and saving many more!) since then. Two blocks from here is the District Building, a Beaux-Arts style building that serves as DC's city hall. The District Building houses a number of local government offices, including the DC mayor. DC has only elected its own mayor since 1974 (referred to as "Home Rule").

The buses then pass a series of important sites, including the Willard Hotel, Washington Hotel, US Treasury Building, Saint John's Church, Lafayette Square, and Decatur House, as they circulate around the White House. The Financial Historic District is centered along 15th Street NW. After once again joining Pennsylvania Avenue NW, the buses turn south at Washington Circle, which incudes an equestrian statue of George Washington, sculpted by Clark Mills (who also sculpted the similar-looking Andrew Jackson statue in Lafayette Square). Next to the circle is Schneider Triangle, a remarkable collection of row homes from the 1880s.

After traveling through The George Washington University campus, the 32 and 36 bus routes make their final stop near the US Department of State Building, which is sometimes referred to as "Foggy Bottom," the surrounding neighborhood's name.

This tour hopes to draw your attention to the historic and architecturally-significant gems along the 32 and 36 Metrobus routes. Start at the historic site that’s closest to you! If you’re going north, click “Next” to follow along. If you’re going south, click “Previous” to follow along.