What are some must-see sights in Washington DC?

Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United States and is home to many important government buildings and monuments. Here are a few must-see sights in Washington DC:

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The National Mall

This is a large, open park area in the heart of the city. The National Mall is home to iconic landmarks like the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the U.S. Capitol. You could easily spend a whole day (or several) exploring just this area.

The National Mall is a landscaped park located near the downtown area of Washington, D.C. It is administered by the National Park Service and includes more than a dozen units of the National Park System and over 100 monuments and memorials. The National Mall stretches from the foot of the United States Capitol to the Potomac River and is a great swath of green in the middle of the capital city. It is often called “America’s front yard” and is the primary location for political demonstration, first amendment activities, rallies, parades, and more.

The National Mall is America’s most-visited national park and is home to many of the country’s most iconic memorials, including the Washington Monument, World War II Memorial, and Lincoln Memorial. It also contains and borders several museums of the Smithsonian Institution, art galleries, cultural institutions, and various memorials, sculptures, and statues.

The National Mall is an important location for visitors to explore the history and culture of the United States. Each year, millions of people come to the National Mall and Memorial Parks to learn about the people and events that shaped the country.

U.S. Capitol

This iconic building is home to the U.S. Congress and offers guided tours to the public. You can see the Rotunda, the Statuary Hall, and more. You’ll need to book tickets in advance, but it’s well worth planning ahead.

The United States Capitol is the seat of the United States Congress, the legislative branch of the federal government. It is located on Capitol Hill at the eastern end of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The Capitol Building marked the city’s center and highest spot. Broad diagonal avenues named for the 13 colonies overlaid a grid of residential streets.

The White House

The official residence of the U.S. President, it’s a crucial part of any visit to D.C. You can schedule a self-guided tour through your member of Congress, but requests must be made well in advance.

The White House is the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States and the First Family . Here are some interesting facts and information about the White House:

The White House is a museum of American history and a place where history continues to unfold every day.
There are 132 rooms, 32 bathrooms, and 6 levels in the White House to accommodate all the people who live in, work in, and visit the White House.
The White House receives approximately 6,000 visitors a day.
All White House tours are free of charge, and they are scheduled on a first come, first served basis. Tour requests must be submitted through a Member of Congress and their Congressional Tour Coordinator.
Air Force One is used to describe any Air Force aircraft carrying the President. Today, this name refers to one of two highly customized Boeing 747-200B series aircraft.
The Eisenhower Executive Office Building is located next to the West Wing and houses the majority of offices for White House staff.
The Vice President’s Residence & Office is located on the grounds of the White House.
The White House has been known by different names throughout history, including the “President’s Palace,” the “President’s House,” and the “Executive Mansion”.
Public tour requests are subject to change, with little notice, based on inclement weather or official use.
The White House tour schedule is subject to change, and visitors must adhere to the latest health guidance.
The White House grounds are extensive and include several historic buildings, gardens, and a tennis court.

Smithsonian Museums

These are some of the best museums in the world, and they’re free to enter! The Smithsonian Institution consists of 17 museums in D.C., including the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of Natural History, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

The Smithsonian Institution Museums are a world-renowned museum and research complex consisting of 19 museums, galleries, and the National Zoo. Eleven of the museums are located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., with the remaining museums located elsewhere in D.C., New York City, and Chantilly, Virginia. Admission to all Smithsonian museums is free. Here is a list of the Smithsonian Institution Museums located in Washington, D.C.:

National Museum of African American History and Culture
National Air and Space Museum
National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery
Smithsonian American Art Museum Renwick Gallery
Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
Smithsonian Institution Building (The Castle)
National Museum of American History
National Museum of the American Indian
National Museum of the American Indian George Gustav Heye Center (New York City)
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Smithsonian National Postal Museum
National Portrait Gallery
Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative (coming soon)
Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center (virtual)
Smithsonian Latino Center (virtual)

Visitors can plan their visit to the Smithsonian museums and zoo by using the Virtual Visitor Center on the Smithsonian website.

National Gallery of Art

This museum houses one of the finest collections of paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, sculpture, and decorative arts in the world.

The National Gallery of Art is a national art museum located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. between 3rd and 9th Streets, at Constitution Avenue NW. The museum is open to the public and free of charge. It was privately established in 1937 for the world and the history of art. The National Gallery of Art is widely considered to be one of the greatest museums in the United States of America, often ranking alongside the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Museum of Modern Art in New York City, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Here are some things you can do at the National Gallery of Art:

Explore the museum’s vast collection of art from various periods and regions of the world.
Visit the Sculpture Garden, which is part of the museum and features works by famous sculptors.
Attend one of the many temporary exhibitions that the museum hosts throughout the year.
Enjoy the museum’s special events, including lectures, concerts, and films.
Become a National Member and receive an array of benefits that bring you closer to the art than ever before.

The National Gallery of Art is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Library of Congress

The largest library in the world, with millions of books, recordings, photographs, maps, and manuscripts in its collections. The beautiful Main Reading Room is worth a visit.

The Library of Congress is the nation’s oldest federal cultural institution, serving as the research arm of Congress and the largest library in the world. The Library is housed in three buildings on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.: the Thomas Jefferson Building, the James Madison Memorial Building, and the John Adams Building. The Library of Congress is open to the public and free to use. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the Library’s public spaces, but guided tours are not currently available. Here are some things you can do at the Library of Congress:

Visit the Main Reading Room, which is usually reserved for researchers but open to visitors during certain hours.
Explore the Library’s vast collection of books, manuscripts, photographs, maps, and other materials.
Attend a concert, lecture, or other event at the Library of Congress.
Check out an exhibition on display at the Library.
Take in the beautiful architecture and decoration of the Library’s buildings.

Visitors can reach the Library of Congress via Metrorail or the DC Circulator’s Union Station-Navy Yard Metro route. The closest Metro stop is Capitol South station on the Orange, Blue, and Silver lines.

Arlington National Cemetery

Across the Potomac River in Virginia, this is the final resting place for many American heroes, including John F. Kennedy. It’s also the home of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Arlington National Cemetery is a military cemetery located in Arlington, Virginia. It is one of two cemeteries in the United States National Cemetery System that are maintained by the United States Army. Nearly 400,000 people are buried in its 639 acres, including over 300,000 veterans of every American conflict, from the Revolutionary War to Iraq and Afghanistan. The cemetery is the final resting place for many of our nation’s greatest heroes, and there are 396 Medal of Honor recipients buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Five state funerals have been held at Arlington: those of Presidents William Howard Taft and John F. Kennedy, his two brothers, Senator Robert F. Kennedy and Senator Edward “Ted” Kennedy, as well as General of the Armies John J. Pershing. Here are some things you can do at Arlington National Cemetery:

Visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is guarded by the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard).
Attend a public ceremony, such as a wreath-laying ceremony or a changing of the guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Visit the gravesites of famous Americans, such as President John F. Kennedy and his family, and Medgar Evers.
Take a guided tour of the cemetery or a self-guided walking tour.
Explore the cemetery and find a grave, but activities such as running, climbing, bicycling, playing sports, or picnicking are not allowed. Only approved service animals and military working dogs are permitted.

The Holocaust Memorial Museum

This museum is a powerful and moving tribute to the millions of people who died during the Holocaust.

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is the official memorial to the Holocaust in the United States. It is located adjacent to the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The museum was built on donated federal land and is funded through private donations. The museum’s mission is to inspire citizens and leaders worldwide to confront hatred, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity. The museum has organized and led the national Days of Remembrance ceremony with Holocaust survivors, Members of Congress, White House officials. Here are some things you can do at the Holocaust Memorial Museum:

Explore the museum’s permanent exhibition, which includes artifacts, photographs, and films that document the Holocaust.
Attend a special exhibition, which changes periodically and explores different aspects of the Holocaust and its legacy.
Participate in a guided tour or a self-guided tour of the museum.
Attend a program or event, such as a lecture or film screening, at the museum.
Visit the museum’s website to learn more about the Holocaust and its impact, including resources for educators.

There are many other Holocaust museums and memorials around the world, including the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum in Poland, Yad Vashem in Israel, and the Illinois Holocaust Museum in Chicago.

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial

This beautiful tribute to the civil rights leader is located in West Potomac Park, and it’s especially beautiful at sunset.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial is a national memorial located in West Potomac Park next to the National Mall in Washington, D.C. It was built at a cost of about $120 million and was officially dedicated on August 28, 2011. The memorial covers four acres and includes the Stone of Hope, a granite statue of Civil Rights Movement leader Martin Luther King Jr. The space is a place to contemplate Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy: a non-violent philosophy striving for freedom, justice, and equality. Here are some things you can do at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial:

Contemplate Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy and reflect on his non-violent philosophy striving for freedom, justice, and equality.
Admire the Stone of Hope, a 30-foot statue of Martin Luther King Jr.
Read some of King’s most famous quotes engraved on the memorial’s walls, including “Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope,” “I was a drum major for justice, peace, and righteousness,” and “Make a career of humanity, commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You will make a greater person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in”.
Take a guided tour of the memorial, which is offered by the National Park Service.
Take a stroll along the Tidal Basin and visit other nearby memorials, such as the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial and the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.

Georgetown

A historic neighborhood that offers beautiful 18th- and 19th-century architecture, a waterfront park, food, shops, and the famous Georgetown University.

Georgetown is a historic neighborhood and commercial district of Washington, D.C., situated along the Potomac River. It was founded in 1751 in the Province of Maryland, and the port of Georgetown predated the establishment of the federal district and the City of Washington by 40 years1. Georgetown is home to many landmarks, including the main campus of Georgetown University, the Old Stone House (the oldest house in Washington), and the Volta Bureau. Georgetown is also home to many embassies, such as those of France, Sweden, and Venezuela. Here are some things you can do in Georgetown:

Walk along the cobblestone streets and enjoy the historic architecture.
Visit the Georgetown Waterfront Park and enjoy a picnic or a stroll along the Potomac River.
Explore the C&O Canal, which runs through Georgetown, and take a boat ride or bike ride along the canal.
Shop at some of Georgetown’s many boutiques and high-end stores.
Visit the Georgetown University campus and take a tour of the historic buildings.
Enjoy a meal at one of Georgetown’s many restaurants, which offer a range of cuisines from around the world.
Attend one of Georgetown’s many festivals and events, such as the Georgetown French Market or the Georgetown Garden Tour.
Visit the Georgetown Library, which has a large collection of books, films, and other resources.

Georgetown is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, known for its charming boutiques, waterfront picnics, and political watering holes2.

U.S. Botanic Garden

Located near the Capitol, this is a lovely spot for a break from the city’s many museums.

The United States Botanic Garden is a botanical garden located on the grounds of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C1. It was established by the U.S. Congress in 1820 and is one of the oldest botanic gardens in North America. The garden is open every day of the year, including federal holidays, and admission is free. The Botanic Garden showcases many plants native to the United States, and visitors can explore plant collections ranging from arid deserts to lush tropical forests. Here are some things you can do at the United States Botanic Garden:

Explore the Conservatory, which is covered and full of plants and showcases collections ranging from arid deserts to lush tropical forests.
Visit the Gated Outdoor Gardens, which are open from dawn to dusk and offer a variety of small structured and non-structured gardens.
See the National Garden, which features a variety of gardens, including a butterfly garden, a rose garden, and the First Ladies Water Garden, a water garden in memory of the First Ladies of the United States.
Attend a special exhibit or event, such as the “Cultivate: Growing Food in a Changing World” exhibit, which explores how growing and cooking food connects people with each other and sustains and enriches life.
Take a guided tour of the garden, which is offered by the U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory and is free of charge.

The United States Botanic Garden is one of the oldest continually-operating botanic gardens in the United States and offers visitors a chance to appreciate, study, and conserve plants to enrich society locally and globally.

Remember to check the operating hours and any potential restrictions for these sights before you plan your visit. Enjoy your time in D.C.!