Summary of Attractions in Washington, D.C.
The capital of the United States embodies grandeur through its extensive landscaped areas and prominent Neoclassical monuments crafted from marble and white granite.
Washington, D.C. serves as a focal point to examine the nation’s foundations, encounter its luminaries, comprehend the mechanisms of its governance, and appreciate the elements that define this global power.
For inquisitive minds, Washington offers an abundance of knowledge, being home to the Smithsonian Institution, renowned for its premier museums spanning diverse fields including art, science, history, aviation, and natural history.
Let us delve into the most remarkable activities and sights to experience in Washington, D.C.
1. National Mall
The National Mall functions as a National Park, complete with park rangers available to address inquiries. This expansive and beautifully landscaped area is enriched with globally recognized landmarks, exceptional museums, and inspiring monuments commemorating pivotal events and influential figures in history.
Stretching nearly two miles from the Lincoln Memorial at the western end to the Capitol steps at the eastern end, the Mall covers 310 acres adjacent to the Potomac.
Smithsonian museums line the National Mall’s northern and southern sides, with the iconic Washington Monument invariably drawing the eye.
This location serves as a setting for quiet reflection, reverence, and moments of profound astonishment.
The National Mall transcends merely being a collection of monuments and stands as a lively venue for public gatherings and protests.
2. United States Capitol
The Capitol Building, which crowns Capitol Hill, acts as a global emblem of democracy and is visible throughout Washington.
As the seat of the Senate and the House of Representatives, it represents the legislative branch of the United States Federal Government.
Historically, it also housed the Library of Congress and the Supreme Court.
Originally completed in 1800 and inspired by the Pantheon in Paris and the East front of the Louvre, the Capitol’s distinguished dome was added during the 1850s and 60s, reaching a height of 55 meters.
A 60-minute tour of the Capitol remains a quintessential experience in Washington.
Visitors can stand in the Rotunda where twelve presidents and Rosa Parks have lain in state, marveling at the dome’s fresco and the oil paintings adorning the walls of the Rotunda.
The National Statuary Hall features 100 statues, two from each state, and during the autumn and winter seasons, one can view the old Supreme Court chamber, restored to its mid-19th-century design.
3. Lincoln Memorial
Situated at the western end of the National Mall, the monument dedicated to the 16th President of the United States, known as the “Savior of the Union,” was constructed between 1914 and 1922 and resembles a Doric temple imbued with symbolism.
Accompanied by a reflecting pool that spans over a third of a mile, the Lincoln Memorial is one of Washington’s most iconic visuals.
For optimal appreciation, approach the memorial from the east, where the full splendor of the reflecting pool and monument can be experienced.
The memorial features 36 Doric columns, representing each state under Lincoln’s presidency, with their names inscribed above the frieze.
Inside are three chambers, the central of which houses the renowned 170-ton statue of Lincoln, composed of 28 blocks of white Georgia marble.
The north and south chambers feature inscriptions of Lincoln’s two most significant speeches: the second inaugural address to the right and the Gettysburg Address to the left.
4. Washington Monument
The soaring marble obelisk that stands almost halfway along the National Mall honors the first U.S. President and commander-in-chief of the Continental Army.
At just shy of 170 meters, it is the tallest predominantly stone structure and was briefly the tallest man-made structure in the world until the Eiffel Tower was completed.
Construction on the Washington Monument commenced in 1848, but was halted for several reasons, including the Civil War. The finishing touches were not completed until 1888, with the varying shades of stone visible indicating the different quarry sources used during the construction interruptions.
Visitors can take an elevator to near the summit for a panoramic view of the city, overlooking the White House to the north, the perspective of monuments surrounding the Tidal Basin to the south, the Capitol to the east, and the Lincoln Memorial to the west.
5. Jefferson Memorial
Resembling a version of Rome’s Pantheon, the Jefferson Memorial is a fitting homage to the third President of the United States, a prominent Founding Father and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence.
Situated on the southern banks of the Tidal Basin, the architecture aligns with Jefferson’s personal taste, mirroring his Monticello plantation in Virginia, a structure he designed himself.
The relieved pediment depicts Jefferson amidst the Declaration signatories, while inside resides a 5.8-meter bronze statue of Jefferson, sculpted by Rudolph Evans.
The frieze beneath the dome inscribes the phrase, “I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.” The memorial, initiated in 1939, was championed by FDR, who was an admirer of Jefferson, and the statue was established by 1947.
6. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
As of 2019, the National Air and Space Museum was undergoing a $1 billion renovation, set to be completed by 2024. Despite this, the museum remains open, celebrating humanity’s, particularly America’s, achievements in aviation.
The museum features two expansive main hangars filled with groundbreaking aircraft and spacecraft.
Notable exhibits include the Apollo 11 command module, Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis, John Glenn’s Friendship 7 capsule, the Bell X-1 (the first manned aircraft to surpass the sound barrier), and the Wright Brothers’ Flyer, which accomplished the first controlled flight.
An impressive cluster of ballistic missiles reaches to the ceiling while visitors can also marvel at a Concorde, Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, and Space Shuttle.
The museum features exhibitions exploring concepts like navigation, lunar exploration, and other significant moments in the space race. Additionally, guests can view films in the IMAX theatre and observe the cosmos from the Phoebe Waterman Haas Public Observatory, which operates on Wednesdays and Sundays.
7. National Gallery of Art
Displaying an extraordinary array of Western art from the Medieval era to contemporary times, the National Gallery is recognized as one of the premier art museums globally.
The sheer volume of masterpieces, including the only Leonardo da Vinci painting in the Americas, necessitates a few hours to begin to appreciate the collection.
The gallery includes works by numerous masters such as Titian, Raphael, Frans Hals, Albrecht Dürer, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Poussin, El Greco, and many more.
These artworks are organized chronologically and by nationality within nearly 100 galleries.
Do not miss the renovated East Building, home to two sky-lit tower galleries, a rooftop terrace, and over 500 works by artists such as Alexander Calder, Jasper Johns, and Picasso.
The underground passage connecting the East and West Buildings features the Multiverse installation by Leo Villareal, composed of over 41,000 LEDs.
The 6.1-acre Sculpture Garden offers respite in the warmer months and features an ice rink during the winter months.
8. National Museum of American History
Inaugurated in 1964, the National Museum of American History occupies a building designed by the renowned architectural firm McKim, Mead & White, which significantly influenced the architectural landscape of Washington, D.C.
The museum’s galleries explore the political, cultural, technological, scientific, and social evolution of the United States from colonial times to the present.
There is no better setting to understand the American identity than within these walls.
Highlighted artifacts include the original Star-Spangled Banner, which once flew over Fort McHenry, alongside various historical items such as Benjamin Franklin’s walking stick, Lincoln’s pocket watch, a writing desk used by Thomas Jefferson for drafting the Declaration of Independence, and much more.
9. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
Being the first monument on the National Mall to commemorate an African American, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial rests on the north-western edge of the Tidal Basin.
The centerpiece is a 9.1-meter statue of Martin Luther King, Jr., a prominent leader of the Civil Rights Movement that dismantled segregation laws and advocated for equality.
The memorial design, featuring a large granite rock separated by a ravine, symbolizes a line from King’s “I Have a Dream” speech: “Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope.”
Visitors enter through this Mountain of Despair, progressing through the memorial while reflecting on the adversities King faced.
An inscription wall spans 137 meters and bears 14 quotes from King’s writings, speeches, and sermons, addressing democracy, hope, and love.
10. Ford’s Theatre
This venue located at 551 10th Street was the site of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination by actor John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1865, less than two years after its opening.
Lincoln was attending a performance of “Our American Cousin” when he was shot in the head while in the presidential box.
He was subsequently transported across the street to the Petersen House, which is now part of the Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site, where he passed away the following morning.
In the years following the assassination, Ford’s Theatre was repurposed for warehouse and office use before reopening to the public for performances in 1968. Visitors can attend new productions as well as classic works during the holiday season.
Below the theatre is a museum dedicated to the historic events that unfolded in this poignant location, showcasing items like the murder weapon, a Derringer pistol, Booth’s diary, and the original door to the presidential box.
