Things to Do in Washington
Washington DC is the home of many famous attractions such as the White House, Washington Monument, and the Lincoln Memorial.
Content
Top Attractions and Things to Do in Washington, DC From its mesmerizing skyline of monuments to eclectic neighborhoods to exhilarating attractions, Washington, DC, inspires travelers from around the world. Home to famous national monuments, historic institutions, and landmarks like the White House, US Capitol, Washington Monument and lincoln memorial, our nation's capital is a vibrant city with a lively nightlife, scores of cultural and entertainment venues, diverse restaurants, sports arenas, impressive museums, elite universities, abundant shopping and trendy neighborhoods from Capitol Hill to Georgetown. Explore the Smithsonian Museums and the majestic marble tributes surrounding the National Mall. Experience a concert at Kennedy Center. Kayak the Potomac River past America's founding fathers or cycle through beautiful Rock Creek Park, setting of the National Zoo. Packed with legendary attractions, performing arts, and annual festivals, Washington, DC is a destination of captivating beauty, history and energy. White House Official residence and workplace of the President of the United States, the White House is the seat of our country's leadership, an inspiring Washington, DC landmark and an icon of American democracy and freedom. Located in President's Park, the White House is a complex of three buildings, with the original residence in the center housing the president's home and rooms for official ceremonies and entertaining. The magnificent white-painted Aqua sandstone house in late Georgian style consists of 6 stories and 55,000 sq. ft. of space, including 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, 412 doors, 147 windows, 8 fireplaces, 8 staircases, 3 elevators, 5 chefs, a tennis court, bowling alley, movie theater, jogging track, swimming pool, and a putting green. The White House was first occupied on November 1, 1800 by President John Adams. Tour the White House and discover the momentous history and architectural beauty of America's powerful attraction. Stroll through our nation's most famous rooms and learn about what purpose they serve. Admire the beautiful furniture, outstanding artworks and lifelike busts throughout this magnificent building. For tours, visit www.whitehouse.gov. US Capitol Building Founded in 1793, the United States Capitol in Washington, DC, is an icon of American democracy and a monument to the American government and people. Located on Capitol Hill at the end of the National Mall, the US Capitol is one of the most architecturally impressive and symbolically important buildings in the world. With its central dome towering over its rotunda, the US Capitol building is the seat of Congress, housing the meeting chambers of the Senate and the House of Representatives in its north and south wings for nearly two centuries. Tour the building's famed galleries to experience Congress in action. The pulse of Washington is derived from Congressional activities under the Capitol's majestic dome. Washington Monument Capturing the imagination and ideals of people from around the world, the Washington Monument is one the most prominent and oldest attractions in Washington, D.C. Soaring high into the sky of Washington, DC this breathtaking 556-foot monument is a stunning tribute to the father of our country, George Washington, who led this country to independence and became the first President of the Unites States. The white marble and granite obelisk towers above the National Mall celebrating the life and leadership of President Washington. Commemorative stones in the stairwell symbolize every state in the Union. Don't miss the exciting Monuments at
Night Tour! Tickets are available via the National Park Service at (800) 967-2283. Visit www.nps.gov/archive/wamo/home.htm or www.nps.gov/nama/index.htm. lincoln memorial A shrine for President Abraham Lincoln, the lincoln memorial is an enduring symbol of American freedom and a place of inspiration. Part of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., this National Historic Landmark stands in the form of a Greek Doric temple with a massive seated sculpture of Lincoln beneath inscriptions of his immortal speeches. Get inspired by the spirit of the 16th President of the United States, the Great Emancipator and preserver of the nation during the Civil War - who sits immortalized in marble. The famed memorial was the site of Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech in 1963. Visit www.nps.gov/linc. Vietnam Veterans Memorial The Vietnam Veterans Memorial honors the men and women who served this nation during the controversial Vietnam Conflict. Designed by Maya Lin, who believed that "the politics had eclipsed the veterans, their service and their lives," the elegant Memorial encourages all people to remember and respond. For the many people who were affected by this divisive war, it is a place of healing and hope. As of today, there are 58,249 names on the memorial wall. Visit www.nps.gov/vive. Thomas Jefferson Memorial Thomas Jefferson Memorial stands as an enduring symbol of liberty and a site for reflection and inspiration for citizens of the world. Modeled after the Pantheon of Rome, and an adaptation of neoclassical architecture, the Jefferson Memorial is America's cherished memorial to our third president and a major landmark in the skyline of Washington, DC. Written inside the memorial are the stirring, immortal words of Thomas Jefferson, some written more than 200 years ago, that have shaped American ethics. The circular, colonnaded structure in the classic style was introduced to this country by Thomas Jefferson. Each year the Jefferson Memorial hosts the annual Memorial exercises and the wildly-popular Cherry Blossom Festival. Visit www.nps.gov/thje/index.htm. Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Part of the world's largest and most prolific museum complex, the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum features the largest collection of historic air and spacecraft on the planet. The Museum's National Mall building in Washington, D.C. displays hundreds of unique artifacts, including the Wright 1903 Flyer, the Spirit of St. Louis, the Apollo 11 command module, and a lunar rock that you can touch. The National Air and Space Museum at Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia displays rarely-seen air and space artifacts, including the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, Boeing B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay, and Space Shuttle Enterprise. This fascinating museum is also a vital center for research into the history, science, and technology of aviation and space flight, as well as planetary and terrestrial sciences. Visit www.si.edu. National Mall & Memorial Parks
The National Mall & Memorial Parks is a national park in downtown Washington, D.C. that protects the nation's oldest parklands. Within the National Mall, you'll see incredible sights that commemorate presidential legacies, honor veterans, celebrate freedom and equality and preserve treasures of art and history. The National Mall includes the US Capitol, Washington Monument, lincoln memorial, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, WWII Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, National Museum of American History, National Gallery of Art and many other famous landmarks. A National Historic Landmark with DC's oldest and most sacred buildings, the National Mall features magnificent symbols of Greek-Revival architecture. Visit www.nps.gov/vive/index.htm Arlington National Cemetery Tour America's most sacred burial ground, Arlington National Cemetery, a hallowed resting place to more than 300, 00of our honored dead and is a cherished chronicle of our country's history and character - from the Civil War to the present. Among thousands of white headstones of our nation's heroes are the graves of remembered Americans including President John F. Kennedy, President William Taft, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, Joe Louis, and the infamous Tomb of the Unknowns. Visit www.arlingtoncemetery.org. Mount Vernon Estate The most popular historic estate in America, the 500-acre estate, gardens and farm of Mount Vernon is preserved just south of Washington, D.C., on the banks of the Potomac River. Tour the beautiful home and gardens of our nation's first president and visit 20 historic structures and 50 acres of gardens as they existed in 1799. Visit the farm where Washington and his family lived, called the "Mansion House Farm," and get a glimpse of George Washington's environment over 200 years ago. Explore a breathtaking landscape of rolling meadows, serpentine walkways, magnificent gardens, and flowering cherry trees. See the estate's museum, tombs of George and Martha Washington, Washington's greenhouse, outdoor exhibit devoted to American agriculture, and a collection of decorative and domestic artifacts. Stroll the magnificent park that lies along the shores of the Potomac River. Visit www.mountvernon.org
Night Tour! Tickets are available via the National Park Service at (800) 967-2283. Visit www.nps.gov/archive/wamo/home.htm or www.nps.gov/nama/index.htm. lincoln memorial A shrine for President Abraham Lincoln, the lincoln memorial is an enduring symbol of American freedom and a place of inspiration. Part of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., this National Historic Landmark stands in the form of a Greek Doric temple with a massive seated sculpture of Lincoln beneath inscriptions of his immortal speeches. Get inspired by the spirit of the 16th President of the United States, the Great Emancipator and preserver of the nation during the Civil War - who sits immortalized in marble. The famed memorial was the site of Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech in 1963. Visit www.nps.gov/linc. Vietnam Veterans Memorial The Vietnam Veterans Memorial honors the men and women who served this nation during the controversial Vietnam Conflict. Designed by Maya Lin, who believed that "the politics had eclipsed the veterans, their service and their lives," the elegant Memorial encourages all people to remember and respond. For the many people who were affected by this divisive war, it is a place of healing and hope. As of today, there are 58,249 names on the memorial wall. Visit www.nps.gov/vive. Thomas Jefferson Memorial Thomas Jefferson Memorial stands as an enduring symbol of liberty and a site for reflection and inspiration for citizens of the world. Modeled after the Pantheon of Rome, and an adaptation of neoclassical architecture, the Jefferson Memorial is America's cherished memorial to our third president and a major landmark in the skyline of Washington, DC. Written inside the memorial are the stirring, immortal words of Thomas Jefferson, some written more than 200 years ago, that have shaped American ethics. The circular, colonnaded structure in the classic style was introduced to this country by Thomas Jefferson. Each year the Jefferson Memorial hosts the annual Memorial exercises and the wildly-popular Cherry Blossom Festival. Visit www.nps.gov/thje/index.htm. Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Part of the world's largest and most prolific museum complex, the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum features the largest collection of historic air and spacecraft on the planet. The Museum's National Mall building in Washington, D.C. displays hundreds of unique artifacts, including the Wright 1903 Flyer, the Spirit of St. Louis, the Apollo 11 command module, and a lunar rock that you can touch. The National Air and Space Museum at Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia displays rarely-seen air and space artifacts, including the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, Boeing B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay, and Space Shuttle Enterprise. This fascinating museum is also a vital center for research into the history, science, and technology of aviation and space flight, as well as planetary and terrestrial sciences. Visit www.si.edu. National Mall & Memorial Parks
The National Mall & Memorial Parks is a national park in downtown Washington, D.C. that protects the nation's oldest parklands. Within the National Mall, you'll see incredible sights that commemorate presidential legacies, honor veterans, celebrate freedom and equality and preserve treasures of art and history. The National Mall includes the US Capitol, Washington Monument, lincoln memorial, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, WWII Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, National Museum of American History, National Gallery of Art and many other famous landmarks. A National Historic Landmark with DC's oldest and most sacred buildings, the National Mall features magnificent symbols of Greek-Revival architecture. Visit www.nps.gov/vive/index.htm Arlington National Cemetery Tour America's most sacred burial ground, Arlington National Cemetery, a hallowed resting place to more than 300, 00of our honored dead and is a cherished chronicle of our country's history and character - from the Civil War to the present. Among thousands of white headstones of our nation's heroes are the graves of remembered Americans including President John F. Kennedy, President William Taft, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, Joe Louis, and the infamous Tomb of the Unknowns. Visit www.arlingtoncemetery.org. Mount Vernon Estate The most popular historic estate in America, the 500-acre estate, gardens and farm of Mount Vernon is preserved just south of Washington, D.C., on the banks of the Potomac River. Tour the beautiful home and gardens of our nation's first president and visit 20 historic structures and 50 acres of gardens as they existed in 1799. Visit the farm where Washington and his family lived, called the "Mansion House Farm," and get a glimpse of George Washington's environment over 200 years ago. Explore a breathtaking landscape of rolling meadows, serpentine walkways, magnificent gardens, and flowering cherry trees. See the estate's museum, tombs of George and Martha Washington, Washington's greenhouse, outdoor exhibit devoted to American agriculture, and a collection of decorative and domestic artifacts. Stroll the magnificent park that lies along the shores of the Potomac River. Visit www.mountvernon.org
