Heading to Washington, D.C.?
The Capitol of the United States of America is Washington, D.C. It is the center of history, culture and politics in this country. As a young child, I was fascinated by the monuments and historical buildings I saw when I visited. As an adult I was happy to bring my children on a trip to Washington, D.C. helping them to learn more about the Nations Capitol. There are several places in D.C. I hold dear to my heart. Not only because of the historical significance of them all, but because they are my favorite places to photograph when visiting. Heading to D.C. and looking for some great places to visit? I’ve put together the list below to help you plan your trip.
1. Washington Monument
The iconic Washington Monument has been featured in movies and television shows. But nothing compares to the feeling you get when visiting the monument in person. This memorial to George Washington has been open in Washington, D.C. since 1888.
2. National Mall
The National Mall can seem overwhelming, especially if you’re on foot. But there’s so much to see here including the National Monuments and several Smithsonian Museums and even the Nations Capitol Building. There is also a FREE bus that will get you around the National Mall for $1 per ride.
3. Thomas Jefferson Memorial
The architectural masterpiece of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial will catch your eye immediately. There’s an information center below with a lot of significant information regarding Jefferson’s role as a founding father. And his stance on slavery. Definitely a memorial you don’t want to miss.
4. National World War II Memorial
The World War II Memorial is also another special place to visit in Washington, D.C. Located on the other side of the reflecting pool. The pillars presented in a circular formation include the names of all 50 states. Many visitors stop here each year to pay their respects to the dead, especially for their bravery and courage.
5. National Portrait Gallery
The National Portrait Gallery was located across the street from our hotel and we made sure to visit several times while we were in D.C. I was happy about the activities they had for children, but it was also great to see the diverse works of art they had that framed the history of this country.
6. Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
What can be said about the beautiful reflecting pool. Lincoln, looks out on this lovely view daily with the Washington Monument in this distance. Head here on your visit and soak up the view and all the history that comes with it.
7. Lincoln Memorial
My son’s favorite President and one of our favorite memorials to visit. We visited the Lincoln Memorial several times while we were in town. Everyone usually goes up the grand stairs when they arrive and head straight to the stature. But start below the statue for more information on Abraham Lincolns historic role as President of a divided nation.
8. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
The grand presence of the MLK statue invites you to the the memorial, which is right on the Tidal Basin, across from the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. Learn more about the amazing impact Martin Luther King Jr. had on American history. I was filled with pride bringing my children here. We took so many photos and learned so much. They still remember this experience.
9. Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was definitely one of the most humbling memorials to visit. Although I didn’t know anyone who fought in the war, there are families who show up each year to pay their respects to fathers, uncles and brothers who died.
10. Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture was one of my favorite places to visit. Getting a dose of history and culture past and present was very up-lifting for me as a woman of color. There are elements of the museum that reminds us of the terrible history of the U.S. But there are also sections of the museum that remind of perseverance and fight. This is a very popular museum, so although all of the Smithsonian museums are free, you do need tickets to visit this one. Check here for more information on Same-day Tickets
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Great list of places to visit, KJ! DC is one of my favorite American cities to visit (my brother went to Georgetown so I had good reason to stop by), and sitting by the reflecting pool on a clear day is a great way to spend an afternoon. I’ve never been to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture so I’ll have to add that to my list of places to check out next time.
Thanks for the list, it’s always good to have few tips by someone who knows the place so well. 🙂 The one that I always pause by when reading about Washington is the Lincoln Memorial. Would love to see it in person! It seems so imposing. Nice to know that we should begin the tour below the statue, thanks. 🙂
Oh this is a good list of places to visit in Washington D.C. I had applied for my US visa a long time back and got rejected. Since then I have never had any motivation to re-try. Let’s see if I get to step foot in this country 🙂
I visited DC for the first time last year and wish I had seen this post before hand! However I did go to 7 of the places you mentioned so pretty happy with that 🙂
Thanks for sharing about these monuments and attractions we are able to visit and admire in this American capital. The reflecting pool and Lincoln Memorial look like they are an amazing place to capture some picturesque shots.
A good list of places to visit in Washington DC I must say.If one visits these memorials and museums, theres a lot that one would get to learn about the history of America. When I visit there,I will make sure to visit each one of these.
For a long time already, I have been planning a trip to D.C. I love visiting national park units so my fear is, that I would need a month to be able to visit every unit that Washington D.C. has. This was such a great list, thanks for sharing!
Very nice! We hope that we can visit the US so we could check out these famous landmarks. We can only see the White House, Washington Monument, Abraham Lincoln monument, etc in movies.
This guide should act as a great starting point for planning a trip to Washington DC. There’s so much history and I think my wife would simply love this city. Even I’d love to see the White House and Washington Monument.
Thanks. I love Washington D.C. so much. It’s one of my favorite places to visit.
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