Destination - Washington DC, the Nation's Capitol

"Only the curious have, if they live, a tale worth telling at all."

Alistair Reid

Capitol Building

I have been to Washington DC quite a few times, I even lived a couple hours away for a couple of years back in the early 70’s. There is so much to see and do there, and I never get tired of exploring the city when I have a chance.  The past few times I have been to the DC area, I was there for a political march.  That in itself can be very exhilarating, it is part of what the city is all about.  But even when I go for a reason, I take time to do some exploring.  There is just so much to see and do in the city, and it is such a pretty city.

Washington Memorial

This is a city you can walk across, with wide-open avenues, old neighborhoods and river views. It was designed by a Parisian, Pierre L'Enfant, and it still feels that way. Because buildings cannot by law be higher than the width of the street they front, you can always see the sky. There are more than two dozen free museums, so you can absorb culture while enjoying the sights of this city.  It’s even prettier if you happen to be there in the early spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom, it will also be very busy then, as people try to plan their trips around this time.

There is so much to see and do in Washington, DC that you can’t see it all in just one visit. The nice thing is, it is a city that is easy to get around in, with a great subway system.  A well-rounded trip should include exploring the National Mall and some other activities too! Here are my top 10 things to do or see.

1. Visit the Smithsonian

Smithsonian Building

Start at the Smithsonian Institution Building where you can pick up a map and information on all of the museums. These national treasures cover a wide range of subjects from art to space exploration. Plan to explore those you are most interested in, but don’t try to see everything at once. Be sure to save time to see an IMAX movie at the Natural History Museum or the National Air and Space Museum.




2. Tour the National Monuments and Memorials

Lincoln Memorial

Our national monuments are truly spectacular. The best time to see them is at night when they are illuminated, less crowded and parking is easier.  There is a tour just for the night time illumination. This three hour tour is well worth the $15. The guides are well-versed in stories about how our nation planned to honor our country's heroes and there is something almost reverent about viewing these illuminated memorials and monuments with the moon lighting the way. You will see the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Abraham Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial, and the World War II Memorial. This is by and far one of the best tours in the city.

3. Tour the Three Houses of Government

White House

Explore the U.S. Capitol Building, the White House and the U.S. Supreme Court and you will gain a fuller understanding of the division of power within our democratic government.  The Capitol Building is the home of our House and Senate.  Get in line early to tour this building, tickets are limited. Or arrange in advance through your representative to get a ticket to the gallery where you can watch them in action (on inaction).  The White House is an architectural symbol of the power of the presidency and one of most compelling sights to see when visiting DC.  If you want to go inside for a tour you will need to plan this 6 months in advance of your trip, as you have to make arrangements with your Congressional Representative.  I remember when you use to be able to just go stand in line to go into the White House, but since 9/11 that is no longer possible.   You can take a short 5 minute tour of the Supreme Court or you can actually go and listen in if they are in session, but get there early.

4. Take a Walk Through Georgetown

Georgetown from the river

Georgetown is the capital’s historic waterfront that today is bustling with activity. The area is a shopper’s paradise and the streets are lined with restaurants of every nationality. Take a tour of historic sites, do some shopping and enjoy a meal at a local restaurant.  This historic neighborhood boasts houses over 200 years old, an elite university campus, and cobblestone streets that are centuries old.

5. Walk, Bike, or Kayak Along the C & O Canal

C & O Canal

The Washington DC region is lucky to have this wonderful historic park that offers a quick relief from hectic city life. Take the whole family for a walk and learn about the historic C & O Canal, explore the region's bike trails or spend a few hours kayaking and enjoying the breathtaking scenery.

6. See a Show or Concert at the Kennedy Center

Great Falls Park

Live theatrical productions at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts are entertainment at its finest. Purchase tickets in advance for performances ranging from musicals to concerts by the National Symphony or see a free show at the Millennium Stage.

7. Take a Hike at Great Falls Park

Take a picnic and enjoy spectacular views of the Potomac River at this 800 acre park, located just 14 miles from Washington DC. Great Falls offers a variety of activities including hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, bicycling, and horseback riding.

 8. Explore Mount Vernon

Mt. Vernon

With the recent addition of the new museum and education center, Mount Vernon is now a full day excursion. Explore the state of the art galleries and theaters, visit the 500-acre estate of George Washington and his family, tour the 14-room mansion that is beautifully restored and furnished with original objects dating back to the 1740's. Be sure to plan enough time to tour the outbuildings, including the kitchen, slave quarters, smokehouse, coach house and stables. The estate is located in Northern Virginia, just minutes from Washington, DC.  You can drive there, or book a day tour.

9. Take a Walking Tour of Old Town, Alexandria

Explore a quaint historic town just over the Potomac River from Washington, DC. The lively waterfront area has plenty of things to do. Visit colonial houses, public parks, churches, museums, a marina, unique shops, and restaurants.

10. Make a Covert Visit to The International Spy Museum

Spy Museuk

Soviets trying to steal atomic secrets from the US; American spies being shot out of the sky over Soviet territory while photographing missile installations; Robert Hanssen's ultimate betrayal of our country--if the world of espionage and double agents is as intriguing to you as it is to the hundreds of thousands of visitors that flock to the Spy Museum, join the crowd. This is a high demand Museum that is packed on the weekends so if you can wait and go on a weekday, the lines may be less dense.

Holocaust Museum

There is so much more, and you will likely not be able to do it all in one trip. There is an excellent zoo, which has pandas and is free.  You can visit the  Holocaust Museum, where you are given the name of a person when you enter, and as you leave you find out if they survived.  It is one of the most profound and unusual places to visit.  You could visit the grave of JFK in Arlington.  Or go into Ford Theatre where Lincoln was shot.

Library of Congress

The Library of Congress is a beautiful building and worth going into for a short visit.  We stumbled on that by accident.  My husband asked me to go in, check out a book and make a copy of a page for him  He does genealogy research on our family and needed the information.  We did as he asked and discovered one of the prettiest buildings, one we wouldn't of thought of going into.

National Cathedral

The National Cathedral in Washington, DC is the sixth largest cathedral in the world. Although it is the home of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, the National Cathedral has no local congregation and is considered to be a house of worship honoring all faiths from around the world. The Cathedral is known as the Washington National Cathedral, though its actual name is the Cathedral Church of St. Peter and St. Paul. It is Gothic in design and it rivals the large Cathedrals of Europe.  Worth visiting for its beauty.

Malcolm X Park

There are many parks throughout the city.  One of the nicest and least appreciated parks is  a place officially called Meridian Hill Park but known to everyone as Malcolm X Park. Its 12 acres sit on a hill overlooking downtown and the monuments. John Quincy Adams lived in a mansion here after leaving the White House. Today, there are spooky statues and cascading pools of water, more reminiscent of a neglected European chateau garden than a National Park Service tract. Visit late on a Sunday afternoon.

And of course there are world class restaurants throughout the city.  You may even run into a few politicians - after all the city if full of them.  There is lots of nightlife in the city, you can find something for everyone to enjoy.  So explore and enjoy!