In this video, we'll show you 10 best things to do in Washington, D.C.
We also created a mobile-friendly .pdf document covering the top 10 things to do in Washington, D.C.
plus 10 other attractions, maps, and additional tips.
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Here are our top 10 picks:
NUMBER 10: WASHINGTON MONUMENT
Built-in honor of the first U.S. president, George Washington,
the Washington Monument is a stone obelisk located on the National Mall.
The monument is 554 ft or 169 m tall and was made using different types of stone,
including different tones of marble, revealing a change in the source of the material when
construction was stopped and later continued.
Washington Monument was the world's tallest structure when completed in 1884
but it was overtaken by the Eiffel Tower in Paris in 1889.
Currently, the monument is both the tallest structure made mostly of stone
and the tallest obelisk in the world.
For clear, picture-perfect views of the White House, Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, and Tidal Basin
remember to visit the observation deck located at the top of Washington Monument.
NUMBER 9: LINCOLN MEMORIAL
Standing across from the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial
pays tribute to Abraham Lincoln, America's 16th president.
This impressive marble structure was modeled on the Parthenon in Greece
and was constructed in 1922.
The memorial's 36 exterior columns represent
the 36 reunited states at the time of Lincoln's death.
The interior has three chambers:
The central chamber houses a 19-foot tall statue of Lincoln.
One of the most symbolic American monuments has been the site of famous speeches
like Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream."
You can best view the Lincoln Memorial across the Reflecting Pool,
which beautifully illuminates the monument.
There are many other memorials. For example:
The Korean War Veterans Memorial
commemorating military members who served during the Korean War.
World War II Memorial
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
resembles the Parthenon in Rome with a 19-foot statue of Thomas Jefferson
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
featuring a 30-foot statue of MLK carved into the Stone of Hope,
and a large granite wall showing excerpts of his speeches and sermons.
There are many other impressive memorials in Washington.
Check out our travel guide for more suggestions.
NUMBER 8: US BOTANIC GARDEN
U.S. Botanic Garden is one of North America's oldest botanic gardens,
built-in the year 1820.
This free-admission living plant museum aims to inform
about the importance of plants to humans and the earth
through exhibits, tours, and programs for visitors of all ages.
Visit the Conservatory, where you'll find courtyard gardens and garden rooms under glass,
with one whole room for orchids and another room for rare and endangered plants.
Or visit the World Deserts room, the Children's Garden,
the National Garden,
an outdoor oasis with roses and other plants from the Mid-Atlantic region
and Bartholdi Park,
a favorite "secret garden" of many Washington residents.
NUMBER 7: MUSEUMS
Washington is unparalleled when it comes to world-class museums
that offer diverse experiences with art, history, culture, science, and nature.
Visit the National Gallery of Art,
where you'll see over 140,000 paintings, drawings, photos, and sculptures.
Or explore the National Museum of Natural History, which houses 146 million specimens
and objects and is the world's largest natural history collection.
Other museums you should check out are:
The National Air and Space Museum, home to the biggest collection of historic aircraft
and spacecraft in the world, including the original Wright brothers' 1903 flyer.
National Museum of African American History and Culture.
National Archives Museum,
where you'll find the three most historically important documents in America:
the Declaration of Independence,
the United States Constitution,
and the Bill of Rights.
And the best part about museums in Washington
is that most of them are completely free of charge.
Also the ones that don't offer free admission, are worth visiting, such as the Newseum.
See our travel guide for more suggestions.
NUMBER 6: THE NATIONAL MALL
Located in the center of Washington, D.C. the National Mall is a tree-lined boulevard
stretching over two miles,
with the Lincoln Memorial and the U.S. Capitol on its west and east ends.
The idea for the Mall began in 1791, when President Washington
asked a French engineer to create a plan for the country's capital.
Also known as "America's front yard,"
the National Mall receives about 24 million visitors every year,
making it the most visited national park in the United States.
With its majestic monuments and open spaces,
it is a unique symbol of democracy
and a popular venue for civic celebrations and rallies,
including the Presidential Inauguration.
For local residents, it is a place for jogging, picnics, and other recreational activities.
NUMBER 5: ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place for over 400,000 military personnel,
veterans, and their families.
About the size of 472 football fields, it is the largest military cemetery in America.
It lies in Arlington, Virginia, across from the Potomac River,
and has been operational since 1864.
With rolling green hills, centuries-old trees, gardens and monuments, the cemetery honors
those who have served the country by giving them a sense of beauty and peace.
One of the famous sites at Arlington is President John F. Kennedy's gravesite,
featuring an eternal flame
that has stayed lit since his funeral in 1963.
Another is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,
a large white sarcophagus dedicated to unidentified
fallen soldiers in World Wars I and II, Korea, and Vietnam.
Don't forget to visit the Air Force Memorial
in honor of those who have served the U.S. Air Force.
NUMBER 4: SMITHSONIAN'S NATIONAL ZOO
The National Zoo was founded in 1889,
making it one of the oldest Zoos in the United States.
Located in Woodley Park neighborhood in northern Washington, D.C.,
it features 18 areas - home to over 1,500 animals from 300 different species.
Among the Zoo's residents are the famous giant pandas, Asian elephants, Sumatran tigers,
and many other exotic creatures native to various continents.
You can join animal training and feeding activities at no cost, since the National Zoo always
offers free admission for all its visitors.
NUMBER 3: THE WHITE HOUSE
Standing on Pennsylvania Avenue, the White House has been the official home and workplace
of every U.S. president except George Washington.
It was called the "President's Palace," "President's House," and "Executive Mansion"
at various times before President Theodore Roosevelt
gave it its current name in 1902.
Modeled on Ireland's Leinsteir House, the White House was constructed from 1792 to 1800.
However, it was rebuilt and renovated several times in the course of a century because of
war damage, interior crowding, and structural weakness.
Today, the White House complex consists of the Executive Residence,
and the West and East Wing.
If you wish to visit the White House, you must submit a tour request
through your Member of Congress if you are an American
or your country's embassy in Washington, D.C. if you are a foreign national.
But you can clearly see the White House from the street and take a selfie.
NUMBER 2: UNITED STATES CAPITOL
The United States Capitol is the seat of the American government's legislative branch,
with the Senate in the north wing and the House of Representatives in the south wing.
Situated at the National Mall's eastern end, it is both an office building
and an art and history museum.
Inspired by ancient Greek and Roman architecture,
the Capitol construction began in 1793
and underwent many additions, renovations,
and modernization efforts over the past 200 years.
The building's features include:
The Rotunda, a big ceremonial space
also serving as an art gallery
National Statuary Hall,
which displays statues contributed by individual US states
The Crypt, venue for historical exhibits
an impressive Visitor Center, the Capitol's main entrance
underground tunnel that takes you to the impressive
Library of Congress, and much more.
You can visit the Capitol free of charge.
NUMBER 1: GEORGETOWN
Founded in 1751 as a tobacco port long before Washington was established,
Georgetown is the oldest neighborhood in America's capital.
It is known for its federal-style architecture,
impressive estates, historic brick row houses,
and famous residents, including past U.S. presidents Thomas Jefferson
and John F. Kennedy.
Among the must-see places in the neighborhood
is Georgetown University, the oldest Catholic and Jesuit university in America
and home to the Riggs Memorial Library,
one of the country's last few iron-cast libraries.
Georgetown is a great destination not only for history buffs
but also for outdoor enthusiasts.
Georgetown Waterfront Park is popular with paddlers,
and the C&O Canal Towpath is a scenic spot for walking, running, and biking.
If you're in the mood for shopping or dining, visit Pinstripes or Georgetown Park.
There are many other things to see there. Check our travel guide for more suggestions.
We created a mobile-friendly .pdf document that you can store on your phone
for offline use.
It covers the top 10 attraction in Washington, D.C.
with maps, links, opening hours, and other information
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