Washington D.C. Activities: Monuments and Museums

The big attractions in Washington D.C. are the federal monuments and museums. It is inspiring to visit the buildings where American leaders have lived and worked and the monuments that honor some of America’s greatest leaders, soldiers, and thinkers.

Washington government tours begin and end with the White House, the residence and office for two centuries of presidents. Just a few blocks east, the U.S. Capitol contains the chambers of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Tours of both buildings are free, but you should contact your elected representative to obtain tour reservations.

Outside of the White House and the Capitol, the most recognizable Washington buildings are the monuments. The Washington Monument towers over the city while the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials are architectural beauties, complete with towering columns and sculptures of their namesakes. The Franklin Roosevelt Memorial opened to public acclaim within the last ten years, and a Martin Luther King, Jr., Monument is also in the works. In addition, solemn memorials commemorating World War Two, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, provide a good opportunity to ponder the sacrifices that American soldiers have made on behalf of the country.

After visiting these monuments, you might be ready to move inside and visit some of America’s great treasures at the Smithsonian Museums. The Air and Space, Natural History, American History, and American Indian Museums are the major parts of the Smithsonian group, but even these museums are only the tip of the iceberg that is the DC museum scene. Here are some of the other popular tourist spots:

• Supreme Court
• National Archives—home of the Declaration of Independence and other historic documents
• FBI Headquarters
• Mount Vernon—George Washington’s home ten miles away in Alexandria
• Pentagon
• Library of Congress
• National Cathedral
• Ford’s Theater—the site of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln
• Folger Shakespeare Museum
• National Zoo—the home of America’s first pandas

One of the great things about Washington D.C. is that almost all the sites are free to the public. American tax dollars pay for these attractions, so even though you may need to wait in line, you won’t have to pay.