I traveled to Washington DC for a few days to visit some of my friends working there this summer. I had actually never been to DC before this trip, and I had been wanting to go for a long time. Let me just start by saying, this city is AMAZING. DC is so cool because it is such a beautiful place with so much history and meaning in America. DC is a great place for tourism because there are so many monuments, museums, shops, restaurants, and other activities.
When you tour DC, you have to start with the main attractions and sights. Most of the main sights are along the National Mall and are all in walking distance from each other.
The White House, where the President of the United States lives, is located on Pennsylvania Ave.
The National Monument is located in the center of the Mall, and is arguably DC’s most iconic monument.
World War II Memorial is a stunning fountain and pool with all the states listed around the perimeter.
The Reflecting Pool and National Monument is best viewed on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
The Lincoln Memorial features the famous statue of Abraham Lincoln inside and a wall scripted with the famous Gettysburg Address.
The Supreme Court is a gorgeous building that has housed some of the most famous trials in American history.
The Capitol Building is located on the eastern end of the Mall and is a stunning building that houses the offices of the Speaker of the House, members of Senate, Congress, and other important US political positions.
I highly recommend touring the inside of the Capitol Building. The Capitol Building is like a museum, full of historical paintings and statues. The inside of the Dome is beautiful! I also loved seeing the hallways with the offices of politicians and exploring different rooms and features throughout the building.
My favorite museum is the National Portrait Gallery. This museum is famous for featuring all the Presidents’ official portraits. The museum also displays hundreds of american artwork dating back to the 1700’s to present day.
I also recommend visiting the National Archives. On display are the most important American documents: The Constitution, The Declaration of Independence, and The Bill of Rights. No photography inside, but it is a must-see in DC.
Arlington Cemetery was one of my favorite sights in DC. In the cemetery, you can tour many grave sights and memorials. The most famous are John F. Kennedy’s grave and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier where you can see the changing of the guards. Driving through over 600 acres of soldiers’ grave sights was extremely impactful and was quite a patriotic experience.
I loved walking around Georgetown! Georgetown has the most adorable colonial style townhouses and great shops and restaurants on the main street. I fell in love with this adorable neighborhood!
Washington DC is an awesome city with so much to see and explore. DC is definitely one of America’s best cities!