-
Visit the Smithsonian Institution (Some are listed below)
Smithsonian Institution Building. Start at the Smithsonian Institution Building where you can pick up a map and information on all of the museums. This historic building is a good place to start your tour of the museums. The Smithsonian Information Center is located here and you can find a map and schedule of events. Most of the museums are open daily.
Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum. This impressive museum displays the largest collection of air and spacecraft in the world. There are IMAX films and planetarium shows several times a day.
Smithsonian National History Museum. At this family favorite museum you will see a variety of artifacts including an 80-foot dinosaur skeleton, a life size model of a blue whale, an enormous prehistoric white shark, and a 45-and-a-half carat jewel known as the Hope Diamond.
Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. One of the newer museums on the National Mall in Washington, DC, this showcases Native American objects from ancient pre-Columbian civilizations through the 21st century. Multimedia presentations, live performances and hands-on demonstrations will bring the Native American people’s history and culture to life.
Tour the Monuments
Washington, DC is a city of monuments and memorials. Although the most famous monuments and memorials are on the National Mall, you will find statues and plaques on many street corners around the city. They are spread out and it is difficult to visit all of them on foot. Attached is a listing of some of the sightseeing tours offered in Washington, DC. Our national monuments are truly spectacular. The best time to see them is at night when they are illuminated and less crowded. Some are listed below.
Arlington National Cemetery. Across the Memorial Bridge from DC, this is America’s largest burial ground with the graves of President John F. Kennedy, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, world champion boxer Joe Louis and the Tomb of the Unknowns. Hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
Jefferson Memorial. 15th Street, SW. This dome-shaped rotunda honors the nation’s third president. The 19-foot bronze statue of Jefferson is located on the Tidal Basin. Hours are 8 a.m. to midnight daily.
Korean War Veterans Memorial. Daniel French Drive and Independence Avenue, SW. This memorial honors those who were killed, captured, wounded or remain missing in action during the Korean War (1950-1953). Nineteen figures represent every ethnic background. The statues are supported by a granite wall with 2,400 faces of land, sea and air support troops. A Pool of Remembrance lists the names of the lost Allied Forces. Hours are 8 a.m. to 11:45 p.m.
Lincoln Memorial. 23rd Street between Constitution and Independence Avenues, NW. This memorial was dedicated tin 1922 to honor President Abraham Lincoln. Thirty-eight Grecian columns surround a statue of Lincoln seated on a ten-foot high marble base. This impressive statue is surrounded by engraved readings of the Gettysburg address, his Second Inaugural address and murals by French painter Jules Guerin. Hours are 8 a.m. to midnight.
Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial. Constitution Avenue and Henry Bacon Drive, NW. A V-shaped granite wall is inscribed with the names of 58,209 Americans missing or killed in the Vietnam War. Across the lawn is a life size bronze sculpture of three young servicemen. Hours are 8 a.m. to 11:45 p.m.
Washington Monument. Constitution Avenue and 15th Street. The memorial to George Washington, the first president of the United States, is the most prominent landmark in Washington, DC and stands as the centerpiece of the National Mall. It is the tallest structure in Washington, DC. Take the elevator to the top and see a wonderful view of the city. For free tickets, go to the kiosk on the Washington Monument grounds at 15th Street and Madison Drive. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Advance tickets are available for a $1.50 service fee. Call (800) 967-2283 between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
-
Tour the Three Houses of Government
When sightseeing in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Capitol Building, the White House and the U.S. Supreme Court are key places to visit. Tour these impressive buildings and you will gain a fuller understanding of the division of power within the United States government. Plan ahead and note that some tours must be scheduled in advance through a U. S. Congressional Representative.
U.S. Capitol. At the east end of the National Mall stands the majestic U.S. Capitol Building. The U.S. Capitol Building, the meeting chambers for the Senate and the House of Representatives, is one of the most recognizable historic buildings in Washington, D.C. Because of increased security, the Capitol is open to the public for guided tours only. Tours are conducted from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Visitors must obtain free tickets at the Capitol Guide Service Kiosk located near the intersection of First Street, S.W. and Independence Avenue.
The White House. The White House is the home and office of the President and is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. To arrange a tour you must make a request through a United States member of Congress. Group tours are held Tuesday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. through 11:30 a.m. and scheduled one month in advance.
The White House Visitor Center is located at the southeast corner of 15th and E Streets and is open seven days a week from 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Watch a 30-minute video and learn about many aspects of the White House, including its architecture, furnishings, first families, social events, and relations with the press and world leaders.
The U.S. Supreme Court. The Supreme Court, the highest judicial authority, is located at One 1st Street, N.E. between E. Capitol Street and Maryland Avenue. Court is in session Monday through Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until noon, October through April. You can watch a case being argued but seating is limited. Arrive at least an hour early to wait in line.
When the court is not in session you can tour the building and attend a free lecture about court proceedings and the building’s architecture. Lectures are given from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
-
Take a walk through Georgetown 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 (Clyde’s is a good one!).
-
Explore Mount Vernon (This is the planned optional “Spouse/Guest Tour” on Friday, October 31st, available to the first 20 paid reservations.) With the recent addition of the new museum and education center, Mount Vernon can be a full day excursion. Explore the state of the art galleries and theaters, visit the 500-acre estate of George and Martha 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, D.C.
Take a walking tour of Old Town, Alexandria Explore a quaint historic town just over the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. Visit colonial houses, churches, and museums and shop for antiques.
Newseum Pennsylvania Avenue and Sixth Street, N.W. This is the one of the newest museums in Washington, D.C., offering visitors an experience that blends five centuries of news history with up-to-the-second technology. The exterior’s unique architectural features include a 74-foot-high marble engraving of the First Amendment and an immense front wall of glass through which passers-by and watch the museum fulfill its mission of providing a forum where the media and the public can gain a better understanding of each other. Features seven levels of galleries, theaters, retail spaces and visitor services. (888) 639-7386; 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily
The Spy Museum 800 F Street NW. Learn about the authentic tradecraft that has been used throughout time. General Admission is $18.00 to Permanent Exhibit only; hours 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (202) 393-7798.
Ford’s Theatre 511 10th Street NW. The Ford’s Theatre and Museum on the lower level are currently closed for major renovations and will reopen in Winter 2009. However…
The Petersen House (where Abraham Lincoln died) is open daily for tours. 516 10th Street NW. After Lincoln was mortally wounded at Ford’s Theatre, the doctors had him carried out into the street, where boarder Henry Safford, standing in the open doorway of his rooming house, gestured for them to bring the president inside. So, Lincoln died in the home of William Petersen, a German-born tailor. Now furnished with period pieces, the dark, narrow town house looks much as it did on that fateful April night. It takes about 5 minutes to troop through the building. It’s definitely worth seeing…Free admission.
The Tiny Jewel Box 1147 Connecticut Avenue NW. Imagine six intimate floors filled with treasures from around the world, each one hand selected with an eye for the truly unique. At the Tiny Jewel Box you’ll find exquisite vintage and antique jewelry, find Swiss watches, exclusive diamonds, and the latest creations from top designers including David Yurman, Cathy Waterman, Penny Preville, Paul Morelli, and Alex Sepkus. The Tiny Jewel Box was awarded the designation of “Top Five Retailer” of designer jewelry in the United States by the designers themselves.
The InterContinental Willard Hotel 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue NW. This historic landmark hotel, neighboring the White House has been restored to her 1904 Beaux-Arts splendor. Peacock Alley at the Willard has been the majestic backdrop for many of Washington’s most celebrated social weddings. The lobby of the Willard is where President Grant went to meet with constituents and talk; hence the term “lobbyist”.
Old Ebbitt Grill 675 15th Street NW. Just steps from The White House and museums in downtown Washington, established in 1856, it was a favorite of Presidents Grant, Cleveland, Harding, and Theodore Roosevelt and is still a popular meeting spot for political insiders, journalists, celebrities and theater-goers. It’s Beaux-Arts façade, mahogany and velvet booths and bars set in marble, brass and beveled glass are Washington at its finest, and the Oyster Bar at Old Ebbitt is D.C.’s most famous. (202) 347-4800. M-F 7:30 a.m. – 1:00 a.m. S-S 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.
Hotel Washington 515 15th Street NW. (202) 638-5900. The open-air bar at the top of this hotel has the best view of DC in town! If going for cocktails in the evening, order two drinks and your check at the same time (per an unnamed source), but you still won’t be disappointed!
