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SPONSORED LISTINGS
Best Tourist Destinations in Washington, D.C.
- by leigh
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- September 14, 2009
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Despite its incredible popularity with tourists (I don't usually go for such things), I loved my brief visit to Washington, D.C. Yeah, I did all the tourist stuff. Here were some of the best places.
Theaters and Museums
These places have significant historical value, either innate or imported.
Ford's Theatre
511 10th St Nw, Washington, DC 20004
Site of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, Ford’s Theatre features the restored theater, appearing as it did when Lincoln was the nation’s leader, and a nice little history museum in the basement. There’s a full-sized replica of the president – it’s amazing what a physically massive man he was!
Ford’s Theatre is currently closed for renovation. It will reopen in early 2009.
Site of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, Ford’s Theatre features the restored theater, appearing as it did when Lincoln was the nation’s leader, and a nice little history museum in the basement. There’s a full-sized replica of the president – it’s amazing what a physically massive man he was!
Ford’s Theatre is currently closed for renovation. It will reopen in early 2009.
Lincoln’s booth in Ford’s Theatre
Petersen House
516 10th St NW Washington, DC 20004
Located across the street from Ford’s Theatre, President Lincoln was taken to the Petersen House after he was shot. Despite the care given him, the house is also the site where Lincoln actually died.
International Spy Museum
800 F St Nw, Washington, DC 20004
Though a bit family-oriented more than adult-oriented, the International Spy Museum still provides a fun way to learn about the history of espionage.
Admission is charged: Adults $18; Seniors (65+) $17; Children (5-11) $15; Children under 5 are free.
Though a bit family-oriented more than adult-oriented, the International Spy Museum still provides a fun way to learn about the history of espionage.
Admission is charged: Adults $18; Seniors (65+) $17; Children (5-11) $15; Children under 5 are free.
Folger Shakespeare Library
201 E Capitol St Se, Washington, DC 20003
A massive collection of Shakespearean manuscripts and documents is the heart of the Folger Shakespeare Library. There is a rotating exhibit area, which covers various historical periods and societies. This will only really be interesting to visitors who have a fascination with British literature and Renaissance or Victorian history. Of course, that’s me so I loved it.
A massive collection of Shakespearean manuscripts and documents is the heart of the Folger Shakespeare Library. There is a rotating exhibit area, which covers various historical periods and societies. This will only really be interesting to visitors who have a fascination with British literature and Renaissance or Victorian history. Of course, that’s me so I loved it.
Military and War Memorials
Washington, D.C. is awash in old memorials and monuments. There are plenty to visit whatever your fascination.
USMC War Memorial
Marshall Dr, Arlington, VA 22211
Inspired by a famous Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph, the USMC War Memorial portrays five marines raising the American flag to conclude one of America's great victories of World War II: the capture of Mount Suribachi on the island of Iwo Jima. Located between Route 50 and Arlington National Cemeter...
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Inspired by a famous Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph, the USMC War Memorial portrays five marines raising the American flag to conclude one of America's great victories of World War II: the capture of Mount Suribachi on the island of Iwo Jima. Located between Route 50 and Arlington National Cemetery, the memorial features a 60-foot bronze flagpole with a cloth American flag flying 24 hours a day. The USMC War Memorial is also known as the Iwo Jima Memorial.
USMC War Memorial – Inspired by a photograph at Iwo Jima
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Arlington National Cemetery, Fort Myer, VA 22211
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a monument in Arlington National Cemetery that honors those Americans who died in combat without ever being identified. A living soldier stands on guard at the Tomb 24 hours a day, and many visitors come to see the Changing of the Guard, a ritual that happens every ...
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The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a monument in Arlington National Cemetery that honors those Americans who died in combat without ever being identified. A living soldier stands on guard at the Tomb 24 hours a day, and many visitors come to see the Changing of the Guard, a ritual that happens every hour during the winter, and every half-hour during the summer. The Tomb is located in the northern part of the cemetery, just off Memorial Drive.
Presidential Memorials
Remember some of the country’s greatest presidents.
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
900 Ohio Dr Sw, Washington, DC 20242
The Thomas Jefferson Memorial is a magnificent, neoclassical structure honoring the third president of the United States. An open-air building, it sits on the shore of the East Potomac River, just east of the Washington Monument. With its marble pillars and Pantheon shape, the Memorial reflects Thoma...
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The Thomas Jefferson Memorial is a magnificent, neoclassical structure honoring the third president of the United States. An open-air building, it sits on the shore of the East Potomac River, just east of the Washington Monument. With its marble pillars and Pantheon shape, the Memorial reflects Thomas Jefferson's own interest in Roman architecture. A 19-foot tall statue of him resides at its center, lit 24 hours a day.
Grave of President John F. Kennedy
Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA 22211
The Grave of President John F. Kennedy was completed on July 20, 1967, shortly following his assassination. Located in the heart of Arlington National Cemetery, it is one of the world's most famous resting places, a 3.2-acre memorial with granite walls, elaborate stone paving, and fescue and clover p...
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The Grave of President John F. Kennedy was completed on July 20, 1967, shortly following his assassination. Located in the heart of Arlington National Cemetery, it is one of the world's most famous resting places, a 3.2-acre memorial with granite walls, elaborate stone paving, and fescue and clover plantings to evoke the natural look of a Massachusetts Field. The grave is also home of the Eternal Flame.
Entertainment
Buy tickets for the next award-winning play.
Kennedy Center for Performing Arts
2700 F St Nw, Washington, DC 20566
Arguably the finest performing arts institution in the country, the Kennedy Center presents more than 3,000 performances each year, ranging from theater to dance to jazz to multimedia. It occupies 17 acres on the banks of the Potomac River. Notable upcoming productions include the New York City Balle...
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Arguably the finest performing arts institution in the country, the Kennedy Center presents more than 3,000 performances each year, ranging from theater to dance to jazz to multimedia. It occupies 17 acres on the banks of the Potomac River. Notable upcoming productions include the New York City Ballet's rendition of "A Midsummer Night's Dream," the Royal Shakespeare Company's "Coriolanus," and "The Phantom of the Opera."
DC Sights
Flying In
Having visited both the Reagan and Dulles airports on the same trip, I found that I much preferred the Dulles airport for cleanliness, though Reagan is by far the closest airport to the city’s main hotels and attractions.
Really, though, it’s not like you’re going for the airport. There are three nearby options, and many a short car trip away.
Dulles International Airport
Dulles International, Dulles, VA 20166
About 30 miles west of Washington, D.C.
About 30 miles west of Washington, D.C.
About 35 miles from Washington, D.C.
About 35 miles from Washington, D.C.
Airports near DC
Along the National Mall
This is the heart of tourist Washington, D.C. Bring good shoes, as the walk between museums can be epic.
The Smithsonian Museums
You can’t go to DC without touring at least some of the Smithsonian museums. An added bonus, they’re free.
Check out this map of the museums.
Smithsonian Castle
Smithsonian Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Independence Ave & 7th St Sw, Washington, DC 20013
The Smithsonian Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden shows international modern and contemporary art, exhibiting works by Matthew Barney, Ed Ruscha and many more internationally renowned artists. There are over 11,500 artifacts in the collection, and visitors can take guided tours of the museum or t...
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The Smithsonian Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden shows international modern and contemporary art, exhibiting works by Matthew Barney, Ed Ruscha and many more internationally renowned artists. There are over 11,500 artifacts in the collection, and visitors can take guided tours of the museum or the outdoor sculpture garden, or attend any of a number of lectures, film screenings and workshops. Housed in a distinctly circular building, it lies next to the Smithsonian Arts and Industries building on the National Mall.
Smithsonian Freer and Sackler Galleries
1050 Independence Ave Sw, Washington, DC 20013
Home to 6,000 types of artwork from places like Egypt, Greece, Korea and Japan, the Smithsonian Freer and Sackler Galleries also host film festivals, lectures, and musical performances. There are a number of special events such as an Iranian film festival, a performance from Britain's Hilliard vocal ...
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Home to 6,000 types of artwork from places like Egypt, Greece, Korea and Japan, the Smithsonian Freer and Sackler Galleries also host film festivals, lectures, and musical performances. There are a number of special events such as an Iranian film festival, a performance from Britain's Hilliard vocal ensemble and a lecture on the arts of Buddhism. The two buildings are located south of the Smithsonian Institution Building and west of the Smithsonian Arts and Industries building on the National Mall.
National Air and Space Museum
Independence Ave & 4th St Sw, Washington, DC 20560
The National Air and Space Museum deals with the history and future of aviation and space travel. The section of the museum located on the National Mall houses many important artifacts, like the Apollo 11 command module and the Spirit of St. Louis airplane, and contains the world's largest collection...
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The National Air and Space Museum deals with the history and future of aviation and space travel. The section of the museum located on the National Mall houses many important artifacts, like the Apollo 11 command module and the Spirit of St. Louis airplane, and contains the world's largest collection of aircraft and spacecraft. Located in the heart of Washington, D.C., it lies between the Capitol Building and the Smithsonian Institution Building.
Smithsonian American Art Museum
8th St Nw & F St Nw, Washington, DC 20001
The Smithsonian American Art Museum sits half a mile north of the National Mall, but its vast collection of American art is well worth the trip.
The Smithsonian American Art Museum sits half a mile north of the National Mall, but its vast collection of American art is well worth the trip.
Museums and Memorials along the National Mall
Monuments and Memorials
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Henry Bacon Dr & Constitution Ave, Washington, DC 20001
One of the more famous war memorials in existence, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was designed by Maya Lin. The long black granite wall is inscribed with the names of servicemen either killed or missing in action during the war.
One of the more famous war memorials in existence, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was designed by Maya Lin. The long black granite wall is inscribed with the names of servicemen either killed or missing in action during the war.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Washington Monument is in the background.
Washington Monument
15th St Nw & Constitution Ave Nw, Washington, DC 20024
One of the most recognizable structures in Washington, D.C., the towering white marble obelisk of the Washington Monument stands over 555 feet high. Constructed in the 1880s as a memorial for the country's first president, George Washington, visitors can travel to the top of the monument via elevator...
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One of the most recognizable structures in Washington, D.C., the towering white marble obelisk of the Washington Monument stands over 555 feet high. Constructed in the 1880s as a memorial for the country's first president, George Washington, visitors can travel to the top of the monument via elevator, where an observation deck affords a fantastic view of the nation's capital city. The monument is part of the expansive National Mall, situated directly south of the White House, west of the Smithsonian museums and east of the National World War II Memorial and Reflecting Pool.
Lincoln Memorial
Lincoln Memorial Cir Sw, Washington, DC 20024
The Lincoln Memorial is a majestic Roman-style structure built to honor the nation's 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. A 19-foot marble statue of Lincoln, sitting in a chair, resides behind its 36 pillars. Visitors will also find inscriptions of Lincoln's two most famous speeches at the Memorial, as w...
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The Lincoln Memorial is a majestic Roman-style structure built to honor the nation's 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. A 19-foot marble statue of Lincoln, sitting in a chair, resides behind its 36 pillars. Visitors will also find inscriptions of Lincoln's two most famous speeches at the Memorial, as well as two murals by Jules Guerinnside. The memorial sits on 107 acres of park in Washington's Capitol Hill, due west of the Washington Monument.
Lincoln Memorial
Eyes Only
Unless you’re truly lucky, you’ll only get to see these from afar.
United States Capitol
E Capitol & 1st St, Washington, DC 20510
Known best as the meeting chambers for the Senate and the House of Representatives, the U.S. Capitol is also an entire complex of other attractions. It includes the U.S. Botanic Garden, the Capitol Grounds, the Library of Congress buildings, the Supreme Court Building and the Capitol Power Plant. It'...
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Known best as the meeting chambers for the Senate and the House of Representatives, the U.S. Capitol is also an entire complex of other attractions. It includes the U.S. Botanic Garden, the Capitol Grounds, the Library of Congress buildings, the Supreme Court Building and the Capitol Power Plant. It's located on the east end of the National Mall, which features many Smithsonian museums, national monuments and other pieces of American history.
White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20500
The White House provides home to the President of the United States of America. It occupies three buildings, six stories, and nearly 60,000 square feet in the heart of Washington, D.C., a few blocks east of George Washington University. The property includes a tennis court, a bowling alley, a movie t...
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The White House provides home to the President of the United States of America. It occupies three buildings, six stories, and nearly 60,000 square feet in the heart of Washington, D.C., a few blocks east of George Washington University. The property includes a tennis court, a bowling alley, a movie theater, and a putting green. Visitors can tour the White House, but must get special permission through their state's member of Congress.
Travel in the City
Staying in the heart of the city is expensive. Unless you’ve got money to burn, stay away from the main hub and catch the Metro into town.
Close-up of Metro routes that stop close to the National Mall
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Another great guide. You never fail to impress me Leah!
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