Washington DC - the Nation's capitol, has history on every corner. I say this seriously - you could turn a corner and literally run into the White House, or the National Cathedral , or the National Portrait Gallery there's so much history. The best perk about the city is that 98% of the things in the city to see are totally free of charge (yes!) , but be prepared to spend a little on a hotel and food. This is a small price to pay for a city that is just brimming with culture.
If you only have one day to see the city, see the National Mall . Start with the Lincoln Memorial and continue walking north until you run into the Capitol.
You will pass the Vietnam War Memorial first, where the famed Wall of Names can be found, as well as the special statue dedicatd to the women of the Vietnam War. Books that list the names of those on the wall are next to the granite slabs. The Korean War Memorial is a very vivid recreation of 19 soldiers marching into battle, as well as a granite slab with images sandblasted next to the men. The WWII Memorial, my personal favorite, is the youngest memorial, dedicated in 2004. With its fountains and delicate lighting, this one is best viewed at night. The Washington Monument is next,(come early if you want the opportuntity to go up in the elevator to the top) and then the Capitol.
A personal tour of the Capitol can be given by an intern if you contact your local Congressman ahead of time. Make sure to stop by your Congressman's office anyhow to see business in action!
If you have more than a day, take the not for tourist's approach and delve into the city. Take a walk down M Street, located in Georgetown, and visit the Shops at Georgetown Park for several department and speciality stores. Walk to the end of M Street and view the famed stairs used in the movie The Exorcist! If you get hungry, have a sit down at Old Glory Bar B Que for great ribs or Tackle Box for the best catfish you will ever taste. Take the Metro down to Dupont Circle and visit Kramerbooks and Afterwords, an establishment that features a full bookstore in the front and a restaurant in the back.
U Street is rich in the history's African American culture. Take time to visit the African American Civil War Memorial and stop by the Anthony Bowen YMCA to pick up a map for a walking tour of the area. If you are staying through the weekend, head to Capitol Hill and hit up Eastern Market for a flea market atmosphere and brunch, and walk around the neighborhood to Trover Books (books are the ultimate accessory to be seen with in DC - EVERYONE is a reader.) to take a gander at the bestsellers and the classics, as well as their specialized stationery section. Fulfill your sweet tooth right next door at F
irehook Bakery with their larger-than-life cookies and deli.Stroll on down to the Library of Congress and the Supreme Court building for photo ops, and then trek down to (last, but definitely not least) Pennsylvania Avenue, where you'll see the most famous house in the country. An added perk is the White House Visitor Center, which serves as a museum of all Presidential history (and frankly, is much more interesting than the tour of the White House itself.) To arrange for a tour, you will have to go through your Congressman. Tickets are free, but they go fast, so call as far in advance as possible.
DC is best enjoyed when you are not in a rush - take it all in, and enjoy just being in the hub of our Nation's culture. The city is there for your enjoyment. For help on planning your trip and getting the best out of the city in your visit, click here.
(For more pictures of my summer in DC, click here!)
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