Washington, D.C.
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Washington, D.C. - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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1. Dumbarton Oaks Museum
Georgetown | GardenCareer diplomat Robert Woods Bliss and his wife, Mildred, bought the property in 1920 and tamed the sprawling grounds into 10 acres of splendid...
Career diplomat Robert Woods Bliss and his wife, Mildred, bought the property in 1920 and tamed the sprawling grounds into 10 acres of splendid gardens designed by Beatrix Farrand. In 1940, the Blisses gave the estate to Harvard University as a study center, library, museum, and garden. The museum holds a small but world-renowned collection of Byzantine and pre-Columbian art, reflecting the enormous skill and creativity developed at roughly the same time in two very different parts of the world. The Byzantine collection includes beautiful examples of both religious and secular items executed in mosaic, metal, enamel, stone, textile, and ivory. Pre-Columbian works—artifacts and textiles from Mexico and Central and South America by peoples such as the Aztec, Maya, Inca, and Olmec—are arranged in an enclosed glass pavilion. Especially beautiful in the spring but worth visiting in any season, the gardens feature an orangery and a green terrace filled with iron furniture emblazoned with astrological motifs.
1703 32nd St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20007, USA202-339–6401Sight Details
Rate Includes: Admission to museum is free; admission to gardens is from $5, Closed Mon. -
2. Ford's Theatre
Downtown | Historic District/SiteThe events that took place here on the night of April 14, 1865, shocked the nation: during a performance of Our American Cousin, John Wilkes...
The events that took place here on the night of April 14, 1865, shocked the nation: during a performance of Our American Cousin, John Wilkes Booth entered the Presidential Box at Ford's Theatre and shot Abraham Lincoln in the back of the head; the president died later that night. This block-long, Lincoln-centered, cultural campus encompasses four sites. In the Museum, you'll explore Lincoln's presidency and Civil War milestones and learn about Booth and those who joined his conspiracy to topple the government. Artifacts include Lincoln's clothing and weapons used by Booth. The Theatre, which stages performances throughout the year, is restored to look as it did when Lincoln attended, including the Presidential Box draped with flags as it was on the night he was shot. During the spring and summer you can also watch a 30-minute one-act performance titled "One Destiny" that tells the story of the night from the eyes of those who were in the theater. In the restored Petersen House, you can see the room where Lincoln died and the parlor where his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, waited in anguish through the night. The centerpiece of the Aftermaths Exhibits at the Center for Education and Leadership is a jaw-dropping, three-story tower of 6,800 books written about Lincoln. Here, visitors take an immersive step back in time, entering a 19th-century street scene where they find a reproduction of Lincoln's funeral train car and see its route to Springfield, Illinois. Visitors also learn about the manhunt for John Wilkes Booth and his co-conspirators' trial, and they interact with an "escape map" to the tobacco barn where Booth was captured. Exhibits also explore the fate of Lincoln's family after his death, explain the milestones of Reconstruction, and describe Lincoln's legacy and his enduring impact on U.S. and world leaders. A visit ends with a multiscreen video wall that shows how Lincoln's ideas resonate today. Visits to Ford's Theatre require a free, timed-entry ticket. Same-day tickets are available at the theater box office beginning at 8:30 am on a first-come, first-served basis. You can also reserve tickets in advance at www.fords.org with a $3 fee per ticket.
View Tours and Activities511 10th St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20004, USA202-426–6924Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free; ticket reservations $3 -
3. Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
The Mall | Museum/GalleryConceived as the nation's museum of modern and contemporary art, the Hirshhorn is home to nearly 12,000 works by masters who include Alexander...
Conceived as the nation's museum of modern and contemporary art, the Hirshhorn is home to nearly 12,000 works by masters who include Alexander Calder, Andy Warhol, and Louise Bourgeois, as well as contemporary superstars Anish Kapoor and Yinka Shonibare. The art is displayed in a circular poured-concrete building, designed by Gordon Bunshaft, that was dubbed the "Doughnut on the Mall" when it was built in 1974. Most of the collection was bequeathed by the museum's founder, Joseph H. Hirshhorn, a Latvian immigrant who made his fortune in uranium mines. The sculpture collection has masterpieces by Henry Moore, Alberto Giacometti, and Constantin Brancusi. Outside, sculptures dot a grass-and-granite garden. Among them is Yoko Ono's Wish Tree for Washington, DC, and on the plaza stands a 32-foot-tall yellow cartoon sculpture by pop-art iconographer Roy Lichtenstein that has become a beloved local landmark.The third level’s outer ring is the place to see thought-provoking conceptual art from the museum's permanent collection. Inside the third level, you can see dramatic postwar art from the museum's permanent collection, displayed thematically, with works by artists such as Joseph Cornell, Isa Genzken, Alighiero e Boetti, and Sol LeWitt. Be sure to check out Cornell's Untitled (Aviary with Yellow Birds) and Yoko Ono's Sky TV for Washington. Large-scale text works by conceptual artist Lawrence Weiner round out the space. The second level houses exhibits that rotate about three times a year, curated by museum staff and devoted to particular artists or themes. The lower level houses recent and experimental works from the permanent collection, while the sculpture garden makes an inspiring spot for a picnic.
Independence Ave. and 7th St. SW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20013, USA202-633–2829Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
4. International Spy Museum
Downtown | Museum/GalleryFun for kids of all ages, the museum displays the world's largest collection of spy artifacts. The Secret History of History takes you behind...
Fun for kids of all ages, the museum displays the world's largest collection of spy artifacts. The Secret History of History takes you behind the headlines, from Moses' use of spies in Canaan and Abraham Lincoln's employment of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency as a full-scale secret service in the Civil War to the birth of WWII's OSS. Check out the spy gadgets, weapons, vehicles, and disguises, and then see if you have what it takes to be a spy in School for Spies. Exquisitely Evil: 50 Years of Bond Villains brings you face-to-face with 007's archenemies. Operation Spy, a one-hour immersive experience, works like a live-action game, dropping you in the middle of a foreign intelligence mission. Each step—which includes decrypting secret audio files, a car chase, and interrogating a suspect agent—is taken from actual intelligence operations. Advance tickets (purchased at the museum or on its website) are highly recommended. All tickets are date- and time-specific. Tickets are most likely available on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday or daily after 2 pm.
View Tours and Activities700 L'Enfant Plaza, Washington, District of Columbia, 20004, USA202-393–7798Sight Details
Rate Includes: Permanent exhibition $21; combo Museum and Operation $30 (when purchased online) -
5. Library of Congress
Capitol Hill | Library/ArchiveFounded in 1800, the largest library in the world has more than 164 million items on approximately 838 miles of bookshelves. Only 38 million...
Founded in 1800, the largest library in the world has more than 164 million items on approximately 838 miles of bookshelves. Only 38 million of its holdings are books—the library also has 3.6 million recordings, 14 million photographs, 5.5 million maps, 8.1 million pieces of sheet music, and 70 million manuscripts. Also here is the Congressional Research Service, which, as the name implies, works on special projects for senators and representatives. Built in 1897, the copper-domed Thomas Jefferson Building is the oldest of the three buildings that make up the library. The dome, topped with the gilt "Flame of Knowledge," is ornate and decorative, with busts of Dante, Goethe, and Nathaniel Hawthorne perched above its entryway. The Court of Neptune, Roland Hinton Perry's fountain at the front steps, rivals some of Rome's best fountains. The Jefferson Building opens into the Great Hall, richly adorned with mosaics, paintings, and curving marble stairways. The octagonal Main Reading Room, its central desk surrounded by mahogany readers' tables under a 160-foot-high domed ceiling, inspires researchers and readers alike. Computer terminals have replaced card catalogs, but books are still retrieved and dispersed the same way: readers (16 years or older) hand request slips to librarians and wait for their materials to be delivered. Researchers aren't allowed in the stacks, and only members of Congress and other special borrowers can check books out. Items from the library's collection—which includes one of only three perfect Gutenberg Bibles in the world—are on display in the Jefferson Building's second-floor Southwest Gallery and Pavilion. To even begin to come to grips with the scope and grandeur of the library, one of the free hourly tours is highly recommended.
View Tours and ActivitiesJefferson Bldg., 1st St. and Independence Ave. SE, Washington, District of Columbia, 20540, USA202-707–9779Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Closed Sun. -
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6. Lincoln Memorial
The Mall | Memorial/Monument/TombDaniel Chester French's statue of the seated president gazing out over the Reflecting Pool may be the most iconic on the Mall. The 19-foot-high...
Daniel Chester French's statue of the seated president gazing out over the Reflecting Pool may be the most iconic on the Mall. The 19-foot-high sculpture is made of 28 pieces of Georgia marble. The surrounding white Colorado-marble memorial was designed by Henry Bacon and completed in 1922. The 36 Doric columns represent the 36 states in the Union at the time of Lincoln's death; their names appear on the frieze above the columns. Over the frieze are the names of the 48 states in existence when the memorial was dedicated. At night, the memorial is illuminated, creating a striking play of light and shadow across Lincoln's face. Two of Lincoln's great speeches—the second inaugural address and the Gettysburg Address—are carved on the north and south walls. Above each is a Jules Guerin mural: the south wall has an angel of truth freeing a slave; the unity of North and South is opposite. The memorial's powerful symbolism makes it a popular gathering place. In its shadow, Americans marched for integrated schools in 1958, rallied for an end to the Vietnam War in 1967, and laid wreaths in a ceremony honoring the Iranian hostages in 1979. It may be best known, though, as the site of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech.
View Tours and Activities2 Lincoln Memorial Circle NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20037, USA202-426–6841Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
7. National Archives Museum
Library/ArchiveMonument, museum, and the nation's memory, the National Archives, headquartered in a grand marble edifice on Constitution Avenue, preserves...
Monument, museum, and the nation's memory, the National Archives, headquartered in a grand marble edifice on Constitution Avenue, preserves more than 14 billion paper records dating from as far back as 1774, as well as billions of recent electronic records. The National Archives and Records Administration is charged with preserving and archiving the most historically important U.S. government records at its centers nationwide and in presidential libraries. Admission is free, but reservations are recommended at busy times and cost a nonrefundable $1. Head to recreation.gov at least six weeks in advance of your visit. Charters of Freedom—the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights—are the star attractions. They are housed in the archives' cathedral-like rotunda, each on a marble platform and surrounded by argon gas within cases that have gold-plated titanium frames and bulletproof protective glass. On display at the entrance to the David M. Rubenstein Gallery's Records of Rights exhibit is a 1297 Magna Carta, the document of English common law whose language inspired the Constitution. This Magna Carta, one of four remaining originals, sets the stage for interactive exhibits that trace the civil rights struggles of African Americans, women, and immigrants. Highlights include the discharge papers of a slave who fought in the Revolutionary War to gain his freedom; the mark-up copy of the 1964 Civil Rights Act; and letters to the president from children who questioned segregation. The Public Vaults convey the sense of going deep into the stacks. You can find records that give a glimpse into federal investigations, from the Lincoln assassination to Watergate. Watch films of flying saucers, used as evidence in congressional UFO hearings, and listen to the Nuremberg trials or Congress debating Prohibition. Reservations to visit the archives are highly recommended; those for guided tours or timed-visit entries, should be made at least six weeks in advance.
View Tours and ActivitiesConstitution Ave., between 7th and 9th Sts., Washington, District of Columbia, 20408, USA866-272–6272Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free; $1 fee for reservations -
8. National Geographic Museum
Downtown | Museum/GalleryFounded in 1888, the National Geographic Society is best known for its magazine, and entering this welcoming, 13,000-square-foot exhibition...
Founded in 1888, the National Geographic Society is best known for its magazine, and entering this welcoming, 13,000-square-foot exhibition space feels like stepping into its pages. The compact museum offers family-friendly, if pricey, interactive exhibitions delving into the historical, cultural, and scientific research that distinguishes National Geographic Magazine. There are items from the permanent collections—cultural, historical, and scientific—as well as traveling exhibitions. It also has a virtual-reality theater experience introduced in 2018. Nat Geo Nights—presentations by explorers with interactive activities, music, and food and drink specials—are held the third Thursday of every month. The M Street Lobby photography exhibit, as well as the outdoor photo display around the perimeter of the museum, are free.
1145 17th St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20036, USA800-647–5463Sight Details
Rate Includes: $15; M Street Photographic Gallery free -
9. National Portrait Gallery
Downtown | Museum/GalleryThe intersection of art, biography, and history is illustrated here through images of people who have shaped U.S. history. There are prints...
The intersection of art, biography, and history is illustrated here through images of people who have shaped U.S. history. There are prints, paintings, photos, and sculptures of subjects from George Washington to Madonna. This museum shares the National Historic Landmark building Old Patent Office with the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Built between 1836 and 1863, and praised by Walt Whitman as the "noblest of Washington buildings," it is deemed one of the country's best examples of Greek Revival architecture. America's Presidents shares the stories of the country's leaders and the times in which they governed. In this gallery, you'll see the only complete collection of presidential portraits outside the White House. Highlights include Gilbert Stuart's 1796 "Landsdowne" portrait of George Washington, Alexander Gardner's "cracked-plate" image of Abraham Lincoln from Lincoln's last formal portrait session before his assassination in 1865, a sculpture of Andrew Jackson on a horse, and political cartoonist Pat Oliphant's sculpture of George H.W. Bush playing horseshoes. From portraits of World War II generals Eisenhower and Patton to Andy Warhol's Time magazine cover of Michael Jackson, the third-floor gallery, Twentieth-Century Americans, offers a vibrant tour of the people who shaped the country and culture of today. And, don't miss the Bravo and Champions exhibits on the mezzanine, especially if you enjoy the performing arts or are a sports buff. The displays of entertainers and American sports figures are dynamic and engaging.There are free docent-led tours weekdays at noon and 2:30 and most weekends at 11:45, 1:30, 3:15 and 4:30. Check the website to confirm times. At the Lunder Conservation Center on the third and fourth floors, you can watch conservators at work.
View Tours and Activities8th and F Sts. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001, USA202-633–8300Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
10. Rock Creek Park
Upper Northwest | Park (National/State/Provincial)The 1,800 acres surrounding Rock Creek have provided a cool oasis for visitors and D.C. residents ever since Congress set them aside for recreational...
The 1,800 acres surrounding Rock Creek have provided a cool oasis for visitors and D.C. residents ever since Congress set them aside for recreational use in 1890. The bubbling, rocky stream draws nature lovers to the miles of paved walkways. Bicycle routes, jogging and hiking paths, and equestrian trails wind through the groves of dogwoods, beeches, oaks, and cedars, and 30 picnic areas are scattered about. An asphalt bike path running through the park has a few challenging hills but is mostly flat, and it's possible to bike several miles without having to stop for cars (the roadway is closed entirely to cars on weekends). The most popular run in Rock Creek Park is along a trail that follows the creek from Georgetown to the National Zoo, about 4 miles round-trip. Rangers at the Nature Center and Planetarium introduce visitors to the park and keep track of daily events; guided nature walks leave from the center on weekends at 2. The park is open only during daylight hours.
5200 Glover Rd. NW, Nature Center and Planetarium, Washington, District of Columbia, 20015, USA202-895–6070 -
11. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
The Mall | Museum/GalleryThis is the one of the country's most visited museums. Between its two buildings, it attracts 6-8 million people annually to the world's largest...
This is the one of the country's most visited museums. Between its two buildings, it attracts 6-8 million people annually to the world's largest collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft. The 23 galleries tell the story of aviation from the earliest human attempts at flight to supersonic jets and spacecraft. The museum has begun a multiyear renovation process, though it will remain open throughout the whole process, closing only construction areas. Renovations on the first part, which include the main store, are scheduled to be finished in 2022, with the entire project completed by 2025. Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall, which traces the evolution of air and space travel, captures visitors' excitement as soon as they enter the museum. Highlights include the Ryan NYP Spirit of St. Louis, Bell X-1 Glamorous Glennis, Viking planetary explorers, SpaceShipOne, and Mercury Friendship 7. It's here where you can even touch a moon rock. In the kid-friendly and very hands-on How Things Fly Gallery, exhibits explore the principles of gravity and air, supersonic flight, wing technology, aircraft and rocket propulsion, and space travel. On the second floor, you can see the 1903 Wright Flyer that Wilbur and Orville Wright piloted over the sands of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Climb into one of the museum's six motion simulators to experience the thrill of barrel rolls, space walking, and aerial combat, or immerse yourself in space by taking in an IMAX film. The movies—some in 3-D—employ swooping aerial scenes that make you feel as if you've left the ground, as well as fascinating high-definition footage taken in deep space. Buy IMAX theater and planetarium tickets up to two weeks in advance or as soon as you arrive (times and prices vary); then tour the museum. Free docent-led tours leave daily at 10:30 and 1 from the museum's welcome center. The three-story museum store is the largest (and one of the best) in all the Smithsonian museums. You'll find souvenirs, clothing, books and movies, kites, and loads of collectors' items. It is closed during construction, but two satellite stores are available. And if you have time, stop in at the Public Observatory on the museum's east terrace for a chance to peer through telescopes for a daytime look at the universe. It's open Wednesday through Sunday noon–3.
View Tours and ActivitiesIndependence Ave. at 6th St. SW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20560, USA202-633–1000Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free; IMAX or planetarium $9; IMAX feature film $15; flight simulators from $7 -
12. Smithsonian National Museum of American History
The Mall | Museum/GalleryThe 3 million artifacts and archival materials in the country's largest American history museum explore America's cultural, political and scientific...
The 3 million artifacts and archival materials in the country's largest American history museum explore America's cultural, political and scientific past. The centerpiece of the Star-Spangled Banner gallery is the banner that in 1814 was hoisted to show that Fort McHenry had survived 25 hours of British rocket attacks and inspired Francis Scott Key to write the lyrics that became the national anthem. Exhibits showcasing modern America include Girlhood (It's Complicated) and an exploration of the suffrage movement. From April 1, 2021, there will also be an exhibit on Latinos and baseball.
View Tours and ActivitiesConstitution Ave. and 14th St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20013, USA202-633–1000Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
13. Supreme Court of the United States
Capitol Hill | Government BuildingIt wasn't until 1935 that the Supreme Court got its own building: a white-marble temple with twin rows of Corinthian columns designed by Cass...
It wasn't until 1935 that the Supreme Court got its own building: a white-marble temple with twin rows of Corinthian columns designed by Cass Gilbert. Before then, the justices had been moved around to various rooms in the Capitol; for a while they even met in a tavern. William Howard Taft, the only man to serve as both president and chief justice, was instrumental in getting the court a home of its own, though he died before the building was completed. Today, you can sit in the gallery and see the court in action. Even when court isn't in session, there are still things to see. The court convenes on the first Monday in October and hears cases until April (though court is in session through June). There are usually two arguments a day at 10 and 11 in the morning, Monday through Wednesday, in two-week intervals. On mornings when court is in session, two lines form for people wanting to attend. The "three-to-five-minute" line shuttles you through, giving you a quick impression of the court at work. The full-session line gets you in for the whole show. If you want to see a full session, it's best to be in line by at least 8:30. For the most contentious cases, viewers have been known to queue up days before. In May and June, the court takes to the bench Monday morning at 10 to release orders and opinions. Sessions usually last 15 to 30 minutes and are open to the public. The Washington Post carries a daily listing of what cases the court will hear. The court displays its calendar of cases a month in advance on its website; click on "Oral Arguments." You can't bring your overcoat or electronics such as cameras and cell phones into the courtroom, but you can store them in a coin-operated locker. When court isn't in session, you can hear lectures about the court, typically given every hour on the half hour from 9:30 to 3:30. On the ground floor you can also find revolving exhibits, a video about the court, a gift shop, an information desk, and a larger-than-life statue of John Marshall, the longest-serving chief justice in Supreme Court history.
1 1st St. NE, Washington, District of Columbia, 20543, USA202-479–3030Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Closed weekends -
14. The Phillips Collection
Dupont Circle | Museum/GalleryWith its setting on a quiet residential street and its low-key elegance, the Phillips Collection offers unhurried access to its first-rate collection...
With its setting on a quiet residential street and its low-key elegance, the Phillips Collection offers unhurried access to its first-rate collection of masterpieces from the 19th century and later. At the heart of the collection are works by distinguished Impressionist and Modern artists, including Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Vincent van Gogh, Paul Cézanne, Edgar Degas, Pablo Picasso, Paul Klee, and Henri Matisse. A stunning quartet of Mark Rothko works merits its own room. The museum opened in 1921 in the Georgian Revival mansion of collector Duncan Phillips, who wanted to showcase his art in a museum that would stand as a memorial to his father and brother. In the intervening years, the museum expanded, and now includes much more gallery space, a café, a gift shop, and an auditorium.
View Tours and Activities1600 21st St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20009, USA202-387–2151Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free weekdays; from $10, Closed Mon. -
15. Theodore Roosevelt Island
Park (National/State/Provincial)Designed as a living memorial to the environmentally minded 26th U.S. President, this wildlife sanctuary is off the George Washington Parkway...
Designed as a living memorial to the environmentally minded 26th U.S. President, this wildlife sanctuary is off the George Washington Parkway near the Virginia side of the Potomac—close to Foggy Bottom, Georgetown, East Potomac Park, and the Kennedy Center. Hikers and bicyclists can reach the island by crossing the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Bridge or walking for 15 minutes from the Rosslyn Metro, but bikes are not allowed on the island and must be docked instead near the footbridge. Many birds and other animals live in the island's marsh and forests, which can be seen on a ranger-led Island Safari. A statue of Teddy greets you with his arm raised stands at the island's heart.
View Tours and Activities -
16. Thomas Jefferson Memorial
The Mall | Memorial/Monument/TombIn the 1930s, Congress decided to build a monument to Thomas Jefferson as prominent as the Washington and Lincoln memorials. Workers scooped...
In the 1930s, Congress decided to build a monument to Thomas Jefferson as prominent as the Washington and Lincoln memorials. Workers scooped and moved tons of the river bottom to create dry land for the spot due south of the White House where the monument was built. Jefferson had always admired the Pantheon in Rome, so the memorial's architect, John Russell Pope, drew on it for inspiration. His finished work was dedicated on April 13, 1943, the bicentennial of Jefferson's birth. The bronze statue of Jefferson stands on a 6-foot granite pedestal. Surrounding the statue are his writings about freedom, which have since come under scrutiny for their inherent hypocrisy, as Jefferson owned many slaves in his lifetime. The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture delves into Jefferson's transgressions in its Monticello exhibit, Paradox of Liberty.
View Tours and ActivitiesTidal Basin, south bank, off Ohio Dr. SW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20024, USA202-426–6841Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
17. Tidal Basin
The Mall | Park (National/State/Provincial)The Tidal Basin, a partially man-made reservoir between the Potomac and the Washington Channel, is part of West Potomac Park, adjacent to the...
The Tidal Basin, a partially man-made reservoir between the Potomac and the Washington Channel, is part of West Potomac Park, adjacent to the Mall. It's the setting for memorials to Thomas Jefferson, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Martin Luther King Jr., and George Mason. Two gargoyles on the sides of the Inlet Bridge can be seen as you walk along the sidewalk that hugs the basin. The inside walls of the bridge also feature two other sculptures: bronze, human-headed fish that once spouted water from their mouths. Sculptor Constantin Sephralis, who also worked on the National Cathedral, made them in honor of John Fish, the chief of the park, who was retiring at the time. Once you cross the bridge, continue along the Tidal Basin to the right. This route is especially scenic when the famous cherry trees are in bloom. The trees, a gift from the Japanese during the administration of William Howard Taft, are perhaps the Tidal Basin's most iconic feature beyond the memorials.
View Tours and ActivitiesBordered by Independence and Maine Aves., Washington, District of Columbia, 20024, USA -
18. United States Botanic Garden
Capitol Hill | GardenEstablished by Congress in 1820, this is the oldest continually operating botanic garden in North America. The conservatory sits at the foot...
Established by Congress in 1820, this is the oldest continually operating botanic garden in North America. The conservatory sits at the foot of Capitol Hill and offers an escape from the stone-and-marble federal office buildings that surround it. Inside are exotic rain-forest species, desert flora, and trees from all parts of the world. Walkways suspended 24 feet above the ground provide a fascinating view of the plants. Established in 2006, the National Garden emphasizes educational exhibits and features a Rose Garden, Butterfly Garden, Lawn Terrace, First Ladies' Water Garden, and Regional Garden.
1st St. at 100 Maryland Ave. SW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20024, USA202-225–8333Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
19. United States Capitol
Capitol Hill | Government BuildingBeneath the Capitol's magnificent dome, the day-to-day business of American democracy takes place: senators and representatives debate, coax...
Beneath the Capitol's magnificent dome, the day-to-day business of American democracy takes place: senators and representatives debate, coax, cajole, and ultimately determine the law of the land. For many visitors, the Capitol is the most exhilarating experience Washington has to offer. It wins them over with a three-pronged appeal: it's the city's most impressive work of architecture; it has on display documents, art, and artifacts from 400 years of American history; and its legislative chambers are open to the public, allowing you to actually see your lawmakers at work. Before heading to the Capitol, pay a little attention to the grounds, landscaped in the late 19th century by Frederick Law Olmsted, famed for New York City's Central Park. On these 68 acres are both the city's tamest squirrels and the highest concentration of TV news correspondents, jockeying for a good position in front of the Capitol for their "stand-ups." A few hundred feet northeast of the Capitol are two cast-iron car shelters, left from the days when horse-drawn trolleys served the Hill. Olmsted's six pinkish, bronze-top lamps directly east of the Capitol are worth a look, too. The design of the building was the result of a competition held in 1792; the winner was William Thornton, a physician and amateur architect from the West Indies. With its central rotunda and dome, Thornton's Capitol is reminiscent of Rome's Pantheon. This similarity must have delighted the nation's founders, who sought inspiration from the principles of the Republic of Rome. The cornerstone was laid by George Washington in a Masonic ceremony on September 18, 1793, and, in November 1800, both the Senate and the House of Representatives moved down from Philadelphia to occupy the first completed section: the boxlike portion between the central rotunda and today's north wing. (Efforts to find the cornerstone Washington laid have been unsuccessful, though when the east front was extended in the 1950s, workers found a knee joint thought to be from a 500-pound ox that was roasted at the 1793 celebration.) By 1807, the House wing had been completed, just to the south of what's now the domed center, and a covered wooden walkway joined the two wings. The "Congress House" grew slowly and suffered a grave setback on August 24, 1814, when British troops led by Sir George Cockburn marched on Washington and set fire to the Capitol, the White House, and numerous other government buildings. (Cockburn reportedly stood on the House speaker's chair and asked his men, "Shall this harbor of Yankee democracy be burned?" The question was rhetorical; the building was torched.) The wooden walkway was destroyed, and the two wings gutted, but the walls were left standing after a violent rainstorm doused the flames. Fearful that Congress might leave Washington, residents raised money for a hastily built, temporary "Brick Capitol" that stood where the Supreme Court is today. Architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe supervised the rebuilding of the original Capitol, adding American touches such as the corncob-and-tobacco-leaf capitals to columns in the east entrance of the Senate wing. He was followed by Boston-born Charles Bulfinch, and, in 1826, the Capitol, its low wooden dome sheathed in copper, was finished. North and south wings were added in the 1850s and 1860s to accommodate a growing government trying to keep pace with a growing country. The elongated edifice extended farther north and south than Thornton had planned, and, in 1855, to keep the scale correct, work began on a taller, cast-iron dome. President Lincoln was criticized for continuing this expensive project while the country was in the throes of the Civil War, but he called the construction "a sign we intend the Union shall go on." This twin-shell dome, a marvel of 19th-century engineering, rises 285 feet above the ground and weighs 4,500 tons. It expands and contracts up to 4 inches a day, depending on the outside temperature. The allegorical figure atop the dome, often mistaken for Pocahontas, is called Freedom. Sculptor Thomas Crawford had first planned for the 19.5-foot-tall bronze statue to wear the cloth liberty cap of a freed Roman slave, but Southern lawmakers, led by Jefferson Davis, objected. An "American" headdress composed of a star-encircled helmet surmounted with an eagle's head and feathers was substituted. A light just below the statue burns whenever Congress is in session. The Capitol has continued to grow. In 1962, the east front was extended 33.5 feet, creating 100 additional offices. Preservationists have fought to keep the west front from being extended because it's the last remaining section of the Capitol's original facade. A compromise was reached in 1983, when it was agreed that the facade's crumbling sandstone blocks would simply be replaced with stronger limestone. Free gallery passes to watch the House or Senate in session can be obtained only from your representative's or senator's office; both chambers are open to the public when either body is in session. In addition, the House Gallery is open 9 am to 4:15 pm weekdays when the House is not in session. International visitors may request gallery passes from the House or Senate appointment desks on the upper level of the visitor center. Your representative's or senator's office may also arrange for a staff member to give you a tour of the Capitol or set you up with a time for a Capitol Guide Service Tour. When they're in session, some members even have time set aside to meet with constituents. You can link to the home page of your representative or senator at www.house.gov and www.senate.gov. Prior to entering the visitor center, allow about 45 minutes to go through security. Bags can be no larger than 14 inches wide, 13 inches high, and 4 inches deep, and other possessions you can bring into the building are strictly limited. (The full list of prohibited items is posted at www.visitthecapitol.gov.) There are no facilities for leaving personal belongings, but you can check your coat. If you're planning a visit, check the status of tours and access; security measures may change.
View Tours and ActivitiesEast end of The Mall, Washington, District of Columbia, 20510, USA202-226–8000Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Closed Sun. -
20. United States National Arboretum
Northeast | GardenDuring azalea season (mid-April through May), this 446-acre oasis operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture is a blaze of color. In early...
During azalea season (mid-April through May), this 446-acre oasis operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture is a blaze of color. In early summer, clematis, peonies, rhododendrons, and roses bloom. At any time of year, the 22 original Corinthian columns from the U.S. Capitol, re-erected here in 1990, are striking. All 50 states are represented by a state tree or flower. Since 2014, a pair of American bald eagles have made a home near the azaleas, and the nest can be seen via an unobstructed viewing scope. The arboretum has guided hikes throughout the year, including a Full Moon Hike, and dogs are allowed on the grounds as long as they're on a leash at all times. Check the website for schedules and to register. Visit the Cryptomeria Walk and Japanese Stroll Garden, which are part of the Bonsai and Penjing Museum. On weekends, a tram tours the arboretum's curving roadways at 11:30 and on the hour 1–4.
3501 New York Ave. NE, Washington, District of Columbia, 20002, USA202-245–2726Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free
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