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10 Free Things to do in Washington DC That You Shouldn't Miss
Washington DC is a hub for American politics and history. Attracting as many school field trips as it does travelers the district offers a peek into the country’s democratic origin. There are plenty of free museums to take advantage of but the real draw here is the memorials and monuments dedicated to great American leaders. Spend some contemplative time at the Reflecting Pool within the National Mall, among the most patriotic places in the country.
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1. National Gallery of Art
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9,190 reviews
We belong to you. The National Gallery of Art—the nation’s museum—preserves, collects, exhibits, & fosters understanding of works of art.
Reviewed By kazoochance - New Haven, United States
Just go here and check out both spectacular buildings - the modern IM Pei East Wing and the the lovely old classical West Building - especially by taking the underground passageway - and feel the differences and greatness of both classical and modern culture! Go stand in front of so many paintings you’ve seen in art books and marvel at Van Gogh and his luminous color and thick paint just inches away, and Gauguin with his bright colored patterns and shapes on the other side of the room... be amazed at the brilliant details of light in the Dutch masters and Salvador’s Dali’s Last Supper... And take your kids! Just go by feel and see what pulls you ...and maybe appreciate your good fortune for getting to be alive and able to appreciate that there is so much beauty in the world after all.
2. Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,893 reviews
Reviewed By MargaretMary_Z - Washington DC, United States
You will want to spend your time in place, you might even feel compelled to sit and wonder, pondering the great and powerful love of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Oh, yeah, and you'll see every icon of every title you've ever heard of the Holy Blessed Mother of God. Mass at the Crypt church is extraordinary, Mass at the Upper Church will expand your Spirit, reconciliation will reunite you to God and you might even be blessed enough to get some spiritual direction! You will see nuns, monks, students, teachers and seekers,. You will feel the breath of God, and you will hear Angels sing!
3. National Museum of African American History and Culture
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,476 reviews
Reviewed By HopesandDreams - Virginia, United States
Having visited other sobering locations – Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, Hitler’s Historical Museum in Munich, Dachau Concentration Camp in Germany, Vietnam Military History Museum in Ho Chi Minh, Aboriginal interest in Sydney, etc. . . .. . . . . one compares and contrast and ponders what is in the hearts and minds of some. This is a truly well presented, creative, EXCELLENT Museum, especially for overall cultural appreciation and understanding. At this Museum, as with others, the hearts must be of stone or the minds must be tight of those who are not moved by the exhibits, regardless of background or culture. Visited on a slow (still crowded) Thanksgiving Day. 1) Yes, it is difficult to see some exhibits, as by design, it is CROWDED, dark and a tight squeeze. 2) Yes, you may miss something as the walking patterns are not aligned in any one direction in some areas. 3) Yes, the Sweet Shop food is soulful and expensive and not to everyone’s taste. (I enjoyed it!) 4) Yes, there are things that are not perfect and can be critiqued and improved but overall……. So much history and information. . . Overwhelming! Difficult to absorb everything in one 7 hour day visit. Get early timed passes to ensure your 10:00 AM opening time entry and plan to be there until 5:00 pm close as this is, at least, a whole day activity. Start at the bottom floor and work your way up (an intentional, creative design) for true historical progression. HIGHLY RECOMMEND FOR ALL!
4. Supreme Court
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,480 reviews
A Corinthian-style building where the final guardians of the Constitution deliberate.
Reviewed By cordyroy - Naples, United States
Walking around this beautiful building you are constantly reminded the history is being made with every decision passed down from the Supreme Court of the United States. The introductory film was very interesting and the lecture given in the courtroom was very informative. Both spoke to the process by which a case is presented to and decided upon by the court.
5. Jefferson Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,414 reviews
A 19-foot bronze statue of perhaps the most esteemed founding father sits beneath a columned rotunda in the style of the Roman Pantheon.
Reviewed By sergeyb324
Having been to Jefferson Memorial before I still couldn’t miss a chance to visit it again as my stay in DC provided me with some free time. Notwithstanding the fact that they are doing restoration work on the cupola and the roof and the outside of the building is covered in scaffolding and the outside doesn’t look as magnificent as usually, the place is full of the feeling of grandeur and awe. The inside is as impressive as ever and the presence of the great man is almost palpable. This being off season, I happened to be entirely alone there and it was such a great feeling as if I was listening to Jefferson reading out his words that are captured there on the panels. This memorial appears to me to be a deserving tribute to one of the greatest minds not only of his time but rather of all times.
6. National Museum of American History
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,954 reviews
One of the Smithsonian museums along the Mall, this one has more than 3 million artifacts in its collection—from gowns to locomotives—that reflect and preserve a record of America’s past.
Reviewed By ghazel1231 - Tampa, United States
The Natural History Museum and the Air and Space Museum usually end up at the top of the must-visits in Washington, but the American History Museum tells a much better story of America. The American flag from Ft McHenry (the inspiration for our national anthem), Judy Garland's ruby slippers from Wizard of Oz, the gowns of the first ladies, the histories of each of the Presidents and all of our wars - they're all here, in a well-organized, easily followed lay out.
7. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11,153 reviews
A living memorial to the Holocaust, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum inspires citizens and leaders worldwide to confront hatred, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity. Tickets are only needed from March 1 to August 31 to visit the Museum's Permanent Exhibition, which tells the history of the Holocaust from 1933 to 1945. Exhibitions Include: Permanent Exhibition: The Holocaust Spanning three floors, the self-guided Permanent Exhibition presents a narrative history of the Holocaust and features historical artifacts, photographs, and film footage. Personal objects and the concluding eyewitness testimonies highlight the stories of individuals. Recommended for ages 11 or older. The Portal: A Real-Time Conversation with People Forced to Flee Persecution The Shared Studios Portal allows you to have a face-to-face conversation with someone in another part of the world-as if you are standing in the same room. Through this installation, visitors will be able to converse in real time with displaced persons or refugees in Iraq, Jordan, and Germany Remember the Children: Daniel's Story Representing the experiences of many Jewish children during the Nazi era, "Daniel" narrates through his diary the history of the Holocaust in ways that children can understand. Recreated environments present life in a middle-class German home, in a Jewish ghetto in occupied Poland, and finally at the Auschwitz concentration camp. The exhibition is explicit without being graphic. Recommended for ages 8 or older. Some Were Neighbors: Collaboration & Complicity in the Holocaust Some Were Neighbors: Collaboration & Complicity in the Holocaust addresses one of the central questions about the Holocaust: How was it possible? The central role of Hitler and other Nazi Party leaders is indisputable. Less well understood is these perpetrators' dependence on countless others for the execution of Nazi racial policies. Within Nazi Germany and across German-dominated Europe, circles of collaboration and complicity rippled throughout governments and societies wherever victims of persecution and mass murder lived.
Reviewed By tikvah48
This museum has become one of the most popular in Washington DC. With the rise of anti-semitism and white supremacy in the US, the Holocaust Museum takes on a more important meaning. This is a museum of America's conscience and visitors should not miss the current exhibit about America and its response to the Holocaust. Those who are family members of victims and survivors can access the museum database to search for family information. Executive Director Sara Bloomfield has doe an outstanding job creating a must see- eye opening and thought provoking experience.
8. Library of Congress
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9,003 reviews
Though the Library of Congress doesn't own every book ever published, it sure has most of them, with 532 miles of shelves and 115 million items, with 7,000 added each working day.
Reviewed By MrsBear49 - Poole, United Kingdom
As part of our visit to the Capitol building we saw there were tunnels leading to the Library of Congress so decided to explore. It is a beautiful building and it is important to remember to look up at the ceilings which are very decorative. The library offers lots of wonderful photo opportunities and also houses the books of Thomas Jefferson along with a number of other interesting exhibitions including a beautifully preserved Gutenberg Bible. The actual library is not accessible but can be seen from the viewing gallery. The amazing thing is that all this is free.
9. The National Archives Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,488 reviews
Repository where the most important historical documents of the United States are held, such as the original Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, Constitution and the 1297 version of the Magna Carta.
Reviewed By Noraatc - Sudbury, United States
Luckily, we were at the North Entrance early enough to beat school kids on their field trips and had a perfect chance to see all four pages of the US Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights as well as one of the best preserved copies of the Magna Carta donated to the Archives by David Rubenstein, the co-founder of the Carlyle Group. That’s one generous gift! We had been very fortunate to see another copy of the Magna Carta in Salisbury Cathedral in England. There are so many other fascinating documents reflecting various pages of our history, so depending on your personal interests, it might not be a short visit. TIP 1 (for all): do arrive early - when we were leaving, there was a really long line at the entrance. TIP 2 (for kids): Not sure if two military helicopters on both sides of the facade are still there. At the time of our visit shortly after Veterans Day, the veterans were welcoming both kids and adults to get inside the helicopters and explore. Children were very excited to sit in the real helicopters, play with controls and chat with the veterans.
10. Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11,849 reviews
Emotionally stirring memorial pays tribute to the men and women who served in one of America's most controversial wars.
Reviewed By SimbaFamily
It was very nicely done and just beautiful lots of staff around to help you find names etc. everyone there was proud of their job and helpful to people trying to find loved ones names.
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