Top Things to do in Washington DC
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The 10 Best Things to do in Washington DC, District of Columbia (DC)
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. 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!
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12,205 reviews
Established in 1910 and located on the National Mall, this prestigious museum, part of the Smithsonian Institution, holds the world's most extensive collection of natural history specimens and human artifacts including the remains of dinosaurs and tools used by early man.
Reviewed By keithww81 - Philadelphia, United States
Great museum full of wonderful exhibits on dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures, gems and minerals, early Human artifacts and ancestry, animals and insects (including taxidermy specimens and fossils), mummies, and more! Best of all, entrance is FREE! I particularly like the gem and mineral collection. So amazing and beautiful.
7. National Mall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,259 reviews
Open area of gardens, fountains, trees and monuments stretching nearly two miles between the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial.
Reviewed By gvr001 - Laurel, United States
Despite living in Maryland, it has been a few years since we had visited the Mall. It was a cool, sunny, 60 degree day, and the Cherry Blossoms had not yet bloomed. Despite all the Smithsonian museums being closed, we thought this would be a fun outing, and we were not disappointed. We arrived at the Lincoln Memorial around 10:30, and parked on 17th street. We had 2 hours of parking. We walked to the Lincoln Memorial, and then walked down to the Korean memorial, Martin Luther King, and then FDR. Each one is peaceful, beautiful, and powerful in its own way. We then walked around the tidal basin to the Jefferson Memorial, which was under construction. Bathrooms were open at MLK and Jefferson. We walked quickly back and retraced our steps before our parking expired. We then drove to 21st street (around F street) and parked again. We had lunch at one of the food trucks across from the Washington Monument. We walked to the Washington Monument, then WWII, and then walked back to our car (2:45). The total distance walked was around 6.5 miles, and it was a wonderful visit of almost all the monuments (we missed Vietnam). Our children (11&13) were old enough to appreciate the powerful history of these monuments, and had the energy for the walking. A great way to spend a day outside.
8. National Air and Space Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23,307 reviews
Note to visitors: Starting Oct 7, 2019, please enter through the Jefferson Drive entrance (National Mall side). The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum maintains the largest collection of historic air and spacecraft in the world.
Reviewed By 834samp - Lexington, United States
This museum was awesome as was our tour guide Glennyce who was very knowledgeable of all aspects of our country's aviation history from the Wright Brothers flight at Kitty Hawk to our ongoing space exploration of today. Early aviation by the Wright Brothers, Amelia Earhart, and Charles Lindbergh was covered thoroughly as was the race to space with the Soviets. Don't miss this museum if you go to D.C.
9. U.S. Capitol
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,954 reviews
The Capitol is among the most architecturally impressive and symbolically important buildings in the world. The Senate and the House of Representatives have met here for more than two centuries. Begun in 1793, the Capitol has been built, burnt, rebuilt, extended, and restored; today, it stands as a monument not only to its builders but also to the American people and their government.
Reviewed By Kittygal - Los Angeles, United States
Just back from my second DC trip. In addition to the general tour of the capitol, I highly recommend the additional tours offered. I've done the Senate murals tour (last spring), which shows the opulent and colorful murals that grace the Senate chamber halls, and the new Votes for Women tour (last week), which focuses on the centennial of the passage of the 19th Amendment. Both tours were excellent. And they can be smaller and more personal, too. You can see what's being offered by checking the Visitor's Center calendar on its website. Tour tickets (free) are available at the info desk each morning. You can come by first thing and get a pass and then go do something else (I went to the Supreme Court for oral arguments last week and returned for my tour at 1:00). Or you can get a bite at the cafeteria (try the Senate bean soup!)
10. Lincoln Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31,574 reviews
Reviewed By dmarun - Jacksonville, United States
Located at the western most end of the National Mall this Greek Doric inspired building houses an amazing statue, murals and inscriptions of the Gettysburg Address and Lincoln's 2nd inaugural address. A must see.
