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Washington, D.C. MUST DO's Author: Barbara Hayo www.TrustedTours.com |
It’s easy to become overwhelmed by America’s magnificent capital city. Formidable sights, world-class museums, stirring monuments, verdant parks, impressive sculptures, fountains, plazas, and ornate, often majestic, architecture can be exhausting to the senses. The best approach is to focus 
on things that really interest you. See the city one neighborhood at a time. Don’t spend a whole day experiencing the same kinds of things. Mix it up a little: a few government institutions, some architectural treasures, a museum, a monument; pause in a park, walk in a garden, stop for lunch, do some shopping.
• Spend a day (or more) in The National Mall. The splendid 2-mile long iconic lawn in the heart of the city, as accessible to visiting tourists and Sunday strollers as it is to millions of marchers and festive gatherings, is bordered by the most well-known of Washington’s museums and monuments. Here there is something for everyone. While you can walk from one end to the other, it’s not possible to take in all 10 of the Smithsonian Institution Museums located on the Mall in one visit. Admission to the museums is free and collections spectacular, but lines can be long. Between museums, stop for a bite to eat in museum cafés - by a man-made waterfall, in a 6 story high atrium, in a sculpture garden; find the unusual in museum shops. Start early by getting information to plan your day at the Smithsonian Information Center, “The Castle.”
- You only have to look up as you enter the popular National Air and Space Museum for a hint of the excitement to come. There, suspended above you is the Wright Brothers’ 1903 Flyer, the Apollo Lunar Module and more! Exhibits in galleries, thrilling IMAX films, workshops and simulators tell the story of man’s fascination with air and space.
- From exterior to interior, the National Museum of the American Indian expresses the spiritual connection of Native-Americans to nature. Exhibits beautifully convey the culture and contributions of native peoples of the Western Hemisphere.
- Dinosaurs loom, precious gems glitter, and insects fill a zoo in room after room of fascinating of the earth’s artifacts in the Museum of Natural History.
- An immense, esteemed collection of centuries of Western art makes the National Gallery of Art a true treasure. The neoclassic West Building displays the works of famous masters of the Middle Ages, including the only da Vinci painting in the western hemisphere. From Picasso to Pollock, the greats of 20th century art are displayed in the contemporary East Building.
- For an astounding collection of contemporary art, visit the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Go underground to experience the role of art in African culture in the National Museum of African Art, and Asian art in the Sackler Gallery.
• Visit the touchstones of American democracy: The U. S. Capitol, the White House and the Supreme Court. Feel the significance of the seat of America’s democracy, the U. S. Capitol, as enter the familiar, lavishly decorated, domed Rotunda, surrounded by great events in American history depicted in enormous paintings. You’ll be surprised by the interesting choices states have made to represent them in sculptures in the National Statuary Hall. For an opportunity for a guided tour, arrive early to stand in line for the limited number of timed tickets distributed daily, first come, first served . For passes to the House and Senate Galleries, you must contact the office of your senator or representative to make arrangements prior to your visit.
The White House, symbol of America’s presidency, whose stable presence as the 
executive branch of America’s democracy transcends the occupant in residence at any given time, is one of the most recognized buildings in the world. Requests for limited admission must be made at least 2 months in advance through your senator or representative’s office. They will explain the detailed procedure, which includes Secret Service clearance. Keep in mind that Lafayette Park, across Pennsylvania Avenue, provides a perfect view the lovely presidential residence.
“Equal Justice Under the Law” boldly carved in granite in the pediment above the marble columns of the main entrance of the serenely impressive Supreme Court Building, speaks to the magnitude of the work conducted here. If the highest court in America’s judicial system is in session, you could hear a case being tried by waiting in line for the limited number permitted to enter on a first come, first served basis. Call Supreme Court Information in advance for procedures to obtain these tickets. When court is not in session, you can tour the building and attend a free lecture.
• See Washington from the water. Go amphibious aboard the D. C. Ducks for a unique, fun and wonderful perspective of the capital by land and by sea on the 90 minute narrated tour. Enjoy a lunch or dinner cruise aboard the Spirit of Washington Cruisesor the sleek, glass sided Odyssey III, whose great windows offer a fabulous view. Rent a paddleboat for a spin around the Tidal Basin; ride the barge on the C&O Canal. Keep in mind that many of the water craft operate only from late spring through fall, so check in advance for schedules.
• See Washington by Moonlight – It’s truly spectacular! Seeing the monuments and memorials bathed in white light aboard Old Town Trolley Tours ® is awe-inspiring.
• Visit the Memorials. Appreciate the greatness of America’s leaders in the somber Lincoln Memorial, the graceful Jefferson Memorial and the human-scaled, harmonious FDR Memorial. Contemplate the sacrifices of others at the moving Vietnam Memorial, the new World War II Memorial, and the Korean Memorial. To honor those who have served, be sure to include a memorable visit out to Arlington National Cemetery. The Holocaust Memorial Museum on the Mall graphically sends a sobering message so intense that it is not appropriate for children under 12.
• Spend a day at Mount Vernon. Grace, beauty and history combine in this historic American home, the estate of George Washington. Glimpse into the life and lifestyle of the first president and gain insight into the agrarian life in the young republic. There is a full service restaurant on-site, a food court, and a gift shop which sells, among other mementos, seeds of some of the estate’s heritage plants.
• Visit the Parks and see the Gardens. Washington’s many green spaces, parks and gardens provide a quiet refuge for locals and visitors alike. Inside the glass-walled U. S. Botanic Garden on the Mall, 4000 living plants are displayed by biosystems: desert, oasis, jungles. The outdoor gardens are glorious. Walk through woodlands and down nature trails and have a picnic in vast Rock Creek Park which follows Rock Creek as it meanders through Washington from Maryland on its way to the Potomac. When in Georgetown, spend time in the lovely formal gardens Dumbarten Oaks. Visit the National Arboretum along the banks of the Anacostia River in NE D.C., where natural woods are interspersed with exhibit areas of plants from around the nation. For a pleasant respite from warm spring and summer days, bask in the cool serenity of ponds laced with water lilies and lotus in Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens.
• Washington National Cathedral. You can wander through this massively beautiful Goth
ic cathedral on your own or enjoy the informative free tour. Don’t miss the medieval, walled Bishop’s Garden or the magnificent view of Washington from the Pilgrim Observation Gallery. If you happen to be there on Monday or Wednesday at 12:30 pm, treat yourself to a memorable half hour of interesting facts about the 10,650 pipe organ and a hear the great pipes perform in short organ recital.
• Experience great city views from special vantage points. The city’s low scale and open space offers unique opportunities for grand vistas. From the Jefferson Memorial, the view of the city over the Tidal Basin is wonderful. On a visit to Arlington Cemetery, be sure to stop by the fine Arlington House for the view of the monuments from across the Potomac River. Climb to the top of the Washington Monument for a spectacular view from 550 ft. above the city. Experience an awesome 360° view from the rooftop terrace of the Kennedy Performing Arts Center. Better yet, go there in the evening and treat yourself to the view and dinner in the Roof Terrace. The nighttime view from the clock tower of the Old Post Office Pavilion is equally spectacular.
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