In its 200 years as the nation’s capital, Washington has developed into a complex and layered city. With a variety of personalities, it offers visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in America’s history with a visit to the National Mall or venture into very modern and exciting neighborhoods.
The city’s formal plan was devised by French engineer Pierre Charles L’Enfant, who drew inspiration from Baroque landscape architecture and his own knowledge of Paris. He arranged wide avenues to radiate from the Capitol building through a grid of streets with numerous circles and parks.
The National Mall
The National Mall is a vast park with many attractions. It is home to the Washington Monument, the White House and many Smithsonian museums.
The Lincoln Memorial is a highlight of the National Mall, as it is one of the most iconic monuments in America. It also has a stunning view of the Reflecting Pool and the Washington Monument.
The National Mall is a large area and can be quite crowded so make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes. You should also pack plenty of water and snacks to eat along the way.
The White House
The White House is the official residence of the President of the United States and has been the home of every American president since John Adams. It is a national historic landmark and one of the most important buildings in the world.
The President’s House was designed by Irish-born architect James Hoban and built between 1792 and 1800. It is a Neoclassical-style building constructed out of Aquia Creek sandstone.
The Executive Mansion is a six-story building that contains 132 rooms and 35 bathrooms. It also has a two-story basement.
The Capitol
The Capitol is home to the United States Congress. This neoclassical building is made up of two wings that house chambers for the Senate and the House of Representatives.
In the 1850s, the Capitol began to grow to accommodate new representatives and senators from newly admitted states. The first major project enlarged the northern and southern wings, added a new cast iron dome to the original Capitol, and built National Statuary Hall.
The Capitol’s rotunda, designed by architect Benjamin Latrobe, is the largest in the United States. It features paintings and sculptures that depict important people and events in US history.
The Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum and research complex. Comprised of 17 museums, galleries and a zoo, it’s a must-see for any lover of art, history or culture.
Visit the Natural History Museum and see a 3.5 billion-year-old fossil or take a trip through the future of space travel at the Air and Space Museum. You’ll discover more than 150 million objects, works of art and specimens at each location—and admission is free!
The National Gallery of Art
The National Gallery of Art is located on the National Mall and displays paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs and decorative arts. The collection spans the history of Western art and showcases some of its triumphs.
The museum is split into two buildings, a classical-style West Building designed by architect John Russell Pope and a modern-style East Building designed by I.M. Pei.
The West Building houses a large collection of European paintings and sculptures. These include pieces by Duccio, Van Eyke, Titian and Raphael.
The National Holocaust Museum
Located on the National Mall, this museum aims to inspire citizens and leaders worldwide to confront hatred, prevent genocide and promote human dignity.
The museum’s permanent exhibit traces the Holocaust from 1933-1945, showing how Hitler’s rise to power led to ghettoization and mass murder of Jews. It also covers the aftermath and Jewish emigration to America and Israel.
The museum also offers a variety of traveling exhibitions and programs that focus on other countries’ experiences with the Holocaust. Visitors can even participate in a virtual program that allows them to hear testimonies from Holocaust survivors.
The Dupont Circle Design District
Dupont Circle is a cosmopolitan neighborhood where offices, civic institutions, hotels, bars, cafes and art galleries cluster. Museums, historic homes and foreign embassies are also located in the neighborhood.
The area is pedestrian-friendly, making it easy for residents to enjoy a variety of local shops and restaurants without using their cars.
This area is home to several prestigious buildings and was originally designed by Pierre Charles L’Enfant to create public squares and parks in the city. It has not changed much since the 1940s.
The Mall
The Mall is a vast, sprawling lawn that has been home to many major events in the history of the nation. Presidential inaugurations, protests, parades and public addresses have all been held here over the years.
The National Mall is home to a number of popular Smithsonian museums and monuments and memorials. Many of these attractions require timed entry passes, so it is a good idea to reserve ahead of time if you are planning on visiting.