The nation’s capital and the most popular tourist destination – Washington D.C. is famous for its attractions, cherry blossoms, memorials, and museums. Some find the city mystical and get mesmerized by its grandeur. If you are visiting the nation’s capital, planning ahead saves time and money while enhancing your delight!!

Preparation

Washington D.C. has many attractions including the Capitol and the White House. For visiting the Capitol you may need to take a prior appointment online and take a print out. For visting the Congress in session and tour the White House, you will need a written permission from the office of your local Representative or Senator. In case of immigrants, they may have to seek permission from their embassy too.

All memorials and all Smithsonian museums are free to public. But, your tour depends on how much time you can spend and what you want to visit when. Be prepared to walk miles and miles with a good pair of shoes to enjoy the tour.

Next, you may have to think of accommodation and mode of transport depending upon your vacation time. Washington D.C. has hotels ranging from $125 to $6000 per night. You may decide based on your preferences. Public transportation or hop-on hop-off trolleys are suggested for local tours. Free walking tours that are tip based are also available. Booking online saves money and AAA members can avail extra discounts!!

Note that public parking lots charge around $25 from 9 am to 6pm. Free parking lots are available along the Ohio Drive SW and near the Jefferson memorial. The Smithsonian’s charge $15 per day during working hours.

Attractions

The popular memorials and attractions in Washington D.C. are:

Visitor Centers

1. The White House
2. The Capitol
3. Library of Congress
4. Supreme Court
5. Department of Treasury
6. Union Station

Memorials and Monuments

1. Lincoln Memorial
2. Jefferson Memorial
3. World War I and II Memorial
4. Korean War Memorial
5. Franklin Roosevelt Memorial
6. Arlington Cemetery
7. Boy Scouts Memorial
8. Washington Monument

Smithsonian Museums

1. Natural History
2. National Archives
3. American History
4. Natural Art
5. Modern Art
6. African-American Art
7. Asian Art
8. Sculpture Garden
9. Holocaust Museum
10. Natural Zoo

What to Expect

All the guides and tour operators are friendly and explain the sites. You will be surprised by the facts in Washington D.C. For instance,

• The Library of Congress has over 142 million objects but only congress members can check them out.
• The Capitol was burned in the past and was built in phases.
• The Washington Monument has two different colors as it is built by different type of stones.
• Women were not allowed in the elevators to the top of Washington Monument.
• Martin Luther King Junior gave his famous ‘My Dream’ speech at the Lincoln Memorial.
• All the memorials and statues face the Capitol or the White House.
• The Capitol has an unoccupied tomb!
• Supreme Court was a part of the Capitol building.
• The Union Station hosts the Christopher Columbus statue and Freedom Bell!
• Lady of Liberty sits on top of the Capitol.
• Japan sent thousands of Cherry trees to Washington D.C.
• Embassy row has office from over 200 countries.
• The Capitol’s paintings have some unsolved puzzles and symbols.
• The Smithsonian’s host the original Wright brothers’ plane

And still some more memorials are under construction and in the planning!

Free Attractions

Somebody in the past said, ‘the best things in the world are free’. Most of the attractions are free and need only your time and energy. You can find your own local cuisines. George town has three universities and hosts many students. The Cathedrals and secret societies are popular in the nation’s Capitol. Dan Brown’s ‘The Last Symbol’ aptly describes the city.

The orange line, blue line, and the red line will capture everybody. One will be left mesmerized by the attractions and might get totally lost in its  beauty. 🙂