washington, d.c. attractions
Washington DC (District of Columbia) is the capital of the United States and one of the most visited State in the country by foreign tourists. And of course, a State like Washington has a large number of world-famous sights and historical places that must be seen by guests of the State when visiting it.
• Washington, D.C. boasts plenty of monuments, perhaps the best known of which is the National Mall, which is a large open area connects the White House with the Capitol Building.
• Most important attraction is the White House - the official residence and workplace of the current American president, it is also open to tourists.
• The Capitol ( United States Capitol ) is the seat of the U.S. Congress, the legislative branch of the federal government. The so-called The Capitol Visitor Center exhibition also showcases the history of the Capitol.
• There are a number of museums in the capital, held together by the Smithsonian Institution, an educational, research institute and museum complex.
See also: Weather in washington state | monthly weather report
30 best places to must-visit in Washington state
From all the many attractions in Washington, i have listed for you the most popular and visited ones:
1. The White House
First of all, the White House is a symbol of the American nation to the rest of the world. This is the place where the president officially meets with foreign leaders and holds formal dinners. House to the White House chose George Washington, but the first in the White House was President John Adams.
The White House was burned down by the British during the War of 1812, but was later remodeled, renovation began almost immediately, and President James Monroe moved into the partially remodeled White House in October 1817.
Two of its six floors are always open for tourists. Guided tours show the Green, Red and Blue rooms, as well as the dining room. It is in these premises that the President of the United States holds official events and receives foreign guests. Also, a presidential workplace is open for tourists - the Oval Office, in which bills are signed.
- Location: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20500, United States
- Official website: www.whitehouse.gov
2. Carnegie Library
Want to learn more about the history of the heart of the United States? Travel immediately to the Washington Carnegie Library, a project of the Metropolitan Historical Society. In this educational foundation and museum, you will see interesting exhibits that will tell you about the amazing life of the legendary city.
- Location: 801 K St NW, Washington, DC 20001, United States
- Official Website: http://dc.gov/
3. Capitol Building in Washington
The Congress building - the Capitol - is located in the heart of the US capital and is one of the main attractions of America. We can say that the Capitol in Washington is a worthy monument on a pedestal of honor. Approximately 4.5 million tourists visit the famous Congress building every year.
- Location: First St SE, Washington, DC 20004, United States
- Official Website: https://www.visitthecapitol.gov/
4. International Spy Museum
The only museum in the world that reveals to its guests absolutely all the cards of espionage activities and thereby confuses secret agents, is located in the very core of Washington, not far from the National Mall. This is one of the youngest and most visited museums in Washington.
- Location: 700 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC 20024, United States
- Official Website: https://www.spymuseum.org/
5. Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
The best place to start your acquaintance with the East is the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery. The museum's three levels feature a permanent collection of Asian -made art by research physician Sackler.
- Location: 1050 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20560, United States
- Official Website: https://asia.si.edu/
6. National Gallery of Art
If you consider yourself a connoisseur of art, then you will appreciate the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The museum displays a huge number of the best works of art from large private collections.
- Location: Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20565, United States
- Official Website: https://www.nga.gov/
7. The Pentagon
The Pentagon is considered the largest office building in the world and is located near Washington. The construction of the Pentagon was completed in January 1943 and only lasted 16 months. The monolithic building was erected in the neoclassical style.
- Location: Washington, DC 22202, United States
- Official Website: https://pentagontours.osd.mil/Tours/
8. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
According to statistics, the most visited historical museum in the whole world (since 1993, the museum has received about 20 million people) is the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, which serves as a monument to millions of people who were among the victims of the terrible genocide.
- Location: 100 Raoul Wallenberg Pl SW, Washington, DC 20024, United States
- Official Website: https://www.ushmm.org/
9. Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world. But the Library of Congress had humble beginnings in 1800 to house official US documents that were transferred from Philadelphia to Washington. For the first 100 years, it was mainly a reference library for Congress, but today is home to 158 million items, which include 36 million books in 460 languages and 69 million manuscripts. It has the largest collection of rare books in North America.
- Location: Washington, Independence Ave SE, 101
- Official website: www.loc.gov
10. Smithsonian National Zoological Park
What kid doesn't love a zoo? Unless the one that has never been there. The main attraction of the Smithsonian Zoo is the adorable pandas with Chinese names Tian Tian and Mei Jiang.
- Location: 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008, United States
- Official Website: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/
11. Washington National Cathedral
Washington National Cathedral St. Peter and Paul, belonging to the Church of England, Americans call the National House of Prayer. A magnificent example of the neo-Gothic style of architecture was erected on the highest hill of the capital, it began to be built in 1907, and was completed 83 years later.
- Location: 3101 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016, United States
- Official Website: www.cathedral.org
12. Lincoln Memorial
The Lincoln Memorial in central Washington is dedicated to the 16th President of the United States - A. Lincoln. This great American leader was the head of state during the North-South Civil War of 1861-65, he believed in democracy and freedom of citizens and supported the fight against slavery.
It is located at the western end of the National Mall, across the street from the Washington Monument. The architect was Henry Bacon. Built in 1922, the Lincoln Memorial is one of several monuments built to honor the American president.
Around the perimeter of the building, built in the Greek style, there are 36 columns, symbolizing the number of the united states during the reign of Lincoln (1809-1865). The names of all 48 states are embossed on the outside of the building, and a plaque with the names of Alaska and Hawaii is in front of the memorial. Inside is a large seated sculpture of Abraham Lincoln and an inscription of two of Lincoln's famous sayings.
- Location: 2 Lincoln Memorial Cir NW, Washington, DC 20002, United States
- Official Website: www.nps.gov/linc/index.htm
13. Titanic Memorial
The Titanic Memorial, a 6-meter tall granite sculpture of a man with arms wide open, adorns the Washington Channel waterfront. On the pedestal there is a laconic inscription: "To the brave men who died in the Titanic disaster on April 15, 1912, they sacrificed their lives to save women and children."
- Location: Washington, DC 20005, United States
- Official Website: http://www.nps.gov/nama/blogs/Sailing-on-the-Balmoral-in-the-Path-of-the-Titanic.htm
14. National Mall
After numerous excursions, you always want to relax and just walk along the streets of the city, or better, along the alleys of the park. However, you can combine business with pleasure and get acquainted with a few more sights during the promenade.
- Location: Washington, DC, United States
- Official Website: https://www.nps.gov/nama/index.htm
15. Washington Monument
The Washington National Monument has been at the top of the list of the most sought after attractions in the United States for many years. About 6 million people visit it annually. Built in the 19th century, it is a monument to George Washington's military achievements during the Revolutionary War. The construction of the monument began in 1848 and was completed in 1888. At over 170 meters high, it is the tallest structure in Washington, DC. The monument was closed as it was damaged in the 2011 earthquake. No opening date has been set yet.
- Location: 2 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20024, United States
- Official Website: www.nps.gov/wamo/index.htm
16. National Museum of Women in the Arts
How is female art different from male art? Perhaps the answer to this philosophical question can be found in the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Whether this unusual museum smells of feminism is up to you to judge.
- Location: 1250 New York Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005, United States
- Official Website: https://nmwa.org/
17. Hirshhorn Museum
Anyone wishing to enjoy world art, which is no more than a quarter of a century old, should visit the Hirshhorn Museum. This museum is home to the most modern works of art, among which canvases by 20th century artists are rightfully the basis of the entire museum collection.
- Location: Independence Ave SW &, 7th St SW, Washington, DC 20560, United States
- Official Website: https://hirshhorn.si.edu/
18. National Academy of Sciences
It is always interesting to visit the main educational institution of the United States, the National Academy of Sciences, especially if an entertaining excursion is accompanied by a unique opportunity to visit exhibitions, lectures, concerts and other events organized by the department of excursions of the Academy of Sciences.
- Location: 2101 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20418, United States
- Official Website: http://www.nasonline.org/about-nas/mission/
19. National Children's Museum
Young guests of Washington should definitely visit the Metropolitan Children's Museum. In this fabulous place, incredible opportunities will open up for the child. In the Museum of Childhood, your little one will be able not only to get acquainted with unusual exhibits, but also to have fun with the launch of giant soap bubbles.
- Location: 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, United States
- Official Website: http://www.nationalchildrensmuseum.org/
20. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Are you sure that your childhood dream of becoming an astronaut will never come true? Don't jump to conclusions. Still to come. Of course, we do not promise a landing on Mars, but docking of the Soyuz with Apollo, being inside the cabin of the spacecraft and observing the stars - we can easily promise.
- Location: 600 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20560, United States
- Official Website: https://airandspace.si.edu/
21. National museum of the American Indian
The National Museum of the American Indian, which opened its doors in 2004, is of great interest to people interested in history, languages, literature, art and life of the indigenous peoples of America.
- Location: 4th St SW, Washington, DC 20560, United States
- Official Website: https://americanindian.si.edu/
22. Smithsonian National Museum of American History
The National Museum of US History offers to immerse yourself in the history of the United States. The exhibits displayed in this museum tell visitors about the culture, social life, technological progress and politics of the country.
- Location: 1300 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20560, United States
- Official Website: https://americanhistory.si.edu/
23. Jefferson Memorial
The Jefferson Memorial is a memorial dedicated to Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), one of the most important American founding fathers, it was the Declaration of Independence, the first US Secretary of State under the first President George Washington, the second Vice President of the United States under the second President John Adams and the third President of the United States (1801-1809) and also as founder of the University of Virginia.
Construction on the building began in 1939 and was completed in 1943.The bronze statue of Jefferson was added in 1947.
- Location: 16 E Basin Dr SW, Washington, DC 20242, United States
- Official Website: www.nps.gov/thje/index.htm
24. Smithsonian National Museum of African Art
Perhaps, finding themselves next to the National Museum of African Art, many do not even suspect what is under their feet. Yes, exactly under your feet, because the main exhibition areas of the museum are located on three underground floors. It couldn't be otherwise.
- Location: 950 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20560, United States
- Official Website: http://africa.si.edu/
25. Smithsonian's National Postal Museum
Believe me, even if you are not a real philatelist, and collecting stamps is absolutely of no interest to you, you are unlikely to leave the National Postal Museum empty-handed.
- Location: 2 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002, United States
- Official Website: https://postalmuseum.si.edu/
26. Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation
A monument to the victims of communism was erected near the Capitol in downtown Washington. The statue replicates the figure of the "Goddess of Democracy" created from cardboard and plastic by students of the Beijing Academy of Arts on the eve of the 1989 Tiananmen Square demonstrations in Beijing.
- Location: 300 New Jersey Ave NW #900, Washington, DC 20001, United States
- Official Website: http://www.victimsofcommunism.org/
27. Smithsonian Institution
The Institute, which is also a research center, aims to expand the knowledge of the general public, serve the national interest and provide scholarships in the arts, science and history.
- Location: 600 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20002, United States
- Official Website: http://www.si.edu/
28. Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens
It is not a secret for anyone that many works of art that were once exhibited in the Hermitage were sold out during the Soviet Union for a pittance, and in different parts of the world they replenished the private collections of lovers of beauty.
- Location: 4155 Linnean Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008, United States
- Official Website: http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org/
29. Freer Gallery of Art
If you are looking for an introduction to Oriental art, then be sure to head to the Freer Art Gallery, which features a unique collection of Oriental art by Daytroit businessman Charles Lang Freer.
- Location: 1050 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20560, United States
- Official Website: http://www.asia.si.edu/
30. Supreme Court of the United States
Since the beginning of its existence, the court wandered from city to city, since the capital of the United States was moved more than once after the country's independence was declared. For a time it was housed in the Capitol, but due to the increase in the number of members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, a new building was built.
- Location: 1 First St NE, Washington, DC 20543, United States
- Official Website: https://www.supremecourt.gov/
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