Destination attractions things to do in washington d c

Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest

The sights to see in and around Washington, DC are many and very diverse. The city surely offers "something for everyone." Our nation's capital has gone through many changes since that horrid September morning in 2001, but it is still a fascinating place to visit with many attractions and things to see and do. Plan for at least a few days here to be able to take full advantage of the things to do in this area. Following are a few of the major attractions, but tourists need to do research in advance to have a grasp on which attractions they would like to visit.

ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY is actually in Virginia but directly across the Potomac from Washington, DC but one quick glance toward the city, and the Washington Monument will remind the visitor exactly how close these places are to each other. Things to see here are the somber rows of gravestones for fallen heroes of every generation, the graves of John, Jackie, John, Jr. and Robert Kennedy, Tomb of the Unknowns with its changing of the guard, and a memorial to the Challenger Astronauts. Other sites of interest at Arlington include the Robert E. Lee home (Arlington House), Civil War Unknowns monument, Pan Am Flight 103 Memorial, and the President Taft Monument. Visitors need to stop by the visitor center to take a shuttle to the cemetery. The hours are 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. spring through fall, and 8 - 5 for late fall and winter.

WASHINGTON DC'S MANY MONUMENTS Although most people have heard of these monuments and have seen them on t.v. or in pictures, nothing can compare to standing beside them and seeing them in person. The newest addition to the monument list is the World War II Memorial. Other monuments to see around the city include the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, Iwo Jima Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Korean War Memorial, and monuments throughout the city to the nation's wars, and heroes who died fighting them. Perhaps the most "famous" of the monuments is the Washington Monument.

THE WALL (VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL) The Wall is a heart touching reminder of those who lose their lives during the Vietnam conflict. Row after row of names are etched in this wall and the flow of visitors past it is constant. The Wall is located on the National Mall and is near the Lincoln Memorial. This monument is actually represented by three different parts, the wall itself, a statue called "The Three Soldiers" and a Vietnam Women's Memorial. The Wall is made of black granite and holds over fifty eight thousand names.

THE SMITHSONIAN MUSEUMS This is certainly an area not to miss on any trip to the Washington, DC area. The museum is actually many buildings and any visitor can find something of interest within the walls of the Smithsonian Museums. These buildings include the American History Museum, Air and Space Museum, and the Natural History Museum. Others are also available including a few fabulous art museums. The museums open at 10 a.m. each day except for Christmas Day.

THE NATIONAL ZOO Actually part of the Smithsonian, admission to the National Zoo, found at 3001 Connecticut Ave, is free. As with other Smithsonian Museums, parking is nearly impossible, so take the Metro to places you wish to visit in this part of town. More than 400 species and nearly 3,000 animals are found here on these 163 acres. The National Zoo is in operation every day of the year except Christmas Day.

THE NATIONAL CATHEDRAL This breathtaking architecture is found at Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues, NW. It is called "A National Place of Prayer For All People." The building is open for visitors at 8 a.m. on Sunday mornings and 10 a.m. other mornings. The stained glass windows around this cathedral (215 of them!) are stunning and the church's official name is the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. The central tower of the Cathedral is the height of a thirty story building.

UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM The location of this very sobering museum is 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW. The museum opens at 10:00 a.m. every day except Christmas Day and Yom Kippur.

THE CAPITOL BUILDING Although the procedure has changed since the terror attacks, the Capitol is again open to the public for tours. There are new rules about items no longer allowed in the building. These include aerosol of any kind, bottles and cans, knives, razors, mace, etc. and oversized backpacks and bags. Visitors should be aware of these rules before trying to tour the Capitol. Tours are given from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on every day but Sunday. The building is also closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Tickets are available at a kiosk near the building.

THE NATIONAL AQUARIUM is found a block from the Washington Monument. It is located in the Department of Commerce Building on 14th Street. The Aquarium is open daily from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. except Thanksgiving and Christmas. The admission is $5.00 for adult non-military, non-senior, and $2.00 for ages 2 to 10.

THE SUPREME COURT building is open weekdays at 9 a.m. and is closed on weekends and holidays. Visitors may tour the building on a self guided tour, but may not do so in the actual courtroom. The Supreme Court is found at 1st Street NW and East Capital Street.

THE PENTAGON is located across the Potomac River at Arlington, Virginia. Tours are given on weekdays only. No tours on weekends or federal holidays. Walk-in tours begin at 9 a.m. Be advised that the length of the tour is about 90 minutes, and visitors will cover approximately the length of a mile while walking the tour. Anyone over the age of 16 must show a valid photo identification. Visitors will also need to pass through a security scanning device. No electronic recording devices are allowed. (This would include video cameras, tape recorders, etc.)

THE WHITE HOUSE with the well known address of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, now offers public tours only to groups of ten or more. The tours must be requested well in advance and must be requested through a member of Congress.

Washington, DC is filled with many things to see and do that are not even listed here. Some of the places have tours and others have stopped that since September 11, 2001, or changed the guidelines, so check ahead if visiting these sites. A few sites to see not listed here are the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Ford's Theater.