After a 4 and a half hour drive from New York we arrived in Washington. We had the accommodation three metro stations from the center, so we bought the SmarTrip Card: it costs $30/person and allows unlimited Metro and Metrobus transportation for 3 consecutive days.
What did we visit in Washington DC?
Most of the sights are located around the National Mall park, bordered by the museums that are part of the Smithsonian Institution. Although the park seems quite small, you need two, three days to visit all the attractions.
The Smithsonian Institution was founded in 1846 and is the largest museum complex and center of education and research in the world. Entrance to the museums is free, but due to the pandemic and restrictions we needed a reservation. You can find the opening hours and address of the museums on the institution’s official website.
The Smithsonian National Museum of American History contains 1.7 million objects that depict the history of the American people. Among the most interesting exhibits are Abraham Lincoln ‘s hat or the outfits of the first ladies of the USA.
The Smithsonian American Art Museum is also not to be missed if you are an art lover. The museum is divided into the East Building and the West Building and houses one of the largest collections of American art in the world, ranging from early American art to contemporary art and photography.
The Smithsonian Institution Building (Castle) is a tourist information center of sorts for the Smithsonian Institution. Inside the building there are interactive displays and maps of the complex’s museums, and at the entrance there is a crypt with the grave of James Smithson – the founder of the Smithsonian Institution.
The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is the third most visited museum in the world and features a collection of over 140 million exhibits. Each piece reflects a specific moment in space and time: fossils, stuffed animals, artifacts, meteorites, rocks, fossils, etc.
Among the most impressive exhibits is The Hope Diamond (one of the world’s most famous jewels dating back nearly four centuries. The diamond weighs 45.52 carats (approx. 9 grams) and comes from India. The diamond’s unique blue color is the main which is why most people think it’s priceless. However, the value is estimated to be around a quarter of a billion dollars).
More than 2,700 animals are housed at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park – one of the most popular destinations in Washington DC. You can see from elephants, monkeys, panda bears, to sea lions or poison frogs. The Zoo is open every day except Christmas.
The National Air and Space Museum attracts millions of people every year. In addition to a host of famous aircraft, the museum includes a flight simulator, an IMAX cinema and a planetarium. It is advisable to plan your visit in the morning, because during the day it is very crowded, especially on weekends.
The Capitol is perhaps the most imposing and magnificent building in the United States and the place where members of Congress debate national laws. Guided tours are generally given inside the Capitol, but due to the pandemic, they have been canceled. Visiting the Capitol is free, but you must make an appointment well in advance.
The Lincoln Memorial was built between 1915 and 1922 in memory of the 16th president of the United States of America. Abraham Lincoln is considered one of America‘s greatest heroes, calling for the emancipation of all slaves.
The White House is the official residence of the President of the United States of America. The building was originally named the Presidential Palace, but President Theodore Roosevelt called it the “White House“.
The Washington Monument was built to commemorate the first President of the United States, George Washington. Located on the National Mall, the Washington Monument is the tallest predominantly stone structure in the world at 169 m. You can climb to the top of the monument, where you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the city. Reservations are made on the National Park Service website and cost $1.50/person.
The World War II Memorial was built to commemorate the 16 million members of the American Armed Forces during World War II. The memorial sits between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.
From Washington I took the bus and took a short trip to Georgetown – a district in Northwest Washington famous for the architecture of the houses, cobblestone streets and grand estates that date back to the mid-1700s.
Georgetown also hosts the main campus of Georgetown University, but also numerous Embassies such as the Embassies of France, Ireland, Sweden, Thailand, Ukraine or Venezuela.
Union Station receives approximately 40 million visitors annually. In addition to being one of the largest transportation hubs in the country, Washington DC‘s main train station attracts tourists with its beautiful architecture, a wide variety of shopping options, and numerous restaurants.
After three days of visiting some of the main sights of the capital of the United States of America, we said goodbyes and headed to Orlando, where two fun-filled days at Disney World awaited us.
(Washington DC – August 2021)
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