Top 10 Insider Tips and Facts For Washington D.C. Monuments and Memorials
Washington is a city steeped in history, with a monument or memorial seemingly around every corner—each commemorating important chapters of American history
Before you hit the streets of the capital, check out these lesser-known tips and facts that will help you make the most of your visit.
1. Lincoln Memorial—The Most Visited
Gaze upon this stately statue of the beloved president and it’s no wonder it's the most-visited monument in the country. Towering at 20-feet, even while seated, this huge statue of President Lincoln—is meant to depict his strength and compassion. Based on the design of the Parthenon in Greece, the memorial has 36 columns representing the states united after the Civil War—each identifiable by looking at the top of the column. Visit the Lincoln Memorial at night when the lighting lends the marble monument a soft white glow.
2. Washington Monument—an Iconic Landmark
This historic obelisk has endured its fair share of war and even an earthquake. But don't just marvel from a distance, zip your way up 500-feet to the top in less than a minute and take in the 360-degree view of the city. You’ll have a birds-eye view of the White House, the Smithsonian museums and the Jefferson Memorial. Back on the ground, scan the walls of the base and take note where the marble changes color. This is the spot where construction stopped while the country fought the Civil War. Get free tour tickets the day of your visit, or pay a small service charge for advance reservations, since tickets are usually gone by late morning.
3. The Tidal Basin—Family Fun
Plan a break in your tour of the Mall at the Tidal Basin. There’s plenty of shade for a picnic under the trees, and you and the kids can steer a paddle boat around the basin. Walk over to West Potomac Park, where you can play miniature golf or drop a fishing line into the Potomac River. Or, follow the shoreline to the Jefferson Memorial to join a ranger-led tour. If you're there during spring, join the throngs of people wandering among the 1,700 cherry blossom trees that bloom along the basin in a dizzying display.
4. Fireworks on the Mall—The Nation’s Best Free Show
What better place to celebrate America's birthday than the National Mall? Arrive early for the spectacular Independence Day fireworks, and take in a free, patriotic musical show before and during the fireworks in the green space around the Washington Monument. Pack a picnic for the family and snag a spot in any of the tree-lined spaces along the Reflecting Pool or midway between the Washington Monument and Capitol Building. Leave the car at home and take the metro to the Mall, since getting back to your hotel post-fireworks will be much easier on the subway than fighting traffic.
5. Off the Beaten Path—Lesser Known Memorials
Located in nearby Glen Echo, Maryland, the Clara Barton National Historic Site honors the life of the famed humanitarian and founder of Red Cross. Tour the historic home and take note of the artwork on the walls. You’ll discover a piece of hair art, a form that dates from the Victorian era when using human hair to create elaborate framed designs was a part of mourning. Budding history buffs can sign up to earn a Clara Barton Junior Ranger badge and there's also a Junior Ranger program back in D.C at Cedar Hill, the home of abolitionist Frederick Douglass. See where the great American orator, statesman and former slave lived and worked, with much of the original furnishings still intact.
6. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal—184 Miles of Adventure
Head to Georgetown and rent bikes for the family at Big Wheel Bikes or Capital Bikeshare so you can take a ride on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath. Walk or pedal down the dirt path and watch the city sights give way to thickets of trees, herds of deer, countless turtles, foxes and other local wildlife. Stop at one of the locks for a quick lesson on how boatmen maneuvered their vessels through the canal, or ride the towpath to Great Falls Park. At Great Falls, a section of the Potomac with stunning falls and swirling rapids, you can board a mule-drawn canal boat for a trip through time.
7. Ford’s Theatre and the House Where Lincoln Died
As you take in a live show at Ford’s Theatre, look up to the private box where Abraham Lincoln was seated when John Wilkes Booth took his fatal shot. Then imagine Booth leaping from the box and onto the stage for his getaway while Lincoln was carried across the street to the Petersen House. Stroll the neighborhood with a Civil War-era guide in period costume, visit the museum where Booth’s gun is on display, or join a tour. If all the sightseeing makes you hungry, stop by Lincoln’s Waffle Shop, where breakfast is served all day.
8. Seek Out These Sites Around Town
If you find yourself simply strolling the Mall, you might discover, hidden in the trees, a columned, open building on a much smaller scale than the city’s other monuments. It was built to honor residents who served in World War I. If you're interested in Civil War history, you'll want to see one of the District's newer additions, the Spirit of Freedom sculpture. Dedicated in 1998, the sculpture and nearby museum serve as a memorial to African-American soldiers who served in the Civil War. It's located in the historic U Street district near the Metro station.
9. The Capitol Building—Put Your Representative to Work
Visiting the Capitol is free, but you have to get a ticket at the Visitor Center, and same-day passes go quickly. Many members of Congress have a person on staff who will gladly take you on a private tour of the building. For many, the highlights of the Capitol tour include standing in the Rotunda beneath the 180-foot-high domed ceiling or playing with the “whispering gallery” in Statuary Hall. Art lovers will love exploring the priceless paintings and murals that adorn the walls and ceilings, and statuary displayed in various halls. From there, you're also walking distance from the Library of Congress, the Supreme Court, and the U.S. Botanic Garden.
10. Getting Around
The street layout in Washington is easy to understand, but leave your car parked at your hotel and either walk, use the Metro or hail a cab to visit monuments. Numerous companies offer hop-on-hop-off tours, guided trips, private sightseeing or tours by bus, duck, water taxi or Segway. Almost all national monuments and memorials are open 24/7 and are free, making the city an economical choice for families. The weather is generally mild in the winter and hot and humid in the summer. There are food stands on the Mall, but you can introduce your kids to more adventurous foods at one of the many food trucks.
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