See and Do in Washington DC
There are plenty of iconic sights and must-see attractions for expat living in Washington DC. While those expats living here for some time will become immune to the grandeur of statues and public buildings that so rightly impress tourists, the world-class museums of Washington DC are worth repeat visits for as long as one lives here.
Key sites include the Visit National Mall, where Martin Luther King Jr spoke, the Washington Monument, the White House, and the Capitol building. The Lincoln Memorial is also impressive, and the US Holocaust Memorial Museum is a moving tribute to that genocide. Culture vultures will love the National Gallery of Art and kids of all ages will love the International Spy Museum. Finally, don’t miss the Smithsonian Institute and National Gallery of Arts - the two most popular museums in North America.Those expats planning on a sightseeing blitz over a short period of time should get a Washington DC Power Pass, or VisiTicket, which entitles the bearer to admission to many of the top Washington DC attractions. It is available in one, two, three or five-day permutations and costs from $27 per day.
Here is our pick of the key sights in Washington DC:
National Mall
This the heart of the city, a tree-line strip stretching two miles (3km) from the US Capitol to the Potomac River, linking many of DC key attractions.
www.nps.gov/nama
Telephone: (202) 426 6841 (Visitor information)
This the heart of the city, a tree-line strip stretching two miles (3km) from the US Capitol to the Potomac River, linking many of DC key attractions.
www.nps.gov/nama
Telephone: (202) 426 6841 (Visitor information)
US Capitol
DC's most prominent landmark, is the US Capitol, sitting atop Capitol Hill, and home to the US government. The giant white dome is visible from all over the city, a reminder of what this city is all about. It is the city’s most popular tourist attraction, and contains the Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as the Supreme Court and the Library of Congress, the largest library in the world.
www.aoc.gov
Telephone: (202) 224 3121
DC's most prominent landmark, is the US Capitol, sitting atop Capitol Hill, and home to the US government. The giant white dome is visible from all over the city, a reminder of what this city is all about. It is the city’s most popular tourist attraction, and contains the Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as the Supreme Court and the Library of Congress, the largest library in the world.
www.aoc.gov
Telephone: (202) 224 3121
White House
Look out for an American flag over the White House - if it’s flying, the president is home. The White House has residence and administrative headquarters to every President of the United States since 1800. Tours are available and providing a fascinating insight into the House’s previous inhabitants.
www.whitehouse.gov
Telephone: (202) 208 1631 (White House Visitor Center)
Look out for an American flag over the White House - if it’s flying, the president is home. The White House has residence and administrative headquarters to every President of the United States since 1800. Tours are available and providing a fascinating insight into the House’s previous inhabitants.
www.whitehouse.gov
Telephone: (202) 208 1631 (White House Visitor Center)
Washington Monument
This tributary obelisk is the tallest freestanding masonry structure in the world, and offers great views of the city from the gallery, accessed via a free elevator.
www.nps.gov/wamo
Telephone: (202) 426 6841
www.nps.gov/wamo
Telephone: (202) 426 6841
Lincoln Memorial
Built in a Greek style as a nod to the fathers of democracy, the grandiose Lincoln Memorial salutes the 16th US president Abe Lincoln. Several important marches and speech have taken place here, including Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech.
www.nps.gov/linc
Telephone: (202) 426 6841
Built in a Greek style as a nod to the fathers of democracy, the grandiose Lincoln Memorial salutes the 16th US president Abe Lincoln. Several important marches and speech have taken place here, including Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech.
www.nps.gov/linc
Telephone: (202) 426 6841
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The J Edgar Hoover FBI Building is home to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in charge of domestic security. Tours are no longer running for security reasons; visit the nearby International Spy Museum to your fix until tours restart.
www.fbi.gov
Telephone: (202) 324 3447
The J Edgar Hoover FBI Building is home to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in charge of domestic security. Tours are no longer running for security reasons; visit the nearby International Spy Museum to your fix until tours restart.
www.fbi.gov
Telephone: (202) 324 3447
International Spy Museum
Washington's newest museum is home to the single biggest collection of international spy gear in the world. It takes in contribution and advice from ex-officials of the CIA, FBI and the KGB.
www.spymuseum.org
Telephone: (202) 393 7798
Washington's newest museum is home to the single biggest collection of international spy gear in the world. It takes in contribution and advice from ex-officials of the CIA, FBI and the KGB.
www.spymuseum.org
Telephone: (202) 393 7798
Smithsonian Institution
Incorporating 19 museums and galleries of unparalleled quality, and a zoo, in various locations over Washington, DC, New York, Virginia and Panama. Other museums include the Freer and Sackler Galleries of Asian Art, the African Art Museum, the American Indian Museum, the Arts and Industries Building hosting changing exhibitions, the Hirshborn collection of modern art, the National Portrait Gallery, and the National Postal Museum.
www.si.edu
Telephone: (202) 633 1000
Incorporating 19 museums and galleries of unparalleled quality, and a zoo, in various locations over Washington, DC, New York, Virginia and Panama. Other museums include the Freer and Sackler Galleries of Asian Art, the African Art Museum, the American Indian Museum, the Arts and Industries Building hosting changing exhibitions, the Hirshborn collection of modern art, the National Portrait Gallery, and the National Postal Museum.
www.si.edu
Telephone: (202) 633 1000
National Gallery of Art
It is the most popular art museum in North America and one of the world’s leading collections of Western paintings, graphics and sculptures from the past 450 years.
www.nga.gov
Telephone: (202) 737 4215
US Holocaust Memorial MuseumIt is the most popular art museum in North America and one of the world’s leading collections of Western paintings, graphics and sculptures from the past 450 years.
www.nga.gov
Telephone: (202) 737 4215
An important and excellent museum, rated as one of the city’s best. It brings to life and commemorates the atrocities perpetrated by the Nazis on European Jews from 1933 to 1945.
www.ushmm.org
Telephone: (202) 488 0400
Tags
