Things to do / Travel Guide
As the U.S. capital, Washington DC is naturally steeped in the nation's history. Furthermore, DC has also been the scene of some of the country's most dramatic events.
Buildings
The most well-known historical sites in DC are the White House and the nation's legislative and judicial centers just a couple of miles away on Capitol Hill, the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the Supreme Court.
No site is more associated with Washington DC than the White House. Home to every U.S. President since 1800, the mansion at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue houses the Executive branch of the federal government. The White House complex includes the residency, where the First Family lives, the West Wing with the Oval Office, and the New and Old Executive Office Buildings.
Across the street from the Capitol Building sits the Supreme Court. An impressive white marble structure, the court invites visitors to learn about the history of the American justice system.
The Library of Congress is a not-to-be-missed attraction in DC for any history or literature buff. As the world's largest library, the facility takes up several buildings and maintains an always-growing collection of more than 130 million different titles seated on some 530 miles worth of bookshelves.
The National Archives is a giant neoclassical building that houses the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, all of which are on public display.
The Department of the Treasury houses the Bureau of Printing and Engraving, often referred to as the U.S. Mint (it is actually one of several installations around the country that produces currency). In this structure, visitors can observe the process by which millions of dollars of paper currency are produced each day. A glass-encased block of $1 million in $10 notes is on display for all to see.
The Washington National Cathedral is the second-largest cathedral in the United States. The massive structure has served as the site of two presidential funerals (for Dwight Eisenhower and Ronald Reagan) and many prayer services at times of national crisis and tragedy.
Memorials and Monuments
Being a capital city, DC is home to some very impressive memorials and monuments, many of which have become firmly associated with American culture and symbols of the United States around the globe.
The Washington Monument, at 555 feet tall, was the world's tallest man-made structure until the Eiffel Tower was completed in 1889. An elevator to the top of the monument offers visitors an optimal view of DC and the surrounding areas.
The Lincoln Memorial is a massive stone structure erected to honor America's 16th president, who served during the Civil War and whose actions have been credited with bringing about an end to legalized slavery. Ford's Theater is the site where President Lincoln was assassinated. Across the street is Peterson's House, where Lincoln is said to have died.
The Lincoln Memorial sits adjacent to the 18-inch-deep Reflecting Pool, made famous in films like “Forrest Gump,” and having become the setting for many protests and demonstrations. In the summer, you'll likely catch sight of the random person sprinting through the shallow waters, while in the winter the DC cold often causes the pool to freeze over.
The Jefferson Memorial is a monument to the nation's third president, who drafted the Declaration of Independence. Less visited than the monuments to Washington and Lincoln, this serene setting along the Tidal Basin has nonetheless become a well-recognized Washington landmark.
The Korean War Veteran Memorial, located adjacent to the Mall, acts as tribute to the soldiers who fought in what is often described as America's “forgotten war.”
One of DC's most hallowed sites is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which features a long black marble wall inscribed with the names of the tens of thousands of men and women who fell over the course of the Vietnam War.
The FBI Headquarters serves as the national operations center for the law enforcement division of the federal government. Tours of the compound can be thoroughly enjoyable and eye-opening for visitors of all ages.
The Smithsonian Institution operates 19 museums, nine of which are found along the Mall. Maintenance and upkeep of the institution's facilities are largely funded by the U.S. Congress for the purpose of educating the public about American identity, culture, and history.
The 500-acre area of Mount Vernon, Virginia, houses the estate where the first American president, George Washington, lived. Located 16 miles outside of DC, the area is the most-visited historic estate in the U.S. Visitors are offered the chance to tour the site, dine, shop, and enjoy the preserved grounds.
Aside from all the major historical buildings, monuments, and memorials, Washington DC has a host of other, more minor, historical attractions that are worth visiting if you'll be on an extended stay in the region.
Baltimore
The Baltimore area has a proud history of its own, having played important roles in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. Visitors to the city will not want to miss Fort McHenry, the spot that inspired the writing of the Star Spangled Banner. A national memorial at the site highlights the Battle of Baltimore that took place there in 1814.
Gettysburg
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania is the site of one of the most memorable battles of the Civil War, and of where President Abraham Lincoln gave his historic “Gettysburg Address”. Visited by more than 2 million people each year, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania is the largest war memorial in the United States. Reenactments of the epic battle which took place in Gettysburg are regularly held throughout the year.
The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, also located near the Tidal Basin, was erected as a tribute to the only American president to serve four successive terms, and who led the country during the Great Depression of the early 1930s and into World War II.
The Octagon is one of the city's earliest and most distinguished residences and was built by request of George Washington. Today it houses the American Institute of Architects- and actually has only six sides.
A block long set of houses near the White House serves as the headquarters for the Daughters of the American Revolution, one of the world's largest groups of structures owned and operated exclusively by women.
The Decatur House sits on Lafayette Square and has served as the residence for some of the cities more renowned statesmen and military figures. The elegant structure contains unique interior design and decorations.
Fredrick Douglas National Historical Site- Also known as Cedar Hill, this Victorian style home served as the last home of the father of the civil rights movement.
The George Washington Masonic Memorial is located on Shooters Hill and stands 333 feet high as a tribute to the role of the first American president in the Masons.
On a hill above Rock Creek Park, sits a 25 acre estate called Hillwood. The lavish grounds were owned until her death in 1973 by Marjorie Merriweather Post, the heiress to the Post cereal empire.
The Freer Gallery and the Sackler Gallery posses some of the country's most cherished works of art and are internationally renowned for their collections.
Historical Sites in Washington D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland
Historical-Sites
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