Washington DC is an American treasure. Familiar buildings like the Capitol and White House are on everyone's list of "must sees," but they just scratch the surface of the sights and experiences possible. Fortunately, this well-laid-out city is easy to navigate, and it is possible to not only see the major highlights, but also to visit a variety of lesser-known but interesting places that offer a truly well-rounded visit. Planning is the key.
While the list of things to see is overwhelming, breaking them down to suit individuals' needs makes the choices easier. If it is a first visit, there are the major buildings that house the three great institutions of government -- legislative, judicial and executive. The Capitol (legislative) is where Congress meets to make laws, the Supreme Court Building (judicial) is where major cases are decided and the White House (executive) is where the laws are implemented, and of course is the home of the current president. Visitors may tour all of these buildings, and they are good starting points to see other areas.
Before departure, categorize interests -- museums, memorials, gardens, churches, embassies, national headquarters of organizations, government departments, historic places and special events. The National Archives houses the Declaration of Independence; the Smithsonian features many museum buildings, including the American History Museum and the Air and Space Museum. There is the National Gallery and the American Indian Museum. The mall, a park that begins at the Capitol, extends to several memorials, including the Washington Monument, World War II Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial, with others nearby. Historic places, like Ford's Theater or Arlington National Cemetery, may be on the list, as well as headquarters offices like the National Geographic Society. The Treasury Department with its U.S. Mint tour or the FBI offices may be of interest. Note if there are special events about to occur like cherry blossom season or the lighting of the national Christmas tree. Remember to consider neighborhoods like Georgetown for its shopping and bustling nightlife, or George Washington's home, Mt. Vernon, which requires a quick trip outside the city. Research more ideas using the link below.
Once the list is complete, plot the locations on a map, and then prioritize. Most of the sights are in a surprisingly compact area, so it is easy to see a lot. By pre-planning using a map, visitors can avoid wasting time by backtracking. Most sights are free, but hours vary, so check the opening times.
Walking is the best way to visit the memorials and gardens, but also available are trolley cars that allow visitors to get on and off at various locations. An efficient metro also has stops at points along the mall and is an excellent way to visit Arlington National Cemetery and outlying neighborhoods.
Most of all, allow enough time to see each attraction, and time for just sitting on a park bench in the mall -- experiencing all that is Washington.
