This special city, the capital of the USA, has a lot of history and iconic sights. Whether you love history, art or are simply looking for an unforgettable experience, you will find it in Washington DC. Explore historic monuments, museums, and parks as you prepare for a trip to Washington DC!
Are you thinking of following our footsteps and renting a camper(van) with friends, your partner or with your whole family? Then ask free of charge and without obligation submit a quote to Travelhome from ANWB. They have both campervans and full-fledged family campers on offer.
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Also read: New York | 30x the most beautiful places + things to do
What to see?
You really only need to remember one name: National Mall† Around this place you will find memorials, monuments, museums and parks. You can start on the east side at the Capitol and Supreme Court, pass numerous museums, to the Washington Monument and continue on to Lincoln Memorial and Tidel Basin. Or vice versa.
The top 5
1. The Capitol
We started on the east side. The first thing we saw is the imposing and immense Capitol building. The Capitol is home to both the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives, collectively known as Congress. The building is so large that it is difficult to photograph it in its entirety.
You seem to be able to enter the building through the visitor center. The entrance was unfortunately closed on the day we were there and closed with crush barriers. We do not know whether this is a temporary closure, we could not find any further information about it.
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Do you remember? This is the building that was in the news when it was stormed on January 6, 2021. Thousands Trump supporters came there after a call from the former president. Part of the crowd broke through police blockades and stormed the building in an attempt to prevent the formalization of President Joe Biden's election victory.
These rioters occupied, destroyed and looted parts of the building for several hours. The riots led to the evacuation and lockdown of the Capitol and left five people dead. Now, more than two years later, Trump will be prosecuted for inciting / inciting this assault.
2. Supreme Court of the United States
The words “equal justice under law” are written on the building and nine judges are depicted on it. One chief justice and eight ordinary judges. The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest federal court in the nation's legal system. On the left is Lady Justice and on the right, a male figure, the authority of the law. The building dates from 1935. You can also admire the inside of the building during special opening hours.
Footnote † When a flag is flown at half-mast, it is a sign of respect or memory. I wondered why the flag was flying at half-mast everywhere this day (March 25, 2022). I found the answer on the internet: “As a mark of respect for former Secretary of State Madeleine Korbel Albright and her life of service to our Nation.”
3. The Washington Monument
The Washington Monument was built to honor the first US President George Washington. It has been there since 1884 and you can enter the monument to look out over Washington DC. NB; for this you have to be on time (!) online tickets to buy. They are only $1 USD per ticket but they sell out fast. The day before your visit, at 10.00 a.m., they become available and usually sell out after a few minutes.
At least you don't have to go hungry around the so-called National Mall! There are a lot of food trucks. At any time you can get your lunch or snack and sit down on the grass or on one of the many benches in the park.
4. The White House
North of the Washington monument you will find the White House. At the moment living of course president Joe Biden and his wife here. When we visited Washington DC, the President was in Brussels for a crisis meeting at NATO due to the crisis in Ukraine.
The building has been there since 1800 and every American president, with the exception of George Washington, has lived in the White House. You can visit the White House, but it does require some preparation. You must then 6 months to 21 days in advance apply through the US embassy† The tour is free and without a guide, so no guided tour.
Although I was looking forward to seeing the White House from the outside, I honestly found it a bit disappointing. You can only take a picture from a distance and, compared to all the other imposing buildings in Washington DC, it is somewhat small in size. So a modest place…
5.Lincoln Memorial
On the other side of the National Mall, the west side, is the Lincoln Memorial. This temple houses the statue of President Lincoln, the sixteenth president of the United States. It is free to visit.
Lincoln served from 1861 until his death in 1865. He was the first President of the United States to serve during his term in office was murdered† Lincoln is considered one of the greatest American presidents and acclaimed for his leadership during the American Civil War. He is responsible for the abolition of slavery, the strengthening of the national government and the modernization of the economy.
I have a dream - speech
The world famous 'I have a dream' speech was also given in front of the memorial Martin Luther King. The words are literally engraved in the marble at this location. Martin Luther King delivered this to an audience of more than 200.000 people on the occasion of the March on Washington. With the march, the American civil rights movement wanted to pave the way for more jobs, freedom and equality, especially for African Americans in the United States. The speech has recently been digitally polished and can be seen below in HD and color.
Translation of the speech |“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and do justice to the true meaning of its creed: 'We take for granted the following truths: that all men are created equal.' I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood. A dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state that smothers in the heat of injustice and smothers in the heat of oppression, will become an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a country where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. I have a dream today. †
Other things to see and do
6. Visit the Holocaust Museum
The Holocaust Museum is both beautiful and heartbreaking. It features a large permanent exhibition that tells the story of the Holocaust through films, photos and stories. Tickets are free but must be reserved online.
7. Visit the Espionage Museum
Opened in 2002, the International Spy Museum has exhibits on both historical and contemporary spy crafts. See false-bottomed shoes, photos of notorious spies, and interviews with former intelligence officers. There are over 7.000 items in the collection, with information dating back to ancient Egypt and Greece and how their spies worked. It's super interesting! Tickets start at $24,95 USD.
8. Visit West Potomac Park
Tidel Basin is the man-made lake in West Potomac Park near the National Mall. Around the lake you can visit the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, Thomas Jefferson Memorial and Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. There are also numerous blossom trees.
In 1912 donated Japan 3.020 cherry blossom trees to the United States to celebrate the growing friendship of the nations. The gift was extended in 1965 by an additional 3.800 trees. In Washington DC, the cherry blossom trees remain a popular tourist attraction.
On March 21, '22 the blossom was at its peak. That means that 70% of the blossom is open. It depends on the weather how it will develop further. As far as I'm concerned, we were there at exactly the right time. The trees were in full bloom and that provides even more beautiful pictures of the sights!
9. Visit Alexandria's Old Town
Cross the river to Alexandria, Virginia, a small town of stone streets, colonial buildings and historic monuments. One of the best things to do here is the Pub/Ghost Crawl, which explores historic sites and haunted buildings while also visiting several pubs. Nightly Spirits organizes tours for $25 USD per person. While you're here, don't miss the old colonial mansions, the former torpedo factory, and the thinnest historic house in the US (it's only 2 feet wide!).
10. Explore the National Gallery of Art
This museum has two wings; the east wing, which houses the gallery's more modern works (Henri Matisse, Mark Rothko) and the west wing, which contains the collection's older works (Sandro Botticelli to Claude Monet). You will see many artists painting here and it is fascinating to watch them work to recreate these historical masterpieces. During the summer, live music is often played in the Sculpture Garden. Admission is free, but you must book online.
11. Visit the embassies during Passport DC
During this annual spring celebration, more than 70 embassies open their doors to visitors, with cultural demonstrations, tastings, and music and dance performances. It's a remarkable way to spend a few days learning about different cultures and eating delicious food! It takes place every year during the month of May. You can find more information on this website.
12. Visit the Library of Congress
It is the largest library in the world! There are over 16 million books here and over 120 million other items. It was founded in 1800 and more than 3.000 employees keep this place going. It is the main research center of the US Congress and home to the US Copyright Office. Check the website for special tours that take place during your visit (sometimes they open the Music Division's Whittall Pavilion for public viewing).
Closing comments
Now that you have read the 12 most beautiful places and things to do, we hope you have been inspired to plan a trip to DC and/or you can travel with confidence. Either way, it will be an unforgettable experience!
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Are you thinking of following our footsteps and renting a camper(van) with friends, your partner or with your whole family? Then ask free of charge and without obligation submit a quote to Travelhome from ANWB. They have both campervans and full-fledged family campers on offer.
- Large selection, low prices
- Independent or Customized
- Expert advice from specialists
- Full quote with no hidden costs
