Washington D.C. Attractions

Must Visit Places in DC
Washington D.C., capital city of the United States of America is named after the first President of the United States cum military leader of the American Revolution, George Washington. Commonly known as simply “D.C.”, which stands for District of Columbia, this city lacks not tourist attraction spots.

The White House, official residency of the President of United States of America, is a must visit destination in DC. Public tours can be arranged for groups of a minimum of 10 people, provided requests are submitted through one's Member of Congress and accepted up to six months in advance. Self-guided tours are available from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m, from Tuesdays to Saturdays (excluding federal holidays).

Famous for its memorials, monuments, and museums, Washington D.C. houses the world famous Smithsonian Institution. This is a collection of museums, among them - Smithsonian American Art Museum, Anacostia Museum, National Museum of the American Indian, Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, National Museum of American History, Hirshhorn Museum, National Portrait Gallery, Renwick Gallery, National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of Natural History, National Postal Museum and the National Zoo.

The National Gallery of Art, National Museum of Women in the Arts, the Corcoran Gallery of Art, and the Phillips Collection are among the many art museums in D.C., besides those that are part of the Smithsonian Institution.

For tourists with a tight budget, the Department of the Interior Museum is a place to stop by. It is free of charge, provided reservations are made in advance. All monuments or memorials in the Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) Memorial park, located near the Jefferson Memorial and the Potomac River is free too.

The Washington Monument, opened in year 1888, houses bookstore, restrooms, and museum. Visitors may obtain free tickets at the booth located on the west side of 15th Street, NW, on the Mall. A small fee, however, is charged for advanced tickets.

That’s not all! More memorials include Ford's Theatre & Lincoln Museum, The Lincoln Memorial, The National Building Museum, National Mall and Memorial Parks and The Thomas Jefferson Memorial. The latter is located on the South bank of the Tidal Basin, and visitors can rent a paddle boat at the Swan Boathouse to cruise on the Basin.

D.C. has many natural areas and birdwatching spots, with parks and natural areas including the United States National Arboretum, the Potomac River, Rock Creek Park, the C&O Canal, the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, Anacostia Park, Theodore Roosevelt Island and the Anacostia River. Besides Theodore Roosevelt Island, Columbia Island, the Three Sisters, and Hains Point make interesting geographical features of Washington D.C.

Apart from those mentioned above, other interesting places in the Washington D.C. area are the Blair House, Arena Stage, Folger Shakespeare Library, Chinatown, International Spy Museum, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington National Cathedral, National Geographic Society, Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, Frederick Douglas National Historic Site, Old Post Office Building and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Taking a break from very famous spots, lets explore some lesser known places to linger and visit while in Washington D.C. The AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, Giant Adirondack Chair (on the front lawn of the Ellington School, Georgetown), and Great Falls Park - a popular spot for hiking, rock climbing, dog walking and picnicking.

Last but not the least, the Exorcist Staircase! Once known as the 'Hitchcock Steps', this set of long narrow stairs attained fame through The Exorcist, the horror-movie.