TRAVEL WASHINGTON DC
GENERAL INFORMATION-Washington, DC, is the capital of USA and a powerful symbol of democracy and freedom. Washington DC is a hub for American politics and history. The city is home to all three branches of the federal government, as well as the White House, the Supreme Court and the Capitol Building. Washington DC offers some of the greatest monuments, memorials, museums, and famous buildings that America has to offer. There are plenty of free museums and the memorials and monuments dedicated to great American leaders. Washington has developed as a complex and layered city, with a distinctive character: both a town for locals, an international centre of power and an amazing place to visit.
HISTORY-President George Washington chose the exact site along the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers, and the city was officially founded in 1790 after both Maryland and Virginia ceded land to this new “district,” to be distinct and distinguished from the rest of the states. The signing of the Residence Act on July 16, 1790, approved the creation of a capital district located along the Potomac River on the country's East Coast. The U.S. Constitution provided for a federal district under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Congress and the District is therefore not a part of any U.S. state. The city of Washington was named for George Washington (who picked the location), while the District of Columbia was named for explorer Christopher Columbus.
The construction of capitol city was originally conceived of in 1791 by Major Pierre L’Enfant, who had been commissioned by George Washington to design a plan for the nation’s capital, the cathedral’s creation did not commence until September 29, 1907, when a stone from a field in Bethlehem was set into a larger slab of American granite and laid in ceremony as the foundation stone. Major Pierre L’Enfant presented a vision for a bold, modern city featuring grand boulevards (now the streets named for states) and ceremonial spaces reminiscent of another great world capital. He planned a grid system, at which the centre would be the Capitol building. In 1990, the National Cathedral was finally completed.
Even before coming of age, DC was nearly completely destroyed. On August 24–25, 1814, in a raid known as the Burning of Washington, British forces invaded the capital during the War of 1812. Great Britain, forces burned much of it to the ground, including the newly completed White House, the Capitol and the Library of Congress (including all of its books). Thomas Jefferson later replenished the library’s collection in 1815
The construction of capitol city was originally conceived of in 1791 by Major Pierre L’Enfant, who had been commissioned by George Washington to design a plan for the nation’s capital, the cathedral’s creation did not commence until September 29, 1907, when a stone from a field in Bethlehem was set into a larger slab of American granite and laid in ceremony as the foundation stone. Major Pierre L’Enfant presented a vision for a bold, modern city featuring grand boulevards (now the streets named for states) and ceremonial spaces reminiscent of another great world capital. He planned a grid system, at which the centre would be the Capitol building. In 1990, the National Cathedral was finally completed.
Even before coming of age, DC was nearly completely destroyed. On August 24–25, 1814, in a raid known as the Burning of Washington, British forces invaded the capital during the War of 1812. Great Britain, forces burned much of it to the ground, including the newly completed White House, the Capitol and the Library of Congress (including all of its books). Thomas Jefferson later replenished the library’s collection in 1815
GEOGRAPHY-The capital city of the United States, located between Virginia and Maryland on the north bank of the Potomac River. The District is bordered by Montgomery County, Maryland, to the northwest; Prince George's County, Maryland, to the east; and Arlington and Alexandria, Virginia, to the south and west. The south bank of the Potomac River forms the District's border with Virginia and has two major tributaries: the Anacostia River and Rock Creek.
CO-ORDINATES -38°54′17″N 77°00′59″W
TIME ZONE-EST(UTC-5) Summer DST(UTC-4)
POPULATION-6,73,000
AREA- 177.0 km2
CLIMATE-The most beautiful time of spring usually falls from April to mid-May. Domestic tourists know this, though, and you can expect the cherry blossom walk around the Tidal Basin. However, it's very hot and very humid during the summer.
TEM JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
M Av 6 8 13 19 24 29 31 30 26 20 14 8
L Av -2 -0.6 3 8 13 19 21 21 17 10 5 0.3
TIME ZONE-EST(UTC-5) Summer DST(UTC-4)
POPULATION-6,73,000
AREA- 177.0 km2
CLIMATE-The most beautiful time of spring usually falls from April to mid-May. Domestic tourists know this, though, and you can expect the cherry blossom walk around the Tidal Basin. However, it's very hot and very humid during the summer.
TEM JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
M Av 6 8 13 19 24 29 31 30 26 20 14 8
L Av -2 -0.6 3 8 13 19 21 21 17 10 5 0.3
AIRPORT-There are three major airports in the Washington, DC region: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (airport code: DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (airport code: IAD) and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (airport code: BWI). All three offer multiple U.S. and international flights daily.
A-Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport-Reagan National Airport is located just across the Potomac River in Virginia and is the closest airport to DC, just 4 miles from Downtown Washington DC, in Arlington County. Reagan National is a hub for American Airlines. Delta Air Lines also operates near-hourly air shuttle flights to New York LaGuardia Airport, which are all operated by Delta Shuttle. The only international flights allowed to land at the airport are those from airports with U.S. Customs and Border Protection preclearance facilities. It is accessible via its own Metro stop on the Blue and Yellow Lines. Use the covered walkway to take you into the terminal. A short runway limits the size of the aircraft that fly in and out of Washington (the largest is a 767), so the airport only offers domestic flights and a few flights to Canada and the Caribbean. To catch a taxi, look for the official taxi stand outside of baggage claim. A ride into downtown DC will cost about $15-$20.It is served by Blue and Yellow metro lines.
Airport Shuttles-
i-SuperShuttle - Available 24 hours a day, this shuttle provides door to door shared rides within the Washington DC metropolitan area. For information, call 1-800-BLUEVAN.
ii-Supreme Airport Shuttle – This company offers door-to-door service to and from the airport. Call 800-590-0000.
Amtrak-National Airport is located near two Amtrak train stations. Both are easily accessed by Metro.
Amtrak Union Station (Washington, DC): The station is located at Union Station on Metrorail’s Red Line.
Amtrak Alexandria Station (Alexandria, VA): The station is adjacent to the King Street Station on Metrorail’s Blue Line and Yellow Line.
B-Dulles International Airport (Iad)-Dulles Airport is located 26 miles from DC in suburban Virginia. It has a dedicated access road that makes getting into the city efficient via car, taxi or airport shuttle. Washington Flyer also offers a Silver Line Express Bus that drops off at the Wiehle-Reston East Metrorail station about 15 minutes away. Silver Line Express Bus fare is $5 for one way. Dulles is the first airport in the country to debut a system that automatically calculates wait times at the security checkpoints and displays them in real time. Since both mezzanines are connected beyond security, passengers have the option to select the line with the shorter wait.
C-Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI)-BWI Airport is accessible via an Amtrak train route that drops off at DC’s Union Station. A reserved seat on the train will cost $15-$30
A-Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport-Reagan National Airport is located just across the Potomac River in Virginia and is the closest airport to DC, just 4 miles from Downtown Washington DC, in Arlington County. Reagan National is a hub for American Airlines. Delta Air Lines also operates near-hourly air shuttle flights to New York LaGuardia Airport, which are all operated by Delta Shuttle. The only international flights allowed to land at the airport are those from airports with U.S. Customs and Border Protection preclearance facilities. It is accessible via its own Metro stop on the Blue and Yellow Lines. Use the covered walkway to take you into the terminal. A short runway limits the size of the aircraft that fly in and out of Washington (the largest is a 767), so the airport only offers domestic flights and a few flights to Canada and the Caribbean. To catch a taxi, look for the official taxi stand outside of baggage claim. A ride into downtown DC will cost about $15-$20.It is served by Blue and Yellow metro lines.
Airport Shuttles-
i-SuperShuttle - Available 24 hours a day, this shuttle provides door to door shared rides within the Washington DC metropolitan area. For information, call 1-800-BLUEVAN.
ii-Supreme Airport Shuttle – This company offers door-to-door service to and from the airport. Call 800-590-0000.
Amtrak-National Airport is located near two Amtrak train stations. Both are easily accessed by Metro.
Amtrak Union Station (Washington, DC): The station is located at Union Station on Metrorail’s Red Line.
Amtrak Alexandria Station (Alexandria, VA): The station is adjacent to the King Street Station on Metrorail’s Blue Line and Yellow Line.
B-Dulles International Airport (Iad)-Dulles Airport is located 26 miles from DC in suburban Virginia. It has a dedicated access road that makes getting into the city efficient via car, taxi or airport shuttle. Washington Flyer also offers a Silver Line Express Bus that drops off at the Wiehle-Reston East Metrorail station about 15 minutes away. Silver Line Express Bus fare is $5 for one way. Dulles is the first airport in the country to debut a system that automatically calculates wait times at the security checkpoints and displays them in real time. Since both mezzanines are connected beyond security, passengers have the option to select the line with the shorter wait.
C-Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI)-BWI Airport is accessible via an Amtrak train route that drops off at DC’s Union Station. A reserved seat on the train will cost $15-$30
LOCAL TRANSPORTTATION
Washington Metro-The Washington Metro, the regional subway system, provides transportation to almost all of the major attractions in Washington, DC and extends to the suburbs of Maryland and Virginia.
Official Website: www.wmata.com
There are six Metro lines.
Red - Glenmont to Shady Grove
Orange - New Carrollton to Vienna/Fairfax-GMU
Blue - Franconia-Springfield to Largo Town Center
Green - Branch Ave to Greenbelt
Yellow - Huntington to Mt Vernon Sq 7th St-Convention Center.
Silver - First phase opened in July 2014. East Falls Church to Dulles International Airport.
Washington Metro Hours-
Open: 5 a.m. weekdays, 7 a.m. weekends
Close: Midnight Sunday thru Thursday, and 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights.
Metro Farecards-
Fares-
Peak SmarTrip® Fares (in effect weekdays from opening to 9:30 am and 3-7 pm and weekends midnight to closing)
$2.15 minimum
$5.90 maximum
Off-Peak SmarTrip® Fares (all other times)
$1.75 minimum
$3.60 maximum
Touch your card to the SmarTrip® target. When you exit the station, tap the card again. The display will show the fare charged and remaining balance on the card. The fare is automatically deducted from your card when you exit the gates. You can keep reusing the same card and add money to it at the farecard vending machine.
A SmarTrip® card is a permanent, rechargeable card used to pay Metrorail and local bus system fares. It's plastic, like a credit card, and is embedded with a special computer chip that keeps track of the value of the card. The card costs $2 and comes with $8 in stored value for a total price of $10 .( SmarTrip® Card with $8 Stored Value).
One Day Pass $14.50- Pass available on SmarTrip® cards is valid for one day of unlimited Metrorail travel; no time restrictions. Pass expires at the end of the operating day: 3 am on Friday and Saturday, midnight on Sunday through Thursday.
Metro Stations Near Attractions-
1-Smithsonian Station (Orange Line, Blue Line, and Silver Line)- Take the northern exit and you will be presented with a breath-taking view of the US Capitol Building and the Washington Monument as you exit directly onto the National Mall. This station gives you access to many museums including the Freer Gallery of Art, Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, National Museum of African Art, and Smithsonian Institute Building (The Castle). Cross the mall for nearby including the National Museum of American History and National Museum of Natural History.
2-Federal Triangle (Orange Line, Blue Line, and Silver Line)-Located at the Reagan Building, and across the street from the Old Post Office Pavilion. Located a block from the National Mall, this station is the closest to the National Museum of American History and the National Museum of Natural History, both of which are free museums, and part of the Smithsonian Institution. The station is also a short walk from The Ellipse, a large park located immediately south of the White House.
3-Federal Center (Orange Line, Blue Line, and Silver Line) -This station, located near the east end of the Mall, is a short distance from the National Air and Space Museum, the United States Botanic Garden and the US Capitol Building. The area is also filled with federal office buildings. While closer to other stations, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden and National Gallery of Art are nearby as well.
4-McPherson Square (Orange Line, Blue Line, and Silver Line)- The Ellipse park, just south of the White House is also near by, and a short walk further once again brings you to the National Mall, near the Washington Monument and the Constitution Gardens.
5-Foggy Bottom (Orange Line, Blue Line, and Silver Line)- Located on the campus of George Washington University, Foggy Bottom Station is the closest to the Lincoln Memorial.
6-L'Enfant Plaza (Orange Line, Blue Line, Silver Line, Green Line, and Yellow Line)- To get to the Jefferson Memorial and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial and is closest to the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.
DC Circulator’s (National Mall Route)-The DC Circulator is the only public transportation option around the National Mall. The National Mall route provides access to 27 monuments, memorials and museums. Fares are only $1 or 50 cents for seniors or the disabled, and children under five ride for free. Riders who pay using a SmarTrip® card are able to re-board the circulator for free within two hours from the time they first board the bus. Because we cannot keep track of cash payments, riders who use cash will be required to pay $1 each time they board the bus.
Weekdays: 7am-8pm
Saturday-Sunday: 9am-8p
Washington Metro-The Washington Metro, the regional subway system, provides transportation to almost all of the major attractions in Washington, DC and extends to the suburbs of Maryland and Virginia.
Official Website: www.wmata.com
There are six Metro lines.
Red - Glenmont to Shady Grove
Orange - New Carrollton to Vienna/Fairfax-GMU
Blue - Franconia-Springfield to Largo Town Center
Green - Branch Ave to Greenbelt
Yellow - Huntington to Mt Vernon Sq 7th St-Convention Center.
Silver - First phase opened in July 2014. East Falls Church to Dulles International Airport.
Washington Metro Hours-
Open: 5 a.m. weekdays, 7 a.m. weekends
Close: Midnight Sunday thru Thursday, and 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights.
Metro Farecards-
Fares-
Peak SmarTrip® Fares (in effect weekdays from opening to 9:30 am and 3-7 pm and weekends midnight to closing)
$2.15 minimum
$5.90 maximum
Off-Peak SmarTrip® Fares (all other times)
$1.75 minimum
$3.60 maximum
Touch your card to the SmarTrip® target. When you exit the station, tap the card again. The display will show the fare charged and remaining balance on the card. The fare is automatically deducted from your card when you exit the gates. You can keep reusing the same card and add money to it at the farecard vending machine.
A SmarTrip® card is a permanent, rechargeable card used to pay Metrorail and local bus system fares. It's plastic, like a credit card, and is embedded with a special computer chip that keeps track of the value of the card. The card costs $2 and comes with $8 in stored value for a total price of $10 .( SmarTrip® Card with $8 Stored Value).
One Day Pass $14.50- Pass available on SmarTrip® cards is valid for one day of unlimited Metrorail travel; no time restrictions. Pass expires at the end of the operating day: 3 am on Friday and Saturday, midnight on Sunday through Thursday.
Metro Stations Near Attractions-
1-Smithsonian Station (Orange Line, Blue Line, and Silver Line)- Take the northern exit and you will be presented with a breath-taking view of the US Capitol Building and the Washington Monument as you exit directly onto the National Mall. This station gives you access to many museums including the Freer Gallery of Art, Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, National Museum of African Art, and Smithsonian Institute Building (The Castle). Cross the mall for nearby including the National Museum of American History and National Museum of Natural History.
2-Federal Triangle (Orange Line, Blue Line, and Silver Line)-Located at the Reagan Building, and across the street from the Old Post Office Pavilion. Located a block from the National Mall, this station is the closest to the National Museum of American History and the National Museum of Natural History, both of which are free museums, and part of the Smithsonian Institution. The station is also a short walk from The Ellipse, a large park located immediately south of the White House.
3-Federal Center (Orange Line, Blue Line, and Silver Line) -This station, located near the east end of the Mall, is a short distance from the National Air and Space Museum, the United States Botanic Garden and the US Capitol Building. The area is also filled with federal office buildings. While closer to other stations, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden and National Gallery of Art are nearby as well.
4-McPherson Square (Orange Line, Blue Line, and Silver Line)- The Ellipse park, just south of the White House is also near by, and a short walk further once again brings you to the National Mall, near the Washington Monument and the Constitution Gardens.
5-Foggy Bottom (Orange Line, Blue Line, and Silver Line)- Located on the campus of George Washington University, Foggy Bottom Station is the closest to the Lincoln Memorial.
6-L'Enfant Plaza (Orange Line, Blue Line, Silver Line, Green Line, and Yellow Line)- To get to the Jefferson Memorial and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial and is closest to the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.
DC Circulator’s (National Mall Route)-The DC Circulator is the only public transportation option around the National Mall. The National Mall route provides access to 27 monuments, memorials and museums. Fares are only $1 or 50 cents for seniors or the disabled, and children under five ride for free. Riders who pay using a SmarTrip® card are able to re-board the circulator for free within two hours from the time they first board the bus. Because we cannot keep track of cash payments, riders who use cash will be required to pay $1 each time they board the bus.
Weekdays: 7am-8pm
Saturday-Sunday: 9am-8p
SMITHONIAN INSTITUTE-This world-renowned museum and research complex in the District consists of 17 museums, galleries and a zoo. The Smithsonian’s collection of knowledge centres serves as a treasure chest for visitors and a guide to the most fascinating aspects of our world. It is the world's largest museum and research complex. Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo are free and open every day of the year except December 25. At the centre of it all is the Smithsonian Institution Building, better known as ‘The Castle’. James Smithson, who was a scientist, upon his death, gave every last penny he had to establish the Smithsonian Institution. Many of the museums are located on the National Mall and are easily accessible by Metro. In fact, the Smithsonian has its own Metro stop on the Orange and Blue Lines. There are others scattered throughout Washington, DC (the National Zoo in Woodley Park and the Postal Museum near Union Station), and even one in Virginia (at the Udvar-Hazy Center)
POTOMAC RIVER-The Potomac River is the fourth largest river along the Atlantic coast and the 21st largest in the United States. It runs over 383 miles from Fairfax Stone, West Virginia to Point Lookout, Maryland and drains 14,670 square miles of land area from four states and Washington DC. The Potomac River flows into the Chesapeake Bay. George Washington chose to establish the “federal city” along the Potomac River because it already included two major port towns: Georgetown and Alexandria
SIGHTS & ATTRACTIONS-
001-WASHINGTON MONUMENT, DC-The Washington Monument dominates the United States Capital skyline as a symbolic tribute to George Washington's military leadership, humble statesmanship, and Presidential fortitude and wisdom.
Built in the honour of George Washington, the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army and the first President of the United States. Once the tallest building in the world (1888), the monument to America’s first president still holds the title of world’s tallest stone structure and obelisk. The view from the top gives visitors an unparalleled panorama of the nation’s capital. Washington Monument is located at the centre of the National Mall between the U.S. Capitol and Lincoln Memorial. Standing almost due east of the Reflecting Pool and the Lincoln Memorial.
Constructed from marble, granite and gneiss, the Monument is the world's tallest free-standing stone structure, towering more than 555 feet (169 meters).
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed the Monument’s construction in 1884, and along with the Washington National Monument Society, opened it to the public in 1888.
Visitors enter the Monument and then ascend via elevator (Elevator travel time: 70 seconds) to the 500-foot level to behold sweeping views of the city. Captivating exhibits on the 500-foot and 490-foot levels. Visitors may tour the 500' level observation deck at their leisure. Visitors then proceed down the steps to the 490' level museum. On descent, visitors have the unique experience of viewing selected commemorative stones expressing the sentiments of generations past awed by Washington’s impressive leadership. The 490' level where visitors enter the queue to re-board the elevator for the descent.
Fifty American flags, one for each state, are now flown 24 hours a day around a large circle cantered on the monument. Number of steps in stairwell are 897.
The Washington Monument is open 7 days a week 9:00 am - 5:00 pm (last available tour ticket at 4:00 pm). The Washington Monument Lodge located on 15th Street has restrooms. There are two ways to get tickets: get free, same-day tickets at the ticket window, or pay a fee to make advance reservations online. Free first-come, first-served tickets are available each morning starting at 8:30 am at the ticket window of the Monument Lodge on 15th St NW between Constitution and Independence Avenues. In spring/summer, tickets go quickly for the entire day, and the line will form before the ticket window opens.
Reservation and mailing services are available through Recreation.gov up to three months in advance for a reservation fee. You may also call at 877-444-6777. All tickets are for a specific time to report to the Washington Monument.
http://www.recreation.gov/tourParkDetail.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=77811
Built in the honour of George Washington, the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army and the first President of the United States. Once the tallest building in the world (1888), the monument to America’s first president still holds the title of world’s tallest stone structure and obelisk. The view from the top gives visitors an unparalleled panorama of the nation’s capital. Washington Monument is located at the centre of the National Mall between the U.S. Capitol and Lincoln Memorial. Standing almost due east of the Reflecting Pool and the Lincoln Memorial.
Constructed from marble, granite and gneiss, the Monument is the world's tallest free-standing stone structure, towering more than 555 feet (169 meters).
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed the Monument’s construction in 1884, and along with the Washington National Monument Society, opened it to the public in 1888.
Visitors enter the Monument and then ascend via elevator (Elevator travel time: 70 seconds) to the 500-foot level to behold sweeping views of the city. Captivating exhibits on the 500-foot and 490-foot levels. Visitors may tour the 500' level observation deck at their leisure. Visitors then proceed down the steps to the 490' level museum. On descent, visitors have the unique experience of viewing selected commemorative stones expressing the sentiments of generations past awed by Washington’s impressive leadership. The 490' level where visitors enter the queue to re-board the elevator for the descent.
Fifty American flags, one for each state, are now flown 24 hours a day around a large circle cantered on the monument. Number of steps in stairwell are 897.
The Washington Monument is open 7 days a week 9:00 am - 5:00 pm (last available tour ticket at 4:00 pm). The Washington Monument Lodge located on 15th Street has restrooms. There are two ways to get tickets: get free, same-day tickets at the ticket window, or pay a fee to make advance reservations online. Free first-come, first-served tickets are available each morning starting at 8:30 am at the ticket window of the Monument Lodge on 15th St NW between Constitution and Independence Avenues. In spring/summer, tickets go quickly for the entire day, and the line will form before the ticket window opens.
Reservation and mailing services are available through Recreation.gov up to three months in advance for a reservation fee. You may also call at 877-444-6777. All tickets are for a specific time to report to the Washington Monument.
http://www.recreation.gov/tourParkDetail.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=77811
002-LINCOLN MEMORIAL- The Lincoln Memorial is an American national monument built in the honour of the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. The Lincoln Memorial stands at the west end of the National Mall. The memorial looks like an ancient Greek temple. The construction began in 1914, and the memorial opened to the public in 1922, the building was dedicated, 57 years after Lincoln died. Abraham Lincoln was assassinated just after the end of the Civil War on April 14, 1865. There are 36 columns, each one representing one state in the U.S. at the date of President Lincoln’s death. The Memorial itself is 190 feet long and 119 feet wide, and reaches a height of almost 100 feet.
When one enters the memorial and looks onto the front wall there is a quote "In this temple, as in the hearts of the people for whom he saved the Union, the memory of Abraham Lincoln is enshrined forever." And below the quote sits a 19-foot tall, 175-ton statue of the Lincoln, looking out over the Mall of the country that he fought to preserve and unite. To the left of the statue is Lincoln’s great speech, the Gettysburg Address in 1863 and to the right is the Second Inaugural Address, given in March of 1865 and mere months before Lincoln’s death.
The Lincoln Memorial is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
When one enters the memorial and looks onto the front wall there is a quote "In this temple, as in the hearts of the people for whom he saved the Union, the memory of Abraham Lincoln is enshrined forever." And below the quote sits a 19-foot tall, 175-ton statue of the Lincoln, looking out over the Mall of the country that he fought to preserve and unite. To the left of the statue is Lincoln’s great speech, the Gettysburg Address in 1863 and to the right is the Second Inaugural Address, given in March of 1865 and mere months before Lincoln’s death.
The Lincoln Memorial is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
003-NATIONAL MALL, WASHINGTON DC- The National Mall is America’s most visited national park, where the past, present and future come together. 'The Mall' is a long strip of green surrounded by museums and monuments. It stretches for over 1.9 miles/3 km from the Lincoln Memorial on the western border to the US Capitol on the east and between the Capitol Building and the Washington Monument, the Mall spans 1.2 miles (1.8 km). The Mall covers about 309.00 acres. The monuments and memorials in this park honour American forefathers and heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to this country. The creation of the National Mall resulted in a central axis of museums, monuments and memorials. The east part between the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial and the Washington Monument is often considered the 'proper' part of the mall and is lined with grand museum buildings. The west part, the location of the Constitution Gardens, is home to numerous memorials. The most important attractions found along the Mall, from east to west:
- US Capitol Building
- Ulysses S. Grant Memorial
- National Gallery of Art
- National Museum of the American Indian
- National Air and Space Museum
- National Museum of Natural History
- Hirshhorn Museum
- Smithsonian Castle
- National Museum of American History
- Washington Monument
- World War II Memorial
- DC War Memorial
- Memorial to the signing of the Declaration of Independence
- Vietnam Memorial
- Korean War Veterans Memorial
- Lincoln Memorial
Near the Tidal Basin:
- Jefferson Memorial
- George Mason Memorial
- Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial
- Martin Luther King Memorial
- John Paul Jones Memorial
- US Capitol Building
- Ulysses S. Grant Memorial
- National Gallery of Art
- National Museum of the American Indian
- National Air and Space Museum
- National Museum of Natural History
- Hirshhorn Museum
- Smithsonian Castle
- National Museum of American History
- Washington Monument
- World War II Memorial
- DC War Memorial
- Memorial to the signing of the Declaration of Independence
- Vietnam Memorial
- Korean War Veterans Memorial
- Lincoln Memorial
Near the Tidal Basin:
- Jefferson Memorial
- George Mason Memorial
- Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial
- Martin Luther King Memorial
- John Paul Jones Memorial
004-US CAPITOL-It stands as a focal point of the government's legislative branch and as a centrepiece of Capitol Hill and the National Mall. The US Capitol houses the legislative branch of the American government. The Senate occupies the building's north wing and the House of representatives is housed in the south wing. The United States Capitol is among the most symbolically important and architecturally impressive buildings in the nation. The Capitol, which was started in 1793, has been through many construction phases. It stands today as a monument to the American people and their government. The cornerstone was laid by President Washington on September 18, 1793. The 20th century has seen even further changes for the Capitol. Despite the large US Capitol number of architects and modifications, the US Capitol's architecture is surprisingly homogenous. The neo-classical building's size is impressive: it is 751ft long and 350ft wide. The dome including the 19ft tall statue reaches a height of 188ft. The building contains some 540 rooms spread out over five floors. Some of the most notable of these rooms are the rotunda, a large domed room in the centre of the capitol and the National Statuary Hall, where statues of prominent citizens are displayed.
The Capitol is located on top of a hill, now known as the capitol hill, on the east side of the National Mall.
The Capitol Visitor centre, the new main entrance to the U.S. Capitol, is located on the East front at First Street and East Capitol Street, NE. The Capitol Visitor Centre is open to visitors from 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday through Saturday. Tours of the U.S. Capitol are conducted from 8:50am to 3:20pm Monday through Saturday and the duration is 45 minutes. All visitors to the U.S. Capitol are required to go through security screening. Tours of the U.S. Capitol need to be scheduled in advance through the Advance Reservation System(online) or through the office of one your Senators or your Representative. Guided tours of the historic Capitol begin at one of the Capitol Visitor Center’s orientation theatres with a 13-minute film, "Out of Many, One," once inside the historic Capitol, visitors will see the Crypt, the Rotunda, and National Statuary Hall. All tours begin and end at the Capitol Visitor Center.
Metro Stop:- Capitol South or Union Station.
The Capitol is located on top of a hill, now known as the capitol hill, on the east side of the National Mall.
The Capitol Visitor centre, the new main entrance to the U.S. Capitol, is located on the East front at First Street and East Capitol Street, NE. The Capitol Visitor Centre is open to visitors from 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday through Saturday. Tours of the U.S. Capitol are conducted from 8:50am to 3:20pm Monday through Saturday and the duration is 45 minutes. All visitors to the U.S. Capitol are required to go through security screening. Tours of the U.S. Capitol need to be scheduled in advance through the Advance Reservation System(online) or through the office of one your Senators or your Representative. Guided tours of the historic Capitol begin at one of the Capitol Visitor Center’s orientation theatres with a 13-minute film, "Out of Many, One," once inside the historic Capitol, visitors will see the Crypt, the Rotunda, and National Statuary Hall. All tours begin and end at the Capitol Visitor Center.
Metro Stop:- Capitol South or Union Station.
005-WHITE HOUSE-The White House has been the official residence of every President of the United States with the exception of George Washington. The White House is located on a site near the Mall chosen in 1790 by president George Washington and Pierre l'Enfant the architect. The official home for the U.S. president was designed by Irish-born architect James Hoban in the 1790s, who modelled this building after an Anglo-Irish villa in Dublin called the Leinster House. The first resident was the 2nd president John Adams in 1800. Meanwhile the Ist president (George Washington) resided in the President's House in the temporary capital Philadelphia. It was nicknamed 'White House' and in 1901 president Theodore Roosevelt made it the official name and again under Harry Truman after WWII. The White House and grounds cover just over 18 acres. Today the group of buildings housing the presidency is known as the White House Complex. It includes the central Executive Residence flanked by the East Wing and West Wing. The West Wing houses the President's office (the Oval Office) and offices of his senior staff, with room for about 50 employees. the East Wing has intermittently housed the offices and staff of the First Lady, and the White House Social Office. The White House today holds 132 rooms on six floors. A State Arrival Ceremony is a ceremony takes place on the South Lawn of the White House.
Tours- Public tour requests must be submitted through one's Member of Congress. These self-guided tours are available from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays (excluding federal holidays or unless otherwise noted). Tours are scheduled on a first come, first served basis. Requests can be submitted up to three months in advance and no less than 21 days in advance. You are encouraged to submit your request as early as possible as a limited number of spaces are available. All White House tours are free of charge. If you wish to visit the White House and are a citizen of a foreign country, please contact your embassy in Washington, DC for assistance in submitting a tour request.
Tours- Public tour requests must be submitted through one's Member of Congress. These self-guided tours are available from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays (excluding federal holidays or unless otherwise noted). Tours are scheduled on a first come, first served basis. Requests can be submitted up to three months in advance and no less than 21 days in advance. You are encouraged to submit your request as early as possible as a limited number of spaces are available. All White House tours are free of charge. If you wish to visit the White House and are a citizen of a foreign country, please contact your embassy in Washington, DC for assistance in submitting a tour request.
006-JEFFERSON MEMORIAL- The Jefferson Memorial pays tribute to Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States. Thomas Jefferson is one of the greatest figures in the history of the nation. The author of the Declaration of Independence was one of the founding fathers of the United States. Besides being a politician, Jefferson was also an architect, a writer, musician, scientist and inventor. The memorial architecture is a neo-classical dome with a portico based on the Pantheon in Rome. Construction started in 1939 and it was dedicated four years later, in 1943.Today it is a 19ft tall statue in bronze. The interior walls are engraved with inscriptions taken from the Declaration of Independence and from other writings.
Tidal Basin-
The Jefferson Memorial is located at the south side of the Tidal Basin. The basin was created in 1882-1897 to control the water levels of the Potomac and thus prevent the river from flooding. The Tidal Basin is part of Washington D.C.'s West Potomac Park and is a favourite area for tourists who enjoy a stroll around this attractive inlet. The manmade inlet is surrounded by cherry trees. The trees were a gift from the city of Tokyo to the city of Washington in 1912. It is one of the most photographed sights in Washington, especially during the two weeks when the trees bloom. there are no less than five memorials sitting on the banks of the inlet, including some of the city's most famous.
i-Thomas Jefferson Memorial
ii-Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
iii-George Mason Memoria
iv-John Paul Jones Memorial
v-Martin Luther King Memorial
Tidal Basin-
The Jefferson Memorial is located at the south side of the Tidal Basin. The basin was created in 1882-1897 to control the water levels of the Potomac and thus prevent the river from flooding. The Tidal Basin is part of Washington D.C.'s West Potomac Park and is a favourite area for tourists who enjoy a stroll around this attractive inlet. The manmade inlet is surrounded by cherry trees. The trees were a gift from the city of Tokyo to the city of Washington in 1912. It is one of the most photographed sights in Washington, especially during the two weeks when the trees bloom. there are no less than five memorials sitting on the banks of the inlet, including some of the city's most famous.
i-Thomas Jefferson Memorial
ii-Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
iii-George Mason Memoria
iv-John Paul Jones Memorial
v-Martin Luther King Memorial
007-NATIONAL WWII MEMORIAL- Symbolic of the defining event of the 20th Century, the memorial is a monument to the spirit, sacrifice, and commitment of the American people. The World War II Memorial honours the 16 million who served in the armed forces of the U.S., the more than 400,000 who died, and all who supported the war effort from home. The memorial opened to the public on April 29, 2004 and it was dedicated by President George W. Bush on May 29. The memorial is located between the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial. It sits on a 7.4 acre (3 ha) site and measures approximately 337 feet long by 240 feet wide. Consisting of 56 pillars and a pair of small triumphal arches surrounding a plaza and fountain.
Each pillar is inscribed with the name of one of the 48 U.S. states of 1945, as well as the District of Columbia, the Alaska Territory and Territory of Hawaii, the Commonwealth of the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The northern arch is inscribed with "Atlantic"; the southern one, "Pacific.", these arches paying tribute to the battles staged there. In the center of the plaza is the "Rainbow Pool" with its attractive circle of fountains. Flagpoles frame the entrance to the memorial and bases of granite and bronze are adorned with the military service seals of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Army Air Forces, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine. Ramps emerge from the entrance and lead around the plaza, accommodating handicapped visitors.
Freedom Wall-
The 9feet high Freedom Wall is on the west side of the memorial, with a view of the Reflecting Pool and Lincoln Memorial behind it. The wall has 4,048 gold stars, each representing 100 Americans who died in the war. In front of the wall lies the message "Here we mark the price of freedom".
Each pillar is inscribed with the name of one of the 48 U.S. states of 1945, as well as the District of Columbia, the Alaska Territory and Territory of Hawaii, the Commonwealth of the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The northern arch is inscribed with "Atlantic"; the southern one, "Pacific.", these arches paying tribute to the battles staged there. In the center of the plaza is the "Rainbow Pool" with its attractive circle of fountains. Flagpoles frame the entrance to the memorial and bases of granite and bronze are adorned with the military service seals of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Army Air Forces, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine. Ramps emerge from the entrance and lead around the plaza, accommodating handicapped visitors.
Freedom Wall-
The 9feet high Freedom Wall is on the west side of the memorial, with a view of the Reflecting Pool and Lincoln Memorial behind it. The wall has 4,048 gold stars, each representing 100 Americans who died in the war. In front of the wall lies the message "Here we mark the price of freedom".
008- MARTIN LUTHER KING MEMORIAL-The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is situated on a four-acre site along the Tidal Basin, adjacent to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial. Opened to the public in 2011, the memorial is the fourth in Washington, DC to honour a non-president and the first to honour a man of colour. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was one of the most prominent leaders of the civil rights movement in the 1960s, becoming an icon through his incredible speeches and his use of nonviolent resistance. He led the famous March on Washington in 1963, where he gave his legendary “I Have a Dream” speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. The centrepiece of the memorial is a 30-foot statue of Dr. King, featuring his likeness carved into the Stone of Hope, which emerges powerfully from two large boulders, known as the Mountain of Despair. Surrounding the statue of Dr. King is a 450-foot long Inscription Wall, which features 14 quotes from King’s speeches, sermons and writings.
009- FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT MEMORIAL (FDR)-The national memorial dedicated to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd president of the United States, lies about half way between the Lincoln Memorial and the Thomas Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC. The memorial sits on what is known as the Cherry Tree Walk and covers a total of about 7.5 acres. Memorial is composed of four “rooms” which represent each of President Roosevelt’s four terms as commander in chief. A statue of Roosevelt sitting in a wheelchair greets visitors and reminds them of the man who refused to let disability stop him. There are many water features, all with their own meaning. There’s the water feature comprised of one large drop, which depicts the crash of the economy that led to the Great Depression; multiple stair-like drops are akin to the Tennessee Valley Authority dam-building project; there are chaotic falls at varying angles signifying World War II; and a still pool for Roosevelt's death.
010- KOREAN VETRAN WAR MEMORIAL-Truly one of the most touching sights in Washington D.C., the Korean War Veterans Memorial serves as a reminder of those brave men and women of the United States military forces who crossed the vast ocean to defend the people of a country that was unfamiliar to nearly each and every one of them. The Korean War Veterans Memorial resides on the National Mall, southeast of the Lincoln Memorial and just south of the Reflecting Pool. All of its components, including its walls, stainless steel statues and Pool of Remembrance, are dedicated to the armed forces that served and sacrificed during the Korean War. The memorial’s Mural Wall measures 164 feet long and eight inches thick, and from a bird’s eye view, the Wall appears as an isosceles triangle, with the tip intersecting a circle over the Pool of Remembrance. Images of troops moving by sea, land and air are sandblasted onto the surface of the wall, while a squadron of 19 stainless steel figures, including members from each branch of the armed forces, are situated in the center of the memorial space.
011-VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL-The Vietnam Veterans Memorial honours the men and women who served in the Vietnam War. Its main monument, known as 'The Wall' is the most visited memorial in Washington. The V-shaped wall is located in the Constitution Gardens. One end of the wall points to the Washington Monument while the other points to the nearby Lincoln Memorial.
The memorial consists of three separate parts: The Three Soldiers statue, the Vietnam Women’s Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, which is the most popular feature. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall provides one of the National Mall’s most powerful scenes. In truth, the “wall” is actually made up of two identical walls that each stretch 246 feet, containing more than 58,000 names. The names are listed in chronological order based on the date of casualty, and within each day, names are shown in alphabetical order.
The second part is just south of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall is the Vietnam Women’s Memorial, bronze structure stands 15 feet tall and depicts three women attending to a wounded soldier, reflecting the unity required during the struggle of the war.
The third part of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is The Three Soldiers (also known as The Three Servicemen) bronze statue, another moving reminder of the disparate groups that had to come together during the Vietnam War.
The memorial consists of three separate parts: The Three Soldiers statue, the Vietnam Women’s Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, which is the most popular feature. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall provides one of the National Mall’s most powerful scenes. In truth, the “wall” is actually made up of two identical walls that each stretch 246 feet, containing more than 58,000 names. The names are listed in chronological order based on the date of casualty, and within each day, names are shown in alphabetical order.
The second part is just south of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall is the Vietnam Women’s Memorial, bronze structure stands 15 feet tall and depicts three women attending to a wounded soldier, reflecting the unity required during the struggle of the war.
The third part of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is The Three Soldiers (also known as The Three Servicemen) bronze statue, another moving reminder of the disparate groups that had to come together during the Vietnam War.
012-SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY-The National Museum of American History illustrates the short history of the United States with a varied display of objects. The museum's collection is divided into thematic areas such as 'Transportation and Technology' and 'American Wars and Politics'. The museum's most famous highlight is undoubtedly the flag. The flag flew above Fort McHenry in Baltimore during the War of 1812.
Another treasured item on display is the top hat worn by President Abraham Lincoln on the fateful night of April 14, 1865, when he set off to Ford’s Theatre and was later assassinated in cold blood by John Wilkes Booth. Another highlight from the same era is the primitive-looking gunboat Philadelphia, which was sunk by the British in 1776, the same year it was put in operation. It was recovered in 1935 from the bottom of Lake Champlain in New York. From a more recent battle is the helicopter that was used in the Vietnam War
Another treasured item on display is the top hat worn by President Abraham Lincoln on the fateful night of April 14, 1865, when he set off to Ford’s Theatre and was later assassinated in cold blood by John Wilkes Booth. Another highlight from the same era is the primitive-looking gunboat Philadelphia, which was sunk by the British in 1776, the same year it was put in operation. It was recovered in 1935 from the bottom of Lake Champlain in New York. From a more recent battle is the helicopter that was used in the Vietnam War
013- SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY- National Museum of Natural History is generally regarded as one of the finest museum of its kind in the world. Like other Smithsonian Museums, entrance is free of charge. The green-domed National Museum of Natural History opened in 1910. The building has an octagon-shaped rotunda; its dome is visible from many parts of the city. A large portico entrance with Corinthian columns leads to the rotunda which is decorated with columns of two different styles -Doric on the first floor and Ionic on the second and third floors. The two added wings are each six stories tall. The second, fourth, and sixth floors connect directly to the main museum and the sixth floor is set back. It is the third most visited museum in the world, and the most visited natural history museum in the world.
- Hall of Geology, Gems, and Minerals- The National Museum of Natural History boasts one of the finest collections of gems and minerals in the world, including the 45.52 carat Hope Diamond and the Star of Asia sapphire one of the largest sapphires in the world.
- Hall of Human Origins- he Hall is "dedicated to the discovery and understanding of human origins," and focuses on milestones of Human Evolution such as Walking Upright, Bigger Brains, and Creating a World of Symbols.
- Dinosaurs/Hall of Paleobiology- The collection consists of 46 "complete and important specimens" of dinosaurs. The "Triceratops exhibit shows the first accurate dinosaur skeleton in virtual motion, achieved through the use of scanning and digital technology.
- Hall of Mammals- The museum has the largest collection of vertebrate specimens in the world, nearly twice the size of the next largest mammal collections, including historically important collections from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries
- Insect Zoo- Different habitats have been created to show the type of insects that live in different environments and how they have adapted to a freshwater pond, house, mangrove swamp, desert, and rain forest.
- Ocean Hall- The hall includes 674 marine specimens and models drawn from the over 80 million specimens in the museum's total collection, the largest in the world.
- African Voices-This exhibit shows global influence of Africa's peoples and cultures.
- Butterflies + Plants- Featuring a live butterfly pavilion allows "visitors to observe the many ways in which butterflies and other animals have evolved, adapted, and diversified together with their plant partners over tens of millions of years.
- IMAX® Theaters - The Smithsonian’s IMAX® theaters (Samuel C. Johnson IMAX Theatre) have the largest screens in the Washington, DC region and measure up to 6 stories tall. Ticket-$9.00
014-NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART-Opened in 1941 as an art gallery "for the nation", Washington D.C.'s National Gallery of Art boasts one of the country's largest collections of Western art and sculpture. In 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt opened the new home of the new art gallery, located at the National Mall. The Gallery's collection includes some 141,000 paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, sculpture, decorative arts, and new media tracing the development of Western art from the Middle Ages to the present. The Gallery's campus includes the original neoclassical West Building , which is linked underground to the modern East Building.
015-NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN INDIAN-The National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) is located on Independence Avenue in DC, on the National Mall. The museum boasts one of the world’s most expansive collections of Native American objects, photographs, artefacts and media. The building is one of DC’s most visually striking. The museum’s collections represent more than 12,000 years of history across 1,200-plus indigenous cultures from the Americas. These objects range from the aesthetic to the religious to the historical, helping to form a comprehensive catalogue of Native American culture.
016- SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM- The Air and Space Museum takes visitors to the sky, showcasing the amazing technological achievements that have progressed aviation and space exploration throughout the last century. The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum has the largest collection of historic air and spacecraft in the world. The collection includes more than 30,000 aviation-related and more than 9,000 space related artefacts. A large part of this collection is shown at the National Air and Space Museum at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Some of the most notable include the Wright 1903 Flyer, the first engine-powered airplane, the Spirit of St. Louis, the plane used by Charles Lindbergh on the first transatlantic flight in 1927 and the Apollo 11 Command Module which carried the astronauts Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin on their mission to the moon in 1969. the museum is divided into twenty-two thematic exhibition galleries with names such as 'Milestones of Flight', 'Early Flight', 'Aviation in WWII' and 'Space Race'.
The Air and Space Museum is now actually two venues, one on the National Mall in downtown DC close to the US Capitol and another hangar-like structure known as the Udvar-Hazy Centre about 30 minutes away in Chantilly, near Dulles Airport. Highlights of the Udvar-Hazy Centre include the Space Shuttle Discovery, an SR-71 Blackbird, a Concord, and the Enola Gay, the B-29 bomber that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima.
The Air and Space Museum also features an IMAX Theatre (Lockheed Martin IMAX® Theatre in Washington, DC), a planetarium (Albert Einstein Planetarium in Washington, DC) and a public observatory with a safe solar telescope so you can be a daytime stargazer. Ticket=$9.0
The Air and Space Museum is now actually two venues, one on the National Mall in downtown DC close to the US Capitol and another hangar-like structure known as the Udvar-Hazy Centre about 30 minutes away in Chantilly, near Dulles Airport. Highlights of the Udvar-Hazy Centre include the Space Shuttle Discovery, an SR-71 Blackbird, a Concord, and the Enola Gay, the B-29 bomber that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima.
The Air and Space Museum also features an IMAX Theatre (Lockheed Martin IMAX® Theatre in Washington, DC), a planetarium (Albert Einstein Planetarium in Washington, DC) and a public observatory with a safe solar telescope so you can be a daytime stargazer. Ticket=$9.0
017-HIRSHHORN MUSEUM-The Hirshhorn Museum opened in 1974 on the National Mall with a collection of modern and contemporary art donated by Joseph Hirshhorn. The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden is an art museum beside the National Mall, in Washington, D.C. It was conceived as the United States' museum of contemporary and modern art and currently focuses its collection-building and exhibition-planning mainly on the post–World War II period, with particular emphasis on art made during the last 50 years. Outside the museum is a sculpture garden, featuring works by artists including Auguste Rodin, David Smith, Alexander Calder, Jeff Koons and others.
018- INTERNATIONAL SPY MUSEUM-The International Spy Museum traces the evolution of espionage through the people who practice the profession and provides a context for guests to interpret the role intelligence plays in current events. The Museum's permanent exhibition presents the tradecraft of espionage and showcases the ingenuity and imagination of real-life spies and spymasters.
Ticket-$21.95
Ticket-$21.95
019- IWO JIMA MEMORIAL-The United States Marine Corps War Memorial, better known as the Iwo Jima Memorial depicts one of the most historic battles of World War II, the battle of Iwo Jima. The famous statue, depicts the six soldiers who raised the second American flag at Iwo Jima in the Japanese Volcano Islands on February 23, 1945, signifying the conclusion of the American campaign in the Pacific during World War II. The 32ft tall figures raising a 60ft high flagpole are placed on a 10ft/3m high base. All the major Marine Corps engagements since its founding in 1775 are inscribed on the base. The memorial was dedicated on November 10, 1954 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower and the American flag has flown from the statue 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by presidential proclamation ever since.
On February 19, 1945 about 70,000 marines invaded the small Pacific Island of Iwo Jima which was under control of the Japanese army. The island was a strategic objective due to its airfield which was used for kamikaze attacks.
By capturing the island, the Allied Forces would not only prevent attacks from the island but it would also give them a base from where the Japanese mainland could be reached by B-29 Superfortresses. The battle of Iwo Jima was one of the bloodiest in the war, with more than 6,800 American and 23,000 Japanese casualties. Of the six soldiers shown on Rosenthal's picture, only three survived the war. The other three were killed during further battle at Iwo Jima.
On February 19, 1945 about 70,000 marines invaded the small Pacific Island of Iwo Jima which was under control of the Japanese army. The island was a strategic objective due to its airfield which was used for kamikaze attacks.
By capturing the island, the Allied Forces would not only prevent attacks from the island but it would also give them a base from where the Japanese mainland could be reached by B-29 Superfortresses. The battle of Iwo Jima was one of the bloodiest in the war, with more than 6,800 American and 23,000 Japanese casualties. Of the six soldiers shown on Rosenthal's picture, only three survived the war. The other three were killed during further battle at Iwo Jima.
020- ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY-Arlington National Cemetery, the most famous cemetery in the country, is the final resting place for many of nation’s greatest heroes, including more than 3,00,000 veterans of every American conflict, from the Revolutionary War to Iraq and Afghanistan. Since its founding in 1866, Arlington National Cemetery has provided a solemn place to reflect upon the sacrifices made by the men and women of the United States Armed Forces in the name of the country. Arlington National Cemetery is divided into seventy different sections with the various sections designated for particular purposes
021- NATIONAL CATHEDRAL-The Classical Gothic style of Washington's National Cathedral makes it look as if this magnificent structure was built somewhere in Europe during the Middle Ages. Construction started in 1907 but was interrupted during the first World War. Finally, in September 1990, 83 years after construction started, the last stone was put in place. The cathedral, officially known as the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul, is 301ft (92m) high and 517ft (158m) long. The West towers reach 234ft (71m). The National Cathedral is elaborately decorated with both religious and national motifs. One of the carvings even depicts Darth Vader from Star Wars. And one of the cathedral's 215 stained glass windows is the famous 'space window', commemorating the first landing on the moon. The National Cathedral is located on Mount St. Alban at Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues.
022- UNION STATION- Union Station is the main railway station in Washington. It was constructed between 1907 and 1908 as the new terminal for the Baltimore & Ohio and the Pennsylvania Railroads. It is Amtrak's headquarters and the railroad's second-busiest station. The station also serves MARC and VRE commuter rail services, the Washington Metro (Red Line), and buses. In 1988, a headhouse wing was added and the original station renovated for use as a shopping mall. Today, Union Station is one of the busiest rail facilities and shopping destinations in the country. An impressive 182 meters long, the building was the largest train station in the world (1908). The central archway, based on the Arch of Constantine in Rome leads to the main hall with a 96ft high barrel-vaulted ceiling. The coffered ceiling was decorated with gold leaf. The station has 18 platforms and the bus station is on the mezzanine level.
(Greyhound Lines-Megabus-Peter Pan Bus Lines-Washington Deluxe-Best Bus). Red Line Metro also connects the Railway Station. The Washington Union Station is located on Capitol Hill, not far from the US Capitol and US Supreme Court
(Greyhound Lines-Megabus-Peter Pan Bus Lines-Washington Deluxe-Best Bus). Red Line Metro also connects the Railway Station. The Washington Union Station is located on Capitol Hill, not far from the US Capitol and US Supreme Court
023- COLUMBUS MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN-In 1912, four years after Washington DC's magnificent Union Station opened to the public, the plaza in front of the station was embellished with a monumental fountain dedicated to Christopher Columbus.
Columbus looks beyond the winged figurehead representing Discovery on the ship's prow. Behind the explorer rises a massive pedestal 45 ft. high. On his right, facing west, is an American Indian representing the New World. On his left, facing east (see image below), is an elderly man representing the Old World. Above him, supported by four eagles, is a sphere bearing the outline of the western hemisphere.
A relief on the rear side of the pedestal depicts the Spanish King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. The fountain is guarded by two couchant lions.
Plaza- The fountain is the centrepiece of the semi-circular Union Station Plaza. The plaza is also embellished with three massive flagpoles which represent the three vessels that Columbus took with him on his first voyage across the Atlantic: the Santa Maria, Niña and Pinta. Each flagpole is crowned with a bronze eagle resting on a globe.
Columbus looks beyond the winged figurehead representing Discovery on the ship's prow. Behind the explorer rises a massive pedestal 45 ft. high. On his right, facing west, is an American Indian representing the New World. On his left, facing east (see image below), is an elderly man representing the Old World. Above him, supported by four eagles, is a sphere bearing the outline of the western hemisphere.
A relief on the rear side of the pedestal depicts the Spanish King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. The fountain is guarded by two couchant lions.
Plaza- The fountain is the centrepiece of the semi-circular Union Station Plaza. The plaza is also embellished with three massive flagpoles which represent the three vessels that Columbus took with him on his first voyage across the Atlantic: the Santa Maria, Niña and Pinta. Each flagpole is crowned with a bronze eagle resting on a globe.
024- PENTAGON-The Pentagon, located just outside Washington, DC in Arlington, Va., is the headquarters for the United States Department of Defence. A five-sided concrete and steel symbol of America’s military strength. Encompassing more than 6 million square feet of floor space, the Pentagon ranks among the largest office buildings in the world. On January 15, 1943, work was completed on the new headquarters for the U.S. War Department (the modern-day Department of Defence) in Arlington. With more than 17 miles of corridors, it remains one of the largest office buildings in the world.
Terrorist Attacks - On September 11, 2001, another hijacked plane struck the Pentagon, killing 189 people and damaging roughly one-third of the building. The extensive post-9/11 repairs and renovations of the Pentagon were completed in exactly one year, a hectic pace matched only by that of the building’s original design and construction 60 years earlier. Construction on the Pentagon began on September 11, 1941, 60 years to the day before the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
The National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial – It is the first national memorial dedicated to the tragic events. All 184 lives lost in the attack on the Pentagon are represented by “Memorial Unit” benches. The memorial is located just outside the Pentagon. Each of the aforementioned Memorial Units (or benches) has a victim’s age and location at the time of the attack inscribed on it. The benches are arranged along an age line, according to the year each victim was born. They are positioned to differentiate those who were on board American Airlines Flight 77 and those who were in the Pentagon, and each contains a pool of water that reflects light in the evenings.
Tour-It is open for official tours through The Pentagon Tours program. Pentagon tours must be reserved at least 14 days in advance and no more than 90 days in advance. Tours are conducted Monday-Friday (excluding federal holidays) from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Tours fill up quickly and it is highly recommended that you book well in advance of your visit. International visitors must request a tour through their home country’s embassy. Tours are 60 minutes and cover about 1.5 miles inside the Pentagon, which is one of the largest office buildings in the world. Tours include the history of the four branches of the military and the opportunity to see the indoor memorial near the Sept. 11 crash site and the Sept. 11 Memorial chapel, as well as the Hall of Heroes. Visitors must check-in at least 60 minutes prior to their scheduled tour to allow time for security. You will be asked to present your tour confirmation email and photo ID. All visitors will go through security scanners.
Terrorist Attacks - On September 11, 2001, another hijacked plane struck the Pentagon, killing 189 people and damaging roughly one-third of the building. The extensive post-9/11 repairs and renovations of the Pentagon were completed in exactly one year, a hectic pace matched only by that of the building’s original design and construction 60 years earlier. Construction on the Pentagon began on September 11, 1941, 60 years to the day before the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
The National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial – It is the first national memorial dedicated to the tragic events. All 184 lives lost in the attack on the Pentagon are represented by “Memorial Unit” benches. The memorial is located just outside the Pentagon. Each of the aforementioned Memorial Units (or benches) has a victim’s age and location at the time of the attack inscribed on it. The benches are arranged along an age line, according to the year each victim was born. They are positioned to differentiate those who were on board American Airlines Flight 77 and those who were in the Pentagon, and each contains a pool of water that reflects light in the evenings.
Tour-It is open for official tours through The Pentagon Tours program. Pentagon tours must be reserved at least 14 days in advance and no more than 90 days in advance. Tours are conducted Monday-Friday (excluding federal holidays) from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Tours fill up quickly and it is highly recommended that you book well in advance of your visit. International visitors must request a tour through their home country’s embassy. Tours are 60 minutes and cover about 1.5 miles inside the Pentagon, which is one of the largest office buildings in the world. Tours include the history of the four branches of the military and the opportunity to see the indoor memorial near the Sept. 11 crash site and the Sept. 11 Memorial chapel, as well as the Hall of Heroes. Visitors must check-in at least 60 minutes prior to their scheduled tour to allow time for security. You will be asked to present your tour confirmation email and photo ID. All visitors will go through security scanners.
025- SMITHSONIAN CASTLE- For a man who never set foot in Washington, DC, French-born, British-raised James Smithson has had a huge impact on the city. The British scientist (1765-1829), an illegitimate son of a Duke, left his considerable fortune to a nephew with the stipulation that, were the nephew to die without heirs, the money go “to the United States of America, to found at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge.” The nephew died, and a museum complex was born. The result of that gift, The Smithsonian Institution, was officially created by an act of Congress in 1846. Its first building, the distinctive red Maryland sandstone Smithsonian Castle, was completed in 1855. The towered, neo-Gothic structure, designed by up-and-coming New York City architect James Renwick, initially held the entire institution: a gallery, a natural history collection, a laboratory and even the first secretary of the organization’s apartment. Since most are on the adjacent National Mall, the maps can be particularly helpful for plotting a day of museum-hopping. Docents also man a help desk and distribute printed guides. There’s also a coffee and snack shop and a large seating area with free Wi-Fi, an ideal place to take a break and plan your next move. Perhaps most touching, the Castle also holds James Smithson’s crypt. Though he died in Genoa, Italy and was buried there, in 1905, he was reinterred in a marble crypt in a small, chapel-like room here. Pay tribute to him here, or by visiting the many museums his vision launched.
026-US SUPREME COURT BUILDING-When Washington DC became the US capital in 1790, there was no building specifically designated for the use of the members of the Supreme Court. For more than 140 years, the court was housed in the US Capitol building, first in the basement and then in other parts of the complex. Even though the country was in the midst of the Great Depression, the cornerstone for the building was laid in 1932 and the project completed in 1935. The Court first sat in the building on Monday, October 7, 1935. The US Supreme Court Building based on the design of Greece's Parthenon, a reference to Ancient Athens as the birthplace of Democracy. The site determined the size of the building, which stands four stories tall. The western or front facade bears the inscription "Equal Justice Under Law" and faces the Capitol building. The eastern facade includes the motto, "Justice, Guardian of Liberty". The Supreme Court Building is open to visitors Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is closed Saturdays, Sundays and on federal holidays. Although the Supreme Court does not offer guided walking tours, visitors are encouraged to tour the building on their own. The Courtroom is located on the First Floor. Court sessions are open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Highlights include the John Marshall Statue, portraits and busts of Justices, and two self-supporting marble spiral staircases.
The Supreme Court of the United States is located at 1 First Street, NE between East Capitol Street and Maryland Avenue.
The Supreme Court of the United States is located at 1 First Street, NE between East Capitol Street and Maryland Avenue.
027-UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM-The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) is the United States' official memorial to the Holocaust. Adjacent to the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The museum’s primary mission is to advance and disseminate knowledge about the Holocaust, to preserve the memory of those who suffered. Everything about the museum is powerful; even the architecture was intentionally designed to give visitors a sense of life under the Nazis. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum opened to the public on April 26, 1993, with a dedication ceremony attended by President Clinton, Vice President Gore, and many national and international dignitaries. Remembrance is at the heart of the museum and it resonates throughout the building. The hexagonal Hall of Remembrance and the Wall of Remembrance, which memorializes the murdered children, are the two specific memorial spaces.
028-CHERRY BLOSSOM-Each spring, the cherry blossoms lining Washington DC’s Tidal Basin burst into color in a beautiful display of floral fireworks. But the peak bloom period lasts only a few days, and precisely when it happens varies each year. On average, the peak bloom occurs sometime around the last week or so of March through the first week or so of April. During the National Cherry Blossom Festival, the most popular place to visit the cherry blossom trees is at the Tidal Basin, which provides great photo ops near the Jefferson Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial.
029-POTOMAC RIVER CRUISE- Washington, DC sightseeing cruises are a nice way to relax and capture great photographs of the nation’s capital along the Potomac River. These boat tours are most fun during the warmer months of the year when you can get out on the deck to see panoramic views of some of the region’s most popular landmarks such as the Kennedy Center, the Washington Monument, the Jefferson Memorial, the Washington Navy Yard and more.
Monday - Friday -prices from $47.90*
Board: 11:15am | Cruise: Noon - 2:00pm
Saturday -prices from $49.90*
Board: 10:45am | Cruise: 11:30am - 1:30pm
Address- Spirit of Washington & Spirit of Mount Vernon dock at Pier 4 at 6th & Water Streets SW, Washington, DC
Washington, DC 20024
Washington, DC 20007
Washington, DC 02002
- Spirit of Washington Cruises- Cruising the Potomac River year-round. See DC from one of the most exciting spots in the city. A two-hour cruise on the Potomac River,
Monday - Friday -prices from $47.90*
Board: 11:15am | Cruise: Noon - 2:00pm
Saturday -prices from $49.90*
Board: 10:45am | Cruise: 11:30am - 1:30pm
Address- Spirit of Washington & Spirit of Mount Vernon dock at Pier 4 at 6th & Water Streets SW, Washington, DC
- Odyssey Cruises Washington DC-
Washington, DC 20024
- Capitol River Cruises
Washington, DC 20007
- DC Ducks Tour- DC Duck Land and Water Tours operates on a daily tour schedule from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, every hour on the hour.
- Union Station
Washington, DC 02002
030-TREASURY BUILDING-The Present Treasury Building was built over a period of 33 years between 1836 and 1869. The most architecturally impressive feature is the east colonnade running the length of the building. Each of the 30 columns is 36 feet tall and is carved out of a single piece of granite. The Treasury Building is the oldest departmental building in Washington and has had a great impact on the design of other governmental buildings. At the time of its completion, it was one of the largest office buildings in the world. It served as a barracks for soldiers during the Civil War and as the temporary White House for President Andrew Johnson following the assassination of President Lincoln in 1865. The Treasury Building is unquestionably a monument of continuing architectural and historical significance.
Address- 15th and H Sts., NW.
Address- 15th and H Sts., NW.
031-NATIONAL ARCHIVES MUSEUM- The National Archives Museum is home of the original Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights which are housed in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom.
032-FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION BUILDING-The Federal Trade Commission Building is a federal building which serves as the headquarters of the Federal Trade Commission. Completed in 1938. Man Controlling Trade is the name given to two monumental equestrian statues created by Michael Lantz for the Federal Trade Commission Building.
DAY OUT TOURS FROM WASHINGTON DC-
033-THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY- Less than two hours away from Washington DC, nestled in the Shenandoah mountains, is the town of Luray, Virginia . Here are
The Low Ropes Course –
The Little Adventurer –
April and May on Saturday and Sunday at 3 pm
June, July and August on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 8 pm
September and October on Saturdays and Sundays at 3 pm
- The Town of Luray- A small town of about 5000 people situated between the Shenandoah and George Washington National Parks in Virginia, USA. Luray Downtown is also the heart of the town’s cherished historical sites and points of interest. From Civil War-era landmarks, to restored properties dating back to the 1700s, to quaint shops, cosy bed and breakfasts, and unique restaurants and cafes, this little town is truly packed with big-time charm. Luray also serves as a fantastic base for some hiking throughout the Shenandoah and Washington National Forests.
- Luray Valley Museum- The main museum building displays nearly 300 years of Shenandoah Valley artefacts. Walk through the chronological history from the 1750's to the 1920's. Explore across a seven-acre recreation of a small 19th century farming community. Knock on the door of the 1835 home of the county's first Delegate to the Virginia General Assembly. Peek into the Hamburg Regular School, the area's first school for African American children. Read the actual signatures of Union and Confederate soldiers scrawled into the walls of the Elk Run Dunkard Church. (The Luray Valley Museum is included in the Luray Caverns general admission.)
- Car & Carriage Caravan- See an 1892 Mercedes-Benz, one of the oldest cars in the country still in operating condition and the precursor to the Chevy Volt, the 1908 Baker Electric. And see 1925 Rolls Royce, owned by silent film star, Rudolph Valentino. (The Luray Valley Museum is included in the Luray Caverns general admission.)
- Toy Town Junction- Dr. Richard Worden (the once five-year-old, now retired Methodist minister) built up a massive train and toy collection – all inspired by that very first train. He arranged for Luray Caverns to exhibit the collection simply because he wanted to share the immense joy these toys have given him over the years. (The Luray Valley Museum is included in the Luray Caverns general admission.)
- The Garden Maze- Over 1,500 Dark American Arborvitae, eight feet tall and four feet wide, create a half-mile pathway enhanced with a misting fog.
- Rope Adventure Park-Take on three different levels of ropes course challenges:
The Low Ropes Course –
The Little Adventurer –
- Luray Singing Tower- The Luray Singing Tower contains a carillon of 47 bells. The largest bell weighs 7,640 pounds and is six feet in diameter. The smallest weighs a mere 12 ½ pounds. Recognized as one of the country's major carillons, 45-minute recitals are scheduled regularly throughout the spring, summer and fall.
April and May on Saturday and Sunday at 3 pm
June, July and August on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 8 pm
September and October on Saturdays and Sundays at 3 pm
- Shenandoah National Park- This national park is long and narrow, with the broad Shenandoah River and Valley on the west side, and the rolling hills of the Virginia Piedmont on the east. The park is best known for Skyline Drive, a 105-mile road that runs the entire length of the park along the ridge of the mountains. There are four entry points: Front Royal, Thornton Gap, Swift Run Gap, and Rockfish Gap. The drive is particularly popular in the fall when the leaves are changing colours. One of the most popular trail is Old Rag Mountain, which offers a thrilling rock scramble and some of the most breath-taking views in Virginia. There is also horseback riding, camping, bicycling, and many waterfalls. Shenandoah National Park offers 196,000 acres of backcountry and wilderness camping.
- Shenandoah Valley Historic Battlefields- You can still view much of the landscape as it was seen by soldiers and civilians during the war, and you can explore the region’s dramatic Civil War story at historic sites, battlefields, courthouses, cemeteries, walking trails, and museums that tell the story.
034-LURAY CAVERNS IN SHENANDOAH VALLEY -The largest and most popular caverns in Eastern America, this U.S. Natural Landmark is located 90 minutes southwest of Washington, DC, just 10 minutes from Skyline Drive and Shenandoah National Park. Visit cathedral-sized rooms with ceilings 10 stories high, filled with towering stone columns and crystal-clear pools.
Giant's Hall- Enormous chambers are filled with towering stone columns, shimmering draperies and crystal-clear pools.
Dream Lake- This is the largest body of water in the caverns. However, its deepest point is not more than 18 to 20 inches. This sparkling lake reflects a myriad of fantastic forms and creates a mirror image of the abundant stalactites hanging from the ceiling.
Titania's Veil- All formations in the caverns are calcite, a crystalline form of limestone. Calcite in its purest form is naturally white. Titania's Veil is a pristine example of a calcite formation in its finest purity.
Double Column- Dominating Giant’s Hall at a height of 47 feet, this column is the tallest and one of the most spectacular formations in the caverns. The Double Column is a classic example of the two basic cave formations the stalactite and stalagmite coming together as one massive wonder of nature.
The Stalacpipe Organ- The Great Stalacpipe Organ is the world's largest musical instrument. It's a musical masterpiece that can't be found anywhere else in the world.The organ is in fact the biggest musical instrument in the world and gets its sound from tapping on various columns to create a sound in a similar way a piano or organ would. It is situated in the largest cave area in the cavern system and is easily the highlight. The song - played automatically, though has actual piano keys) reverberates through the caverns creating a beautiful and majestic sound.
Luray Caverns is open every day of the year. Tours depart approximately every twenty minutes. The General Admission includes the attraction entrance fee and Luray Caverns tour, a self-guided tour of the Car and Carriage Caravan, and the Luray Valley Museum. Tours begin each day at 9 am.
Adults: $26
Giant's Hall- Enormous chambers are filled with towering stone columns, shimmering draperies and crystal-clear pools.
Dream Lake- This is the largest body of water in the caverns. However, its deepest point is not more than 18 to 20 inches. This sparkling lake reflects a myriad of fantastic forms and creates a mirror image of the abundant stalactites hanging from the ceiling.
Titania's Veil- All formations in the caverns are calcite, a crystalline form of limestone. Calcite in its purest form is naturally white. Titania's Veil is a pristine example of a calcite formation in its finest purity.
Double Column- Dominating Giant’s Hall at a height of 47 feet, this column is the tallest and one of the most spectacular formations in the caverns. The Double Column is a classic example of the two basic cave formations the stalactite and stalagmite coming together as one massive wonder of nature.
The Stalacpipe Organ- The Great Stalacpipe Organ is the world's largest musical instrument. It's a musical masterpiece that can't be found anywhere else in the world.The organ is in fact the biggest musical instrument in the world and gets its sound from tapping on various columns to create a sound in a similar way a piano or organ would. It is situated in the largest cave area in the cavern system and is easily the highlight. The song - played automatically, though has actual piano keys) reverberates through the caverns creating a beautiful and majestic sound.
Luray Caverns is open every day of the year. Tours depart approximately every twenty minutes. The General Admission includes the attraction entrance fee and Luray Caverns tour, a self-guided tour of the Car and Carriage Caravan, and the Luray Valley Museum. Tours begin each day at 9 am.
Adults: $26