Washington, DC:  A Live Lesson in American History

The next time you plan a family vacation, visit Washington, D.C.  Washington D.C. offers some of the best attractions in the country, most of which can be accessed free of charge.  In fact, D.C. has so much to offer that it's often a question of planning which places to go and what to do first.  Cramming all of the major attractions and activities D.C. can offer into one trip is just impossible, making this a place you'll want to come back to several times just to claim that you've 'done it all'.

Why you should visit

Going to Washington, D.C. is like experiencing American history live.  The cultural significance of the structures and museums in Washington, D.C. resonate with meaning and each visit is as quirky as it is informative.  Many of the nation's most famous buildings are located here.  Simply walking down the street will let you come face to face with a renowned museum or something else significant.

Touring Washington, D.C.

D.C.  is laid out in a grid layout that makes tours easy and the most famous landmarks easily accessible.  If you know how the layout works, there is very little possibility you'll get lost here, whether you're on foot, aboard the subway or the Metrobus.  But where should you visit first? 

Start at the National Mall, which contains the National Gallery of Art, the National Archives, some of the Smithsonian museums and of course, memorials.  This site, located west if you're coming from the Capitol, is lined with elm trees that are about two centuries old.  From here, you can then start to get to know the nation's capital.

Meeting Lincoln

One of the most famous landmarks in the world is the imposing Lincoln Memorial on the western end at Potomac Park.  The 36 columns were designed with Greek sensibilities and actually stand for the number of states the country had at the time of Lincoln's death.  You'll find an inscription of the Gettysburg Address here, along with the majestic marble sculpture of Abraham Lincoln by Daniel French.

Visiting the White House

Visiting the White House is not the only reason you should visit Washington, D.C., although it certainly is one of the most popular attractions.  Both local and international tourists flock to see the White House, get their pictures taken in front of it, or go on a tour inside. 

Washington, D.C. is known for its highly organized tours, many of which offer VIP access not just to the White House but also to the FBI, Supreme Court and the Engraving and Printing Bureau.  There are enough activities here to keep your family's inquiring minds satisfied.  Washington Walks, for example, are two-hour walking tours offered daily.  These come as themed outings and you can chance upon a particular theme to learn more about history in a different way.

If you want to explore on your own, you can go on foot or rent a bike, a great way to explore Washington D.C. in the summer.  Use a map, plan your stops and you can enjoy the architectures and historical landmarks at your own pace.  Choose a daytime bike tour or take a tour at night, when the structures look more stunning under illumination.

The Potomac

One of the things you shouldn’t miss on a family vacation to Washington D.C. is a trip down the Potomac.  Capitol River Cruises, for example, offers hourly trips starting at the Georgetown Waterfront.  The view is unbeatable as you cruise down the river and offers a whole new way of seeing a side of D.C. from the water.  You can also take a two-hour excursion using the Old Town Trolley Tours and see 19 different sites located in the city.

Embassy Row

No visit to Washington, D.C. is complete without a walk down Embassy Row, the part of Massachusetts Avenue that goes northwest to Georgetown, passing Dupont Circle.  This is where you'll find more than 100 consulates and embassies, hence the name.  Go northwest and you'll find Georgetown, an area that will surprise you with different styles of architecture.  There are Georgian Mansions here, along with Victorian style, Romanesque and Neoclassical row houses and a series of galleries, shops and restaurants, sitting across brick sidewalks from each other.

There are so many places you'll want to see in Washington, D.C. and so many activities you can participate in that no matter how many times you come back, there's always something new to see and learn.