5 Places You Must Visit In Washington D.C.

As my Uber driver zipped up and down one way streets, we chatted about everything from the traffic, to shopping to The Obamas and the city itself. “If you didn’t know any better, you wouldn’t think that Washington D.C. is actually the nation’s capital hey? You would think that it was somewhere more lively and interesting, like New York City,” he said. I had to agree with him there.

But, what Washington lacked in the electricity of say a city like New York, it made up for in history, and holds its own. It is the place where one of the largest human rights protest in America took place, helmed by one of the greatest civil rights leaders in the world, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It is the place where the first African American man was sworn in as the leader of the free world and of course it is the home of said leader, the President of the United States of America. The District is the real world’s version of your Macmillan/McGraw-Hill history text book and I loved every moment of it.

If you’re a lover of history and architecture, a visit to Washington D.C. goes without saying! While there is so much to do in the small city, here are a few major key sights that are not to be missed.

The White House – My first stop in D.C. was of course the current home of The Obamas! Located on 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, there is nothing quite like visiting this massive mansion that has been the home of every single President since John Adams in the 1800’s. The coolest part about my visit was seeing actual Secret Service agents on guard outside of the residence and seeing snipers patrolling the rooftops. While you can snap really cool photos at the Pennsylvania entrance, that is actually not the front of the White House, it’s the back!
Washington Monument – Piercing the D.C. skyline is the world’s tallest obelisk, the Washington Memorial. Located on the National Mall, this monument was built to salute and honor the first President of the United Sates of America, George Washington. What I didn’t know before I went to Washington was that you can actually tour the memorial, if you’re not afraid of heights that is! 500 feet up, my heart would pop out of my chest! If you’re interested tickets are free but are high in demand, so may the odds be ever in your favor!
The National Mall – Nah, it’s not a shopping mall! I’m actually not sure why it’s called the ‘Mall’, but it’s actually simply a park, a National Park; and it is simply stunning! The National Mall, which is said to be the most visited park in the United States of America is the home of 12 memorials, the Washington Monument and a ton of beautiful Japanese cherry blossom trees! Who could forget the history that has been made on these grounds? It is here that Dr. Martin Luther King stood and gave the unforgettable “I Have A Dream” speech in 1963 during the March on Washington. The National Mall is also the host of presidential inaugurations; it is said that the 2013 inauguration of President Obama drew almost 1 million people in attendance at The Mall. It was also said to be the most globally watched event in recent history.
Lincoln Memorial – Located on the mall is this larger than life memorial dedicated to a great American President. The Lincoln Memorial, as it name suggests memorializes the great Abraham Lincoln. It is a grandiose temple which measures 190 feet long and 119 feet wide, and reaches a height of almost 100 feet! But, thats not all. Inside of the memorial, is where you will find Honest Abe himself; a 19-foot tall, 175-ton statue of him that is. It is massive! Also, what’s pretty cool is that you can find etched on the wall, one of Lincoln’s most memorable speeches, the Gettysburg Address. So inspiring! My favorite part of visiting this memorial was standing on the steps and simply taking in the views of the Reflecting Pool, standing in the exact same spot where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave one of the most important speeches of his life!
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial – Have you SEEN this 30 foot statue? I have seen it many times documented in photographs and on television, but seeing is believing. It is big, it is bold and it is befitting of this legend. I love everything about it, from the two boulders known as The Mountain of Despair, to the Stone of Hope, which his likeness is carved into, to the soul stirring inscription, “Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope.” It is perfect. While this is the centerpiece of the memorial, the Inscription Wall which features 14 of Dr. King’s quotes pulled from various speeches, sermons and teachings are also a must see. The memorial can be found on 1964 Independence Avenue SW in honor of the Civl Rights Act of 1964, which Dr. King played an integral role in shaping.

Like I said, it can not rival the energy of a New York City, but D.C. definitely packs a major punch and is a gem! Have you ever visited the Capital? I’ve told you my favorites, now I’d like to hear yours. What are some of your major things to do in Washington DC?