The city of Washington is the capital of one of the most powerful world powers, the center of American democracy and a symbol city for every citizen of the United States. All power structures of the country are located in Washington: Congress, Pentagon, IMF, World Bank, Presidential Administration.
Tourists are interested in this city because here you can learn a lot about the history of the United States and understand what the "American spirit" is. Numerous museums display the best cultural achievements, monuments to the first presidents adorn wide avenues, the majestic Capitol building hovers over the city as a symbol of democracy and freedom.
Washington is captivating with its severity and solemnity. Crowds of people, crazy traffic and 24/7 non-stop - all this remained in New York. Washington has its own special charm.
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What to see and where to go in Washington DC?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
The White house
It looks like a rather modest white building, which houses the administration of the President of the United States. The mansion was built in 1800 under the second American president, John Adams. The building consists of six floors (including basement and basement). Two floors are occupied by the family of the current president, the rest are administrative offices, reception halls, dining rooms. Along with the tour, you can see the historic rooms of the White House: Blue, Green, Red rooms and some others.
Capitol
The building of the US Congress, located on the hill of the same name. It appeared along with the White House in 1800. The building was built in a solemn classical style. The name "Capitol" was borrowed from the Roman Empire, and a deep meaning was put into it. Just as the ancient Capitol Hill towered over the Eternal City, so the American Capitol claims widespread dominance.
National Mall
The street that stretches from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol Building. Along the National Mall are Washington's major memorials, the city's historic museums, the Botanical Gardens and the Smithsonian Institution. One of the most famous speeches in the history of the United States was delivered here - “I have a dream” by M.L. King, where a black rights activist expressed his vision of equal rights for blacks and whites.
Washington Monument
Granite obelisk of white marble, 169 meters high, erected in honor of the founding father D. Washington. It was built in the middle of the 19th century with donations from American citizens and funds from private organizations. The column is surrounded by 52 spiers with flags of the American states. A staircase of several hundred steps leads to the top of the monument, and an elevator is also equipped for convenience and speed.
Lincoln Memorial
A complex located within the National Mall. It is dedicated to President Abraham Lincoln. The idea to erect a monument to perpetuate the memory of the 16th president arose immediately after Lincoln's death, but the memorial did not appear until 1922. The building of the complex is somewhat reminiscent of the ancient Greek Parthenon. The 36-column colonnade symbolizes 36 states (there were only 36 states during Lincoln's presidency).
Jefferson Memorial
The monument is dedicated to the third US President T. Jefferson, who is called one of the founding fathers. It is his hand that owns the text of the US Declaration of Independence. The memorial is surrounded by a Japanese cherry blossom garden on the shore of an artificial lake-pool. The architecture of the complex is a strict neoclassical style, which was actively implanted in the United States at the beginning and middle of the 20th century.
Memorial to the Veterans of the Korean War
Memorial complex dedicated to the killed and missing soldiers during the Korean War 1950-1953. It was an armed conflict between South and North Korea, in which the United States took an active part. The memorial was inaugurated in 1995, four years later, work on the improvement of the surrounding area was completed. The monument is a sculpture of soldiers of various nationalities.
Monument to Martin Luther King
Martin Luther King is a renowned black rights advocate and fighter for justice and equality, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. A monument in his honor was opened in Washington in 2011 in the presence of President Barack Obama and several thousand American citizens (mostly blacks). The monument is located in the park area of the National Alley.
Ford Theater
The theater where the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, was assassinated. This happened in 1865, when Lincoln was in his VIP box watching a play. A native of the slave-owning South of the United States and fanatic of the old order, D.W. Booth secretly entered the box and shot the president. Now the theater functions as a museum. The building is listed on the United States Register of National Historic Places.
Library of Congress
The library is considered one of the most beautiful and largest book collections in the world. It was founded in 1800 when the capital of the United States was moved to Washington. About $ 5,000 was allocated for the purchase of books, which was a very impressive amount for the beginning of the 19th century. Initially, the library rooms were intended only for members of Congress. Now the funds of the book depository number about 30 million copies.
Natural History Museum
A museum run by the Smithsonian Institution with over 100 million exhibits. Collections of minerals, precious stones, minerals, archaeological finds, fragments of cosmic bodies and much more are exhibited here. The museum is free for visitors, it is open seven days a week and only closes at Christmas.
Museum of American History
The museum is of greatest interest to visitors to Washington. It has been voted the National Mall's most visited museum. More than 5 million people pass through its halls per year. Museum exhibitions tell about the history of the United States, as well as about the development of culture, achievements in the social sphere and politics. It also displays personal belongings of the founding fathers and collections of paintings from the European Renaissance.
Museum of Aeronautics and Astronautics
One of the most interesting museums on the Washington National Mall. Real aircraft are exhibited here, or their life-size copies. The museum also houses spacecraft, rockets, engines, command modules of space stations, astronaut suits. The exhibition was launched in the middle of the 20th century. The museum is constantly active in research and development.
Museum of the American Indian
One of the new museums on the National Mall - opened in 2004. The exhibits are dedicated to the history and culture of Native American peoples. Here are collected clothes, household items and rituals, weapons, jewelry, coins of various Indian tribes. There is a theater on the territory where Indians play national instruments, dance and arrange various shows for visitors.
National Gallery of Art
Museum, which contains works of masters of different art schools and time periods. Sculptures, paintings, photographs, graphic drawings of both American and European artists are exhibited here. In total, there are about 1200 paintings in the National Gallery of Art. These are mainly works by French, Italian and American masters.
Museum of Journalism and News
A museum dedicated to the history of the emergence and development of the media. The entire evolution can be traced through the expositions - from the first newspapers and radio to the era of high-speed Internet. In the museum, visitors will see not only exhibits - everyone can try themselves in the role of a reporter and find out how news is created and what goals they pursue, where the news stories come from.
International espionage museum
Quite an interesting place where some secrets of intelligence and espionage activities are revealed. There is a similar museum only in the United States. The Advisory Council includes former officials from the FBI, CIA and even the Soviet KGB. The museum's collections include exhibits that shed light on the work of scouts. Separate expositions are devoted to the history of Soviet (and Russian) intelligence.
Washington Cathedral
A majestic Gothic temple, finally completed in the 90s. XX century. The cathedral belongs to the Protestant Church. The decision to build was made at the end of the 19th century, but the work lasted for almost 100 years. The temple bears the name of Saints Peter and Paul (again a reference to the glory of the Roman Empire, which haunts the Americans). Within the walls of the cathedral, funeral services were held for the 34th, 38th and 40th presidents of the United States.
Basilica of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The largest Catholic Church in the United States. The temple was built in the Byzantine style. The interior decoration is made in a rather lush manner. The basilica was erected in the middle of the 20th century, since then popes of Rome have visited here several times. For American Catholics, the temple is an important spiritual center and place of pilgrimage. Church officials are active in public and educational work among the parishioners.
United States Supreme Court Building
The building on Capitol Hill, home to the highest judicial body of the United States. The palace was built in 1936 by the architect K. Gilbert. The structure is an almost perfect example of the classical architectural style. The main facade is decorated with a sculptural group depicting Freedom, Order and Power. The male and female statues on either side of the grand staircase symbolize justice and the rule of law.
Edgar Hoover building
A multi-story and seemingly unremarkable building on Pennsylvania Avenue. This is the headquarters of the FBI. Many people have known this house since the days of the "X-Files" series. The headquarters of the Federal Bureau of Investigation was named after Edgar Hoover, the founder and first director of this service. You can get inside the building together with an organized excursion group.
Pentagon
A giant structure in the form of a regular pentagon (in Greek - pentagon), which houses the US Department of Defense. This is the largest office building in the world, about 40 thousand employees comfortably work here. Pentagon parking is designed for several thousand cars. During the Cold War, the Pentagon was the zero point for Soviet nuclear missiles.
Smithsonian Institution Building
The Smithsonian Institution is one of the main research centers in the United States. The administration of the organization is located in a picturesque red stone castle in the neo-Romanesque style. In the middle of the 20th century, the building was included in the list of US National Monuments. The first architectural project was drawn up in the classical style (similar to the Capitol building), but then it was decided to use the Romanesque style characteristic of medieval Germany as a model.
Old Post Office Pavilion
An architectural structure of the late 19th century with elements of the European neo-Romanesque style, which was briefly used as a post office. For a long time it stood empty; after reconstruction, shops, offices and restaurants were placed inside. Some government services are also located here. There are free guided tours around the pavilion. The 95-meter watch tower has an observation deck from where you can admire Washington DC.
Georgetown area
The oldest and most prestigious area in Washington, where luxurious mansions, antique shops and upscale restaurants are located among the greenery. The heart of the area is Georgetown University, an elite educational institution from which many representatives of the American establishment came. Georgetown is one of the most picturesque places in the American capital.
Mount vernon
The ancestral estate of the first President of the United States, George Washington, 24 km. from the capital. It is an imposing farm surrounded by plantations. In the middle of the territory there is a mansion house, where the atmosphere that was here during the life of the leader is preserved. You can take a walk around the estate or look into the president's office. On J. Washington's birthday, visit to the estate is free for everyone.
Arlington national cemetery
The cemetery where the soldiers who died in the Civil War of 1861-1865 are buried. Over time, this place became the last refuge for several American presidents. J. Kennedy and his wife are buried here. The cemetery is located on a picturesque plain and attracts attention with slender rows of white memorial plates. Every year, a solemn procession lays flowers on the graves.
Botanical Garden of the USA
The garden appeared in 1820 next to the Capitol (it officially opened only in 1850). The territory is home to 60 thousand plants. Hundreds of thousands of people visit the garden every year. The seeds were delivered here from all over the world, including the most distant ones, thanks to an active advertising campaign. The garden houses the largest greenhouse complex in the United States, divided into natural zones.
Great Falls of the Potomac
Rapids and waterfalls on the Potomac River are approximately 22 km away. from Washington. They are considered the most important and most picturesque natural attraction in the entire district. The area is replete with rapids of various difficulty categories, which attracts numerous kayaking enthusiasts. The Potomac River in the area of waterfalls flows through the territory of parks of the states of Virginia and Maryland.
Cherry blossom festival
The holiday is celebrated annually in late March - early April, when Japanese cherry blossoms bloom in the alleys of Washington. The festival lasts for two weeks until the sakura has completely bloomed. Tourists from all over the United States and many guests from other countries come to see this mesmerizing spectacle. The trees were donated to the American capital by Japan in 1912 as a sign of friendship between the two countries.
