By Meg Jernigan
Places to Visit in Washington DC
The abundance of things to see and places to visit draws more than 15 million people to Washington every year, according to the Washington DC Convention and Tourism Center. The familiar sights of the Capitol and White House are complemented by parks and neighborhoods that offer respite from crowds of tourists. Contact your Member of Congress before you visit for admission passes to some of Washington's sites.
Frederick Douglass National Historic Site
Douglass lived at Cedar Hill in the Anacostia section of Washington, DC until his death in 1895. The house is furnished with Douglass' belongings and illustrates his life-long fight to promote equality for African-Americans. All tours are guided by rangers and there is a fee for the tour.
Frederick Douglass National Historic Site
1411 W Street SE
Washington DC 20020
nps.gov
(202) 426-5961
National Cathedral
The National Cathedral is open year round. There is no entry fee, but donations are recommended. The extensive grounds include an herb garden and statuary. Take the elevator up into one of the towers for a 360-degree view of the city.
Washington National Cathedral
Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues, NW
Washington, DC 20016-5098
nationalcathedral.org
(202) 537-6200
Washington Navy Yard
The National Museum of the United States Navy is located at the Washington Navy Yard. Visitors over the age of 16 must have a valid ID to enter the Navy Yard. Exhibits cover the history of the Navy from 1775 to the present.
National Museum of the United States Navy
9th and M Streets, SE
Washington, DC
history.navy.mil
(202) 433-4882
Congressional Cemetery
The 32 1/2 acre Congressional Cemetery is off the beaten path in SE Washington. Notables like J. Edgar Hoover, John Philip Sousa and Mathew Brady are buried here along with about 80 Congressmen and other notables.
Historic Congressional Cemetery
1801 E Street, Southeast
Washington, D.C. 20003
congressionalcemetery.org
(202) 543-0539
The National Mall
The Smithsonian Museums, National Gallery of Art, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veteran's Memorial and Washington Monument line the National Mall. Start your walking tour at the U.S. Capitol at the eastern end of the Mall and end at the Lincoln Memorial on the Potomac River.
Smithsonian
PO Box 37012
SI Building, Room 153, MRC 010
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
si.edu
(202) 633-1000
Rock Creek Park
Peirce Mill in Rock Creek Park
Rock Creek stretches from the Potomac through the District to the Maryland line. Play tennis, ride horseback or hike through the park. The Nature Center and Planetarium has hands-on exhibits for kids. The National Zoo can be accessed from the park.
5200 Glover Road NW
Washington, DC 20015
nps.gov
(202) 895-6070
The White House
Tours are available by reservation only through your Member of Congress, but the White House Visitor Center at 15th and E Streets NW offers information, exhibits and a thirty minute video about the President's home. The Ellipse, on the south side of the White House, is the location for the National Christmas Tree Program in December.
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
whitehouse.gov
(202) 456-7041
The Old Post Office Pavilion
The Old Post Office building 315-foot tower offers a close-up view of Washington's monumental core. Shops and dining are located in the atrium. Last minute ticket purchases for the Kennedy Center can be made at Ticketplace. Built in 1899, The Old Post Office was Washington's first skyscraper.
The Old Post Office Pavilion
1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20004
oldpostofficedc.com
(202) 289-4224
The International Spy Museum
The International Spy Museum is the only public museum in the U.S. dedicated to espionage. A large display of spy artifacts, children's programming and a GPS guided tour of the city, where you are the spy, make this one of Washington's most interactive museums. Admission is charged and cameras are not allowed in the Spy Museum.
The International Spy Museum
800 F Street, NW
Washington, DC 20004
spymuseum.org
(202) 393-7798
Resources
About the Author:
Meg Jernigan has been writing for more than 30 years. She specializes in travel, cooking and interior decorating. Her offline credits include copy editing full-length books and creating marketing copy for nonprofit organizations. Jernigan attended George Washington University, majoring in speech and drama.
Photo Credits:
DC Metro Map & Travel Information, PBS, US Navy, DC Traveler, Trust for the National Mall, Visiting DC
