Washington, D.C. Hotels and City Guide

Washington - Attractions

Time Out

It’s hard not to be impressed with a city whose site was chosen by George Washington himself. Washington DC was set in a spot that would help please everybody, Northerners and Southerners. What’s more, even after several years of building, destructing, and reorganizing, it has become a city of many talents without the need for a skyline dominated by skyscrapers. What makes the city even better for visitors? Congress passed a height-restrictions act that prevents commercial construction from growing too large and blunting the beauty of national monuments that are scattered throughout the city.

Washington is full of anything and everything; amazing places to indulge your palate, thriving businesses that show their wares, and of course, the numerous historical places that tell the story of the United States’ past. Bring a map and make a plan – there is a lot to see and do, so keeping yourself organized will not only help you see everything you want, but also allow you to squeeze in a little down time to rest your feet between visits.

Washington's Main Attractions

The White House 
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Cost: Free; but reservations are required. Open: Tours go through Tuesday – Saturday 7:30-12:30

First and foremost is the White House, legendary not only in name and function, but also for its interior design, unique rooms, and historical goings on. Designed in 1792 by James Hoban, it was inspired by Dublin’s Leinster Hall. Since that time it has changed to reflect the times as well as through necessary updates. In fact, it was not officially the White House until 1902 (before that it was the Executive Mansion). The British nearly destroyed it in 1812, but it has since been rebuilt and added onto.

Andrew Jackson installed running water. It received an elevator when James Garfield took office. Harry Truman gave the White House a major facelift, gutting and restoring the entire complex. If you plan on touring the White House, contact a Representative or Senator as appointments are made through their offices. If you are a non-U.S. citizen, you must contact your embassy. The most traffic comes through during the spring and summer months, so plan at least six months in advance. During the winter months, however, it may be possible to schedule a tour on shorter notice.

The National Mall

The National Mall, located in downtown Washington, is a large park which houses many of the monuments Washington is so famous for. Much larger than you might think, visiting The National Mall is a great way to take in several monuments at once and get a real feel for the nation’s capital. Taking a look at a map will show you numerous sights all within walking distance located within the Mall.

From the Vietnam War Memorial to the White House itself, what you do need to be sure of is that you have plenty of film or memory within your camera. There is no fee; chances are that if you find yourself marvelling at a monument, you are on – or about to be – The National Mall. In fact, it may take you a few days to truly hit every spot available and enjoy them for more than just a few minutes at a time.

The Capitol
East end of Mall, Capitol Hill
Open: Tours from 9:00-4:30

Here you can see the creation of a law or opposing sides argue it out to (hopefully) reach a compromise. Here is American democracy in action, beneath a breathtaking piece of architecture. The dome stretches high into the sky, and within the structure you can see massive artworks depicting American history through the ages. Adults and children alike stand open mouthed in mid-wow beneath the impressive display. Free and open to the public, you can view not only the people and art, but also old documents and other artifacts that represent American history.

Washington Monument
Constitution Ave. and 15th St. NW, The Mall
Cost: Free; advance tickets are $2. Open: Daily from 9:00-5:00

It’s pretty hard to miss the Washington Monument. It stands at 555 feet, the tallest structure in the city, rising into the sky and echoes into the waters stretched in front of it. It makes for fantastic viewing – both outside and inside.

If simply snapping photos of the monument itself are enough for you, then you are set. But if you want a real bird’s-eye view of Washington, then you can take a ride up this monument in an elevator in a 70 second flash. The building took some time to reach completion; construction began in 1848 and was not finished until 1884. At the top, not only will you see the city in its entirety, but also be able to take in views of Maryland and Virginia.

Lincoln Memorial
West side of Mall, The Mall, Washington, DC
Cost: Free. Open: Open 24 hrs; staffed daily 8 AM-midnight

Wandering around on the Mall and you’ll likely soon find yourself face to face with Abraham Lincoln. Perhaps not necessarily eye-level, but such a huge temple-like structure with a giant Lincoln sitting inside is hard to miss. It is an inspiring monument, one whose meaning has changed over the years and finally settled into one representing civil rights as well as social justice. Viewing the memorial during the day is just as amazing as viewing it at night, lit up with softly glowing lights under a starry sky.

Smithsonian Institution Building
1000 Jefferson Dr. SW, The Mall
Cost: Free. Open: Daily 9:00-5:30

Also known as the Castle, the Smithsonian has a very interesting past behind it. A British scientist named James Smithson never stepped foot in America and yet dedicated his entire fortune to the United States in the case that his nephew died without an heir. It was to be called the Smithsonian Institution and intended to offer knowledge to people everywhere. When both men died and the United States received the fortune, for eight years Congress debated on how to handle the situation.

In 1846 the building was finally completed and read to perform the function that James Smithson intended. There is much to see in the museums and the center opens before they do, in which case you might want to consider planning out your day early on in order to see everything you’d like to see. There is also no need to go out for lunch or a snack, as a quaint café provides you with a tasty option to stay there all day.

Folger Shakespeare Library
201 E. Capitol St. SE, Capitol Hill
Open: Monday – Saturday from 10:00-4:00

Free to the public, the Folger Library’s collection of Shakespearian works is enough to get any scholar or literature lover excited. It includes works written by Shakespeare as well as works about him. As you walk through the building, you’ll find that it truly is more than just a library.

It is decorated with scenes from numerous plays and has a reproduction of a 16th century inn-yard theatre. Going at the right times may lead you to see a chamber music presentation, baroque opera, and of course, a Shakespearean performance. The gallery reflects an Elizabethan Great Hall where you can view rotating exhibits of Shakespeare’s works.

Parks
If you are into a little bit of recreation within nature, Washington can offer you that as well. It can come as a surprise to many to hear that Washington has several parks that allow people to go for hikes and cruise on biking trails. Downtown parks are great places to unwind with a game of frisbee or baseball. There are three larger parks that offer plenty of space and amusement: Rock Creek Park, Archibald-Glover Park, and Jefferson Island.

The larger parks are thick with trees and are protected, which allow for deer and other animals to live and prosper. You may even see a coyote or two. There are paved paths as well as paths meant for trekking and even bridle paths if you are so inclined. Plenty of birds will be singing overhead as you get your fill of fresh air and get ready for another day of sightseeing tomorrow.

Hotels in Washington, D.C.