Although we’ve had a chance to discuss off-the-beaten path sightseeing, it’s important to have an idea of the traditional sights in Washington, D.C. as well. If you’ve recently moved here, you understand that it takes time to settle in and after that, it’s surprisingly easy to get caught up in the routine of life, forgetting all the gems that our nation’s capital has to offer. Instead of conceding to monotony in these dreary cold months, consider mixing things up by checking out one of the many entertaining, historical, and educational sights there are to see. The added bonus is that many are free (and indoors!)
Everyone wants a tour of the White House when they come to Washington, D.C. Tours of the White House can be secured through your Congressman’s office and requests must be made 6 months in advance. If you weren’t able to get tickets, don’t worry – you aren’t missing much. The “tour” is about a 15-minute self-guided walk through a few rooms on the East Wing. It’s highly overrated and often disappointing to many people who had high hopes of accidentally running into the President. Instead, consider stopping by the White House Visitor’s Center which would be better described as a museum than a visitor’s center because it provides a detailed overview of the White House, including architecture, furnishings, first families, social events, relations with the press and world leaders. Allow yourself 20 minutes – 1 hour to explore the exhibits. The White House Historical Association sponsors a sales area where you can pick up unique White House souvenirs. The Center is open seven days a week from 7:30am until 4:00pm and is located at the southeast corner of 15th and E Streets. Restrooms are available, but food service is not.
Over in Chinatown, you’ll find one of the District’s newer museums, The International Spy Museum, which is home to the world’s largest collection of international espionage artifacts ever displayed to the public. This is a great museum for kids because it’s highly interactive. The tour begins by you choosing your alias and committing it to memory. The fun continues with videos, activities, unique artifacts, and stories of espionage that will blow you away. Adults love this museum just as much as kids. It’s a pretty big though, so I’d encourage you to carve out at least 2 hours for it, maybe more if you’re particularly interested in the topic. Because it’s not a Smithsonian, there is an admission fee of $20 for adults and $14 for children, so you’ll want to stay long enough to get your money’s worth anyway.
If you’ve always wanted to hear a case argued before The Supreme Court, then you’re in luck – as long as you are in town while the court is in session. The Supreme Court usually hears two cases a day beginning at 10:00am October – April. Only a limited number of people are allowed in each day, so it is necessary to get in line early to reserve a spot. If you’re in town during recess, then you can still go on a tour of the court Monday – Friday at 2:00pm. The tour is fascinating, with a wealth of interesting information, though I would not recommend it for young children because there’s nothing much for them to do besides listen.
Right next door to the Court, you’ll find The Library of Congress which is the largest library in the world. It was originally built to serve as a resource for Congress, but now the public has access and you shouldn’t miss it. The library’s pride and joy is the Gutenberg Bible, which is the first book that was printed by the printing press. There are a number of other exhibits and daily talks that you can take advantage of. Public tours are offered daily on the hour. I recommend taking the tour versus wandering around by yourself because the tour guides do an excellent job of providing a mix of history and narrative that you would otherwise miss.
Heading over to the National Mall, you’ll find The National Museum of Natural History, which features the Hope Diamond, a 45 ½ carat jewel. You can also see a life-sized model of a blue whale, an enormous prehistoric white shark, and an 80-foot dinosaur skeleton. Kids love this museum! They are bound to run into familiar topics that they’ve studied in school. Plus, The National Museum of Natural History is very interactive and can hold kids’ attention for an extended period of time.
If you’re a fan of the National Treasure movies with Nicholas Cage, check out the National Archives where you can catch a glimpse of the Magna Carta, Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, and the Constitution. You cannot miss this vital part of our nation’s history. Viewing the National Archives only takes about 30 minutes assuming you miss the line. If you know what day you’ll be visiting, you can make reservations online for a tour which occur Monday – Friday at 9:45am. Admission is free.
Right across the Mall is another popular sight, the Air and Space Museum. Here you can see the Wright 1903 Flyer, the Spirit of St. Louis, the Apollo 11 command module, Columbia, and a lunar rock sample that visitors can touch. This museum is very hands-on and great for kids. There’s even an I-Max theater where you can rest your feet for a bit and catch the museum’s latest feature.
Another fun stop is the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Public tours are given every 15 minutes 9:00am –10:45am and 12:30pm – 3:45pm. The 40-minute guided tour includes a video and viewing of the production process where you will actually see money being printed. Free tickets are required for all tours. You can obtain same-day tickets at the ticket booth located on Raoul Wallenberg Place (formerly 15th Street). The ticket booth opens at 8:00am Monday through Friday and closes when all tickets have been distributed.
If you need a break from the museums, stop by The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts to see a performance or hear some music. Make sure to take advantage of the free performances at 6:00pm daily on the Millennium Stage in the Grand Foyer. The Kennedy Center also provides free tours 10:00am – 5:00pm Monday through Friday and 10:00am – 1:00pm on weekends. Tours depart from the parking plaza on Level A and feature the Hall of States and Hall of Nations, the Center’s main theaters, as well as paintings, sculptures, and other artwork.
If it’s a nice day outside, tie up your walking shoes and head over to Arlington Cemetery which serves as the resting place for casualties of war, veterans, and their spouses from the Civil War to the present. Make sure that you catch the changing of the guard of the unnamed soldiers, which is a military ritual that takes place every hour on the hour. You’ll also want to see the Memorial Amphitheater, which is where memorial services are held. You can reach Arlington Cemetery by Metro or Tourmobile. It is open 8:00am – 7:00pm April 1 through September 30 and 8:00am – 5:00pm October 1 through March 31.
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