Smithsonian Museums
A trip to Washington D.C. would not be complete without a stop at one of the many different Smithsonian museums inside the city. There are a wide array of museums to visit but listed below are a couple favorites:
- The American History Museum - This museum offers an assortment of different exhibits that span across a wide scope of American history, whether it be U.S. involvement in different theaters of war or a viewing of the dresses worn by America first ladies, this museum will never disappoint! Nearest Metro Station: Smithsonian
- The National Museum of the American Indian - This museum is one of the more recent additions on the national mall. It is curated and designed by members of numerous Native American tribes and offers a wonderful insight into the history of Native Americans and their culture! Nearest Metro Station: L'Enfant Plaza
- The National Portrait Gallery - Unlike many of the other Smithsonian's, the National Portrait Gallery is located in the heart of Chinatown. It is currently showcasing a number of interesting exhibits for history buffs including "Mr. Lincoln's Washington: a Civil War Portfolio", "Matthew Brady's Photographs of Union Generals" and "America's Presidents". Nearest Metro Station: Gallery Place - Chinatown
The Holocaust Museum is a living memorial to the Holocaust and works to confront hatred, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity. It contains one main exhibit devoted to showcasing and explaining the atrocities committed during the Holocaust. In addition the museum offers a number of special exhibitions that focus on specific facets of the Holocaust and antisemitism.
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Nearest Metro Station: Smithsonian
The Spy Museum
The Spy Museum is a engaging and interactive museum that focuses on the history of clandestine affairs! There is a fee to enter the museum, however it is well worth it. The entrance fee even includes access to the special exhibit of Bond Villains located in the lower level.
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Nearest Metro Station: Gallery Place - China Town
The Newseum
The Newseum is an interactive museum of news and journalism. Explore historic artifacts, Pulitzer Prize-winning photographs, interactive exhibits, a 4-D theater and much more, to relive historic moments through the eyes of the media. There is a entrance fee for this museum, this fee allows entrance into the museum for two consecutive days.
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Nearest Metro Station: Archives
United States Capitol Building
The visitors center at the United States Capitol building offers an inside look at the inner workings of the U.S. government. Tours are offered Monday - Saturday from 8:50 am to 3:20 pm. On the tour you will have the chance to see inside the capitol rotunda, the old supreme court chambers and the old Senate and House galleries.
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Nearest Metro Station: Capitol South
Sites to See - Virginia and Maryland
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery is a military cemetery established during the course of the Civil War on the site of Robert E. Lee's plantation in Northern Virginia. It is located directly across the Potomac from Washington D.C. and offers wonderful views of the city as well as access to numerous memorials and sites within the cemetery.
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Nearest Metro Station: Arlington
Pentagon Memorial
In rememberance of the terrible events of September 11, 2001, the Pentagon Memorial was created in 2008 to commemorate the 184 men and women who were victims. The memorial is located directly next to the Pentagon building at the site where American Airlines Flight 77 was crashed into the building.
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Nearest Metro Station: Pentagon
Mount Vernon
George Washington's Mount Vernon is located about 15 miles south of Washington DC along the banks of the Potomac River. The historic estate includes not only the Mount Vernon Mansion - George and Martha Washington's home - but also a host of colonial era buildings, beautiful gardens, a working distillery and gristmill, and museum and education center.
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Located at 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, VA 22121
Manassas National Battlefield
The Manassas National Battlefield park offers a wide array of activities, scenic vistas, historic sites and walking trails to interest the casual visitor or the true Civil War historian. The park is open every day of the week from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.
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Located at 6511 Sudley Road, Manassas, VA 20109
National Harbor
National Harbor is a waterfront resort destination on the banks of the Potomac River. It offers a wide range of restaurants and shops. It is also located minutes away from the popular Tanger Outlets.
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Located at 165 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, MD 20745
Explore
historic artifacts, Pulitzer Prize-winning photographs, interactive
exhibits, a 4-D theater and much more, to relive historic moments
through the eyes of the media. - See more at:
http://www.newseum.org/visit/#sthash.O1cmaW4e.dpuf
Explore
historic artifacts, Pulitzer Prize-winning photographs, interactive
exhibits, a 4-D theater and much more, to relive historic moments
through the eyes of the media. - See more at:
http://www.newseum.org/visit/#sthash.O1cmaW4e.dpuf
Explore
historic artifacts, Pulitzer Prize-winning photographs, interactive
exhibits, a 4-D theater and much more, to relive historic moments
through the eyes of the media. - See more at:
http://www.newseum.org/visit/#sthash.O1cmaW4e.dpuf