Washington: Top 15 attractions in the American capital

The White House

For newcomers, all roads in Washington seem to lead to the White House.

All the national power and authority of the presidency are concentrated in this symbol of American statehood. There are several explanations for the use of white in the building's construction, which you will learn about during a tour of the majestic building, along with other interesting facts.

Tourist routes include a tour of the premises on two floors, and tours are conducted from Tuesday to Saturday.

Capitol

The Capitol is the official residence of the United States Congress and one of the tallest buildings in Washington, D.C.

The first stone of the Capitol was laid by George Washington himself. Today, it is one of the most famous buildings in the United States.

Capitol Hill, where the landmark is located, is known locally as Jenkins Hill. Approximately 4 million people visit the Capitol each year. Only a few of the 54 rooms are open to tourists.

Library of Congress

Next to the Capitol is another interesting and significant Washington landmark, the Library of Congress. Here you can see the world's largest collection of books completely free of charge.

Since 1800, tireless American librarians have collected more than 34.5 million books published in 470 languages.

You can book a hotel in Washington with a discount of up to 65% aton the website.

National Mall and Washington Monument

National Mall is an open park space located in the center of Washington, stretching for more than three kilometers. All the major museums and attractions of the US capital are concentrated around the mall, as well as the Smithsonian Institution's central building, which resembles a Gothic castle ( ). Every summer, the park hosts a two-week American folklore festival.

The avenue is crowned by a 169-meter monument built in honor of the first US president, George Washington. At the time of its completion, the marble and granite obelisk was the tallest structure in the Western Hemisphere. At its top is an observation deck offering the best view of the metropolis.

Lincoln Memorial

Each of the US presidents is a cult figure not only in the life of the country, but also throughout the world. However, some politicians are particularly deeply rooted in history and in the hearts of the people. This was the case with the 16th US president, Abraham Lincoln.

The idea to build a monument to commemorate the politician who abolished slavery and united the country after the Civil War arose immediately after Lincoln's death, but the memorial was not opened until 1922. The white building is designed in the Neo-Greek style and resembles the Parthenon in Athens. It is surrounded by 36 columns, representing the number of states during the president's reign.

In the center of the open hall stands a six-meter marble statue of Lincoln: the president is seated facing the Washington Monument and the Capitol.

National Museum of Natural History

The museums in the capital of the United States are no less impressive. If you want to learn more about the history of our planet and humanity, head to the National Museum of Natural History.

It is located on the National Mall and is operated by the Smithsonian Institution. The museum was founded over 100 years ago, in 1910. Currently, its collection includes over 145 million artifacts, including specimens of animals, plants, minerals, and fossils that tell the story of the different stages of Earth's development.

A nice bonus is that admission to the museum is free for both children and adults.

National Gallery of Art

The National Gallery of Art, which opened to the public in 1941, now has a truly outstanding collection of masterpieces by the most famous European and American artists. Its collection was formed thanks to generous donations and the artistic preferences of numerous patrons.

For example, the collection of Italian Renaissance paintings, considered the best and most extensive on the American continent, is located next to the modern and contemporary art sections, which feature works by American artists. We recommend visiting this iconic place to everyone, even if you don't consider yourself a true art lover.

Jefferson Memorial

The memorial is dedicated to one of the founding fathers of the United States and the country's third president, Thomas Jefferson.

The idea to build the monument was proposed by President Franklin Roosevelt, who was equally respected by Americans and was a passionate admirer of Jefferson. The memorial is a majestic neoclassical building designed to resemble the Roman Pantheon, with a bronze statue of the politician at its center. Every spring, hundreds of cherry trees, gifted to Washington by the Tokyo City Council in 1912, bloom around the memorial.

Washington National Cathedral

This stunningly beautiful cathedral, built in the best traditions of the Neo-Gothic style, is also a must-see for every traveler.

More than 200 windows of the cathedral are decorated with mosaics. One of them has gained worldwide popularity thanks to a fragment of moon rock inlaid in its center. The cathedral is 91 meters high, and its cathedral organ is the largest in the capital. Many famous American citizens are buried here.

International Spy Museum

In addition to classic museums known throughout the world, Washington boasts dozens of unusual ones. For example, the International Spy Museum is the world's first museum dedicated to espionage. Its exhibits, which include the largest collection of spy artifacts, tell the story of the history and modern role of espionage. The museum's large collection covers the entire history of espionage: from Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire t, the British Empire, the American Civil War, the Cold War, and the realities of espionage today.

The cost of building the spy museum, which first opened to the public in 2002, was about $40 million. But it's safe to say that the museum has already paid for itself many times over, as it's visited by more than 600,000 tourists every year.

National Museum of African American History and Culture

The idea to create a national museum dedicated to African American history and culture arose immediately after slavery was abolished in the United States, but it was not until the beginning of the 21st century that this idea was realized. The exterior of the building symbolizes its purpose. The shape of the crown is often found in African and American art. The designers decided to emphasize the long and strong connection between these two cultures in this way. The museum is covered on all sides by a bronze lattice with ornamental patterns characteristic of traditional African American craftsmanship.

Ford's Theatre

This is the infamous theater where President Abraham Lincoln was shot on April 14, 1865. However, the dark history of this place does not deter tourists; quite the contrary. The interior of the building has been completely restored to its mid-19th-century appearance, including the box where the politician sat.

On the first floor of the theater, there is an exhibition where you can see Lincoln's personal belongings and learn more about the biography of one of the greatest leaders of the United States.

The Smithsonian Institution Building

The central building of the world-famous Smithsonian Institution is a complex of nearly three dozen cultural, educational, and scientific institutions.

The institution was named after the English chemist and mineralogist James Smithson. The scientist died childless and bequeathed his entire fortune to "the establishment of an institution in the United States that will serve the development and dissemination of knowledge." The facade of the building is made of red sandstone and stylized as a medieval castle in the Neo-Romanesque style.

National Botanical Garden

Founded in 1820, today the Washington Botanic Garden has more than ten thousand plants that usually grow in deserts, jungles, and other natural environments. Many of them are threatened with extinction.

This botanical garden is primarily famous for its rare plants. So, you can see about 25,000 plants from all over the country and the world completely free of charge.

The Pentagon

The Pentagon is one of the largest buildings in the world. It houses the headquarters of the US Department of Defense on five floors. Despite the large area of the facility, any point can be reached on foot in 7 minutes thanks to its ingeniously designed layout.