Lincoln Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial is one of the most popular monuments for D.C. visitors. Many step up and pay homage to the larger-than-life Honest Abe at the far end of the reflecting pool.

The White House and the Washington Monument

The two marbled symbols of the free world dominate visitors lists. If you want to tour the White House it will take some upfront wrangling of documents, but the Washington Monument is much easier to access. Either way, these two are must-sees.

National World War II Memorial

The National World War II Memorial was dedicated in 2004 to the 400,000-plus Americans who died during the global war. A circle of 56 pilings (representing the then 56 U.S. states and territories) looks over the Rainbow Pool and offers remembrance to those we lost.

U.S. Capitol and the Library of Congress

If you want to see politics in action, the Capitol is the place to go. Members of both houses of Congress debate and create national policy and law, while visitors explore the building's north and south wings, as well as the Rotunda.

Vietnam Veterans and Korean War Veterans Memorials

Probably the most moving war memorial in D.C., the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, or "the Wall," as it's commonly referred to – is a long black granite wall with the names of more than 58,000 Americans who perished during the Vietnam War emblazoned on its surface.

National Gallery of Art

If you love art, it’s time to visit the best gallery outside of NYC. With works by Matisse, Rothko, Monet, Botticelli and more, the museum has plenty enough content to fill an entire afternoon.

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

If you’re a lover of space and sky exploration, you need to stop by and see Amelia Earhart's Lockheed Vega 5B, Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis and Wilbur and Orville Wright's 1903 Wright Flyer, among many, many other exhibits.

The Tidal Basin

Every spring, the Tidal Basin explodes into colors as cherry blossom trees (gifted to D.C. from Tokyo) bloom into cotton candy-colored tufts, and they attract endless visitors.

National Archives Museum

This is where the United States houses all of its founding documents including the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, along with one of the only surviving copies of the Magna Carta and the Emancipation Proclamation.

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

With more than 126 million artifacts on display, this museum on the National Mall attracts millions and millions of visitors. With dinosaurs and tarantulas and all kinds of insects, the Museum of Natural History is the perfect place to spend a day.