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Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C.

  • by mafnet
  • A May 2002 travel journal
  • Last Updated: November 22, 2006
Journal Usefulness Rating 2 out of 5
Journal Usefulness
15
Reviews

Although every building is practically white, you can find so many different things to do based on the colorful culture of American politics in Washington, D.C. This is an account of all of the events my group did.

Washington, D.C.

Overview

My favorite stop was the Capitol. I was fortunate enough to actually go inside! Seeing many different rooms and places was wonderful!

Quick Tips:

Don't waste your time trying to hit every Smithsonian museum. It is estimated that it would take some 80 years (I cannot recall the exact number) if you looked at every item for a couple of seconds). You get the idea. You will never see everything, so don't waste your time trying.

Best Way To Get Around:

Bus tours are the best way to get around. You go everywhere you may think. However, this limits you timewise. If you want to rent a car, go ahead, but traffic picks up at rush hour.

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National Air and Space Museum

Activity

The National Air & Space Museum

Out of the many buildings of the Smithsonian, my group went to this one. There are replica of space ships along with real shuttles, planes, flying machines, etc. This is one of the most interactive museums of the Smithsonian collection. There is a whole exhibit on flight (i.e. the mechanics, wind currents, experiments, etc.) that kids and adults can enjoy together. Also, there is a model spaceship that you can walk through. It is a wonderful sight if you have the time! Take your whole family! You will not regret it!
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by mafnet on November 20, 2006

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National Air and Space Museum
6th and Independence Ave., SW Washington, D.C., United States 20560
(202) 633-1000

Arlington National Cemetery

Activity

Arlington National Cemetery

This place shattered the reputation of all other cemeteries. It is one of the most beautiful places in the United States. Although each cross and tombstone has a tragic story behind it, there is a history of a nation rising from war and trial, growing into a country of strength. Featuring objects such as the mast from the U.S.S Maine, the eternal flame commemorating Kennedy's life, various monuments to various presidents, and Arlington House. All of these beautiful sites evoke emotion and patriotism. The most memorable of events was the laying of the wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Looking back, it was a great choice to stop here. The site, although melancholy, was overpoweringly lovely.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by mafnet on November 20, 2006

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Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington, Virginia 22211 Arlington, Virginia
(703) 607-8000

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial

Activity

FDR Monument

One of our stops was the FDR monument. Overall, the rather new monument payed much respect to the former president. Even though he had issues with health and was sometimes confined to a wheelchair, the major statue of him portrays him on a disproportionate chair with wheels. It looks much like a chair, but there are wheels the size of a fist, nothing like a wheelchair for the handicapped. Other monuments struck me as bizarre while some took my breath away. Although there is little for me to say about this one, I suggest that you stop by anyway. It is very close to others.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by mafnet on November 20, 2006

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Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
Ohio Drive SW Washington, D.C., United States
(202) 376-6704

Korean War Veterans Memorial

Activity

Korean War Memorial

An eerie memorial showing both etched faces looking out and the reflections of statues within, this memorial was quite emotional for me. My grandfather served in Korea, and although I knew his name was not on the wall, I wondered what it was like for the soldiers to march in a foreign land. The wall itself is much like the Vietnam Memorial aside from the "marching soldiers." Stop here. It is another historical place of value.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by mafnet on November 20, 2006

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Korean War Veterans Memorial
French Drive SW Washington, D.C., United States 20024

Abraham Lincoln Memorial

Activity

Lincoln Memorial

This monument has Lincoln sitting along in a giant chair. Alongside are words from various documents on stone. Up the steps, one can see the names of every state on the roof. The president stares out upon D.C., firmly. His accomplishments have been preserved by this monument, so if you have the time, check it out for yourself.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by mafnet on November 20, 2006

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Abraham Lincoln Memorial
23rd Street NW Washington, D.C., United States
(202) 426-6841

Mount Vernon

Activity

Mount Vernon

The house is lovely, resting right on the Potamac River. Look at all the paintings and artifacts left in the house; they are a tie to the history of George Washington. Here lies the first president, moved to a new tomb that is forever guarded by soldiers. Look out upon the green pastures as the sun beats down on the grass. Look out to the river to watch the boats pass. Nothing here is out of place.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by mafnet on November 20, 2006

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Mount Vernon
5111 Old Mill Road Alexandria, Virginia 22309
(703) 979-1558

The Awakening

Activity

The Awakening

This monument portrays a giant rising out of a sandbar. I have seen kids play on the monument, look at the monument, run around the monument. Adults simply stare baffled at the monument. It is a little bizarre. It isn't really tied to American history although it is supposedly symbolic in itself. Not my top choice for a visit.
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by mafnet on November 20, 2006

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The Awakening
Haines Point SW Washington, District of Columbia

U.S. Capitol Building

Activity

The Capitol Building

Our group leader had ties in the Capitol, so we actually went inside! We saw what it is like to sit in the House! It is grand! Through the halls are statues, two from every state. One of the most notable is from Hawaii. A missionary with leprosy. Such a humble man had to wear a barrel and then his clothes, for his skin was easily irritated. Such figures are common, great and small. Even if you cannot get in, climb the steps, walk around. You're bound to run into a congressman at any time!
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by mafnet on November 20, 2006

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U.S. Capitol Building
Capitol Hill Washington, D.C., United States
(202) 225-6827

United States Government: The White House

Activity

The White House

Unfortunately, the White House is not open for tours, but we got to see it from the outside. Honestly, I wasn't as impressed with it as I was when I saw pictures. It is still beautiful and all, but it doesn't have that same splendor people always surround it with. Stop here anyway. It is historical. It is one of the first true American monumental buildings. Or if you want, there is a protester outside who has protested the war for many years.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by mafnet on November 20, 2006

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United States Government: The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, District of Columbia 20500
(202) 456-2121

Washington Monument

Activity

Washington Monument

Composed of two different types of stone from two different quarries, this statues is more beautiful than actually depicted. It is even larger than some pictures make it seem! The monument is next to a giant reflecting pool for all to see. This monument is a small skyscraper, reaching high into the sky. There is a way to get to the top, but I am uncertain as to how much it costs. Just stay outside though, the view is gorgeous.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by mafnet on November 20, 2006

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Washington Monument
900 Ohio Drive, SW Washington, D.C., United States 20024
(202) 426-6841

Washington National Cathedral

Activity

Washington National Cathedral

My group stopped here during a Mayday festival (or something like it). The festival was some kind of flower festival, everyone donned Renaissance clothing, and the cathedral was open. Tours are an option. The cathedral displays life size stained glass windows, one of which has a piece of moon rock embedded into it (courtesy of the Apollo missions). Various people are buried in the church, including one of our past presidents! Every now and again, prayer goes over the intercom. The church has a gigantic organ and many other features! Stop on by when you can!
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by mafnet on November 20, 2006

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Washington National Cathedral
Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues NW Washington, D.C., United States 20016
(202) 364-6616

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Activity

Holocaust Museum

A very powerful museum, the exhibits don't hold back. They show the true massacre and decimation. There are video monitors that are surrounded by concrete walls: if you are tall enough to look over them, you may be old enough to see them. Some pictures are so gory, that they cannot be seen by kids. The sights are so tragic that people are left in tears. There are models of crematoriums, an exhibit showing how many shoes were removed from the victims of the Holocaust (a room full of them), clothes, pictures, diaries, etc. If you have been to the Simon Wiesenthal Holocaust Museum in L.A., you will know that that one is modeled exactly like the pathways through Germany. Almost everything there is video. Here, it is photo and even more disturbing than the other. If you are faint hearted or your kids are, I advise you to think otherwise.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by mafnet on November 20, 2006

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United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW Washington, D.C., United States 20024
(202) 488-0400

National Museum of American History

Activity

The National Museum of American History

We stopped here for a brief time, but the place exhibits many things ranging from music to campaigning. One of my favorite exhibits was all of the campaigning posters and pins puts on display. Another exhibit featured coins from many countries, including a database of all of them. If you enjoy American history, stop on by!
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by mafnet on November 20, 2006

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National Museum of American History
National Mall Washington, D.C., United States
(202) 633-1000

Smithsonian Institution: National Museum of Natural History

Activity

National Museum of Natural History

The last stop of the Smithsonian my group made. The first floor features an exhibit of dinosaurs and various flora and fauna. Although we could only stay for a few minutes, this place, home of the Hope Diamond, was a great stop. Personally, I enjoyed the history museum more though.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by mafnet on November 20, 2006

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Smithsonian Institution: National Museum of Natural History
900 Jefferson Dr. SE Washington, D.C., United States 20001
(202) 357-1300

Ford's Theatre

Activity

Ford's Theatre

This is where Lincoln was assassinated. Story goes that Booth blocked the door and, when the funniest line of the play brought tumultuous laughter, shot the president. The former actor, in a mad fit, jumped off the balcony yelling (in Latin) "Thus always to tyrants" and ran off with a broken leg to a warehouse. He and a couple of his helpers were hung, including one woman. The place was later bought out and converted into an office until the second floor gave out and collapsed. It has been remodeled since to look like the original theatre. Go ahead and visit this place! It once again is very historical. For me, it was great! It was a place I had heard of over and over again in history class. To actually visit it was like a dream! The red fabric, the red seats, the balcony itself all brought back what it must have been like on that fatal day.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by mafnet on November 20, 2006

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Ford's Theatre
511 10th Street NW Washington, D.C., United States 20004
(202) 347-5599

About the Writer

mafnet
mafnet
Lake Forest, United States

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