Best Tourist Spots in Washington DC

The American Rome, Washington DC has captivated visitors with its scores of museums, iconic monuments, historic sites, fabulously preserved parks, incredible infrastructure and scenic beauty. From the majestic homestead, White House to the awe-inspiring Lincoln Memorial to the heart wrenching site of Vietnam Veterans Memorial - these are significant symbols of the American narrative.

Lincoln Memorial

A visit to Lincoln Memorial is a must if you're in Washington DC. Visit this gorgeous and reverent Memorial by day or night and explore the captivating history, art and architecture. Whether you are an art history aficionados or not, this venue will simply awe inspire you with its striking design, walls etched with Lincoln's famous speeches (the Gettysburg Address and the second inaugural address) and admire 36 Doric columns that represent the states in the Union when Lincoln passed away.

Address: 23rd Street NW, between Constitution & Independence Ave,Washington, DC 20242
Website: www.nps.gov/linc/index
Ticket: Free and open 24 hours daily.

Washington Monument

Adjacent to the White House is the Washington Monument, that was once the world's tallest structure at 555 feet & 5inches. You will get the thrill to ride up the glass encased elevator, that will lead you to the top observatory deck, to get a breathtaking view of the stunning city.

Address: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue | Washington, DC 20500
Webiste: www.nps.gov/wamo/planyourvisit/feesandreservations
Hours: May 31 to September 6 - 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. from and the rest of the year - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The White House

The White House needs no introduction as it is the most famous homestead in the United states. Since John Adams in 1801, the White House serves as a home to every President of the United States. A tour of the building will let you explore the State Floor, consisting of the Green Room, the East Room and the Blue Room. To book a tour, contact House representative or the office of your senator, at least 21 days permission ahead is mandatory.

Address: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Washington, DC 20500
Phone: 1 202-456-1111
Website: http://www.whitehouse.gov/
Self-guided tours: (Tuesday to Thursday) - 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. and (Fridays and Saturdays) - 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Vietnam Veterans and Korean War Veterans Memorials

You can visit here anytime as it is open 24 hours a day and entry is free. This moving Memorial has black granite walls with names engraved of the people who had perished during the Vietnam War. While in the vicinity, visit the Korean War Veterans Memorial and pay your tribute to the Korean War Veterans who served in "The Forgotten War."

Address: 23rd Street NW, between Constitution & Independence Ave,Washington, DC 20242
Website: www.nps.gov/vive/index

National Gallery of Art

The National Gallery of Art encompasses an East Building, a West Building and cafes. The East Building is where you'll find modern art works. And for older work collections, you can visit the West Building. The venue hosts many special exhibitions and guided tours for you to participate the explore the fine art. There are lots to explore here and you can take a coffee break in one of its cafes.

Address: 401 Constitution Avenue Northwest | Washington, DC 20565
Website: www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb

National Air and Space Museum

In National Air and Space Museum, you will be delighted to witness the magnificent exhibit of celebrated aircraft, MAX Theater, flight simulator and a planetarium. Be ready to indulge in a tempting shopping spree in the museum's massive three-level gift shop. Try to arrive as early as possible to avoid crowd rush and enjoy the fullest.

Address: 6th Street and Independence Avenue Southwest, Washington, DC 20560
Website: http://airandspace.si.edu
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m

The Capitol and The Library of Congress

This magnificent building is where members of both houses of Congress meet to discuss in the creation of national policy and law. You can participate in a guided tour which is free. While touring the Capitol, you can explore the north and South wings and the Rotunda - circular centerpiece. You can visit the Capitol from  8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m (Monday to Saturday). Head to the East Capitol street and stop at the Library of Congress, which is the world's largest library. The library encompasses three buildings with an extensive collections of manuscripts, around 21 million books, sound recordings, photographs and maps. 

Address: 100 Constitution Avenue Northeast | Washington, DC 20002
Phone: 1 202-226-8000
Website: www.visitthecapitol.gov

National Museum of Natural History

This massive Smithsonian museum is a spot where science and history blend together perfectly. The museum exhibits over 126 million artifacts and other highlights include Sant Ocean Hall-showcasing marine life and giant whales replicas, the O. Orkin Insect Zoo, the Butterfly Pavilion and IMAX Theater. You must stop at the Hall of Human Origins to dig deeper into the history of human species dating back to 6 million years.

Address: 1000 Constitution Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20560
Website: www.mnh.si.edu
Hours: 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m

Washington National Cathedral

This is a majestic Gothic style cathedral which is the world's 6th largest. As stroll around the gardens, surrounding the cathedral with soothe you and leave you refreshed. The interior is stunning with intricate designs and stained glass panes. A visit between April and October will let you explore the stony grotesques and gargoyles that adorn the cathedral's facade. Or perhaps, you can participate in the famous cathedral's Gargoyle Tour.

Address: Massachusetts and Wisconsin Aves. NW, Washington DC, DC
Website: www.cathedral.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

You will truly learn to appreciate art after a visit to John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.This stunning building hosts numerous musical performances all year round and is the center for the National Symphony Orchestra, the Washington National Opera and the Washington Ballet. For more details on various shows, tickets and show timings, visit the website below.

Address: 2700 F Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20566
Website: www.kennedy-center.org