Top 12 Places to Visit in Washington DC: Discover Museums to Monuments

Recent data collected and analysed by Destination DC, based on statistics from 2021, reveals that Washington D.C. experienced a significant influx of domestic tourists, attracting a staggering 18.8 million visitors last year. Undoubtedly, the remarkable success can be attributed, in part, to the captivating ‘Discover the Real DC campaign’. These numbers undoubtedly confirm the popularity of Washington DC as a prime tourist destination. But what makes it so appealing? Let’s find out the reasons why Washington D.C. is attracting so many visitors annually, and hopefully, this will encourage you to plan to visit this city in the near future. 

Places to Visit in Washington DC

Here are the most popular tourist attractions around the National Mall in Washington DC based on Google reviews and personal experience. 

1 The United States Capitol and Capitol Hill

The Capitol building is very famous worldwide as a symbol of the United States. This is where the House of Representatives and the Senate meet. It has a really big dome that stands out among all the buildings in Washington. The dome was designed to look like the dome of St. Peter’s in Rome.

Like the city of Washington, the Capitol building has grown bigger over time. The middle part was built between 1793 and 1812. The most recent change, made from 1958-62, added more space to the front of the building, where presidents make a promise when they start their job. On the other side of the building, there’s a marble platform that offers amazing views of the mall and the city.

Inside, the Capitol is decorated with wall paintings, raised designs, and colorful paintings. A particular spot to see is the large, round space under the huge iron dome. This space has a ceiling painting by Constantino Brumidi, and big paintings that show important events from American history. Near this is the old room of the House of Representatives, which has statues of important people from history. The small Senate round space leads into the beautifully fixed-up old Senate room. This is where the Senate met until 1859, and the Supreme Court met until 1935.

When you are at the visitor center on the first floor, where you can learn about the history of the building. Free tours on weekday afternoons show you the beautiful paintings on the hallways’ walls and ceilings in the Senate part of the building. These were made by Brumidi between 1857 and 1859. To watch the Senate or House in session, you need to get a pass from your Senator or Representative. Visitors from other countries can arrange visits through the visitor center.

To the east of the Capitol, you’ll find the Supreme Court Building, the Library of Congress, and the Folger Shakespeare Library, which has the biggest collection of William Shakespeare’s printed works.

Capitol Hill also includes the area to the southeast. Here you’ll find the lively Eastern Market, a farmers market that also has vendors selling handmade items.”

2 The Lincoln Memorial

At the far end of the mall, separated from the Washington Monument by the Reflecting Pool, you’ll find the Lincoln Memorial, one of the most beloved monuments in Washington. At its heart is a 19-foot marble statue of a thoughtful President Abraham Lincoln, encircled by 36 columns, each representing a state at the time of Lincoln’s passing. The statue is the acclaimed work of renowned sculptor Daniel Chester French, while Jules Guerin painted the murals depicting significant events in Lincoln’s life on the interior walls.

Since its completion in 1922, the Lincoln Memorial has been the site of numerous historic moments. For instance, in 1939, when the all-white Daughters of the American Revolution refused to allow celebrated African American singer Marian Anderson to perform at a concert in nearby Constitution Hall, President Franklin Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt arranged an open-air concert for her on the Lincoln Memorial steps. The concert, attended by 75,000 people and broadcast to millions on the radio, made history.

Martin Luther King Jr. also delivered his infamous “I have a dream…” speech from the steps of the memorial in 1963. Visiting the mall monuments, including the Lincoln Memorial, is a favorite activity in Washington, D.C. especially at night when all the monuments are illuminated. The sight of the lit statue of Lincoln within the darkened temple interior, set against the backdrop of the brightly lit white columns, is particularly striking.

3 National Mall and Veterans Memorials

This broad stretch of greenbelt from the Capitol Building to the Lincoln Memorial houses many of Washington’s landmark buildings and monuments. The Washington Monument stands at its center, with war memorials honoring veterans of World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam War nearby.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, a touching wall engraved with the names of all American servicemen and women who were either lost or missing, is one of the most visited memorials in Washington. Close by, the Vietnam Women’s Memorial features a bronze sculpture of three servicewomen aiding a wounded soldier, while the Korean War Veterans Memorial is home to 19 steel sculptures of soldiers. The newest addition, the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial, was dedicated in 2014.

Many of Washington, D.C.’s major attractions are located around the National Mall, and it is here that you’ll likely spend most of your time. The Mall is a hub for celebrations and festivals, the most famous being the annual Independence Day celebration with fireworks around the Washington Monument.

In the summer, military bands often perform at venues along the Mall. The US Navy Band hosts concerts at the Capitol steps overlooking the Mall on Mondays and at the Navy Memorial on Tuesdays. On Tuesdays, the US Air Force Band performs on the capitol steps and at the Air Force Memorial on Fridays.

4 The White House

The official residence of the President of the United States, the White House has been home to every president except George Washington. Originally built by James Hoban in 1792, it was rebuilt in 1818 after being burnt down by British forces in 1814.

While tours of the interior, including the East, Blue, Green, and Red Rooms, the Ballroom, and the State Dining Room, need to be booked well in advance, every tourist will want to see this iconic building, at least from the outside.

The free White House Visitor Center has excellent interactive exhibits about the White House and presidential families. It houses past presidents’ furniture, a model of the residence, historical changes, and videos with presidents discussing their time living there.

5 The Washington Monument

The 555-foot tall Washington Monument is an iconic symbol of the National Mall. Construction of the obelisk to honor the nation’s first president, George Washington, was not without difficulties. Work began in 1848, but due to political wrangling and a lack of funds, construction was halted in 1854 when the tower reached 156 feet. The Civil War further interrupted the project, and it wasn’t until 1885 that the tower was finally completed by the Army Corps of Engineers.

You can notice the different stages of construction through the changes in the color of the facing stones; inside, you’ll find engraved stones from states, cities, foreign countries, individuals, and civic groups, many of whom were donors during the private funding stages. An elevator can take you to the top for aerial views over the mall and much of Washington. The monument’s base is surrounded by a circle of 50 American flags.

6 National Gallery of Arts

Come and discover the amazing National Gallery of Art. This famous art museum is located in the middle of Washington, D.C. It’s made up of two big buildings, joined by an underground walkway. This respected museum has a fascinating variety of art that draws in people who love art from all around the world. A man named Andrew Mellon, who was famous for his work in finance and the government, started the gallery with his large art collection. It includes many kinds of European and American art, like paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts.

Jump into the exciting world of art with the many different exhibitions they have all the time. These special displays bring together incredible art from different cultures. They let visitors explore the imagination of artists throughout history. In this great collection, you’ll find Ginevra de Benci, the only painting by Leonardo da Vinci in an American museum. Also, you can see the beautiful works of famous French artists like Monet, Degas, and Renoir, as well as other famous artists like Rembrandt, El Greco, and Vermeer.

If you’re interested in modern art, you can check out the East Wing that was recently added. Here, you’ll find the amazing sculptures of Henry Moore, a fascinating hanging art piece by Alexander Calder, and lots of modern art. The National Gallery also offers free Sunday concerts in the fall and spring, giving you a wonderful mix of sight and sound.

The larger Smithsonian Institution also includes two more special places – the Freer Gallery of Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery. These two galleries together are called the National Museum of Asian Art. They have an impressive collection of over 1,000 pieces, including beautiful Chinese jade and bronze artifacts, traditional Chinese paintings and lacquerware, as well as ancient ceramics and metalwork from the Near East.”

7 National Art and Space Museum

One of the globe’s most frequented institutions is the National Air and Space Museum, holding a magnificent array of air and space vehicles that have made their mark in history. The collection boasts pioneering inventions like the original Wright Brothers Flyer of 1903 and Charles Lindbergh’s iconic Spirit of St. Louis, the champion of the first solo transatlantic flight.

The museum also proudly exhibits contemporary flight artifacts such as the Apollo 11 command module, an integral component of the inaugural manned lunar landing mission. The exhibitions, both long-standing and rotational, encapsulate the intriguing world of aviation and space flight, with a focus on its science, history, and the advancement of technology. Themes explored include the employment of air power during the world wars, the thrilling space race, the valiant pioneers of flight, and cutting-edge flight and space technology.

Many of the displays are designed to be interactive and house genuine historical items like a tactile moon rock. The exhibits do not merely paint a picture of history, but also unravel the mysteries of flight and space science, elucidating how various things fly, the working mechanism of jet engines, and the factors that keep the International Space Station in its orbital path.

Apart from the wealth of exhibits, the museum houses the Albert Einstein Planetarium, an IMAX theatre, and the Public Observatory located on the east terrace. Visitors can marvel at lunar craters, planets, and other celestial objects through telescopes. Interactive flight simulators (which do require a fee) offer both kids and adults an exhilarating experience of flying combat missions, performing thrilling aerial feats like 360-degree barrel rolls, or understanding naval aviation in an F-18 Super Hornet.

The museum’s extension, the Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, located conveniently near Dulles Airport, presents an even larger collection of historic aircraft and artifacts from space exploration, such as a Concorde and the space shuttle Discovery. Here, visitors can observe experts restoring vintage aircraft from elevated walkways in the hangars.

The National Air and Space Museum is currently in the midst of a seven-year refurbishment that aims to revolutionize the layout of its 23 galleries and the manner in which it narrates the history and science of flight. Due to the renovations, certain exhibits may be temporarily unavailable. Thus, it is recommended to check the museum’s website for the latest information if there are specific exhibits that you are particularly keen on viewing.

8 Holocaust Memorial Museum

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, situated near the Smithsonian museums, serves as a comprehensive repository of knowledge, delving into the history of the Holocaust. Its primary mission revolves around two crucial aspects: honoring the victims and fostering a collective effort to combat hatred and prevent future genocides.

Within its walls, you’ll find permanent exhibits that meticulously explore the emergence of the Nazis and their adherence to the Aryan ideology. These displays shed light on the ghettos, pivotal events like Kristallnacht, the harrowing concentration camps, and the unimaginable atrocities perpetrated by the Nazis. Furthermore, an exhibit dedicated to Americans and their response to the Holocaust offers an insightful perspective, examining the reactions of both citizens and soldiers. Through personal accounts, visitors gain a firsthand understanding of the profound impact and horrors of Nazi atrocities.

The museum’s profound collection comprises an astounding array of over 12,750 artifacts, 85,000 historical photographs, and 9,000 oral history testimonies. Additionally, the archives include invaluable footage and records, meticulously preserved from survivors and their families. A visit to this museum is an emotionally moving experience, inviting deep contemplation and introspection.

Should you wish to visit, you can find the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum located at 100 Raoul Wallenberg Pl SW, Washington, D.C.

9 The Library of Congress

A clandestine corridor lined with historical artifacts links the Capitol Building to a lesser-known sightseeing gem of Washington, the Library of Congress. As the most extensive library on the globe, its design was inspired by Paris’s Opera House. Visitors can explore select sections independently, but complimentary tours provide deeper insight into its stunning interior.

The library showcases a multitude of rare and fascinating items. Among them is one of the three remaining complete Gutenberg Bibles, a precursor to hand-printed Bibles, and Thomas Jefferson’s early version of the Declaration of Independence. Moreover, Jefferson’s personal library is on exhibit, along with galleries that cover a diverse range of subjects – from the musical journey of the Gershwin brothers to the craft of editorial cartoonists and graphic artists.

10 National Museum of Natural History

As a top destination for family excursions in Washington, the Museum of Natural History unveils the wonders of the natural world through a blend of permanent and temporary exhibits tailored to engage visitors of all ages. The museum’s standout exhibits include the famed Hope Diamond and an impressive array of gems and minerals surrounding it, as well as the Ocean Hall, which boasts breathtaking underwater photography and a life-size replica of a 45-foot North Atlantic Right Whale.

The Hall of Human Origins traces the remarkable journey of human evolution over six million years against the backdrop of a transforming world. Youngsters will particularly be enthralled by the dinosaur displays and the interactive Discovery Room, offering them a hands-on experience with various artifacts.

11 National Museum of American History

Regarded as one of the most frequented among the many Smithsonian museums dotting the mall, the National Museum of American History charts the political, cultural, scientific, and technological development of the U.S. post the Revolution. The museum houses notable pieces of Americana, including Thomas Jefferson’s desk, an Edison light bulb, and the original flag that prompted Francis Scott Key to pen The Star Spangled Banner.

But the museum extends beyond these revered national relics. Its exhibits delve into daily life, examining what people ate, where they worked, how they spent their leisure time, their choice of clothing, their modes of travel, their forms of worship, and their systems of governance.

The museum paints a vivid picture of these various themes with a collection that ranges from gowns worn by First Ladies and Julia Child’s fully-equipped kitchen to the Muppets and the authentic ruby slippers Judy Garland wore in the film Wizard of Oz. Amidst the myriad historical activities in Washington D.C., your family might feel they’ve had their fill of history. However, this captivating museum’s exhibits and relics from our shared past will undoubtedly captivate visitors of all age groups.

12 National Museum of African American History and Culture

Dedicated to the themes of history, culture, and community, this recent addition to the Smithsonian family of museums sheds light on the evolving interpretation of American citizenship and equality while simultaneously celebrating African American culture and that of the wider African diaspora.

Various exhibits, which frequently change, delve into a wide range of themes such as the culinary traditions and chefs of the African American community, the role of African American sports figures in dismantling segregation, and African craftsmanship.

Historic artifacts displayed include a segment of the original Woolworth lunch counter – a key site of the 1960 Greensboro, N.C. sit-in, and the aircraft named “Spirit of Tuskegee.” During World War II, this plane was used to train African American pilots in the Army Air Forces, a pivotal development that later influenced the desegregation of the military.

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