A trip to Washington, D.C. is a must for any tourist who wants to appreciate the history and grandeur of the capital of the United States. There are so many activities and tourist attractions to see and enjoy that only naming a few is a difficult task. 

Start at the Smithsonian Institution Building where you can pick up a map and information on all of the capital’s finest museums. These national treasures cover a wide range of subjects from art to space exploration. Be sure to save time to see an IMAX movie at the Natural History Museum or the National Air and Space Museum. 

Next, you should visit The National Mall, as it is the central point of most sightseeing visits to Washington, DC. It is the area with Constitution Avenue to the north, Independence Avenue to the south, 3rd Street to the east and 14th Street to the west. The Washington Monument towers above the city at the west end of the National Mall and the U.S. Capitol Building stand tall to the east. The Washington Monument is one of the most recognizable structures in the city. It is a white-colored obelisk, which takes its visitors by elevator up to the top of its structure. From here, you have very unique perspectives of the Lincoln Memorial, the White House, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, and the Capitol Building.  Make sure to bring your cameras for terrific photo opportunities! 

The landscape of the National Mall includes more than 2,000 American elm trees that line the streets and over 170 flowerbeds that are botanical showplaces. The National Mall is not just a great place to visit world-class museums and national landmarks, but also a gathering place to picnic and attend outdoor festivals. 

For nature lovers, stroll down the tow path to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, a national historic park that dates back to the 18th and 19th centuries, which stretches 184-miles from Georgetown along the Potomac River to Cumberland, Maryland.  The canal’s serene beauty makes this an ideal place to ride a bicycle or to relax under the shade of a nearby tree. 

Whether you are visiting the fascinating East Potomac Park, touring the famous Ford’s Theatre where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, or taking your photo in front of the city’s great monuments, Washington is a vibrant, energetic, modern yet friendly city, which will warm your heart.