Attractions of the Capital City
Washington, DC makes a fun and interesting vacation for children and adults of all ages. The museums, architecture, natural beauty and majestic monuments provide a plethora of interesting, not to mention cheap, forms of entertainment. All Smithsonian museums and national monuments, including the Washington Monument, are free. And DC is a great city for walking and simply taking in all the great architecture, green spaces, and historical sites. For those traveling with a group of diverse interests, there's likely something in DC that everyone can enjoy, from the artistic and cultural, to historical and political.
Smithsonian Museums: Something for the Art, History, and Science Enthusiast
Smithsonian museums display some of the most important ancient, early, and modern works of art. The Smithsonian also contains several museums devoted to subjects other than art, such as the recently unveiled National Museum of the American Indian. The collection features masks, quilts, pottery and other art forms from various regions throughout the US, as well as archaeological objects from several Latin American countries.
For science enthusiasts, there's the National Air and Space Museum, which houses the largest collection of historic air and spacecraft worldwide. History buffs will want to visit the National Museum of American History, which is known for its exhibition of presidential history, to view the desk on which Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence.
Museums in Washington DC: Enjoyed by Kids and Adults Alike
DC museums are extremely accessible to children of all ages. Many Smithsonian museums feature interactive exhibitions aimed at making art, history, and science accessible and fun for kids.
The Freer gallery, a museum of American and Asian art, offers hands-on art projects as part of its ImaginAsia family program. The National Museum of Natural History, one of the most popular Smithsonian museums among children, maintains a live insect zoo that features tarantula feeding demonstrations and opportunities to hold live arthropods.
The White House, Washington Monument and other Washington DC Sites
DC is a visually stunning city with world-class architecture, beautiful parks, and grand monuments. During an afternoon's walk in the capital city, you can see the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veteran's Memorial, and the Washington Monument, as well as the Jefferson Memorial. In addition, the recently completed World War II Memorial is also nearby, situated between the Washington Monument and the Reflecting Pool.
Also within walking distance of the Smithsonian and the above mentioned monuments are examples of European and classical architecture. The Eisenhower Executive Office Building, a French Second Empire design, contains stenciled painted walls, wrought iron moldings, and Italian marble panels.
Next door, you can view the equally grand, yet understated neoclassical design of the White House. Incidentally, White House tours are still possible for groups of 10 or more, but must be authorized several months in advance.
When to Visit DC?
DC is a town that's interesting to visit anytime of year. There are plenty of wonderful indoor activities to enjoy, such as seeing the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center, or dining in one of the city's many top-class restaurants.
Weather wise, some say that the best times to visit DC are during fall - when you can view the dramatic colors of autumn leaves - and spring. Springtime in DC, of course, is known for the Cherry Blossom Festival, a celebration that's centered on the hundreds of blossoming trees surrounding the Tidal Basin.
If you decide to visit DC in winter, you'll want to bring a warm coat. For summer, dress down for warm, sunny, and humid weather.
About the Author
Sally Clark is a freelance writer and consultant with several years of experience in the field of corporate social responsibility. Sally has traveled throughout Europe, Asia and Central America and has lived in Paris, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., where she is working on a master's in International Affairs at The George Washington University.
