A tour of the monuments and museums of the nation's capital with a focus on the history that led to their creation . . .
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From museums and monuments to flavorful foods and vibrant cultural displays, Washington D.C. is packed with a multitude of exciting experiences that are sure to satisfy any traveler's desires. Here I will attempt to take you on a tour of my cold, yet thrilling adventure through the nation's capital.
A Guide to the Monuments and Museums of D.C.Snow was still on the ground, as spring had yet to begin. I stepped off the Mega Bus at Union Station and began to make my way toward the city center. It was too early to check in, and many museums had not even opened. I used this early morning opportunity to stroll around Lafayette Square and grab a picture of The White House.
Once the museums began to open, I was able to store my bag in a locker and spend the rest of the morning exploring history in the warmth of the indoors. Many of the museums offer this kind of convenient service, storing everything from bags to strollers. I'll cover the museums later, but first let's take a look at the surrounding area.
An easy way to take in the town is a board the BigBusTour
An Overview of the Monuments
From almost any point in town you can see The Washington Monument presiding over the nation's capital. It seems that there are more memorials in D.C. that one can even count, not to mention visit in a three day timespan. These are just a few more that you will not want to miss while exploring the area around The National Mall.
The Washington Monument
The D.C. War Memorial is dedicated to the 499 local residents who gave their lives in the first World War. There is also a full list of the 26,000 locals that served. Just to the northeast, you will find the World War 2 Memorial which is an oval design featuring pillars for each of the states and territories that lost troops on both the Atlantic and Pacific fronts. During the warmer months the reflection pool in the middle will be fully operational.
Installed in 1995 and dedicated to the more than five million Americans who served, The Korean War Memorial features a very lifelike display of soldiers on the march. There is a wall just to the south with engraved images of the young heroes in uniform.
Similarly, The Vietnam Memorial has statues of three soldiers making their way to battle. The nearby wall displays the names of over 58,000 of those killed or missing during the conflict. In just the right lighting, you can see the Washington Monument reflecting in the background.
Probably the most famous of all U.S. monuments, The Lincoln Memorial is one of the most visited on The National Mall. After making your way up the stairs, you will be greeted by the man himself as he sits and watches over the reflecting pool that stretches 2,000 feet back toward the Washington Monument.
While wandering around The National Mall, you will also encounter monuments to many other influential figures ranging from the brilliant physicist Albert Einstein to civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. If you look closely, the MLK memorial is inscribed fittingly with his famous quote "Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope".
There are many other monuments and memorials all around D.C., but some will require a bit of transportation. For this, I recommend getting a 24 hour pass for the "Hop On Hop Off" bus. These busses run between various points of interest during peak hours of the day. This is a great option if you are looking to visit The Thomas Jefferson Memorial or even if you are going across the river to Arlington National Cemetery. These busses can help in maximizing the number of sites you can see in one day. There is so much to see all throughout this town, you just have to explore it all for yourself. Back to Lincoln
Sadly, Abraham Lincoln did not serve his full second term as The 16th President of The United States of America. He was assassinated at Ford's Theater, by John Wilks Booth on April 14, 1865. Though he did not die immediately, he succumbed to his wound the following morning in The Petersen House across the street.
Combo tours are currently offered of The Ford Theater and The Petersen House, both of which are considered historical sites and maintained by The National Park Service.
Now Let's Get to Those Museums
The museum that I recommend above all others is The National Archives. While there are many interesting exhibits inside, nothing can prepare you for what will be experienced when you enter the rotunda. It is here in this massive stone vault that The Declaration of Independence and The Bill of Rights are on display in an extremely protective casing. But sorry, no photography is allowed inside.
The National Archives Museum
The Smithsonian Institute hosts a grand total of 17 museums. Each is extremely enormous, but they are conveniently located in a cluster around The National Mall. If you start early, it could be possible to fit in two before lunch and then another two after. Be sure to check the schedules and plan accordingly, as some D.C. museums are open later than others. I found the National Portrait Gallery to be one of those open much later.
The Museum of Natural History
The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History was the one that I took on my first morning in town. It was here that I stored my backpack in the locker early one morning before check-in. This is a very convenient feature for those on the go that have nowhere else to put their belongings. Once inside you will explore the history of our world from dinosaurs to the geological functions of the planet.
A few remnants of the deceased are also on display in this diverse collection. While many legends may allude to the curses that could be acquired when looting ancient tombs, The Hope Diamond is said to have a fairly respectable body count of its own.
The Museum of American History
Right next door is The Museum of American History. This equally large building displays everything from the history of modern warfare to the progression of the automobile. Be prepared for a massive refresher on everything you learned in high school.
If you browse closely you may even find notebooks from esteemed scientists such as Thomas Edison. But don't think of this as just a boring history lesson. Lovers of music and film will also have their fair share of exhibits to enjoy.
The National Gallery of Art
Two blocks to the east, I was arriving at The National Gallery of Art. Don't let the name fool you, this museum showcases an impressive variety of art from all over the world. It is here that you can see a self portrait of Vincent Van Gogh, housed in the same building with works of the renaissance masters.
If you explore thoroughly enough, you will also find the portrait of Ginerva de Benci. This is the only Leonardo da Vinci painting in The United States - So Don't Miss It!
The National Air and Space Museum
Up next, I crossed to the south side of the mall to The National Air and Space Museum. This one is always a hit with the kids, as well as those still young at heart. It is here that you will see examples of the many different stages that occurred in the progression of air travel, along with actual artifacts left over from various NASA missions. There is even an exhibit featuring the plane that Amelia Earhart used in becoming the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic.
My plan was to also visit the nearby Museum of the American Indian, but the weather had other plans. The rain began to pour, so I took shelter for an extended amount of time watching Imax videos of the history of air and space travel.
The rain may have put a damper on my D.C. adventure, but I have plenty to do next time.
Other Museums in the Area:
Aside from the museums, you can also arrange for tours of The Capitol Building and The White House during certain times. And while in the neighborhood of the president, I recommend grabbing a bite to eat at Old Ebbitt Grill. It was here that British troops celebrated after the setting fire to the city during The War of 1812. The food is great and you just may get a bonus history lesson from the bartender. Chill Out in Chinatown
I didn't realize until I got here that this amazing city also has a Chinatown. This part of town provides for a refreshing break from all that history stuff. In this area your imagination will be teleported to far off eastern lands, as you visit ethnic shops and restaurants. So relax and enjoy some culture while you are here.
Be Prepared to Have a Good Time!
If you enjoy U.S. History, then you may also like to read about my trip to Philadelphia.
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Author :Chris J. Baxter "Siege" is an experienced world traveler with a B.A. in Anthropology, a background in healthcare, and an unquenchable thirst for adventure. 
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