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| Image credit: Leigh Goessl (all rights reserved) |
While the winters may be a little chilly and the summers typically get pretty warm, the energy flowing through the District is enough to make most visitors forget the temperatures. With so much to see and explore, chances are the weather will take a back seat in favor of taking in all the scenes.
National Mall
If you're like most, one of the primary reasons you're coming to D.C. is to see the majestic monuments built on the National Mall. There's the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, FDR Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, National WWII Memorial and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. Other lesser-known memorials include the George Mason Memorial and the District of Columbia WWI Memorial.
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| Korean War Veterans Memorial. Image credit: Leigh Goessl (all rights reserved) |
There is also the widely-recognized reflecting pool situated between the WWII Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. This iconic pool makes for a beautiful sight as you stand on one end of the mall looking towards the other, no matter the season. While you'll need to dress according to weather since there isn't much indoor shelter when walking along the National Mall, seeing the amazing detail and thought put into the memorials' architecture and care is definitely worth a visit at any time of the year.
If there is an opportunity (and availability!), I recommend you take the elevator up the Washington Monument to see the spectacular views. In the winter, we've been able to get tickets on the same day (they are free), but I recommend reserving tickets online and paying the $1.50 per ticket. More often than not, tickets go quick and, if you're only here once, you don't want to miss out (you can read more about getting tickets here). The only days the Washington Monument is closed is on July 4 and December 25.
See or Tour the Capitol Building
The Capitol Building is the central hub of U.S. Government and is a big visitor attraction. Visitors can stand outside the Capitol and take photographs at various angles and/or take a tour inside this incredible landmark building. You can contact your local representative for tickets or book a tour online.
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If possible, I recommend seeing the inside, however, just seeing the building close up is worth the trip to this side of the mall. It's relatively easy to reserve Capitol tickets, the availability doesn't go as quick as it does for places such as Washington Monument or Ford's Theatre. We were even recently able to add two extra tickets last minute when we unexpectedly had more company.
Update 2021: Due to COVID-19 and subsequent events occurring on Jan. 6, 2021, even when pandemic-related restrictions lift, chances are admissions and security protocols may change. Check the official website before planning a visit.
Library of Congress and Supreme Court
If you do take the Capitol tour, there is a tunnel that connects to the Library of Congress where you can head straight over (or enter from the street if you want to go here first). This is another fabulous piece of architecture with many interesting things to see within its walls.
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To date, I've only been inside the Jefferson Building (which has the main attractions), but there are also two other buildings that are part of the LOC. There are free tours you can join if you are interested. Go to the visitor's desk when you arrive and ask to be put on the list.
Also, if your visit falls on a Monday through Friday, next door to the LOC is the Supreme Court, which is open to visitors as well. You can sit in on a docent-led talk if Court is not in session or, if Court is in session, visitors are invited to walk around to see the exhibits.
U.S. Botanic Gardens
The United States Botanic Gardens are located near the U.S. Capitol and is open year-round. Throughout the year there are numerous permanent exhibits, such as the World Deserts Exhibit, and also seasonal ones, such as the "Seasons Greetings" display during the holidays. And, if you're lucky to be in town when it happens, you might even see something rare and unusual, such as the blooming of a corpse flower.
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| Image credit: Leigh Goessl (all rights reserved) |
I was fortunate enough to see the latter in 2013. It was exciting (as I'd waited a few years to see one) and was thrilled to get the chance. During the warmer months, there are also some beautiful outdoor gardens.
White House
Visiting the White House is another highlight for visitors. Every day, many visitors to the city walk down Pennsylvania Avenue to get a close-up and personal view of this famous landmark. Tours of the White House typically need to be scheduled far in advance, but if you book early enough, seeing the inside of the White House through a tour is a terrific outing at any time of the year. All federal buildings have strict security, but there are tighter restrictions with this tour on what visitors can carry inside the building, so be sure to check the official website before making any plans to know current requirements.
Smithsonian Museums
Another amazing aspect of Washington D.C. is the wealth of information and spectacular exhibits housed at any of the Smithsonian Museums. Most of the museums are pretty close in proximity which makes it an excellent all-weather activity to enjoy. There are 19 Smithsonian museums in Washington, and most of them are located between the U.S. Capitol Building and the Washington Monument.
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| Taken inside of the Butterfly Pavilion at the National Museum of Natural History |
The most popular of the Smithsonian museums are the Air and Space Museum, National Museum of American History and the National Museum of Natural History. However, there are many other less known, but amazing, museums such as the Freer & Sackler Gallery, National Museum of the American Indian, National Museum of African Art and the National Portrait Gallery. Additionally, the National Zoo, which houses several Giant Pandas, is a part of the Smithsonian Institution. (The Smithsonian also has the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, a part of the Air & Space Museum, out in Chantilly, Virginia).
In addition to the above attractions, you can take in a show at or tour Ford's Theatre, see an event at the Capital One Arena, or simply enjoy sampling the various ethnic cuisines located in the numerous restaurants throughout the city. Literally tons to see and do year-round in our nation's capital.
Another of my favorite things to do is to head over to the Old Post Office (now the Trump International Hotel but the elevator is still run by NPS) and take the elevator up the bell tower to see the city views. This is a good secondary option if you can't get tickets for the Washington Monument or if its elevator is out of service (which seems to be a lot in recent years due to various problems).
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| Taken from the top of the Old Post Office bell tower. Image credit: Leigh Goessl (all rights reserved) |
Washington D.C. is often considered to be one of the best year-round vacation spots in the United States. Very few attractions are weather-dependent.
Even as a local, I tend to go downtown throughout the year and see what there is to explore. It just never gets old for me whether I'm exiting at the Metro Station at the Smithsonian stop or driving in from Virginia over one of the bridges.
