Washington DC: the nation’s capital, home to some of the world’s most recognisable monuments and buildings and the winners of the 2019 World Series. As we explored the city we discovered the stories behind these famous structures, learned about the people who inspired them and were moved by the memorials dedicated to world events that shaped this country’s, and the world’s, history. From seeing the World War II memorial illuminated and visiting the Capitol Building to catching the sun setting on the National Archives Museum and walking the National Mall, we found ourselves drawn to the city as we clocked up 59,327 steps over 3 days.
I almost broke our camera with all the picture-taking opportunities, even by my standards 😂 We’ll leave you here with a tour of our favourite pictures of Washington DC.
The White House. Home and workplace of every president since John Adams, the site of the White House at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW was chosen by George Washington in 1791.Washington Monument. Seen from every corner from Washington DC, this monument honours President George Washington. It was erected in 1884 and is held together entirely by weight and gravity. It is the tallest unreinforced stone masonry structure in the world.The National Museum of African American History and Culture. This museum celebrates the richness and diversity of the nation’s African American heritage and the people within it who have left their stamp on history. Hours can be spent in this building reading, hearing and seeing exhibits and highlights from Harriet Tubman’s hymnal to Muhammed Ali’s boxing gloves and so much in between. We actually ran out of time in the museum.A serious game of frisbee on the National Mall in front of the Capitol BuildingThe Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. It is the city’s largest reflecting pool at 2,029ft / 618 m long and 167 feet / 51 m wide.Lincoln Memorial. The 175 tonne statue of the 16th President of the United States gazes out over the National Mall towards the Capitol Building. Abraham Lincoln was President from 4 March 4 1861 until his assassination at Ford’s Theater on 15 April 1865.Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. The wall lists the names of over 58,000 servicemen and women who gave their lives in service in the Vietnam Conflict. Korean War Veterans Memorial Statues. The memorial commemorates the 5.8 million Americans who served in the U.S. armed services during the three-year Korean War. The 19 stainless steel statues represent an advance party of fourteen Army, three Marine, one Navy and one Air Force members. They are positioned in such a way that from any point around the memorial it appears that a statue is looking in your direction.National Archives Museum. Home to the Charters of Freedom – the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights – the National Archives also holds other important national documents such as the Emancipation Proclamation. This is one of my favourite photos and taken by complete chance as we were crossing the road with the sun setting and illuminating the top part of the building. No filters or editing done on this photo!World War II Memorial. This photo captures just a small part of the memorial complex. The memorial honors the 16 million who served in the US armed forces during World War II including over 400,000 who died.Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. This memorial honours Franklin D Roosevelt, America’s 32nd president and the only one who served longer than two terms. This depiction of FDR and his beloved dog Fala is only a very small part of the entire memorial which reflects the different eras of his presidency including the Great Depression and World War II.The United States Marine Corps War Memorial also known as the Iwo Jima Memorial. It depicts one of the most historic battles of World War II, the battle of Iwo Jima, and is dedicated to all marines who have given their lives to the service of America.The Smithsonian Institution Building, also known as The Castle. Built in the 1800s, the The Castle is the original Smithsonian Museum and today is the Visitor Center and headquarters for the Smithsonian Institution which comprises 20 museums and galleries and the National Zoological Park.The Arts and Industries Building is the second oldest Smithsonian Institution building and opened to the public as the US National Museum in October 1881The United States Capitol. Also known as the Capitol Building, it has housed the meeting chambers of the House of Representatives and the Senate for two centuries. The Capitol held its first session of the United States Congress with both chambers in session on 17 November 1800.The Apotheosis of Washington. Standing in the Rotunda and looking up at the ceiling in the center of the Capitol Building Dome, this painting depicts George Washington’s ascension into heaven and was painted by Constantino Brumidi in 1865.The ceiling of the National Statutory Hall in the Capitol Building. This room was the meeting place of the US House of Representatives from 1807–1857.This room in the Capitol Building served as the original Supreme Court Chamber from 1810 to 1860.On offer at the Capitol Visitor Center cafeteriaThe United States Capitol by nightThe Willard Hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue originally opened in 1847. Martin Luther King, Jr wrote his famous “I Have A Dream” speech in his hotel room at the Willard leading up to the March on Washington on 28 March 1963. President Ulysses S Grant was also a frequent visitor to the Willard during his presidency, where he would sit in the lobby and enjoy his post-workday whiskey and cigar.Inside the Willard Hotel, complete with harpist
Washington DC, you are magnificent, both by day and by night. Thank you!
