Freedom to Explore: Washington, DC Buildings, Monuments, Memorials, and Attractions that echo Freedom

DC After Dark

Capitol at Night

When the lights go down in DC, the beauty of the monuments and buildings are brought out when they are lit with their own special spotlights.

At night, the dome of the Capitol building glows luminous and regal, and "Freedom" presides over downtown Washington, DC. It is a view worth traveling to see, and only one of many.

Overview of the Landmarks

By law, nothing stands above "Freedom," the 19 foot bronze statue atop the Capitol building. And this symbolism is echoed in the spellbinding buildings, monuments and memorials that stand sentinel over the bustling city. There are as many ways to see these sights as there are attractions you'll want to view. Plan your visits to government buildings ahead of time; by contacting your elected representative's office at least a month before the trip, you may be able to secure passes, tours, and even a 'heads up' on scheduled events and sessions that may be of more local interest.

Tours of the Landmarks

Several tours offer the ability to see Washington DC from a variety of perspectives. For that luminous night-time view, look into a Washington After Dark Tour. Or extend your sightseeing, enjoy the scenic Virginia countryside, then dine at the most-visited DC attraction, Union Station, on a Mt. Vernon/Washington After Dark Dinner Combo.

On the DC Embassy Row/Arlington Cemetery Tour, you'll visit the Lincoln Memorial, site of the triumphant "I Had a Dream" speech by Martin Luther King Jr.. (You can also combine this tour with the Mt. Vernon/Old Town Alexandria tour on a DC All Day Tour.) Nine Languages are spoken on the Multilingual Tour of DC's landmarks. You'll gaze at the top of the Capitol Building's ceiling, amazed at Constitino Brumidi's "Apotheosis of Washington" on the Interior Buildings Tour. (You can see both the Interior Buildings Tour and Mt. Vernon/Old Town Alexandria on a Two Day Grand Tour.) On a Lil Red Trolley Tour, you choose the sites you'll visit as you hop on/hop off at dozens of sites, including ESPN Zone, Chinatown, and Ford's Theatre.

Smithsonian Institute

For a full day's adventure (or more), you'll want to explore one or more of the Smithsonian's 14 museums (and National Zoo.) Most of these are located on The Mall (along with the Vietnam Veteran Memorial, Korean Veteran Memorial and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial)--the easily recognizable 'castle'  (Smithsonian Information Center) on Jefferson Drive will help you decide which museum to visit first. Also, try to spend some time at Gettysburg, the site of the largest battle fought on US soil. And lunch at Michie Tavern before heading to Monticello on the Thomas Jefferson Country Tour.

Lighthearted Fun in DC

Don't forget to make room for the lighter side of DC on your visit! Visit the World's Largest Chair in the Anacostia (East of the River) neighborhood. Check out the fun 'technology' at the International Spy Museum. Here, you'll take a peek at the first satellite technology (passenger pigeons with cameras strapped to their chest), or James Bond's "quintessential spy car"--an Aston Martin DB5 with rotating license plate and oil-slick-producing apparatus. And if you have the time, it's more than worth it to arrange for a day trip to nearby Colonial Williamsburg or Busch Gardens.

Shopping in DC

Shoppers will delight in the unique settings and diverse offerings of Washington, DC. From the specialty shops and eateries at the Old Post Office Pavilion (a National Historic Landmark), the boutiques of National Place, or the Victorian setting of the Georgetown Park shops, you're sure to lose hours browsing for bargains. There's the 19th century public market brimming with foods, crafts and artwork at Capitol Hill's Eastern Market. And don't forget to schedule a visit to the grand Union Station--for a history lesson, to marvel at the architecture, to shop, dine, or catch a movie--every interest is catered to in this massive train depot. Enjoy dinner and dancing on the Potomac River aboard the Spirit of Washington Cruises. And when the evening rolls around, you'll find the clubs on 18th street, or the performance art at the Warehouse Theater and Cafe a lively display of the city's 'hip' scenes. (Of course, you've also got the John F. Kennedy Center For Performing Arts, the Washington Ballet, the Signature Theatre...)

Restaurants and Dining in Washington, DC

Food choices range from the budget-friendly cafeterias of the government buildings (don't forget to try that Senate Bean Soup, available every day since 1904) to the irreproachably prepared classic dishes at the 18th Street Cafe. Let the meal itself 'wow' you in the frills-free environments of the Duplex Diner (weekend brunches, late night comfort foods) and the Bombay Curry Company (whose name says it all). Or combine dinner and entertainment at the Bukom Cafe (live Reggae and African music with West African entrees), or Birchmere (famous for folk and bluegrass, pub fare food). Only the truly daring need visit Perry's, where Tex-Mex, sushi, pizza and tapas are all on the menu (you'll either love or hate their brunch performances--ask the locals what to expect before showing up)!

One thing for certain is the city's ability to captivate visitors. Energetic, progressive and fun-loving, stately and dignified, historical and poignant, the offerings of Washington, DC, are fittingly diverse. Perhaps, it is the city itself that serves as the American symbol that most completely encompasses our spirit...