United States Destinations

Planning needed to see many sights of Washington D.C.

By Caroline and Steve Lake

Photo's by Caroline and Steve Lake

If you are planning a trip to Washington D.C., it is best to make a “must see” list. The many things to see are almost endless and can be overwhelming.

Washington was designed by fabled city designer Pierre Charles L’Enfant, who envisioned a capital of superb monuments, broad avenues and exquisite parks.

The city is dominated by the majestic dome of the U.S. Capitol building, one of the world’s largest domes. The Capitol building is a wonder to see, something everyone should experience first hand.

The National Mall starts at the Capitol and extends to the banks of the Potomac River. Most of the Smithsonian’s 16 museums are located on the Mall.

The Smithsonian, the world’s largest museum complex, is extraordinary. Pick the museums that interest you the most, as it is impossible to visit all of them during one stay.

Some of the most popular museums are the Air and Space Museum, the Museum of Natural History, where the Hope Diamond is on display, and the Holocaust Museum. A good first stop is the Smithsonian Castle, which houses the Visitor’s Center. The knowledgeable staff can assist in planning your visit.

The Holocaust Memorial depicts the history of the six million Jews killed by the Nazis when they ruled Germany from 1933 to 1945. The museum presents an emotional journey of this time period through the presentation of photographs, films and oral histories. Reservations can be made in advance.

Capitol Hill, the very heart of America, is home to the Library of Congress as well as the nation’s Capitol building. Just east of the Hill is Georgetown, the District of Columbia’s largest historic residential community, dating from the mid 1800s.

Once, a thriving Colonial port, Georgetown is a good example of a vibrant historical community with personality and charm. It known for fine boutiques and gourmet restaurants housed in the heritage buildings.

For a casual dinner in Georgetown, Martin’s Tavern is a real find. The food is excellent and if you sit outside, it is a great place to people watch.

In the heart of Georgetown, Dumbarton Oaks Garden offers a pleasant respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. The garden’s 10-acre grounds are graced by formal gardens, oak and cherry trees, a rose garden, terraces of herbs, a Roman-style amphitheatre and tranquil Lovers’ Lane Pool.

Plant lovers will also enjoy the U.S. Botanic Garden, which boasts orchids, lilies and azaleas in a glass conservatory and features a tropical rain forest. The most spectacular exhibit is the orchid collection that has more than 10,000 varieties of this exotic flower.

In terms of accommodation, the Hyatt Regency Washington D.C. is perfectly located on Capitol Hill, within blocks of the Capitol Building and National Mall. The Hyatt’s hallmark is a lovely five-story atrium with lobby seating and a wonderful restaurant. The guest rooms have been newly renovated and some offer stunning views of the Capitol Building.

Only one block from the White House, the Willard Hotel is an architectural gem. Restored to its turn-of-the-century splendour, the Willard is where you may see senators, celebrities and heads of state. The Willard Room, decorated with oak panels, marble columns and glistening chandeliers, serves fine cuisine and offers the gracious service of a bygone era.

The Eastern Market, a farmers’ market open on weekends, is located in a picturesque Capitol Hill neighbourhood. There are more than 100 stands for dealers and craftspeople to sell their produce, flowers, handbags, jewellery and one-of-a-kind handmade items. Many of the locals go every weekend to hunt for unusual treasures.

Old Town Trolley Tours offers a Monuments by Moonlight Tour that stops at the Lincoln Monument, JFK Memorial, Iwo Jima Memorial, Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial and Korean War Memorial. The knowledgeable tour guides add to the enjoyment of seeing some of the most famous monuments dramatically lit at night. The two-hour tour leaves nightly from Union Station.

Many of Washington’s attractions are free. The Kennedy Center, the U.S. National Cultural Center, is a complex of two main performance halls and several smaller performance venues. At 6 p.m. every evening free performances take place on the Millennium stage. All the Smithsonian Museums are free of charge as are all the many famous monuments and memorials.

Many of the city’s 150 embassies are housed in mansions of the late 19th and early 20th centuries on Massachusetts Avenue, which is known as embassy row. At the end of embassy row is the U.S. Naval Observatory. The grounds of the observatory include the Vice President’s residence and the atomic clock that keeps the official time for the country.

It is a thrill to walk along streets that Presidents have travelled and to see the magnificent monuments often viewed in books and movies. A visit to Washington D.C. is a wonderful experience to be enjoyed by all.

Resources

• Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority 202-637-7000 Metrorail subway system and metrobus provide safe, clean and efficient ways for getting around Washington Travel Update 202-789-7000 www.washington.org

• Hyatt Regency Washington 202-719-8400 - 202-737-1234 www.hyattregencywashington.com

• Willard Intercontinental 202-628-9100 - 800-327-0200 www.washington.intercontinental.com

• Dumbarton Oaks Gardens 202-339-6400 www.doaks.org

• U.S. Botanic Garden 202-225-8333 www.usbg.gov

• Monuments by Moonlight 202-832-9800 www.historictours.com

• Martin’s Tavern 202-333-7370 www.martins-tavern.com

• The Kennedy Center 202-467-4600 - 202-416-8524 www.kennedy.center.org

• U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum 202-488-0400 - 202-448-0406
For advance passes 800-400-9373 www.ushmm.org

• Smithsonian Information 202-633-1000 www.si.edu/museums