A Glimpse Into The US Capital - Washington, DC

Washington DC is not a state or city, it’s a 68-square-mile federal district that was formed in 1790. It is home to United States government buildings including the Capitol, White House, Supreme Court building to name a few.

The city also has many landmarks including the National Mall, Washington, Lincoln and Jefferson monuments and memorials to those lost in World War I, II, Korean and Vietnam Wars.

If museums are your thing, there are many national museums that are free and include art, history, and culture.

This is what caught my eye, I hope you enjoy!

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Historical street markers

A colorful sunset is the backdrop for the Washington Monument and National Museum of African American History & Culture

“Blue Eyes”, an exhibit in the National Museum of Asian Art

The Smithsonian Institution Castle was designed by James Renwick, completed in 1855, and is now the home of the Smithsonian Visitors Center.

A model of the Smithsonian Castle displayed in the Smithsonian Visitors Center

Hair art exhibit in the African Art Museum

The US Capitol building, with massive dome, is the seat of the US Congress and is located on the eastern end of the National Mall.

A travel exhibit from the Museum of American History

“All In The Family” exhibit from the Museum of American History

The Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial honors his legacy and the struggle for freedom, equality. and justice.

“The Man Nobody Killed” display in the National Museum of African American History & Culture

This statue, in the National Museum of African American History & Culture, depicts the sprinters at the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games

The sunset sky over the National Mall with the Washington monument and the outline of the Smithsonian Castle.

Beautiful architectural details

The Old Post Office and Clock Tower was built in 1899 and is now the Waldorf Astoria Hotel

The Smithsonian Arts + Industries Building is the Smithsonian’s second oldest building opened in 1881.

The Presidential box in the Fords Theater

The Petersen House, where Abraham Lincoln died after being shot across the street at the Fords Theater

The facade of the Andrew W Mellon Auditorium, first opened in 1935

The Washington Monument

“Freedom Is Not Free” - The Korean War Veterans Memorial honors the 43,808 who gave their lives defending the people of South Korea.

The Vietnam War Memorial was dedicated in 1993 and pays tribute to the 265,000 men and woman who served during the Vietnam War.

The Lincoln Memorial was dedicated in 1922 and the steps have been the stage for many significant moments in American history.

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The World War II Memorial - “Service, Unity and Victory” honors the service of 16 million members of the armed forces and support of millions more on the homefront.

The InterContinental Hotel across from Pershing Park

“Shoes” - an exhibit in The US Holocaust Memorial Museum

A photo exhibit from the US Holocaust Memorial Museum

The iconic domed US Capital building was designed by William Thornton and completed in 1800

The 55,000 square foot White House, also known as the People’s House, was completed in 1800

The posthumous painting of John F Kennedy by Aaron Shikler in 1970 and hangs in the entrance hall of the White House. Several pieces of Herter Brothers furniture still remains in the White House.

The largest of the White House State Rooms was designed by James Hoban and George Washington to be a public audience room

The Green Room in the White House, is one of three state parlors on the first floor

The north portico of the White House

The decorative White House Visitors Center ceiling

An exhibit in the White House Visitors Center

Outdoor dining near the Ronald Reagan Building

A single rose on the names list at the Korean War Memorial.

A sculpture of Franklin Delano Roosevelt at the FDR Memorial.

Part of the FDR Memorial

A statue of Eleanor Roosevelt, part of the FDR Memorial

Sun setting at the Wharf

Looking through the columns of the Jefferson Memorial

Looking out at the Washington Memorial from the steps of the Jefferson Memorial.

Inside the Jefferson Memorial

The National Capitol Columns are a monument in Washington, D.C.'s National Arboretum. It is an arrangement of twenty-two Corinthian columns which were a part of the United States Capitol from 1828 to 1958, placed amid 20 acres of open meadow, known as the Ellipse Meadow.

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The entrance to the Dr. Yee-sun Wu Chinese Garden Pavilion at the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum in the US National Arboretum.

One of only five memorials in DC designed by a woman, Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney’s Titanic Memorial remembers the sacrifices made by those who gave their lives to save women and children during the sinking of the Titanic.

Displayed in the Museum of American History is this marker with bullet holes from rural Tallahatchie County marks the site where the 14-year-old black teen's body was discovered in the Tallahatchie River.

Inside the National Gallery of Art, which is home to some 141,000 paintings, prints, photographs, sculptures and decorative arts.

If you get a chance stop in at The Smith for great food and good atmosphere.

What you should know:

• There are walking trails.

• You need to contact your representative in Congress or the Senate to get access to the White House and Capitol. Email request should be at least 30 days prior to the anticipated visit. The tour is self-guided.

• You can get tickets for the top of the Washington Monument can be requested within 30 days of you visit at US National Parks Services.

• The National Museum of African American History & Culture is the only museum still using timed entry requests. You can request at NMAAHC

• You will probably be able to visit one or two museums in a day.

• All museums (other than NMAAHC mentioned above) are free to enter anytime during operating hours, most are every day 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., check museum website to confirm.

• There are many restrooms on the Mall and in the museums.

• Parking can be difficult, there are on the street metered and parking garage options. Be sure to check parking regulations signs.

• There are many restaurant options as well as food trucks along the roads bordering the National Mall.

• You could spend a day to a week exploring.

• There is a large amount of public art, so enjoy!

• This is a walkable city.

• There is a hop-on hop-off trolly, as well as city bus and Metro to get around.