The capital of the United States is a wonderful city less than 3 hours from New York, so if you are in the Big Apple you can’t miss the opportunity to get to know Washington DC, a city worth visiting. So, if you are planning to go to the US capital for the first time and don’t know what to expect, don’t worry, here we will share a guide that will help you explore the main attractions of Washington DC.

One thing you should know before starting the guide is that Washington DC is a perfect destination to visit with your partner or family, it is a charming city and no matter how many times you’ve been there, it will always offer you an incredible experience.

Now, let’s start with the guide

Visit the monuments of Washington DC

Exploring the National Mall monuments is one of the first things you should do once you are in Washington DC. The city is known for having precious and very important monuments, each monument has its own history and knowing the reason why they are there will help you understand the importance of this incredible city.

Here is a list of some of the most important monuments and memorials on the National Mall:

Washington Monument

Washington Monument – Source teenkidsnews.com

It is the city’s great white Obelisk, located west of the National Mall and was built to honor George Washington, the first president of the United States. It has a height of almost 170 meters, and was once the highest obelisk in the world, the monument is made of marble, granite, sandstone and was designed by Robert Mills.

Read: 5 must- visit attractions in Washington DC

Thomas Jefferson Memorial

Thomas Jefferson Memorial – Source tclf.org

Dedicated to one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, the third president of the nation, and also helped draft the Declaration of Independence. This memorial is one of the most important in the city, it is a beautiful building, its neogothic construction is impressive and you will surely love it.

National World War II Memorial

National World War II Memorial – Source www.ovsla.com

This monument was built to commemorate Americans who served and died in World War II. Located east of the Reflecting Pool, designed by Friedrich St. Florian, the monument has 56 pillars and triumphal arches surrounding the square and fountain, a solemn place worth visiting.

Korean War Veterans Memorial

This memorial is dedicated to the armed forces that served during the Korean War, you can find it located south of the Reflecting Pool. The monument is shaped like a triangle, inside there are 19 life-size statues representing a squadron, 15 of the statues are members of the army, there are 2 marines, 1 navy doctor, 1 air force soldier and all are dressed for combat.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Vietnam Veterans War Memorial – Source worldstrides.com

This great wall is a symbol that honors the men and women who served and lost their lives in the Vietnam War. This memorial has three parts: the Statue of the Three Soldiers, the Vietnam Women’s Monument and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall on which the names of those who died in the war are carved.

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial

This monument is the first to honor a man of color. It is located near the Lincoln Memorial, where Martin Luther King gave his famous “I have a dream” speech. This memorial to the African-American leader who fought for civil rights in his country is one of the most recommended places to visit on your Washington DC tour.

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial

Well, in addition to the monuments in Washington DC, the city is home to some of America’s most popular and surprising museums. You must keep in mind that they are gigantic museums and it is very difficult to visit them all, so here you have a selection of the museums that we think you should visit on your trip to Washington DC.

National Air and Space Museum

National Air and Space Museum – Source metroairportnews.com

With more than eight million visitors a year, this is the most visited museum in the country, the National Air and Space Museum is a place dedicated to aviation and space flight, in addition to other sciences such as geology and geophysics. This museum has the largest collection of airplanes and spacecraft in the world.

National Gallery of Art

National Gallery of Art – Source www.codart.nl

This art museum located in the National Mall, is one of the most representative museums in the city, its rooms house important works of art and pieces from the Middle Ages. In addition, the National Gallery of Art has one of the most beautiful gardens in the city, where you can also see sculptures by famous artists.

National Museum of Natural History

National Museum of Natural History – Source www.dcducks.com

Considered one of the most important museums in the United States, is a perfect museum for all ages, within it you will find more than 125 million specimens. It is in the National Mall and without a doubt it is one of the most impressive museums you can find in the world, so don’t hesitate to visit it.

Beyond the city’s monuments and museums, it’s also worth exploring the city freely, and going see other great attractions of Washington DC, and then we recommend some:

 United States Capitol

United States Capitol – Source Wikipedia

One of the most important buildings in the country, because it is in this place where the two chambers of the United States Congress reside. The Capitol Building is also one of the most important attractions of the American capital, the building and the dome are architectural gems of the city. Among other things, the US Capitol houses great works of art inside.

Ford’s Theatre

Ford’s Theatre – Source www.wheretraveler.com

Inside this site you will find interactive exhibits that tell the story of Abraham Lincoln’s presidency and how his term was a turning point for the country. Ford’s Theater is where Lincoln was shot and right in front of the theater is Peterson House, where he dies the next morning. This an exceptional theater where you can learn more about Lincoln’s legacy.