Camping Gems - Places to Go in the District of Columbia
The Mall
National Museum of American History (cultural artifacts such as Mohammed Ali's boxing gloves and Judy Garland's ruby slippers, movie memorabilia, cars, machinery, gowns of the First Ladies, displays, exhibits). Constitution Ave. and 14th St. 202-357-2700.
National Museum of Natural History (bones, fossils, world culture displays, plant and animal exhibits, discovery room, IMAX films). Constitution Ave. and 10th St. 202-357-2700.
National Gallery of Art, East and West Buildings (galleries, exhibitions, sculptures, paintings. Works by Picasso, Matisse, Pollock, da Vinci, Rubens, Rembrandt, Degas, Monet, Cassatt, and many more). East Building: Constitution Ave., between 3rd and 4th Sts. West Building: Constitution Ave., between 4th and 7th Sts. 202-737-4215.
National Air and Space Museum (historic aircraft, IMAX films, models, moon rock, planetarium, displays). Independence Ave. and 6th St. 202-357-2700.
National Gallery Sculpture Garden. Located between 9th and 7th Sts. and Madison Dr. and Constitution Ave.
Smithsonian Institution Building (information center, guide to the Washington Mall museums). 1000 Jefferson Dr. 202-357-2700.
The Monuments
FDR Memorial (statues of FDR and Eleanor Roosevelt, waterfalls, reflection pool, sculptures). West side of the Tidal Basin. 202-619-7222.
Jefferson Memorial (statue of Jefferson, rotunda, inscriptions, scenic views). Tidal Basin, south bank. 202-426-6821.
Lincoln Memorial (statue of Lincoln, museum, exhibit, scenic views). West end of the Mall. 202-426-6895.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial (black granite wall listing over 58,000 names of fallen soldiers). Constitution Gardens, 23rd St. and Constitution Ave. 202-634-1568.
Washington Monument and Reflecting Pool (gleaming white monument built by the Army Corps of Engineers). Constitution Ave. and 15th St. 202-426-6840.
The White House Area
The White House (tour the East Room, Green, Blue, and Red Rooms, and State Dining Room). 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Get timed tickets for the tours at the White House Visitors Center (arrive early in summer): 1450 Pennsylvania Ave. Located on E St. between 14th and 15th Sts. 202-208-1631.
The Ellipse (excellent views of the Memorials, White House, and Washington Monument). Between Constitution Ave. and E. St, and 15th and 17th Sts.
Capitol Hill
U.S. Capitol (beautiful grounds and building, daily guided tours of the Rotunda and Sanctuary Hall). East end of the Mall. 202-224-3121.
Supreme Court (hear oral arguments, view statues and friezes). 1st and E. Capitol Sts. 202-479-3000.
U.S. Botanic Gardens. 1st St. and Maryland Ave. 202-225-8333.
Library of Congress (115 million books, manuscripts, films, photos, maps, and sheets of music). Jefferson Building, 1st St. and Independence Ave. 202-707-4604 or 202-707-6400. www.loc.gov
Union Station (1902 train station with 96ft.-high gilded ceilings). Massachusetts Ave., north of the Capitol. 202-289-1908.
Old Downtown and Federal Area
Ford's Theatre and Lincoln Museum (Assassination site of Abraham Lincoln, artifacts, museum, plays). 511 10th St. NW. 202-426-6924.
National Portrait Gallery (portraits, statues, displays). 8th and F. Sts. 202-357-2700
FBI Building (museum, displays, tours). 10th St. and Pennsylvania Ave. Tour entrance is on E. St. 202-324-3447
National Archives (displays of records including the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Bill of Rights). Constitution Ave. between 7th and 9th Sts. 202-501-5000 |
