Travel and Explore Washington, D.C.!

Washington, D.C. The USA's capital city lies midway along the eastern seaboard, abut 90 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean. Founded in 1791, the city is named after President George Washinton. Washinton is not a state nor is it part of any state. It's a unique "Federal District" created specifically to be the seat of the U.S. government. The area is well known for its wide array of cultural and historical attractions, historic monuments, and meorials...most of which are free to the public.  Albert Einstein Memorial, The  2101 Constitution Ave. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 334-2000  A memorial dedicated to Albert Einstein.  Anacostia Museum  1901 Fort Pl. S.E.  Washington DC  DC  (202)357-2700 or 357-1729  A museum dedicated to the identification, documentation, and preservation of African-American heritage.  Anacostia Park  N.E. and S.E. sections of the city on both sides of the Anacostia River  Washington DC  DC  (202) 690-5182  A 750-acre park full of fun activities.  Anderson House  2118 Massachusetts Ave. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 785-2040  The house has a library and a museum and is the headquaters for The Society of the Cincinnati.  Art Museum of the Americas  201 18th St. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 458-6016  The museum holds the OAS permanent collection of Latin American and Caribbean art.  Arthur M. Sackler Gallery  1050 Independence Ave. S.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202)357-2700 or 357-1729  The gallery is housed in a three-level complex and has collections of art from the Mediterranean to Japan.  Arts and Industries Building  900 Jefferson Dr. S.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202)357-2700 or 357-1729  The center as an extensive collection of Victorian Americana.  B'nai B'rith Klutznick National Jewish Museum  1640 Rhode Island Ave. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 857-6583  The museum contains a permanent collection of Jewish ceremonial art.  Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, The  Michigan Ave. at 4th St. N.E.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 526-8300  It is said to be the largest Roman Catholic church in the United States.  Bureau of Engraving and Printing  14th and C Sts. S.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 874-3188  The center where the U.S. government designs, engraves, and prints paper money, bonds, postage stamps, and other items.  Capital Children's Museum  800 3rd St. at H St. N.E.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 543-8600  The museum is a hands-on learning laboratory for children.  Chinatown Friendship Archway  7th and H Sts. N.W.  Washington DC  DC    The archway marks the entrance to the five-block Chinatown area.  Congressional Cemetery  1801 E St. S.E.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 543-0539  The area is the oldest national cemetery in the United States.  Constitution Gardens  between Constitution Ave. and the Reflecting Pool  Washington DC  DC    The gardens has a lake, gardens, and information kiosks.  Corcoran Gallery of Art  17th St., between E St. and New York Ave. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 639-1700  The art gallery contains an extensive collection of American art.  Dar Museum and Constitution Hall  1776 D St. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 628-4780  The museum has 33 period rooms showing decorative arts.  Decatur House  748 Jackson Pl. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 842-0920  The house was built in 1819 for Commodore Stephen Decatur and was the first private residence on Lafayette Square.  Department of Agriculture  Administration and South Agricultural buildings  Washington DC  DC  (202)720-2791 or 720-5505  Department information can be found in room 103A of the Administration Building.  Department of State  22nd and C Sts.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 647-3241  The agency is responsible for formulating and implementing U.S. foreign policy.  Department of the Interior Museum  1849 C St. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 208-4743  The museum shows displays illustrating phases of natural resource development, use and conservation.  Dumbarton House  Georgetown, 2715 Q St. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 337-2288  The Federal-style house has historic letters and documents signed by George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James and Dolly Madison.  Dumbarton Oaks  1703 32nd St. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202)339-6409 or 339-6401  The center houses a library of over 100,000 volumes and an art collection of the early Byzantine and Christian periods.  Dumbarton Oaks Park  Use Lovers' Ln.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 282-1063  The 27-acre park is from the former estate of Robert Woods Bliss.  Emancipation Statue  West end of Lincoln Park on E. Capitol St.  Washington DC  DC    The statue shows a slave being set free from Abraham Lincoln.  Enid A. Haupt Garden  Surrounded by Independence Ave. and the Smithsonian Castle, the Arts and Industries Building and the Freer Gallery of Art  Washington DC  DC  (202)357-2700 or 357-1729  The garden is a 4.2-acre rooftop garden, a three-story building lies beneath it.  Explorers Hall, National Geographic Society  17th and M Sts. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202)857-7588 or 857-7000  The center has exhibits showing famous National Geographic-sponsored expeditions.  Folger Shakespeare Library, The  2nd and E. Capitol Sts. S.E.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 544-7077  The library's great feature is its changing exhibits of Shakepearean and Renaissance items.  Ford's Theatre  511 10th St. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 426-6924  This is where Abraham Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1865.  Ford's Theatre Museum  Ford's Theatre basement  Washington DC  DC  (202) 426-6924  The museum shows the assassination and has the gun that Johan Wilkes Booth used to kill Abraham Lincoln.  Franciscan Monastery  14th and Quincy Sts. N.E.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 526-6800  The monastery is also called Mount St. Sepulchre, meaning "The Holy Land of America."  Franklin D. Roosevelt Marker  between 7th and 9th Sts. N.W., on the Pennsylvania Ave.  Washington DC  DC    This marker is dedicated to the nation's 32nd president.  Frederick Douglass National Historic Site  Cedar Hill, 1411 W St. S.E.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 426-5961  This home was Douglass' last home and now is a visitor center of interpretive exhibits and film documentation of his life.  Freer Gallery of Art  Jefferson Dr. at 12th St. S.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202)357-2700 or 357-1729  In 1923, this museum opened as the first art museum of the Smithsonian and it was named after Charles Lang Freer who donated his art and the museum's funding.  Hillwood Museum and Gardens  4155 Linnean Ave. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202)686-5807 or 686-8500  The museum contains 18th and 19th century Russian and French decorative art and furniture. Also there are gardens surrounding the complex.  Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden  Independence Ave. at 7th St. S.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202)357-2700 or 357-1729  The museum has a collection of European and American art spanning the late 19th century to now.  Historic Society of Washington, D.C., The  1307 New Hampshire Ave. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 785-2068  The historic society is housed in a brownstone, Romanesque Revival mansion and is furnished with Victorian furniture original to the house.  House of the Temple Library/Museum  1733 16th St. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 232-3579  The center has a museum and a library on Masonic and related subjects.  House Where Lincoln Died  (Perersen House), 516 10th St. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 426-6924  After Abraham Lincoln was shot; he was carried here where died the next morning.  Islamic Center  (Islamic Mosque), 2551 Massachusetts Ave. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 332-8343  The center has Muslim worship, education, and culture.  J. Edgar Hoover F.B.I. Building  E St. between 9th and 10 Sts. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 324-3447  The center shows exhibits explaining the history and the jurisdiction of the FBI.  John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The  End of New Hampshire Ave. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202)467-4600 or (800)4441324  The center is the nation's memorial for John F. Kennedy and is America's center for the performing arts.  Kahlil Gibran Memorial Garden  Massachusetts Ave. N.W., between 30th and 34th Sts. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 282-1063  The garden is dedicated to the Lebanese-American poet and philosopher named Kahlil Gibran.  Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens  South of jct. US 50 (New York Ave.) and Kenilworth Ave. N.E.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 426-6905  A marsh containing 44 ponds filled with a large variety of water plants.  Korean War Veterans Memorial  near the Lincoln Memorial between the Reflecting Pool and Independence Ave. (M: Foggy Bottom-GWU)  Washington DC  DC  (202) 619-7222  The memorial is dedicated to those 1.5 million American military personnel who served in Korea during the years of 1950 to 1953.  L'enfant Plaza  bordered by D St. S.W., the 12th St. Expwy. and the Southwest Frwy.  Washington DC  DC    The plaza is a model of urban renewal and was dedicated in 1968.  Lafayette Square  across Pennsylvania Ave. from the White House, boardered by the Blair House and Decatur House  Washington DC  DC    The site has a statue of Andrew Jackson and also has protests and demonstrations.  Library of Congress  across from the Capitol  Washington DC  DC  (202)707-8000 or (202)707-6400  The complex consists of three buildings: the Thomas Jefferson, the library's Art Deco John Adams Building, and the James Madison Memorial Building.  Lillian and Albert Small Jewish Museum  3rd and G sts. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 789-0900  The museum is one of the oldest synagogues in D.C.  Lincoln Memorial  lined with the Capitol and the Washington Monument  Washington DC  DC  (202) 426-6895  A memorial dedicated to Abraham Lincoln.  Marine Corps Museum  7th St. and Independence Ave. S.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 433-3534  The museum traces the history of the U.S. Marines over a 200-year period.  Memorial to the Signers of the Declaration of Independence  Constitution Gardens, on the lake  Washington DC  DC  (202) 426-6841  A memorial dedicated to the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence.  National Air and Space Museum  7th St. and Independence Ave. S.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202)357-2700 or 357-1729  The center is one of the world's most popular museums and is devoted to the development and history of air and space technology.  National Aquarium  Department of Commerce building, lower level, 14th St. and Constitution Ave. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 482-2825  The aquarium displays over 1,200 fish and other creatures and is the oldest public aquarium in the United States.  National Archives  Constitution Ave., between 7th and 9th Sts. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202)501-5205 or 501-5000  The center preserves and makes available for research federal government records of enduring value.  National Building Museum  on F St., between 4th and 5th Sts. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 272-2448  Built during the years 1882 to 1887 as the U.S. Pension Building, the museum celebrates America's past and present architecture and the building arts.  National City Christian Church  #5 Thomas Cir.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 232-0323  The church is the national cathedral of the Christian Church.  National Gallery of Art  Constitution Ave. between 3rd and 7th Sts. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202)737-4215 or 842-6176  The art gallery contains one of the world's finest collections of western European painting and sculpture from the 13th century to the present, and American art spanning Colonial to contemporary times.  National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial  Judiciary Square, between E and F Sts. and 4th and 5th Sts. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 737-3400  The memorial dedicates all of America's federal, state, and local peace officers.  National Museum of African Art  950 Independence Ave. S.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202)357-2700 or 357-1729  The art museum focuses on the study, collection, and exhibition of traditional arts of Africa.  National Museum of American Art  Old Patent Office Building, 8th and G sts. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202)357-2700 or 357-1729  The art museum houses the oldest national art collection and a permanent collection of American art.  National Museum of American History  Constitution Ave., between 12th and 14th Sts. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202)357-2700 or 357-1729  The museum holds a collection of exhibits showing about every facet of American life.  National Museum of American Jewish Military History  1811 R St. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 265-6280  The museum celebrates the dedication of Jewish-Americans to the security and peace of the United States.  National Museum of Health and Medicine  Walter Reed Army Medical Center campus, 6825 16th St. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 782-2200  The museum shows military and civilian medical history spanning the Civil War to the present.  National Museum of Natural History  10th St. and Constitution Ave. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202)357-2700 or 357-1729  The museum shows displays of natural history and human cultures.  National Museum of Women in the Arts  Masonic Grand Lodge, National Capital, New York Ave. and 13th St. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202)783-5000 or (800)222-7278  The art museum houses over 1,500 works of art and is said to be the only museum in the world dedicated solely to women's art.  National Portrait Gallery  Old Patent Office Building, 8th and F Sts. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202)357-2700 or 357-1729  The art gallery has portraits and other arts of Americans who have contributed significantly to the history, development, and culture of the nation.  National Postal Museum  2 Massachusetts Ave. N.E.  Washington DC  DC  (202)357-2700 or 357-1729  The museum shows exhibits portraying the history of the nation's mail service and has one of the largest collections of stamps and philaelic materials in the world.  National Presbyterian Church and Center  4101 Nebraska Ave. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 537-0800  The church serves as the National Church for Presbyterians.  National Society of the DAR Library, The  1776 D St. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 879-3229  The library is a genealogical research facility.  National Zoological Park  Entrace near 3000 block of Connecticut Ave., on Harvard St. and on Beach Dr.  Washington DC  DC  (202)673-4955 or 673-5717  The national zoo is noted for its giant panda.  Naval Heritage Center  behind the U.S. Navy Memorial  Washington DC  DC  (202)737-2300 or (800)821-8892  The center shows interactive television displays, an electronic Navy Memorial Log displaying about 230,000 naval service veterans, and more.  Navy Museum, The  Building 76, Washington Navy Yard, 9th and M Sts. S.E.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 433-2651  The museum shows the history of the U.S. Navy Yard spanning 1775 to the present.  New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, The  1313 New York Ave. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 393-3700  The church has Lincoln's pew, hitching post, and the original manuscript of his proposal to abolish slavery can be seen here.  Octagon, The  18th St. and New York Ave. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 638-3105  The center is now a historic house museum where the second-floor galleries also show the architecturally-related exhibits.  Old Post Office Pavilion, The  12th St. and Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202)289-4224 or 606-8691  The building was saved by citizens twice for its valued Romanesque architecture and now contains shops and restaurants.  Old Stone House  3051 M St. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202)426-6851 or 426-0125  Built in 1765, the building is one of the oldest structures in the city.  Organization fo American States Building  17th St. and Constitution Ave. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 458-3000  The build is the headquaters of the general secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS).  Phillips Collection, The  1600 21st St. N.W., at Q St.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 387-2151  The art museum houses a collection of 19th and 20th-century American and European paintings.  Pierce Mill  Tilden St. and Beach Dr. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 426-6908  This restored 19th-century stone building reflects part of the nation's 1820s economy.  Potomac Park  Along Ohio Drive, West and East Potomac parks  Washington DC  DC    The parks has 3,000 Japanese cherry trees and facilities for the family to enjoy.  Renwick Gallery  17th St. and Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202)357-2700 or 357-1729  The art gallery focuses on contemporary American crafts.  Robert A. Taft Memorial  Russell Office Building  Washington DC  DC    A bell tower and a statue are dedicated to Robert A. Taft.  Rock Creek Cemetery  Rock Creek Church Rd. and Webster St. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 829-0585  The cemetery is the oldest cemetery is the district and was established in 1719.  Rock Creek Gallery  Tilden St. and Beach Dr. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 244-2482  The art gallery shows exhibits of ceramics, paintings, and photographs by local artists.  Rock Creek Nature Center  5200 Glover Rd. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 426-6829  The center has a beehive, environmental exhibits, a hands-on nature discovery room, and more.  Rock Creek Park  along Rock Creek, through northwest Washington  Washington DC  DC  (202)282-1063 or 260-6836  The park contains 1,754 acres of natural woodland and is full of fun activities.  Senate and House Office Buildings  both sides of the Capitol Plaza  Washington DC  DC  (202) 224-3121  The Senate offices are on Constitution Ave. between Delaware Ave. and 2nd St. N.E.  Sewall-Belmont House  144 Constitution Ave. N.E.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 546-3989  Since 1929, this house has been the headquarters of the National Women's Party.  Shakespeare Theatre, The  Lansburgh building, 450 7th St. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 393-2700  The theater shows Shakespearean and other classical plays including educational programs and special events.  Smithsonian Institution, The  contains museums, galleries and a zoo  Washington DC  DC  (202)357-2700 or 357-1729  The Smithsonian Institution has 16 musuems and galleries and a zoo.  St. John's Church  16th and H Sts. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 347-8766  This Episcopal Church is known as the "Church of the Presidents".  St. Matthew's Cathedral  1725 Rhode Island Ave. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 347-3215  Established in 1840, this Renaissance style church was moved to its present site in 1893.  Supreme Court Building  facing the Capitol, between Maryland Ave. and E. Capitol St. N.E.  Washington DC  DC  (202)479-3000 or 479-3211  The center where the country's highest judicial body holds its sessions.  Textile Museum, The  2320 S St. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 667-0441  The museum houses textiles and rugs from all over the world.  The Mall  Capitol grounds to the Lincoln Memorial  Washington DC  DC    The mall lies in area of parks and memorial covering an area of 7.5 acres.  Thomas Jefferson Memorial  s.e. side of the Tidal Basin  Washington DC  DC  (202) 426-6821  A memorial dedicated to Thomas Jefferson.  Tudor Place  Georgetown, 1644 31st St. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 965-0400  This neoclassical house is dedicated as a shrine to Washingtons' memory and was built in 1805 for Martha Custis Peter, a granddaughter of Martha Washington.  U.S. Arboretum  enter on New York Ave. N.E.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 245-2726  This 444-acre arboretum houses many introduced and native plants commonly grown in the eastern United States.  U.S. Botanic Garden  West of the Capitol, 1st St. and Maryland Ave. S.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202)225-7099 or 225-8333  The conservatory constains many native and foreign rare plants. Also there is a Palm House.  U.S. Chess Hall of Fame and Museum  1501 M St. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 857-4922  The center has photographs and trophies to show the history of American chess and its premiere players.  U.S. Navy Memorial and Naval Heritage Center  Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., between 7th and 9th Sts.  Washington DC  DC  (202)737-2300 or (800)821-8892  The center provides free outdoor concerts.  U.S. Postal Service Headquarters  475 L'Enfant Plaza S.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 268-2020  The center has a Hall of Stamps displaying rare, unusual, and interesting postal items, as well as original stamp artwork.  United States Capitol  Capitol Hill  Washington DC  DC  (202) 225-6827  The United States Capitol is one of the nation's most familiar landmarks.  United States Holocaust Memorial Museum  enter on 14th St. S.W. and at 100 Raoul Wallenberg Pl., S.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202)488-0400 or (800)400-9373  The museum shows the history of the 6 million Jews and millions of others who suffered and died at the hands of the Nazis during World War II.  USS Barry  Pier 2, Washington Navy Yard, 9th and M Sts. S.E.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 433-3377  Commissioned in 1956 and decommissioned in 1982, this ship now offers tours aboard the ship.  Vietnam Veterans Memorial  close to the Lincoln Memorial, between the Reflecting Pool and Independence Ave.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 619-7222  The memorial is dedicated to the men and women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces in Vietnam.  Voice of America  330 Independence Ave. S.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 619-3919  The center shows a film of the Voice of America operations and a tour of the studios.  Washington Dolls' House & Toy Museum  5236 44th St. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202)244-0024 or 363-6400  The museum has a collection of antique doll houses, dolls, games and toys, mostly from the Victorian period.  Washington Monument  West end of the Mall  Washington DC  DC  (202) 619-7222  This 555-foot monument has 50 American flags surrounding it and an elevator runs to the top where the observation room is at.  Washington National Cathedral  Mount St. Alban, at Massachusetts and Wisconsin Aves. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202)537-6200 or 364-6616  This cathedral is cathedral church of St. Peter and St. Paul, and is a fine example of Gothic architecture.  White House  1600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 456-7041  The center offer free self-guiding tour and has been the home of every president except George Washington.  Woodrow Wilson House  2340 S St. N.W.  Washington DC  DC  (202) 387-4062  This house is where Woodrow Wilson lived from 1921 to 1924 and is also filled with his things from the 1920s.