Come and discover the capital of the United States, Washington D.C., located in the District of Columbia. As the federal capital, it is the seat of many American institutions (White House, the Capitol, the Senate…) and military and judicial organizations (NCIS, the FBI, the Pentagon…). This large city alone has 600,000 inhabitants, and is distinguished from the others by its atypical urban profile.
Because it is unique, Washington DC is a city that has no skyscrapers, they are even banned, and also has a significant concentration of historical monuments. If the visit of official buildings and memorials is rich in emotions, discovering the city of Washington DC also promises other exceptional moments thanks to the impressive number of cultural sites it shelters. Wondering what to do in Washington? It's this way !
The National Mall
In the heart of the city, this park is a must-see in DC Located between 2 of the city's other must-sees, the Washington Monument and the Capitol, the National Mall is a living historic and heritage center, since it is bordered by numerous museums and monuments. and memorials.
Imagined by Charles Pierre L'Enfant, just like the rest of the city, the park then looked like a large avenue, 1.6 km long, lined with trees. It sees more than 24 million visitors parade each year, and is particularly lively at demonstrations and public events.
The Capitol
A true architectural masterpiece from the end of the 18th century, the Capitol is located on a hill. It is one of the tallest buildings in the city. This is where Congress, the legislative branch of the United States, sits. In the north wing is the Senate and in the south wing the House of Representatives. The dome is one of the most spectacular features of the Capitol. It represents all the power of the United States. A statue symbolizing freedom surmounts it.
The Lincoln Memorial
The Lincoln Memorial, located at the western end of the National Mall, is a 12-foot (3.66-meter) monument commemorating the 16th President of the United States. It has been a staple of the city since its completion in 1922.
At night, lights illuminate the historic giant in a very different display from that seen during the day. Visitors will likely encounter smaller crowds in the evenings, and if you go on weekdays you will likely be one of the few, if not the only, visitors to visit the memorial. Visiting away from the distraction of crowds will allow visitors to have a deeper reflection on the man and the words he spoke on the walls.
The White House
Visiting Washington is of course passing by The White House. This highly symbolic place was built between 1792 and 1800, in Georgian style. Symbol of executive power and American policy, it is obviously no longer necessary to present it. In the west wing are the administrative offices including the Oval Office, the Cabinet Room and the Roosevelt Room, and in the east wing is the office of the "First Lady" and the White House secretariat. The lovely gardens of the White House are the perfect complement to the building. The place is obviously ultra-protected.
Air and space museum
This museum is simply amazing! Imagine a place where planes steeped in history can be found alongside legendary NASA machines, capsules returned from space (like the Apollo Capsule), rockets, missiles, satellites ... All in an incredible staging of which only the Americans have the secret! The entry is free.
World War II Memorial
Located between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, the World War II Memorial is very impressive and very beautiful. As you walk around, you can see 56 commemorative columns decorated with a metallic crown that represents a state or territory within the country. It is to be discovered day and night, illuminated, it is sublime!
Washington monument
You can't miss the towering Washington Monument. It is made of marble, granite and sandstone. The visit is free, but be careful, first come, first served, because there are specific times. You will be given a ticket with a specific time of visit. You can also book your tickets online on the official Washington Monument website, with a specific time and date, but it will cost you $ 4.35 (ticket + shipping costs).
Eastern Market
Next, head to Eastern Market, which is a short distance from the Library of Congress.
Eastern Market is a particularly lively market on weekends, as the street is closed to accommodate craft vendors and food stalls.
No matter what day you go, there are always good spots for lunch in the neighborhood.
Georgetown
Located between the Potomac River and Rock Creek, Georgetown is Washington's oldest neighborhood. It was founded in the 18th century and, thanks to its port, was used for the export of tobacco, which made the place very prosperous. Today it is one of Washington’s best known and trendiest boroughs. In this small resort with Victorian charm, the upper social class has found its home. The streets are filled with posh boutiques, restaurants and nightclubs. You can also admire magnificent and pretty stone houses along the streets dotted with majestic trees. For an afternoon of discovery and guaranteed pleasures, go for a stroll on Wisconsin Avenue and M Street where you can stroll through multiple shops and taste the local flavors pleasantly prepared by local restaurateurs.
How to move around the city ?
Washington's public transportation system is run by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority or more simply the WMATA. All transport systems start with "Metro" in connection with the Metropolitan Area. So, don't think that everything that starts with “Metro” has to do with the city's underground metro. The main bus system is called Metrobus.
Two bus systems are to be distinguished, both managed by the WMATA. The first is what you might call the city's "normal" network, the Metrobus, which has more than 300 different lines. It’s the one that Washingtonians use every day to get around. The second is called DC Circulator and has only five lines. It favors a tourist clientele through the points of interest of the city. Unlike the metro, the price of each bus trip remains the same, no matter how far you travel: the trip is $2 The Washington Metro has six lines: red, orange, blue, green, yellow, and gray.
The Washington Metro has six lines: red, orange, blue, green, yellow, and gray.
Photo by : Samad Ismayilov
Lots of Love, Valerie & Alex
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