Washington D.C. Travel & Tourist Attractions
From its celebrated symbols of patriotism to its undiscovered neighborhoods, the sights and sounds of the nation's capital inspire millions of visitors every year. Packed with famous sights, free attractions, and an endless calendar of special events, Washington, DC offers year-round inspiring experiences. Beyond Washington DC's most familiar vistas, the capital city unwinds into a lively urban center. Casual cafes and upscale bistros line the trendy streets of Georgetown, while spontaneous jazz notes tumble out the windows of U Street's nightclubs, and world-class performers take the stage at the highly acclaimed Kennedy Center.
American Immigration Law Center Exhibit Hall - The American Immigration Law Center features an exhibit hall that educates visitors on America's immigrant heritage. Rotating exhibits are featured year-round. The museum is located in a historic landmark building known as the National Union Building, which has been restored to its original 1890s splendor.
Corcoran Gallery of Art - The Corcoran is committed to making the historic art in its collections and the emerging art of our time accessible and understandable to the broadest possible audience through innovative exhibitions and educational programming, systematic research and rigorous scholarship.
Folger Shakespeare Library - The Folger Shakespeare Library is home to the world's largest Shakespeare collection and is also known as a venue for exhibitions, literary programs and the performing arts.
Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery - The gallery houses a world-renowned collection of art from China, Japan, Korea, South and Southeast Asia, and the Near East. Visitor favorites include Chinese paintings, Japanese folding screens, Korean ceramics, Indian and Persian manuscripts, and Buddhist sculpture.
International Spy Museum - The International Spy Museum is dedicated to spy-related artifacts. The 600 plus artifacts include interactive exhibits of disguise and surveillance. Visitors can view hundreds of spy gadgets, weapons, bugs and cameras.
The Library of Congress - The Library of Congress is the nation's oldest federal cultural building and serves as the research arm of the Congress. Featuring millions of books, manuscripts, photographs and recordings, this is the largest library in the world.
The Lillian & Albert Small Jewish Museum - The Lillian & Albert Small Jewish Museum aims to preserve, chronicle and present the story of the local Jewish community through archival collections, exhibits, educational programs and the restoration of the oldest synagogue building in Washington, DC. Built in 1876
Marian Koshland Science Museum - The Marian Koshland Science Museum allows visitors to take a look at modern scientific research, witness the potential effects of global warming and explore how DNA analysis can catch criminals and stop epidemics.
National Arboretum - The US National Arboretum is a living museum that occupies 446 acres of land. This attraction includes gardens featuring aquatic plants, asian collections, groves of state trees, and herb gardens. The Arboretum also offers special events and education opportunities.
National Archives - A must-see attraction for historians, The National Archives is in Washington, DC, houses important government documents like the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights and more than three billion records.
National Aquarium Washington DC - The National Aquarium features impressive displays of colorful fish, alligators, sharks, piranhas and more. Feedings take place daily at 2pm.
National Museum of the American Indian - The National Museum of the American Indian is part of the Smithsonian Institution and aims to preserve, study and exhibit the culture and history of the native peoples of the Western Hemisphere.
National Building Museum - The National Building Museum explores achievements in architecture, design, urban planning, engineering and construction through exhibitions, educational programs and publications.
National Cherry Blossom Festival - The National Cherry Blossom Festival occurs every spring in Washington DC. Featuring 16 days of exciting events, this festival commemorates the 1912 gift to the city of Washington of 3,000 cherry trees from the mayor of Tokyo. Celebrating the continued friendship between Japan and the United States, this festival features a myriad of events, including a street festival, a parade, art and museum exhibits related to Japanese culture, film showings and more.
National Museum of Crime and Punishment - Explore the history of crime, law enforcement, forensic science, crime scene investigation (CSI) and the consequences of committing a crime.
National Gallery of Art - The National Gallery of Art features an impressive permanent collection of American and European paintings, sculpture and decorative arts. Visiting exhibitions of art from around the world are also featured.
National Geographic Society Museum at Explorers Hall - Located at National Geographic's Washington, DC headquarters, this museum features an impressive display of permanent and visiting interactive exhibits that depict the diversity of the world.
National Museum of Health & Medicine - The National Museum of Health & Medicine dates back originally to the Civil War. The present Museum was established in 1989 and allows visitors to touch a real brain or stomach, to view the bullet that killed Abraham Lincoln, to check out the evolution of the microscope, and experience the Civil War through the eyes of its surgeons.
National Postal Museum - Featuring an exciting collection of airmail planes, mail trucks, stagecoaches, rare stamps, letters, a Pony Express exhibit and so much more, the National Postal Museum is an ideal place to visit when in Washington DC.
National Museum of Women in the Arts - The National Museum of Women in the Arts is the only museum in the world that is dedicated solely to recognizing the contributions of female artists on society. Featured artists include Cassatt, O'Keeffe, Kahlo and Nevelson.
National Zoological Park - The National Zoological Park of the Smithsonian Institution features more than 5,000 exotic animals ranging from Sumatran Tigers to Komodo Dragons. The zoo also hosts many exhibits such as the invertebrate exhibit, a plant reproduction exhibit, a cheetah exhibit and many others
Newseum - Opening in April 2008. The Newseum is the only interactive museum of news that takes visitors behind the scenes to find out how and why news is made. Visitors can act as reporters or newscasters, and relive the great news stories of all time through multimedia exhibits and memorabilia.
The Octagon Museum - The oldest museum in the United States devoted to architecture and design, the Octagon Museum enables the American Architectural Foundation to increase public awareness of the power of architecture and its influence on the quality of our lives.
Pope John Paul II Cultural Center - Through state-of-the-art technology, art exhibits from the Vatican Museums, and cultural programs, the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center provides visitors of all ages and denominations an opportunity to explore various faiths and cultures.
Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Library and Museum - The Scottish Rite of Freemasonry features a library and museum that houses the Burl Ives Collection, the Hall of Scottish Regalia, the Cornerstone Hall of Freedom, the Albert Pike Museum, the Architects Hall of Honor, the Americanism Museum and the International Collection, as well as many other exhibits.
Smithsonian Institution Information Center - The Smithsonian Institution was established in 1846 with funds left to the United States by James Smithson. Today it houses more than 140 million artifacts and specimens that are held within the Smithsonian Institution's museums. Areas of interest range from African American History and Asian Art to Natural History and animals. Known as the Castle, the Information Center houses the crypt of James Smithson
The Stephen Decatur House Museum - The Decatur House is one of the oldest surviving homes in Washington, DC and one of the only three remaining residential buildings in the United States designed by Benjamin Henry Latrobe, the father of American architecture. Built in 1818, this museum is just steps from the White House and offers a glimpse into nearly 200 years of Washington history.
The Textile Museum - The Textile Museum features rotating exhibitions of historical and contemporary textiles, as well as a Textile Learning Center that explores textile techniques, makers and their cultures.
Union Station - This monumental gateway to America's capital city opened in 1907, and today it is one of Washington, D.C.'s most popular attractions. As one of the premiere shopping areas in the country, there are shops, galleries, boutiques and restaurants are situated throughout the station.
U.S. Navy Museum - The U.S. Navy Museum features a collection that includes ship models, medals, uniforms, photographs, fine art and other Navy-related artifacts. Tour groups and individuals who do not have military or Department of Defense identification and want to visit the Museum should call in advance for an appointment.
The Washington Ballet - The Washington Ballet presents a full season of contemporary and classical ballet at the city's Kennedy Center and the Warner Theatre. During the Christmas season, the ballet puts on The Nutcracker.
Washington DC International Film Fest - Featuring some of the best, new and exciting films in international cinema today, the Washington DC International Film Fest is held at various venues throughout the city. Apr 17 to 27
The Washington National Opera - The Washington National Opera was dedicated by Congress as the NationalOpera of the United States and is recognized as one of the nation's leading opera companies.
White House Visitor Center - Visitors learn all about the White House at this interpretive centerand museum. Exhibits and videos depict the history of the White House, past presidents, the architecture, the furnishings and other interesting facts.
Woodrow Wilson House Museum - The Woodrow Wilson House is Washington, DC's only presidential museum and is situated in the former home of President Woodrow Wilson and Edith Wilson following their White House years. The museum features the original furnishings, presidential memorabilia and changing special exhibits.
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