Located in the District of Columbia, Washington is the capital of the United States. It is home to many American institutions, official buildings and other judicial and military organizations. A stay in the city is therefore a great opportunity to gain a better understanding of how American democracy works, as many of these places are open to visitors. Washington is also a surprising city, with no skyscrapers to speak of. A metropolis that is home to numerous museums, memorial sites and neighborhoods with a unique atmosphere. Here are 13 not-to-be-missed places to visit on a trip to Washington.
1. The White House, the President's official residence
Built between 1792 and 1800 in Georgian style, The White House is a monument known to all. The symbol of American executive power. Visitors are bound to want to stop and admire it as they stroll through Washington. To do so, go to the north side, near Lafayette Square, or to the south side, towards the Mall. For your information, the East Wing of the White House houses the famous Oval Office, the Cabinet Room and the Roosevelt Room, while the West Wing is home to the Secretariat of the President's Residence and the First Lady's Office. The White House is surrounded by magnificent gardens.
For this reason alone, Washington is one of the top 10 must-visit cities in the United States. Discover Washington DC by booking this multi-stop bus tour that will take you to the Lincoln Memorial, the White House, the Washington Monument and many more must-sees!
2. The Supreme Court, seat of judicial power
The Supreme Court is the highest judicial body in the United States. An impressive building, its architecture is inspired by antiquity. You'll immediately notice the omnipresence of marble, a particularly prestigious and elegant rock. A monument to be photographed at all costs on a trip to Washington, and also a must-see on a guided tour of the city's must-sees. It's always interesting to know that the Supreme Court is made up of nine members: eight justices and a president, all of whom have jurisdiction over cases involving the Constitution or the laws in force in the country.
3. The Capitol, seat of Congress
The Capitol was built between 1793 and 1850. This sublime Washington monument is the seat of the Senate and House of Representatives, the two legislative bodies of the United States. If the monument is magnificent from the outside, you must go inside to admire its decorations, and in particular the underside of the impressive dome, which houses a painting by Constantino Brumidi depicting "The Apotheosis of Washington". The dome is also topped by a statue representing liberty. Travelers are advised to book a guided tour of the Capitol several days in advance.
Join us on July 4 for the Independence Day Parade in Washington, a capital that celebrates at many times of the year. And don't wait any longer to discover the 10 best events in the USA to experience at least once in your life!
We recommend booking this guided tour, which includes a stop at the Supreme Court and admission to the Library of Congress and the U.S. Capitol .
4. The Library of Congress, the largest in the world
A trip to Washington is an opportunity to visit the world's largest library, housing over 173 million documents! We start by discovering the incredible details of the Great Hall, before exploring its various buildings: the Thomas Jefferson Building, the James Madison Memorial Building and the John Adams Building. And what's more, all these spaces are open to the public free of charge. The Thomas Jefferson Building remains the most impressive. It hosts a variety of exhibitions. It's another great place in Washington to take photos for your social networks.
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5. Georgetown, a lively neighborhood
This is the most bucolic neighborhood in Washington, one of the 15 capitals to visit in the world. It's home to some lovely old houses and mansions. You'll love the colorful brick houses that line the wide tree-lined avenues. Tip: see the Old Stone House, the town's oldest building, dating from 1765. There's no shortage of things to do in Georgetown. Start with a stroll along the river, followed by a shopping spree on M Street and Wisconsin Avenue. Georgetown is also a great place to go out in the evening, with its many bars and restaurants.
6. Constitution Gardens, a place to stroll
Head to the Mall for a stroll through "Constitution Gardens". This vast 200,000 m² park is located between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. A wooden bridge across the lake leads to an island that is entirely accessible to pedestrians. A memorial created in 1982 is dedicated to the 56 signatories of the U.S. Constitution. Constitution Gardens is a must-see place to relax between two visits to the monuments on the Mall.
7. The Washington Monument, an impressive obelisk
Built in honor of George Washington, the Washington Monument is a large marble obelisk. It is 168 m high. It took almost 40 years to build, with a 20-year break due to lack of funding! You must take the time to cross the Mall to see this giant. Unfortunately, it is no longer possible to climb it, as an earthquake in 2011 weakened the structure. When it was completed in 1885, it was for a time the world's tallest monument, until the Eiffel Tower took over in 1889.
8. The Lincoln Memorial, reminiscent of a Greek temple
Architecture lovers are in for a treat during a stay in Washington. One of the must-see buildings is the Lincoln Memorial. Built in 1914, it resembles a Greek temple, with 36 columns symbolizing the 36 member states of the Union at the time of Lincoln's death. Inside, a highly realistic sculpture pays tribute to the 16th President of the United States. This place has left its mark on history. It was here that Martin Luther King delivered his unforgettable "I have a dream" speech in 1963. It's also the Lincoln Memorial that appears on the $5 bill.
9. The National Archives, a place of history
The National Archives is a must-see for anyone interested in American history. This handsome neoclassical monument houses over 15 billion archives and some of the country's most important historical documents. A visit to the National Archives Museum is a must if you want to see the originals of the three main founding documents of the United States. These are the Declaration of Independence, dated 1776, which gave birth to the country; the Constitution, which has been in force since 1789; and the Bill of Rights, which establishes, among other things, freedom of the press, speech, religion and assembly. Tempted? Take this guided tour of the National Archives to discover the original documents that gave birth to the United States of America.
10. U Street, a neighborhood on the move
Once the heart of black culture in America, U Street is the neighborhood for art lovers and foodies alike. It's where famous personalities like Duke Ellington and Langston Hughes got their start. It's home to numerous theaters, art galleries and frescoes. It's also a great place to eat. It's impossible to stroll through the neighborhood without taking a break at the famous Ben's Chili Bowl, an institution where you can try half-smoke. It's DC's culinary specialty.
11. The National Museum of Natural History, for families
Washington has many interesting museums to discover. Families particularly appreciate the National Museum of Natural Historywhich contains a wealth of artifacts that trace the history of both Man and the Earth. Once you've made the acquaintance of Henry the elephant, head for the other areas to see the stone and mineral collection, impressive dinosaur skeletons and the Ocean Hall, dedicated to the marine world. The Muséum national d'histoire naturelle is also home to live specimens, including tarantulas and butterflies.
12. The National Gallery of Art and its masterpieces
The National Gallery of Art is one of the finest museums in the world. It houses a collection of some 141,000 works, including paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs and other decorative arts. New media also have their place in this venue, which traces part of the history of art from the Middle Ages to the present day. Works by da Vinci, Van Gogh, Monet, Seurat, Warhol, Botticelli, Brueghel, Klimt and Degas are on display. Keep an eye on the program, which also includes temporary exhibitions. Click here to book your guided tour of the National Gallery of Art!
13. Arlington Cemetery, a moving place in Washington
Head to the other side of the Potomac to discover the largest military cemetery in the United States. Thousands of veterans of American wars are laid to rest here. Those who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, in both World Wars, in Korea, Vietnam and the American Civil War. A place of remembrance where you can also visit the graves of two former American presidents: William Taft and John Fitzgerald Kennedy. A cemetery characterized by wide expanses of lawn and marble headstones. Click here to book your guided tour of Arlington National Cemetery.
Where to stay in Washington?
Like all major U.S. cities, there's no problem finding a hotel in Washington. There's something to suit every budget.
- The Windsor Park Hotel, good value for money
This hotel is perfect for travelers who don't want to break the bank when it comes to lodging in Washington. There are comfortable, well-equipped rooms and suites, with TV, WiFi and a small refrigerator. And what's more, the staff at reception are extremely friendly. Click here to book your stay!
- The Jefferson, high class
A luxurious boutique hotel for budget-minded travelers, which you can book right here. The rooms are absolutely sublime, in a Beaux-Arts style. Guests also have access to a gym, spa and swimming pool. To top it all off, there's also a Michelin-starred restaurant on the first floor. Sublime!
- Georgetown Inn, a central location
We love this hotel, located in the beautiful and colorful Georgetown district and bookable right here. The location is ideal for strolling through art galleries and visiting bars and restaurants in the evening. The rooms are elegantly decorated. There's even an on-site restaurant to make life easier.
What to do in Washington in 1 day
If you're visiting Washington for a day, you can start by seeing some of the must-see sights in the morning, including the White House, the Capitol, the Supreme Court, the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. Then head to Georgetown for lunch, and continue the afternoon with a tour of the boutiques and art galleries. The day can end with a romantic stroll along the river in the district.
What to see in Washington in 2 days
The first day begins with a stroll along the National Mall. This immense esplanade is home to several of the American capital's most emblematic sites. See the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial and the World War II Memorial. In the afternoon, head for Arlington Cemetery to visit the grave of former President John Fitzgerald Kennedy and pay tribute to the soldiers who fell in the American wars. In the evening, U Street awaits travellers to dine in a restaurant or take in a show in one of the theatres.
On the morning of the second day, you can start with a visit to the White House, followed by a tour of the Capitol, making sure to book well in advance. After an invigorating stroll through Constitution Gardens, we'll finish with an art-filled stroll through the National Gallery of Art.
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