Discover Georgetown

White House History

George Washington selected the site of this amazing edifice, which was built between 1792 and 1800. After being set on fire by the British Army during the War of 1812, the White House was quickly restored and has been continuously updated ever since.

Visiting the White House

It’s easy to visit the outside of the White House, which is easy to find alongside the National Mall. However, if you wish to go inside, you must pre-arrange a tour through your Member of Congress.

FAQs

How do I book the White House tours?
You must submit a tour request through your Member of Congress. Tours are free but they must be arranged in advance. Tours are scheduled on a first-come, first-serve basis, and must be booked at least 21 days before you plan to visit the White House.

What’s the easiest way to get there?
Taxis or public transit is the easiest way to reach the White House because parking in the area is limited. You can travel by bus, subway or train to the White House, located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Helpful Links
http://www.whitehouse.gov/
http://www.nps.gov/whho/

Taking the Journey-The Permanent Exhibition

The main exhibition within the museum presents a comprehensive narrative history through three floors. Historical film footage and eyewitness testimonies are shown on 70 video monitors and in four theaters. Most visitors spend between one and three hours in the exhibition

Facts and Numbers

There are over 17,910 arts and artifacts, 76.6 million pages of archives, and 8,926 historical photographs and images located with the museum.

FAQs

What is required for admittance into the museum?
Free Timed Passes are required for the permanent exhibit. Timed passes are distributed for the same day on a first-come-first-served basis. You may order them in advance through tickets.com or by calling 800-400-9373.

Is the museum fitting for children?
Due to the graphic indication of death and destruction within some of the presentations, the permanent exhibits within the museum are not recommended for children ages 11 and under.

Helpful Links
http://www.ushmm.org/

Animals

Altogether, the two facilities contain 2,000 animals of 400 different species. About one-fifth of them are endangered or threatened. Most species are on exhibit at the Zoo's Rock Creek Park campus. The best-known residents are the giant pandas, but the Zoo is also home to birds, great apes, big cats, Asian elephants, insects, amphibians, reptiles, aquatic animals, small mammals and many more.

History

The National Zoo was created by an Act of Congress in 1889 for "the advancement of science and the instruction and recreation of the people." In 1890 it became a part of the Smithsonian Institution. The zoological park was designed to exhibit animals for the public and to serve as a refuge for wildlife, such as bison and beaver, which were rapidly vanishing from North America

FAQs

What exhibits are at the zoo?
The National Zoo hosts a long list active exhibits including: Giant Panda Habitat, Asia Trail, Elephant Trails, Lemur Island, The Small Mammal House, The Great Ape, House, The Think Tank, Gibbon Ridge, The Cheetah Conservation Station, The American Trail, The Invertebrate Exhibit, Amazonia, Great Cats, The Reptile Discovery Center, The Bird House, The Kid's Farm, Bison Exhibit

Helpful Links
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Dedicated to those who died in battle and were lost forever, this tomb contains the remains of an unnamed “American soldier known but to God.” It is the site of the hourly Changing of the Guard ritual, a moving ceremony.

Memorial Amphitheater 

This outdoor amphitheater is the site of three annual memorial services that take place to honor the fallen. It is made of marble, features a small underground chapel and is located near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

FAQs

How do you get there?
Arlington Cemetery is situated on the Virginia side of the Potomac River, across the Memorial Bridge from DC. You can drive or take public transportation; the cemetery is located near a Metrobus stop and on the Metrorail’s Blue Line.

How can you find a specific gravesite?
The easiest way is to download the ANC Explorer, an app for the cemetery that provides specific directions to every grave. You can also ask at the kiosk or use the website to find a specific marker.

Helpful Links
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlington_National_Cemetery

History

Dedicated on February 21, 1885, this amazing tower was inspired by the obelisks of Ancient Egypt. Honoring America’s first president, George Washington, it was the tallest building in the world until the Eiffel Tower was constructed in Paris in 1889.

Things to Know Before Your Visit
It is free to visit this attraction, but you will need a ticket - and they run out quickly during peak season. Skip the line and instead, reserve tickets ahead of time through the National Park Service.

FAQs

How do you book a tour?
You can pick up same-day tickets at the monument itself, or you can reserve your tickets ahead of time. To do so, visit the National Park Service ticket website at http://www.recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777. You’ll pick up your tickets at will-call.

What are some interesting Washington Monument facts?
A four-sided obelisk, the Washington Monument is made of marble, granite and bluestone gneiss and features a pointed top. The monument tapers towards the top and is surrounded by a circular colonnade, anchoring the center of the National Mall.

Helpful Links
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Monument
http://www.nps.gov/wamo/index.htm

Known for such prophetic sayings as "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself," FDR led the country for three terms under such dire circumstances as the Great Depression and World War II.

Interesting Fact:

The memorial contains 26 pillars, which represents the number of U.S. states in existence at the time of Jefferson’s death

Covering four acres, the memorial opened to the public in 2011 to commemorate the life of the renown civil rights activist. Martin Luther King Jr. is the first African-American honored with a memorial on or near the National Mall and only the fourth non-President to be memorialized in such a way.

Interesting Fact:

The official address of the monument, 1964 Independence Avenue, S.W., commemorates the year the Civil Rights Act of 1964 became law.

The memorial commemorates the sacrifices of the 5.8 million Americans who served in the U.S. armed services during the three-year period of the Korean War I

Interesting Fact:

On reflection from the walls, the soldiers appear to be 38 in number, representing the 38th parallel, which divides Korea.

The Memorial features such symbolic design elements as 56 granite columns, 24 bronze bas-relief panels, stone carvings and the wall of Gold Stars. Interpretive tours are offered daily.

Interesting Fact:

A total of $197 million was raised of which only 16 million came from federal government. Rest of the money was generated from the people of US and corporate giants.

Interpretive tours of the memorial are offered on the hour throughout the day, offering detailed explanations of Jefferson's career, the significance of the memorial and interesting facts about the history and architecture of the memorial. Admission to the Thomas Jefferson Memorial is free.

Interesting Fact:

Quotes depicting letters, famous sayings, and beliefs of Thomas Jefferson can be found on the Southwest Panel. Lines from the Declaration of Independence can also be found in this area.

One of the most visited Washington DC memorials, the Vietnam Memorial contains three parts: the Three Soldiers Salute, the Vietnam Women’s Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. Visit this solemn monument to see the countless lives lost, and take a moment to appreciate the sacrifices made in the name of freedom.

Interesting Fact:

After six names were added in 2010 the total number of names listed on the memorial now stands at 58,272 of which1200 are listed as missing. A diamond symbol against the name of the soldier indicates that he was killed. Whereas, a cross indicates the soldier is missing and if the cross is circled it means the body was identified.

The Lincoln Memorial faces the US Capitol and is a profound statement of liberty and justice. Free interpretive tours of the Lincoln Memorial are available daily. The Lincoln Memorial is a popular stop for Washington, DC night tours when the memorial and President Lincoln are grandly illuminated.

Interesting Fact:

The North wall of the monument contains an inscription of Lincoln's second inaugural speech. The South wall has the complete Gettysburg address inscribed on it Above the inscription is a mural depicting the angel of truth freeing a slave.

FAQs

What's the Best way to get to the Museum's stretch?
Most of the Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C., span approximately within one mile of each other from 3rd to 14th Streets between Constitution Avenue and Independence Avenue. For quickest transportation means, public transportation is the way to go. Washington's Metrorail subway system and Metrobus are both conveniently located near many Smithsonian museums and are only blocks from the Georgetown Inn hotel.

Is there a fee for admission?
No. Smithsonian museums and the zoo in Washington DC are always free. Supported by taxpayers, these museums are an American treasure that are free to explore.

Helpful Links
http://www.si.edu/Museums

Museums under the Smithsonian Branch
There are 18 different branches of the Smithsonian Institution that reside within the DC metro area
African American History and Culture Museum. The most recent of the Smithsonian museums, the AAHS is the only museum in the nation solely devoted to the documentation of African American life, art, history, and culture.

African Art Museum
Including such highlights as The Walt Disney-Tishman African Art Collection, this museum exhibits examples of traditional and contemporary art from the African continent.

Air and Space Museum
Hundreds of aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, rockets, and other flight-related artifacts inhibit this museum. Highlights include: 1903 Wright Flyer, Spirit of St. Louis, SpaceShipOne, Apollo 11 command module, Hubble Space Telescope test vehicle

Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center
What exhibits are too large to house on the national mall are held here including; Space Shuttle Discovery, B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay, Concorde, Lockheed Martin SR-71 Blackbird, and Boeing Stratoliner.

American Art Museum
American Artworks - including paintings, sculpture, photographs, folk art, and decorative arts stretching from the colonial period to today

American History Museum
Home to some of America's most prized artifacts including; Star-Spangled Banner, the flag that inspired the national anthem; Washington's uniform; Jefferson's lap desk; Dorothy's ruby slippers.

American Indian Museum
Housing an extensive collection of historical Native art and cultural objects.
Anacostia Community Museum
Located in the Southeast of DC, this museum exhibits African American history and culture from the 1800s to the present.

Arts and Industries Building
Currently under renovations, the building was the original home of the National Museum.

Freer Gallery of Art
One of the world's greatest collections of Asian art, including Chinese paintings, Indian sculpture, Islamic painting and metalware, Japanese lacquer, Korean ceramics, Whistler's Peacock Room.

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Contemporary style comes alive within this cylindrical building and sunken sculpture garden. Within the formation include sculptures by Rodin, Matisse, and Moore.

National Zoo
One of the world's most renown zoos, the National Zoological Park hosts over 2000 animals from over 400 different species including giant pandas, great apes, big cats, Asian elephants, exotic birds, and more.

Natural History Museum
One of the more popular branches of the Smithsonian, the museum features ancient and modern mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, insects, and sea creatures. Current exhibits include Dinosaurs; history and culture of Africa; Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems, and Minerals; Hope diamond; Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals; Sant Ocean Hall; David H. Koch Hall of Human Origins; Butterfly Pavilion.

Portrait Gallery
Spanning from pre-colonial times to the modern age covering some of the most impactful figures the gallery features anything from poets to presidents visionaries to villains. The gallery also hosts the nation's only complete collection of presidential portraits outside the White House.

Postal Museum
Devoted to the history of America's mail service and the hobby of stamp collecting. Highlights include; three vintage mail planes; stagecoach; 1931 Ford Model A postal truck; a replica of a railway car; letters; an updated exhibition on the Pony Express; special exhibits of rare and important stamps.

Renwick Gallery
Currently under renovations until 2016, the gallery exhibits American contemporary arts from the 19th to the 21st centuries. Important pieces include Larry Fuente's Game Fish and Wendell Castle's Ghost Clock.

Sackler Gallery
Features exhibitions of Asian art from ancient times to contemporary including South Asian sculpture, Chinese jades and bronzes, and modern Japanese ceramics. Smithsonian Institution Building, The Castle Main hub to the Smithsonian branches including the Information Center and Smithsonian headquarters.

Museums

You’ll find the National Gallery of Art and numerous Smithsonian museums near the National Mall, including the National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of American History, National Museum of Natural History and many more.

FAQs

Is there parking?
Yes. It is extremely limited, but you will find paid parking garages north of the National Mall, along Ohio Drive SW and south of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. Using public transit is highly advised.

What’s the best time to visit the National Mall?
The least crowded time to visit the mall is on weekday mornings. The mall is two miles long, so be sure to allow yourself enough time to move around and see the sights you want to see.

Helpful Links:
http://www.nps.gov/nacc/index.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Mall

Located on the east side of the building, the Visitor Center is partially underground. You can see skylights with views of the Capitol Dome, statues, history alcoves, a model of the building and films.
Senate & House of Representative Galleries
These galleries are where the legislative bodies of the country meet to make the laws. There are two galleries, one for the Senate and one for the House of Representatives. Passes are required for entry.

FAQs

What are the admission and tour processes?

Admission to the Capitol Visitor Center is free. However, passes are required for tours of the historic Capitol. To obtain passes visitors can reserve several ways:

• Through your offices of their Representative
• Through the office of your local Senators
• Online through the following link: http://tours.visitthecapitol.gov/

Same-day Tour Passes-same day passes may be available at the Public Walk-up line at the Visitors Center Information Desk. Note that during peak visitation periods, there is less likely a chance of obtaining same day passes.

The Capitol Visitor Center is open to visitors from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Inauguration Day. Tours of the U.S. Capitol are conducted from 8:50 a.m. to 3:20 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Visitors with official business appointments may enter the Visitor Center as early as 7:15 a.m.

What are some areas for kids at the Capitol building in DC?
Children will enjoy the excitement of seeing the Capitol Dome through the large skylights as well as the Exhibition Hall. Before you visit, talk with your children about the significance of the building.

Helpful Links
http://www.visitthecapitol.gov/