The Lincoln Memorial

2013 is the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation.  Visit the Lincoln Memorial, which was built in tribute to President Abraham Lincoln who signed this historic document. The grand monument overlooks the Reflecting Pool, the Washington Monument, and the U.S. Capitol. Inside, the 19-foot marble statue of the 16th president is flanked by inscriptions of his Second Inaugural Address and the famous Gettysburg Address. 

Open daily except December 25. Free. Park Ranger in attendance 8 am - midnight. 

The Washington Monument

The Washington Monument is one of the most prominent structures in Washington, D.C.  The 555-foot, 5-1/8" marble obelisk honors the nation's founding father, George Washington, who led the Continental Army to victory, and then became the nation's first president under the Constitution.  The Washington Monument is currently closed for repairs due to an earthquake that occurred on August 23, 2011; however, tourists can still walk or drive by the memorial and catch a glimpse of this magnificent structure.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial opened in August 2011 and honors the civil rights activist and theologian who led the Montgomery Bus Boycott and delivered the “I Have a Dream” speech at the March on Washington in 1963. The official address of the memorial, 1964 Independence Avenue, is in reference to the year the Civil Rights Act became Law. The centerpiece of the memorial is the Stone of Hope, a 30' tall relief of Dr. King that visitors reach after walking past two large pieces of granite called the Mountains of Despair.  All of these pieces are in reference to Dr. King's "I Have A Dream" speech in which he stated, "Out of a mountain of despair a stone of hope." The Inscription Wall contains passages from 14 of Dr. King's sermons, speeches and writings.

The public may visit the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial 24 hours a day. Rangers are on duty to answer questions from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. daily and to provide interpretive programs every hour on the hour from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m.

The United States Capitol

The legislative branch of the United States federal government meets in the Capitol building.  The most famous architecture in the Capitol is the cast iron dome constructed between 1855 and 1866.  The Capitol houses Statuary Hall, which houses two statues donated by each of the fifty states.  Notable statues in the hall include those honoring Rosa Parks, Henry Clay, and William Jennings Bryan. 

The Capitol is open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Free guided tours are available and require advanced reservations, which can be made here: http://tours.visitthecapitol.gov/SearchAvailablePass.aspx.

The United States Capitol is bordered by Constitution Avenue to the north, Independence Avenue to the south, and First Streets, to the east and west.  It is located at the far eastern end of the National Mall beyond the Capitol Reflecting Pool. Visitors should enter the Visitors Center located at First Street and East Capitol Street. 

Old Town Trolley Tours

DC arra tours provided by Old Town Trolley Tours are a popular and easy way to see the Washington, DC area, with twenty stops and more than 100 points of interest highlighted on the tour.  The tour is also designed so that you can hop on and off of the trolley to explore on your own at any time. The frequent pick-ups at all designated stops, helps avoid walking long distances.

Tours begin daily at 9:00 a.m. and run until the last re-boarding at 5:00 p.m. There are numerous pick-up locations located throughout the area, including a pick-up at stop 18 of the tour at Wisconsin Avenue and M Street NW, which is minutes away from the Georgetown University Hotel and Conference Center(the hotel where rooms have been reserved for wedding guests).  A pick-up location is also located at stop 17 of the tour, which is at the National Cathedral on Wisconsin Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue NW in front of the Saint Albans Church.

Trolley tickets can be purchased in person at Union Station(Massachusetts Avenue and Columbus Circle NE) at the booth located in the front of the Main Hall or you can purchse tickets online at: 

http://www.trolleytours.com/washington-dc/rates-and-reservations.asp

For more information call 1-888-910-8687(TOUR).

The Newseum

The Newseum highlights the history and contributions of news and journalism.  Of special note is the Today’s Front Pages Gallery that displays the front pages of more than 80 international newspapers.  Throughout the 250,000 square foot, high-tech structure are seven different levels of galleries, demonstrations and interactive exhibits. Learn about the many different publications, people and technologies that bring the news to life in the News Corporation News History Gallery. See artifacts, historic newspapers and magazines, videos and more that demonstrate the timeline of news. Find out what it takes to put a newscast together in the NBC Interactive Newsroom—then grab a microphone, sit in front of a camera and report it yourself, just like the pros do. See the Berlin Wall and the September 11 exhibits—and gain an understanding of the monumental task journalists faced when covering these events that changed our lives. 

The Newseum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years). 

Visitors can purchase tickets online and save 10%, or purchase in person at the admissions desk for regular ticket prices.

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

A living memorial to the Holocaust, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum inspires citizens and leaders worldwide to confront hatred, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity.

Open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. everyday, except Yom Kippur and Christmas Day. Timed passes are distributed on a first–come first–served basis.

Address:

100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW
Washington, DC 20024-2126
Main telephone: (202) 488-0400
TTY: (202) 488-0406

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

You do not need to be a science whiz or NASA expert to enjoy this fantastic museum. The National Air and Space Museum is a part of the Smithsonian Institution and holds the largest collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft in the world.  The museum’s impressive holdings include the Spirit of St. Louis, the single-seat monoplane that Charles Lindbergh flew solo on the first non-stop flight from New York to Paris. 

Open every day except Christmas. The hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Address: