Memorials On the Mall

Another thing to see while in Washington DC is some of its famous memorials: Lincoln, Korean, Vietnam and World War II.
The World War II Memorial is a spectacular structure to honor those who fought for our freedom during this great war. The large fountain in the middle of the memorial is probably one of the most beautiful parts.
The Vietnam Memorial is a grand observation to those who lost their lives during the war. On this massive wall is a list of all the men and women who died during the Vietnam War.
The Lincoln Memorial one of the most respected memorials of all times. It represents Lincoln's role in the emancipation of the African Americans from slavery.
Lastly, the Korean Memorial is set up to look like soldiers in a battle field. The most impressive part of it is the soldiers' faces: their expressions are so intricate, they almost look real. This memorial also holds a few of the most important words to our country, "Freedom Is Not Free", inscribed onto a wall next to the memorial.
If you have the chance, visit these memorials at night too. Their illumination creates such awe and beauty upon them, a slightly different experience from the day.

The Smithsonian Museums

While in Washington DC, a must see is the Smithsonian's museum collection. Some of the most popular include the National Museum of American History, The National Air and Space Museum and The National Museum of Natural History, along with numerous art museums and the national zoo.
The National Museum of American History is, in my opinion, the most interesting out of the three. If you are interested in the American military, the United States transportation history, or even the history of birth control in America, this is the place to visit. It contains some of the first forms of currency used here in the United States, parts of the Berlin Wall, an authentic Ford Model-T, and even parts of the World Trade Center from September 11th.
The National Air and Space Museum is for anyone that enjoys learning about space travel and airplanes. This museum contains information on the beginning of commercial air travel, military planes from World War I, Amelia Earheart's airplane, and Apollo 11's command module "Columbia".
The National Museum of Natural History is great for children and adults alike. It houses the fossils of a T-Rex, the Hope Diamond, a great mammal exhibit and an I-Max theatre.

Georgetown

When most people hear the word "Georgetown", the first thing that comes to mind is the university. Obviously this is not a mistake considering that the school is one of the top in the nation. However, what many people overlook is the fact that Georgetown is in fact more than just a school but rather a whole neighborhood.
Georgetown is one of the most affluent neighborhoods in Washington DC and also one of the most historic. It houses the oldest standing structure in Washington DC, called the "Old Stone House", along with Dumbarton Oaks, Georgetown University, and a few embassies.
Another trait Georgetown is known for is its exquisite dining and great shopping. On M Street, the neighborhood's most bustling street, you can find restaurants ranging from American, Spanish, Indian, Italian, and much more. One noteworthy restaurant, Clydes, was a quaint American restaurant with excellent service and even better food. The butternut squash ravioli with a white wine sauce, dried cranberries, and walnuts is spectacular as was the duck carbonara pasta dish.
No matter what, Georgetown is a great option for spending some extra time and is a must see in Washington DC.

(M Street Photo © Rachel Cooper, licensed to About.com, Inc.)

The Washington Monument

We also saw the Washington Monument today while walking around Downtown DC. After our tour of the Capitol Building, we walked down Pennsylvania Avenue and took a few pictures of the Washington Monument. It is amazing how this symbolic icon of our great capital is actually in line with all of the major buildings and monuments in Washington. For example, the Washington Monument lines up with the Capitol Building on one side and the Lincoln Memorial on the other side. In the other direction, it lines up with the Jefferson Memorial and the White House on the opposite side. The planning of this city is absolutely exquisite work done by L'Enfant, who is now buried in Arlington Cemetery. The monument itself is actually two different colors, one half being lighter in color and the other being darker. At the top of the monument is inscribed, "Laus Deo" which is Latin for "Praise be to God".

The Capitol Building

On our first day in DC, we visited the Capitol Building. We were fortunate to get a tour of the inside and I were thoroughly impressed. We viewed the old Senate room that is now the statue room. We also stood inside the rotunda of the Capitol Building and saw many paintings that were in historical order, along with more statues of famous historical figures and Presidents. In this room, important people such as Ronald Reagan and Rosa Parks have had ceremonies for inaugurations and deaths. We were taken down into the Crypt where George Washington is "buried". He does not really lay in the Crypt but actually in his Mount Vernon home alongside his wife, Martha. In the Crypt of the Capitol Building actually lies an empty casket to honor his memory with since he is buried elsewhere. This is an excellent way to start a trip to DC because it contains the essence of the city itself.