Washington, D.C. is a great place to visit and has many memorials, monuments, museums, and points of interest, many of which are free. Some suggestions, links and even more information can be found at:
Points of Interest Near the National Mall:
National Mall and Memorial Parks
The sprawling lands of the National Mall & Memorial Parks include the Mall, the public promenade extending from 3rd Street near the Capitol to 14th Street, including the:
National Mall Walking Tour: Explore the National Mall with this walking tour provided by National Geographic.
Smithsonian Museums: The entrances to the West Building are located on Constitution Avenue at 6th Street, NW, on Madison Drive at 6th Street, NW, and on 4th Street between Constitution Avenue and Madison Drive, NW. The entrance for the East Building is located on 4th Street between Constitution Avenue and Madison Drive, NW. Metro Stop: Smithsonian
Jefferson Memorial: South bank of the Tidal Basin, which in the spring is surrounded by D.C.'s famous cherry blossom trees. At the Swan Boathouse you can rent a paddle boat to cruise on the Basin. (202) 426-6841 Metro Stop: Smithsonian
Korean War Veterans Memorial: The memorial is staffed from 8 a.m. to midnight every day except December 25 by park rangers who are available to answer questions and present interpretive themes. A bookstore in the nearby Lincoln Memorial sells informational items relating to both the memorial and the Korean War. The Korean War Veterans Memorial is part of the National Park System, one of more than 360 parks representing our nation's natural and cultural heritage. Metro Stop: Foggy Bottom or the Smithsonian Metro
Lincoln Memorial: West Potomac Park at the foot of 23rd Street, NW. Telephone: (202) 426-6895. Metro Stop: Foggy Bottom or the Smithsonian Metro
Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) Memorial: 900 Ohio Drive, S.W., near the Jefferson Memorial and the Potomac River. There are park rangers available from 8 a.m. to midnight every day except Christmas Day. There are no fees to visit any of the monuments or memorials in the park. Telphone: (202) 426-6841 Information. Metro stop: Smithsonian Metro stop comes out on the National Mall.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial: Henry Bacon Drive & Constitution Avenue, NW (202) 426-6841 Metro Stop: Smithsonian
Washington Monument: On the Mall at 15th Street, SW. Tickets are required. They are free and available at the booth located on the west side of 15th Street, NW, on the Mall. Advance Tickets (small fee charged): Ticketmaster: (DC Metro) (202 432-7328 (Outside DC) 1-800-551-7328. Facilities: Bookstore, Restrooms, Museum. Information: (202) 426-6841. Metro stop: Smithsonian
World War II Memorial: The memorial opened to the public on April 29, 2004. It is located on 17th Street, between Constitution and Independence Avenues. The memorial is operated by the National Park Service and is open to visitors 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about visiting the memorial, accessibility, parking, directions, special events and other details, please visit the National Park Service Web site at www.nps.gov/nwwm or call the Park Service at (202) 619-7222. Metro stop: Smithsonian
White House: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. Public, self-guided tours are available but requests must be submitted through one's Member of Congress.. These tours are available from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday (excluding federal holidays), and are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis approximately one month in advance of the requested date. We encourage you to submit your request as early as possible, at least three to six months in advance, since a limited number of tours are available from the White House. All White House tours are free of charge. Metro: McPherson Square.
Note: Tours are subject to cancellations or time changes. For the most up-to-date information about touring and visiting the White House, call the 24-hour Visitors Office Info Line at 202-456-7041.
Additional Places to Visit in D.C.:
Ford's Theatre & Lincoln Museum
511 10th Street, NW - 10th Street Between E & F Streets. Telephone: (202) 426-6924. Closest Metro Stop: Metro Center
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Weekdays:The Museum is located just south of Independence Ave., SW. between 14th Street and Raoul Wallenberg Place (formerly 15th St.). There is an entrance also on 14th street, next to the Bureau of Printing & Engraving. Permanent exhibition is recommended for ages 11 and up. Daniel's Story is recommended for ages 8 and up. The visit will take from an 1 1/2 to 3 hours. ONLY the Permanent Exhibition requires a timed entry pass to begin the self-guided tour of the Museum's primary exhibition. Passes are FREE and are NOT required for the Museum's other exhibitions, memorials, resources and facilities. Metro Stop: Smithsonian on the blue or orange lines exit at 12th and Independence Avenue. Telephone: (202) 488-0400.
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
The nation's performing arts center and a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy. The tour highlights the historic events that led up to the establishment of a national cultural center, as well as an interactive exhibit on the life and presidency of John F. Kennedy. Tours of the Kennedy Center are offered daily, free of charge, and given by the Friends of the Kennedy Center volunteers. The tour concludes with a breathtaking 360-degree view of the nation's capital from the Center's Roof Terrace. Tours leave every 10 minutes, weekdays from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., weekends 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Free. Metro: Foggy Bottom/George Washington University on the Blue or Orange Lines.
National Postal Museum
2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE in the Washington City Post Office Building on Capitol Hill (next to Union Station). Metro: Take Metro's Red Line to Union Station. Leave through the Massachusetts Avenue exit. As you get off the escalator, the National Postal Museum will be to your left.
Phillips Collection
1600 21st Street, N.W. The Phillips Collection is located in the Dupont Circle area, one-half block off of Massachusetts Avenue on 21st Street, between Q and R Streets. Offices and Visitor information: (202) 387-2151. Metro Stop: RED line of the Metro to the Dupont Circle Station. Exit to Q street. At the top of the escalator, go left on Q street one block to 21st Street. The museum entrance is located halfway up 21st Street on the left.
The Corcoran Gallery of Art Museum
17th Street and New York Avenue, NW - one block west and south of the White House. The main entrance is on 17th Street. Special needs access is at 1701 E Street, around the corner from the 17th Street entrance. Phone: (202) 639-1700 Metro Stop: Four blocks from the Farragut West station or Farragut North station.
Hall of States Building
444 North Capitol Street, NW. This building houses 32 state offices. For information call the Council of State Governments at (202) 624-5386.
National Building Museum
401 F Street, NW, between 4th and 5th streets. Wheelchair access at 4th and G streets. Metro Stop: Judiciary Square - Red line. Telephone: (202) 272-2448.
National Geographic Museum at Explorers Hall
1145 17th & M Street. Exhibits of famous scientific expeditions. Phone: 1-800-647-5463; 800-548-9797 (TDD).
National Museum of American Jewish Military History
1811 R Street NW. Telephone: (202) 265-6280. Metro: Take Metro's Red Line to Dupont Circle. Leave through the Q Street exit. Walk one block north on Connecticut Avenue to R Street. Turn right and walk east two blocks to 18th Street.
Textile Museum
2320 S Street, NW. Telephone: (202) 667-0441. Metro Stop: Take the red line to the Dupont Circle stop. Leave the station via the Q Street exit. Walk north on Connecticut Avenue. At the intersection of Connecticut Avenue, Florida Avenue and S Street cross Florida Avenue and go left. Take immediate right onto S Street. Continue walking up S Street 2 long blocks to The Textile Museum on the left.
United States Navy Memorial and Visitors Center
Located at 701 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 123, Washington, D.C, 20004-2608. The D.C. Metro's Green and Yellow Line stops at Archives-Navy Memorial, steps from our front door. There is a Motor Coach Drop on Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, between 7th and 9th Streets, in front of the U.S. Navy Memorial. The Memorial offers a Concert Hotline at (202) 737-2300 ext. 768 for updated schedules or cancellations due to weather.
Voice of America
The Voice of America Studio Tour is a behind-the-scenes look at live broadcasting in radio, television, and the Internet in several of the 44 languages used by the VOA. Tours are free to the public, guided with audio and video features, and last 45 minutes. Reservations are recommended but not required. Tours are offered at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Voice of America is located at 330 Independence Ave., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20237 off of the Federal Center S.W. Metro stop on the Blue and Orange Lines. Phone: (202) 203-4990.
Newseum
555 Pennsylvania Ave, NW. Metro: Take the Metro’s Green or Yellow Line to the Archives/Navy/ Memorial-Penn Quarter Metro Station. Exit the station, turn left and walk toward Pennsylvania Avenue. Turn Left onto Pennsylvania Avenue; walk toward the Capitol and cross Seventh Street. Walk one block to the Newseum, located at the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Sixth Street. Phone: 888-639-7386
International Spy Museum
800 F Street NW. Metro: Take the Metro’s Red, Yellow, or Green line to the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro Stop. Exit the station and walk South on Seventh Street. Turn Right onto F Street. Walk to the Newseum located on F Street between 8thStreet and 9th Street. Phone: (202) 393-7798
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