travel | Washington DC

from the heart of American politics 

Washington DC, also known as "The Capital", is not your typical travel destination. In fact, the seriousness of the city dawns on you as soon as you step into downtown. Wide streets with trees lined neatly down the middle border the many monuments, memorials, museums and otherwise grand government buildings that make Washington DC the heart of American politics. 

So what is there to do in The Capital? Lot and lots of learning about American history! I started my visit with a trip to the Smithsonian Museum of American History and spent a good hour in the War section, learning about each and every one of the wars that America had ever been involved in. Then it was across the hall to look at the dresses of the First Ladies, most of which were dresses worn at their respective Presidential Inauguration Ball and aptly reflect the fashion trends of eras gone by. Next door to the Smithsonian is another museum worthy of a visit - the Natural History Museum in which you are greeted by a giant elephant upon entry. The museum also had an exhibition on the evolution of humans, and it still baffles me as to how we had evolved from those apes with such gorilla-looking faces.  

Visiting the memorials require either a bit of background reading or a walking tour guide to fully comprehend the historical significance. Notable memorials to visit include the Jefferson Memorial, the memorial for Franklin D. Roosevelt and my person favourite - the Lincoln Memorial where you can take selfies with the giant sculpture of a seated Abraham Lincoln (although it gets a tad chilly in there during winter). The Lincoln Memorial is also situated near the Korean War memorial and the Vietnam War memorial and provides a great view of the reflecting pool and the Washington Monument, making this one of the more popular memorials for visiting tourists.

Of course, no visit to Washington DC is complete without popping by the White House to wave hello to President Obama (and no we did not actually see him). The back of the House is said to be the prettier side, and more accessible for photos as well as you can  walk right up to the fence surrounding the beautifully manicured lawns. But if you are going past the front of the house, you'll probably also catch the crowds lining up outside Renwick Gallery, and the resident roller-blade hockey players that set up game at the square just outside the front of the White House. It is also within walking distance to the Old Ebbitt Grill - a Washingtonian institution with great steak and oysters for happy hour. 

 
travel tips for Washington DC: 
 - fly into Dulles Airport and save the taxi fare by catching an airport shuttle ($5) to the nearest metro station. Jump on the Silver Line and it will take you into downtown Washington DC (via the Farragut North stop)
-  most of the museums are free and well worth the visit. Block out at least an hour or two for each of the museums as there is so much to see!
- hire a car and explore the neighbouring cities of Annapolis, Baltimore and the beautiful campus of the University of Maryland, all are within an hour's drive from Washington DC. 

photos:

The Lincoln Memorial

Jefferson Memorial

Statue of Thomas Jefferson

Martin Luther King Memorial

Selfie at the Lincoln Memorial

Birds

The Korean War Memorial
Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers - Arlington Cemetery

The Washington Monument

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

the Old Ebbitt Grill

The White House at night 

xoxo