Top Things To Do In Downtown Washington DC

National WW II Memorial.

 The National World War II Memorial commemorates the sacrifice and victory of WWII. The Memorial honors 16 million veterans who served in the US armed forces, 400,000 who died, and all who supported the war effort. The memorial is a symbol of the spirit and support of the American people during WW II. The design balances classical and modern styles of architecture, harmonized with the natural and cultural surroundings of our nation’s capital. Located on the National Mall, the Memorial is flanked by the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial. Visit www.nps.gov/nwwm.

US Supreme Court.

 The US Supreme Court is the cornerstone of American justice and our government’s judicial branch. Completed in 1935, the monumental building was designed in classical Corinthian architectural style to harmonize with DC’s other congressional buildings. As an equal, independent branch of the US Government, the Supreme Court is the highest court in the land - an enduring symbol of the national ideal of justice and faith in our legal system. Visitors can tour the Supreme Court’s exhibits, educational programs, and theater with a film explaining the Supreme Court. Visit www.supremecourtus.gov/. [Top]

Washington Convention Center.

 The monumental 2.3 million sq. ft. Washington Convention Center is a major meeting and event facility in Downtown Washington, DC. The WCC features 703,000 sq. ft. of prime exhibit space and 150,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space topped by an elegant ballroom for 3,000 people and views of the D.C. skyline. Acclaimed for it award-winning architecture and design, the Washington Convention Center offers state-of-the-art technology and telecommunications, several restaurants such as Wolfgang Puck's, and the largest art collection of any convention center in the nation. Visit www.dcconvention.com.

Iwo Jima Memorial.

 The US Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, VA, is a respectful tribute to the honored dead of the U.S. Marine Corps who have fallen in combat. Based on the Pulitzer-winning photograph and sculpted by Felix de Weldon, the stunning, detailed sculpture depicts the raising of the American flag on Mt. Suribachi on the island of Iwo Jima in 1945. While the statue illustrates one of the most celebrated victories of World War II, the memorial is dedicated to Marines who gave their lives in defense of this country since 1775 and lists the Marine’s major battles since the American Revolution. Next to Arlington National Cemetery, the memorial offers spectacular views of the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and US Capitol. Visit www.nps.gov/archive/gwmp/usmc.htm. [Top]

Arlington National Cemetery.

 America’s most treasured and famous burial ground, Arlington National Cemetery is the sacred resting place for over 300,000 honored dead and a chronicle of American history. Among thousands of white headstones of our nation’s war heroes - from the American Revolution to present - are the graves of some of our nation’s most famous leaders, fighters, astronauts and cultural icons. Here we can remember and say farewell to President John F. Kennedy, President William Taft, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, Glenn Miller, Joe Louis, and the Tomb of the Unknowns. Start at the Visitors Center for maps, guidebooks, exhibits, grave locations, and the bookstore. Visit www.arlingtoncemetery.org.

Smithsonian Institution Museums.

 The world’s greatest museum and research complex, the Smithsonian Institution is comprised 19 museums, art galleries, and research centers with beyond 143.5 million artworks, objects, artifacts and specimens. Smithsonian Institution Museums display treasured icons of history, vibrant art of today, and scientific insights of our future. Discover the culture, history and humanity of our world at acclaimed museums, such as National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, National Air and Space Museum, National Portrait Gallery, National Museum of the American Indian, National Zoological Park, and National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Smithsonian's 19th museum. Visit www.si.edu. [Top]

Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.

 Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History inspires discovery about the natural world through remarkable collections, cutting-edge research, and fascinating exhibitions. Opened in 1910, the green-domed museum on the National Mall was one of first Smithsonian buildings to house the national collections and research facilities. Learn about our Mammalian ancestors and primate diversity around the world. Experience the history and culture of Africa. Examine ancient life including the dinosaurs. Explore the beauty of rare gemstones and colored diamonds. Through enlightening and entertaining exhibitions, the massive museum displays over 125 million natural science specimens and cultural artifacts, including 400,000 photographs. The NMNH is as one of the world’s top repositories of scientific and cultural heritage. Visit www.mnh.si.edu/.

National Gallery of Art.

 Created in 1937 by Congress, National Gallery of Art features an impressive collection of paintings and works of sculpture gifted by Andrew Mellon. One of Washington, DC’s most extraordinary cultural landmarks, the National Gallery presents a significant and growing collection of American and European paintings, sculpture, prints, drawings, photographs, decorative arts and architecture - spanning from the 13th century to contemporary times. From portraits to avant-garde art, the Gallery displays one of the most inspiring collections of art in the world. Located on the National Mall, the Gallery’s beautiful sculpture garden provides an informal, elegant outdoor setting for modern and contemporary sculpture. Visit www.nga.gov. [Top]

Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum.

 The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum features the largest collection of historic air and spacecraft in the world, and is a vital research center into the history, science, and technology of aviation and space flight, as well as planetary and terrestrial discovery. Located on the National Mall, the museum displays hundreds of rare artifacts, including the Wright 1903 Flyer, Spirit of St. Louis, Apollo 11 command module, and a lunar rock that you can touch. The National Air and Space Museum at Washington Dulles International Airport displays rare air and space artifacts, including the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, Boeing B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay, and Space Shuttle Enterprise. Visit www.si.edu.

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.

 the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden displays international modern and contemporary art, distinguished by an impressive collection of major artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. Set on the National Mall, Hirshhorn presents a spectrum of art, including works on paper, painting, photography, sculpture, installation, digital and video art, and mixed-media. A national platform for art and artists of our time, the museum offers exciting exhibitions, diverse collections, and experiences with artists that engage you to feel the transformative power of modern and contemporary art. The vast collection of modern art (late-19th century to mid-20th century) and contemporary art (1970s to today) features works by acclaimed artists of our time and emerging artists. Visit three floors of gallery space, the Plaza and the Sculpture Garden. Visit http://hirshhorn.si.edu. [Top]

International Spy Museum.

 Dedicated to the trade, history, and contemporary role of espionage around the world, the International Spy Museum is fun family attraction. The Spy Museum's permanent exhibition presents the art of espionage through stories of spies and their secret missions, tools and techniques. Museum exhibits feature the largest collection of international espionage artifacts, historic photographs, state-of-the-art audio/visual presentations, interactive displays and cool special effects that reveal the strategies of the people behind history’s most clandestine espionage missions. Visit www.spymuseum.org.

Corcoran Gallery of Art.

 One of America's oldest and liveliest art institutions, The Corcoran is a wonderful art museum and college of art and design. Founded in 1869, it is internationally acclaimed for its impressive collection of historical and contemporary American art, European painting, sculpture, photography, media arts and decorative arts. Don’t miss the Richard Avedon: Portraits of Power exhibit of over 250 photographs from the 1950s through the artist’s death in 2004. The Corcoran College of Art + Design offers a four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program, Associate of Fine Arts degree program, Master of Arts degree programs in Interior Design and History of Decorative Arts, continuing education, and art classes for children and teens. Visit www.corcoran.org. [Top]