One of my favorite cities to visit is Washington, DC. The Capital of the United States. Many people do not realize that Washington, DC is not the first capital in the United States, it is the ninth capital city of the United States! Washington, DC is the longest serving capital city as it has been the capital of the United States since 1800. Washington, DC is set up in a grid like pattern which makes traveling throughout the city quite easy to find your way around.
As a fan of history, I am a huge fan of all the monuments and buildings that surround the city. A can’t miss is a tour of the US Capital, home of the United States House of Representatives and Senate. Usually, you can schedule a tour in advance of your visit with your local congressman’s office. Speaking of history, to get an opportunity to see the original Declaration of Independence from 1776, one must go into the National Archives which is just down the street from the U.S. Capital. These are parts of the workings of the federal U.S. Government.
There are many other monuments to historical figures, some of the greatest U.S. Presidents have monuments located in DC. One of the most recognizable is the obelisk honoring the First U.S. President, George Washington. The Washington Monument even allows visitors to go inside the monument for some incredible views of the city. Other presidential monuments to visit include the Lincoln Memorial and Jefferson Memorial.
The U.S Supreme Court and the DC Court of Appeals are two of the working courthouses that must sees on any trip to DC. Each June towards the end of the term, the Supreme Court justices take the bench to read their opinions from the Supreme Court term. This tradition has surrounded the Court since the 1800s.
During the summer months, DC is also home to the Washington Nationals baseball team. The team plays right near the Navy Yards. There are many shops and restaurants in the neighborhood where the team plays and makes for a great afternoon or evening of fun.
For those interested in venturing outside the boundaries of Washington, DC, just across the Potomac River is the city of Arlington, Virginia. Some sites to see in Arlington include one of America’s largest buildings by square footage, the Pentagon. The Pentagon is home of the U.S. Military and Department of Defense. Just next door to the Pentagon is Arlington National Cemetery, the final resting place of many famous Americans. Numerous Supreme Court justices, members of Congress, and even former U.S. Presidents are buried here. The eternal flame burns brightly here as the final resting place of the 35th U.S. President, John Fitzgerald Kennedy.