Our Nation’s Capital has a beautiful monument to our history on just about every corner. From the Washington Monument to the White House, there are hundreds of things to see in Washington, D.C. Below are just three of our favorites. Use these as a starting point for building your own D.C. getaway itinerary.
LINCOLN MEMORIAL
The Lincoln Memorial is a classic D.C. landmark. Whether you’ve never been, or you’ve seen it 100 times, you are sure to be in awe of the beauty of this stunning marble tribute to Abraham Lincoln. The imposing statue of the 16th President of the United States is 19 feet tall sculpted by Daniel Chester French. Visitors can read quotations from Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, which are carved into the domed structure that shelters the sculpture. The whole memorial is a architectural landmark , making it no surprise that over six million people visit the monument each year. To learn more, click here.
KOREAN WAR MEMORIAL
Another breathtaking spot in our Nation’s Capital, located nearby the Lincoln Memorial, is the Korean War Memorial. The memorial was built to honor and commemorate the 5.8 million Americans who served in the U.S. armed forces during the Korean War. The monument consists of 19 stainless steel statues dressed in full gear, depicting a platoon on patrol in Korea. It also has a wall in tribute to the United Nations, and a Pool of Remembrance with the quote: “Our nation honors her sons and daughters who answered the call to defend a country they never knew and a people they never met.” The monument is stunning at night, when subtle lighting illuminates the faces of the statue soldiers. Click here to learn more.
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is one of the newest additions to the District’s historic memorials, having only been dedicated on October 16, 2011. The memorial sits on the Tidal Basin, where in the spring you can see dozens of cherry blossom trees in bloom. The monument is a 30 foot depiction of King emerging from what is meant to depict the side of a mountain. The monument includes the inscription: “Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope.” The quote is a tribute to King’s forever famous “I Have A Dream” speech, given in Washington, D.C. on August 28, 1963. Learn more here.
