There are lots of ideas and preconceptions about Washington DC. After all, it is the nation’s capital. Many people learned about its history in school or watch it’s present day on the news. While there’s much more to DC than meets the eye, these are the 12 things that come to everyone’s mind when they think of DC.
- All of the monuments.
Flickr/Peter Liu Photography The Washington Monument is most likely one of the first things that comes to everyone’s mind when they think of DC. After all, it is the tallest building in the city at 555 feet tall.
- But there are also those gorgeous memorials.
Flickr/Craig Fildes The beautiful and unique memorials also spring to mind when you think of DC. Some of the more famous ones are the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, the World War II Memorial and the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial. But we have countless others here that are definitely worth seeing!
- You can’t forget one of our residents: The President.
Flickr/Karen Neoh Of course, the White House and whoever is living in at the time is another one of the top sights in DC. Just remember if you do visit DC and want to go into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, you need to arrange it beforehand through your member of Congress.
- And also, you might think of the other seat of government.
Flickr/Geoff Livingston Then there is where the law of the land is made at the Capitol building. The Capitol building has been one of the most iconic structures in the world since it was built in 1793.
- Or where the law of the land is upheld at the Supreme Court.
Flickr/angela n. Then there is the third seat of government: the Supreme Court. You can actually listen to a Supreme Court oral argument.
- There’s also all the museums.
Flickr/sean Silverthorne Hopefully, you also think of the amazing museums we have here in DC! The Smithsonian has 20 free museums all over the district that have some of the most incredible exhibits in the area.
- People wearing suits
Flickr/Beverly & Pack Yes, it is a bit of a cliche but it is also very true. Most people in DC dress up in suits and ties and office formal attire to go to the office. But it’s not all work here. We know how to have plenty of fun as well!
- Go-go music
Flickr/Brett Davis If you are a music aficionado, then you definitely know that DC is the home of go-go music! Go-go is a blend of fun, rhythm and blues and hip hop that originated in the district in the 1960s.
- You can’t forget delicious cupcakes
Flickr/Melanie K Reed Photography Lots of cities have cupcakes but few have Georgetown Cupcake. The small shop has become a destination for gourmet cupcakes thanks to its popular TV show DC Cupcakes.
- Our oldest neighborhood, Georgetown
Flickr/Kevin Oliver Georgetown is the oldest neighborhood in DC and is actually older than the district itself. It was founded in 1751 and today is a bustling shopping and restaurant district that is home to charming brick streets and gorgeous houses.
- The National Mall
Flickr/trevorklatko Also known as America’s Front Yard, the National Mall is an iconic piece of DC. This gorgeous green space is home to many monuments and memorials and millions of visitors come to see it every year.
- Embassies
Flickr/NCinDC The embassies are part of what gives DC our distinct international flavor. There are 177 resident embassies in DC, each one with its own character and charm. You can visit many of the embassies during Passport DC.
If you think of any of these things when you think of DC, you may be seeing DC but not all of it. There is much more hiding in this city among politics and monuments and the hidden attractions are just as amazing as the popular ones!
Flickr/Peter Liu Photography
The Washington Monument is most likely one of the first things that comes to everyone’s mind when they think of DC. After all, it is the tallest building in the city at 555 feet tall.
Flickr/Craig Fildes
The beautiful and unique memorials also spring to mind when you think of DC. Some of the more famous ones are the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, the World War II Memorial and the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial. But we have countless others here that are definitely worth seeing!
Flickr/Karen Neoh
Of course, the White House and whoever is living in at the time is another one of the top sights in DC. Just remember if you do visit DC and want to go into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, you need to arrange it beforehand through your member of Congress.
Flickr/Geoff Livingston
Then there is where the law of the land is made at the Capitol building. The Capitol building has been one of the most iconic structures in the world since it was built in 1793.
Flickr/angela n.
Then there is the third seat of government: the Supreme Court. You can actually listen to a Supreme Court oral argument.
Flickr/sean Silverthorne
Hopefully, you also think of the amazing museums we have here in DC! The Smithsonian has 20 free museums all over the district that have some of the most incredible exhibits in the area.
Flickr/Beverly & Pack
Yes, it is a bit of a cliche but it is also very true. Most people in DC dress up in suits and ties and office formal attire to go to the office. But it’s not all work here. We know how to have plenty of fun as well!
Flickr/Brett Davis
If you are a music aficionado, then you definitely know that DC is the home of go-go music! Go-go is a blend of fun, rhythm and blues and hip hop that originated in the district in the 1960s.
Flickr/Melanie K Reed Photography
Lots of cities have cupcakes but few have Georgetown Cupcake. The small shop has become a destination for gourmet cupcakes thanks to its popular TV show DC Cupcakes.
Flickr/Kevin Oliver
Georgetown is the oldest neighborhood in DC and is actually older than the district itself. It was founded in 1751 and today is a bustling shopping and restaurant district that is home to charming brick streets and gorgeous houses.
Flickr/trevorklatko
Also known as America’s Front Yard, the National Mall is an iconic piece of DC. This gorgeous green space is home to many monuments and memorials and millions of visitors come to see it every year.
Flickr/NCinDC
The embassies are part of what gives DC our distinct international flavor. There are 177 resident embassies in DC, each one with its own character and charm. You can visit many of the embassies during Passport DC.
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