What's your favorite monument/building/memorial in DC?

[BlackVelvetElvis]

I'm tentatively planning a trip to DC in August with my sister to see the WWII memorial. I've been 2 times before and DC is my favorite city to visit.
The last time I visited (7 years ago), I went to the Holocaust Museum and it blew me away. It was an extremely powerful statement to inhumanity not to mention a well designed area.
How about you?
What should I pay close attention to?

[robertarctor]

1. Vietnam Veterans' Memorial

There's something profoundly haunting and spiritual about that site.

Also, the Holocaust Museum. And check out the inside of the Library of Congress; it's across from the east face of the Capitol, across E. Capitol Ave. from SCOTUS.

There's an interesting book by a guy named Onason on the secret meanings of Washington D.C.'s street layout and buildings (very Masonic oriented). Worth a read.

[No Mandate Here.]

2. Because I'm 52,

for me, the most powerful memorial is the Vietnam Wall. I am working from memory, but if you approach it from the west (the back) and move around the south end, you move through the war chronologically. The crescendo becomes so powerful as you go down the ramp. Seeing and feeling others' reactions is very emotional. Even school groups are somewhat reverential.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity for making my 500th post a very meaningful one. I have been waiting a good bit of the day to find the right place and time.

[BlackVelvetElvis]

8. Congratulations on your milestone.

I'll check it out, just like you suggested.
Last time I went was a day trip, as will this one. I want to go and be moved.

[No Mandate Here.]

10. Thank you

for 500 AND 501. LOL. Enjoy your trip. Hope it isn't 95 degrees and 96% humidity

[FloridaPat]

14. I felt the same way when AI sway it. It was just like the war itself.

It started out quietly and just kept getting worse and worse.

Another neat memorial is the Korean Vets Memorial. It is really freaky to see the faces of the men involved in the war and probably killed in battle on the black wall.

[GOPisEvil]

3. I second the Vietnam Memorial.

Also receiving votes: Smithsonian Museum of American History, Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials.

I saw the WWII Memorial and I didn't care for the design and placement on the mall, although it's high time we had a memorial.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

4. As a building/landscape, Jefferson Memorial.

[amerikat]

5. I have seen most of the well known sights in DC

I recommend Library of Congress and the National building museam. The shear beauty of the buildings is enough in itself to be worth the visit, not to mention what they contain.

[texas1928]

6. Go to Arlington cemetery

and watch the changing of the guard, and visit Kennedy's grave site. The whole place is very touching.

[Pachamama]

7. Above mentioned are must sees - but my personal fav is Lincoln Memorial

...not to slight the importance of the WWII and Vietnam memorials, but I love the Lincoln Memorial and ofcourse Lincoln is one of my all time favorite ex-presidents....

[Sporadicus]

9. The Jefferson Memorial

I've always had a thing for domed structures. I don't know if the scaffolding is still there.

[FloridaPat]

15. Scaffloldiong is gone. Nice place.

[seventhson]

11. I always go pay my respects to rfk and jfk at arlington cemetary

it is very moving always and the words on the memorial are inspiring and make you understand why they were blown away.

the capitol building is most incredible and really a must see if possible

the botanical gardens are near there (a short walk) and also exceptionally beautiful - my favorite place to go for peace in dc

the zoo is also great - altho a zoo


obviously the smithsonian american history and natural history museums etc.

near the smithsonian buildings are the galleries which are absolutely stunning (asckler and freer as well as the more mainstream hirschorn and national galleries

the national post office has a great lookout spot and tower which is often overlooked by tourists but gives a great view of the city.

if you have wheels or bikes go out to Hains point where there is a huge in ground sculpture (great for kids)

i also recommend the african and other ethnic restaurants in adams morgan area

(I went to law school there)

finally - an oft overlooked and very cool place is malcolm x park (aka meridian hill park) on 16th street NW near adams morgan ( a few blocks from columbia road and 16th). there is a beautiful and inspiring statue of joan d'arc overlooking the city and fabulous garden/pools designed by the Washington post people)

cool political restaurants are found near the capitol to the east on capitol hill the hawk and dove is the best known and kinda the most fun where all the staffers etc hang out

avoid georgetown except maybe the art theaters and the blues clubs or maybe "au pied de cochon" (pig foot) a restaurant where there was a famous russian defection to the cia or something


and finally again - the famous staircase from the exorcist is behind the gas station just to the west of georgetown on m street nw (ask and ye shall find)

I always wanted to go to harper's ferry which is not too far a trip but i never did

[BlackVelvetElvis]

13. I think I need to schedule a couple of weeks!

I could spend at least 2 weeks in DC and never get bored.

[seventhson]

12. I always go pay my respects to rfk and jfk at arlington cemetary

it is very moving always and the words on the memorial are inspiring and make you understand why they were blown away.

the capitol building is most incredible and really a must see if possible

the botanical gardens are near there (a short walk) and also exceptionally beautiful - my favorite place to go for peace in dc

the zoo is also great - altho a zoo


obviously the smithsonian american history and natural history museums etc.

near the smithsonian buildings are the galleries which are absolutely stunning (asckler and freer as well as the more mainstream hirschorn and national galleries

the national post office has a great lookout spot and tower which is often overlooked by tourists but gives a great view of the city.

if you have wheels or bikes go out to Hains point where there is a huge in ground sculpture (great for kids)

i also recommend the african and other ethnic restaurants in adams morgan area

(I went to law school there)

finally - an oft overlooked and very cool place is malcolm x park (aka meridian hill park) on 16th street NW near adams morgan ( a few blocks from columbia road and 16th). there is a beautiful and inspiring statue of joan d'arc overlooking the city and fabulous garden/pools designed by the Washington post people)

cool political restaurants are found near the capitol to the east on capitol hill the hawk and dove is the best known and kinda the most fun where all the staffers etc hang out

avoid georgetown except maybe the art theaters and the blues clubs or maybe "au pied de cochon" (pig foot) a restaurant where there was a famous russian defection to the cia or something


and finally again - the famous staircase from the exorcist is behind the gas station just to the west of georgetown on m street nw (ask and ye shall find)

I always wanted to go to harper's ferry which is not too far a trip but i never did

[UTUSN]

16. Folger Shakespeare Library

HelLO? HelLO? Is anyybody listENing??????? HelLOOOOO!