A week in the Capital
Written by: Rough Writer Staff | 6 Feb 2009
The United States capital is an amazing plethora of monuments, memorials, museums and historic landmarks. I assumed that seven full days there would surely allow me plenty of time to see all of the city’s wonders.
After experiencing gourmet dishes in the country’s finest restaurants, collections of the oldest artifacts in the nation and statues of the greatest leaders and thinkers in our history, it occurred to me that I had only scratched the surface.
I began each day of my tour around sunrise and always ended up walking well through sundown. Due to the streets being consistently cluttered with traffic, most traveling was quicker done on foot, along with the very efficient subway system. Fighting through aching feet was well worth it to see the city’s diverse landmarks.
Breathtaking in person
It is breathtaking to actually see things like the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial in person. And though these are beautiful to see during the day, braving the fall chill to see them glow at night was well worth it.
The landmarks the city has to offer are definitely eye catching and will fill plenty of time, but there is even more to see in the city’s vast array of museums.
Save time for museums
From wars, to medicine and dinosaurs, to the holocaust, the collection of historical artifacts the city has is unprecedented. With only limited time in the city, I would recommend the Holocaust Memorial Museum and the American History Museum. Though other museums offer pieces of Abraham Lincoln’s skull and retired war planes, these two museums provoke deep thoughts into human history.
The Holocaust Museum, as graphic and factual as it is, would inspire anyone to prevent world genocide and shed some tears. The American History Museum, on the other hand, is an abundant pinnacle of collected items and works ranging from our revolution to modern day. With both of these museums requiring at least a full day each, I was not able to visit all of the museums in the city, but I definitely believe I saw the best ones.
So, to anyone planning to stay in the U.S. capital, I recommend you stay for at least twelve days, and wear some very comfortable walking shoes. Packed with history from all over the world, Washington D.C. has plenty to see and do to fill your time. It is definitely a must see city for everyone.
Gallery photos by: David Kreie
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