Washington, D.C. is a special place that commemorates some of the best things that our country has to offer. Many tourists visit Washington, D.C. to partake in some of the things that made history. From historic landmarks like the Smithsonian and Ford’s Theatre, to beautiful memorials of presidents and the armed forces, Washington, D.C. has plenty to offer for Americans and non-Americans. Here’s a great travel guide for Washington, D.C., for those who like to explore history through the eyes of the capital city of the United States of America. Ford’s Theatre Ford’s Theatre is a landmark for Washington, D.C. (and the world) as the most infamous assassination in history was performed during a show there. Abraham Lincoln, 16th US president, was with his wife Mary Todd Lincoln, Clara Harris, and Henry Rathbone when John Wilkes Booth, a well-known actor, stepped behind the president and shot him in the head. Lincoln died nine hours later early that next morning. After the incident, the U.S. Government stepped in to purchase the theatre, prohibiting its use as a place of amusement. After years of extensive restoration, the building eventually became a Lincoln museum and then was reopened again in 1968 and then again in 2009. Currently used as a performance theatre, the venue regularly shows plays and guided tours. Memorial Walking Tour Some of the biggest draws to Washington, D.C., are the many different memorials available to visit through walking the beautiful downtown area of Washington, D.C. For the memorials and buildings featured in the walking tour, there are several, including the following: The White House, The Washington Monument, World War II Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, Korean War Veterans Memorial, FDR Memorial, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Holocaust Memorial Museum, United States Capitol Building, and the United States Supreme Court. Be sure to visit some of the memorials, and especially the White House. Holocaust Museum The Holocaust Museum is another important memorial that you won’t want to miss while in Washington, D.C. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is the official U.S. memorial for the Holocaust and is located in the National Mall. With more than 12,000 artifacts, 80,000 photographs, more than 1,000 hours of footage, and over 9,000 oral histories, the museum researches more and more about the Holocaust every day. Though there are many special moments about the Holocaust Museum, one of the most special moments is when you are given an identification card linking you to a victim of the Holocaust. Though there are a lot of good learning opportunities, it is recommended that no children under 11 visit the museum because of graphic images and subject matter. National Air and Space Museum The National Air and Space Museum is another wonderful Smithsonian exhibit that features the world’s largest and most significant collection of aviation and space artifacts, according to their website. For just a few of the exhibits, there are features about commercial airlines, the exploration of the moon, and the objects that achieved some of the major firsts in aviation and space history, like the Spirit of St. Louis. Though there is a large collection at the Museum in D.C., there is another collection of the larger pieces in the Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia. National Gallery of Art Another must-visit is the National Gallery of Art, conceived by Andrew Mellon who was an art collector from Pittsburgh. This immense collection of art was eventually given to the U.S. and established in March of 1937. Many of the famous paintings are from the donor himself, including Jan van Eycck’s Annunciation, Raphael’s Alba Madonna, and Francisco de Goya’s Marquesa de Pontejos. Now, there are many different exhibitions that run through the enormous building. Be sure to check what exhibitions are currently showing at the National Gallery of Art’s website: nga.gov. For a good travel guide to Washington, DC, here are just a few must-visits in the nation’s capital.
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