1. The Smithsonian. There are numerous museums that are part of the Smithsonian complex. Choose your favorites and if you want to see a number of them, plan to visit over more than one day. Many people enjoy the Air and Space Museum, the Museum of Natural History, the Museum of American History, and the National Gallery of Art. What can you expect to see depending on which museum you choose? A moon rock, the Hope diamond, the plane that flew at Kitty Hawk, and the flag that flew over Fort McHenry are just a few of the countless artifacts offered by the Smithsonian.
One important thing to remember about visiting the Smithsonian is that parking is practically non-existent. Even if you plan to drive around the rest of the city, it is a good idea to find alternative transportation to the museums. Another item worth remembering is that although some of the museums offer cafeterias, the food is rather expensive, so be prepared if you will be grabbing a bite in the museums, or plan to eat before arriving. Admission is free to all Smithsonian Museums (there are 15 of them!).
2. The White House tour is one thing in the city that has changed dramatically since September 11. No more do people wishing to see the inside of "the people's house" stand in line for hours to be allowed admission as in the past. Only tours of ten or more people are now given and must be arranged well in advance. They must be arranged through one of your congressional representatives and the schedule is planned a month ahead of the date you request, so if this is still on your agenda, be sure to arrange it far enough before your visit.
3. The Memorials and Monuments. There are very many memorials and monuments all over the city, so decide which you want to see. Some of the major sites in this category include: