4. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is also known as "The Wall." A steady stream of visitors files past this memorial every day. There are more than 58,000 names etched into the wall and represent the thousands of veterans who lost their lives during the Vietnam War. The "Three Soldiers" statue and a memorial for the women who went to Vietnam are also found near The Wall. Look for this memorial near the Lincoln Memorial. If you know someone who was lost in Vietnam, by all means find out what section of The Wall holds the name and do not go there hoping to find a name blindly. That task would be nearly impossible without any idea of where the name is located.
5. Tours of the Capitol are being given again after a short stoppage after September 11. You will buy tickets at a kiosk near the Capitol. Be advised, though, that they are "first come, first served" tickets. Be sure to check out the list of items that are prohibited in the building. Something like the size of bags and backpacks is expected, but there are some regulations that may catch you off-guard such as no aerosol cans are allowed. Many things are prohibited in the galleries whether congress is in session or not.
6. Museums Galore! Washington DC offers many museums covering topics from art to history and everything in between. A few of the larger ones will be listed here, but keep in mind that you will need to see which of the countless museums in town will be of interest to you.
Holocaust Museum
International Spy Museum (Interactive exhibits feature all things dealing with spying.)
Dumbarton Oaks (Byzantine and Pre-Columbian art and history)
Hillwood Museum and Gardens (Russian imperial art)