Discover Downtown Washington, DC

Washington, DC Top Attractions

Union Station.

For 100 years, Union Station has welcomed people to the most vital and vibrant city in the world. The most visited destination in Washington, D.C., the architecturally magnificent building and marble floors echo with the footsteps of presidents, foreign dignitaries and over 32 million people each year. One of the country’s most exhilarating and dynamic shopping destinations, Union Station features two levels lined with 130 shops, specialty boutiques and fashion and gift stores, and a myriad of casual restaurants. Union Station offers a food court with hundred of eateries, a state-of-the-art, 9-screen Phoenix Theatres, special events, Amtrak ticketing, rental cars, an international currency exchange and sightseeing companies like Gray Line and Old Town Trolley. Visit www.unionstationdc.com.

Dupont Circle.

Centered around a lively urban park and the white marble Dupont Memorial Fountain, Dupont Circle is a vibrant, cosmopolitan neighborhood with Washington, DC’s finest art museums, historic mansions, unique bookstores, hip restaurants and cool art galleries. The beautiful park attracts picnickers, sunbathers, strollers, cyclists, chess players, and tourists who enjoy the open space in the heart of the city. Dupont Circle is home to the Phillips Collection, one of the city's leading art museums with paintings by Renoir, Cezanne and Degas. Stroll through Dupont Circle to find trendy restaurants, bars, galleries, and bookstores, including Lambda Rising, the nation's most famous gay bookstore since 1974. DC's gay and lesbian hot spot, The Circle has been the kick off point for annual Pride parades and Youth Pride celebrations.  [Top]

White House.

Washington, DC’s most iconic landmark, the White House is the official office and home of the President of the United States and the cabinet. The flagship of American government, the White House is a complex of three buildings, with the original residence housing the president's home and rooms for official ceremonies and entertaining. The White House consists of 6 floors with 132 rooms, 8 fireplaces, 8 staircases, 3 elevators, 5 chefs, a tennis court, bowling alley, movie theater, jogging track, swimming pool, and a putting green. First occupied in 1800, the White House is built of white Aqua sandstone in late Georgian style. Tour The Blue Room, East Room, Green Room, Red Room, and State Dining Room, and end enjoy its architectural beauty and significant history as our greatest symbol of democracy. Visit www.whitehouse.gov.

US Capitol.

The heart of Capitol Hill - at the east end of the National Mall - the United States Capitol is an impressive symbol of American freedom, democracy and government. Created in 1793, the US Capitol is one of the most architecturally impressive and symbolically momentous buildings in the world. For over two centuries, the US Capitol Building has housed the Senate and the House of Representatives, and is a monument to the American people and government. The powerful pulse of our nation’s capital is derived from Congressional activities under its majestic dome. The Capitol Building is open for guided tours from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday - Saturday. Visit www.aoc.gov/cc/capitol.  [Top]

National Mall & Memorial Parks.

Protecting the country’s oldest park lands, the National Mall & Memorial Parks is an open national park in downtown DC. The National Mall commemorate presidential legacies, honors the courage of war veterans, celebrates America’s freedom and preserves national treasures of art and history. The National Mall includes landmarks such as the Washington Monument, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, WWII Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, National Museum of American History, National Gallery of Art and other. A National Historic Landmark, and one of Washington, DC’s oldest buildings, the National Mall is a magnificent example of Greek-Revival architecture. Visit www.nps.gov/vive/index.htm.

Lincoln Memorial.

A shrine for President Abraham Lincoln, Lincoln Memorial is one of the most profound and powerful symbols of American freedom and a place to express ideas that unite our nation. This National Historic Landmark is in the form of a Greek Doric temple, with a massive sculpture of Lincoln beneath inscriptions of two of his immortal speeches. Inspired by the spirit of President Lincoln's vision and passion, the memorial was the site of Martin Luther King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech in 1963. Visit www.nps.gov/linc.  [Top]

Washington Monument.

Honoring our nation’s first President, the Washington Monument celebrates the illustrious leadership of President George Washington, who led our country to independence. One of the oldest attractions in Washington, the 555-foot white marble and granite Egyptian obelisk shaped monument captures the imagination and ideals of people from across the globe. The commemorative stones in the monument’s stairwell come from every state in the Union. Open: 9:00 am to 4:45 pm daily. Free tickets are available through the National Park Service. Visit www.nps.gov/archive/wamo/home.htm.

Thomas Jefferson Memorial.

An enduring symbol of liberty and homage to our third president, Thomas Jefferson Memorial inspires all citizens of the world. Modeled after the Pantheon of Rome, Jefferson Memorial is one of the most recognized landmarks on the landscape of Washington, DC. Written inside the memorial are the passionate words of Thomas Jefferson, written over 200 years ago, that have shaped American ideals and government. The circular, colonnaded structure of neo-classic style is a symbol of liberty and freedom. Enjoy the fun festivities of the annual Cherry Blossom Festival at the steps of the memorial. Visit www.nps.gov/thje/index.htm.  [Top]

Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Despite the controversies of the war, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial honors the individuals who served during the Vietnam Conflict. Designed by Maya Lin, who believed that “the politics had eclipsed the veterans, their service and their lives,” the elegantly simple memorial encourages people to remember and respond. For those affected by this discordant war, the memorial is a place of healing and hope. There are 58,249 names on the wall. Visit www.nps.gov/vive.

National WW II Memorial.

The National World War II Memorial commemorates the sacrifice and victory of WWII. The Memorial honors 16 million veterans who served in the US armed forces, 400,000 who died, and all who supported the war effort. The memorial is a symbol of the spirit and support of the American people during WW II. The design balances classical and modern styles of architecture, harmonized with the natural and cultural surroundings of our nation’s capital. Located on the National Mall, the Memorial is flanked by the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial. Visit www.nps.gov/nwwm.  [Top]

US Supreme Court.

The US Supreme Court is the cornerstone of American justice and our government’s judicial branch. Completed in 1935, the monumental building was designed in classical Corinthian architectural style to harmonize with DC’s congressional buildings. As an equal, independent branch of the US Government, the Supreme Court is the highest court in the land - an enduring symbol of the national ideal of justice and faith in our legal system. Visitors can tour the Supreme Court’s exhibits, educational programs, and theater with a film explaining the Supreme Court. Visit www.supremecourtus.gov/.

Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

A memorial to John F. Kennedy and the elegant home of the National Symphony Orchestra, the Kennedy Center is the country’s finest performing arts venue, presenting over 3,000 performances and events annually. Overlooking the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., the Kennedy Center presents an unmatched diversity of theater, musicals, dance, ballet, opera, and music - orchestral, chamber, jazz, popular, and folk - as well as annual festivals and multi-media performances. Millions are touched by performances by the greatest artists in the world. Enjoy free concerts on the Millennium Stage, Holidays at the Kennedy Center and the Open House Arts Festival, which celebrates the Center’s birthday in September. Visit www.kennedy-center.org.  [Top]