Library of Congress
Started by Congress in 1800 who sent away to London for 740 books and 3 maps as a reference library for Congress, these materials were later used by the British to start a fire to burn down the Capitol in 1814. Jefferson then sold his personal collection of over 6,000 books to begin the 2nd collection of the Library of Congress in 1815. Today, there are approximately 90 million items on 540 miles of shelves.
Lincoln Memorial
Standing at the west end of the National Mall, this neoclassical monument is in honor the 16th President and features his famous Gettysburg Address.
Lincoln Park
Initially in honor of President Lincoln, consecrating the place to Lincoln’s memory really took hold several years later through the efforts by an African American woman named Charlotte Scott of Virginia who started fund raising among freed blacks to pay homage to the President.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial honors a man of conscience; the freedom movement of which he was a beacon; and his message of freedom, equality, justice and love.
Mount Vernon
George Washington’s Estate & Gardens, including the farm where Washington and his family lived.
National Archives
Here, the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights and many other documents can be found.
National Air and Space Museum
Maintains the largest collection of historic air and spacecraft in the world.
National Museum of African Art
This Museum fosters the discovery and appreciation of the visual arts of Africa, the cradle of humanity.
National Museum of American History
Check out the multitude of exhibits exploring America’s history, identity and culture.
National Museum of the American Indian
The first national museum dedicated to the preservation, study, and exhibition of the life, languages, literature, history, and arts of Native Americans.
National Zoo
The National Zoo is home to 2,000 individual animals of nearly 400 different species. The Zoo is best known for the giant pandas.