Located on the southeastern end of the Tidal Basin, East Potomac Park is on a man-made island that sits between the Potomac River and the Washington Channel. A pretty park full of cherry blossom trees, this hidden gem also offers terrific city views and plenty of options for outdoor recreation and relaxation.
Located in DC’s Georgetown neighborhood, Tudor Place is one of the city’s grandest historical mansions. Built in 1816 by a descendant of Martha Washington, the estate is one of the country’s first National Historic Landmarks. It comprises a striking manor, many acres of gardens, and a collection of more than 18,000 historic objects.
Washington Dulles International Airport, or Dulles, is one of three major airports in the Washington, D.C. area (the others being Reagan National Airport and Baltimore Washington International Airport. The busiest airport in the region, it’s a major domestic and international hub, with more than 130 destinations on around 40 airlines.
From the towering Washington Monument to the iconic Lincoln Memorial, West Potomac Park is home to many of Washington DC’s top national monuments—but that’s not all the park has to offer. You can also enjoy a walk along the Tidal Basin, stroll the Constitution Gardens, and delight in the cherry blossoms that fill the park each spring.
The US National Arboretum is a 446-acre (180-hectare) expanse of forests, meadows, and gardens connected by 9 miles (14 kilometers) of roadways. Though most known for its diverse tree collection, the arboretum is also home to the National Bonsai Museum, National Herb Garden, and the 200-year-old U.S. Capitol columns.
Founded in 1807, the Congressional Cemetery is the only “cemetery of national memory” founded before the Civil War. It occupies nearly 36 acres (14.5 hectares and is a National Historic Landmark, serving as the final resting place for nearly 70,000 people including notable founders of the US and the city of Washington DC in the early 1800s.
Reopened in 2019 after roughly a decade of renovations, the National Children’s Museum is a must-visit destination for families. The 30,000-square-foot (2,800-square-meter) space is focused on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) and includes an array of interactive, hands-on exhibitions.
The only US national park devoted to aquatic plants, Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens are overflowing with colorful water-loving plants, ranging from lotus and water lilies to bamboo thickets. Set along the banks of the Anacostia River, the 700-acre (283-hectare) park is a haven within the greater Anacostia Park.
Once known for its vibrant and boundary-pushing installations and street art, Freedom Park—located in the Rosslyn area of Arlington, Virginia—is a more understated sight today. The two-block-long, elevated park was established in partnership with the Newseum; its former artworks are displayed at the museum today.
Set on Washington DC’s Embassy Row and surrounded by the flags of Muslim countries, the Islamic Center of Washington DC was the first mosque built in the nation’s capital. An architectural splendor with influences from around the world, the mosque was completed in 1957, becoming the largest mosque in the US. The center hosts around 6,000 worshipers each Friday.
In 1935, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, wife of John D. Rockefeller, loaned part of her folk art collection to the Ludwell-Paradise House in Williamsburg, Virginia. Those items would eventually serve as the core of a museum in her name. Today, the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum has one of the largest collections of American folk art.
The DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, located in Williamsburg, Virginia, features American and British furniture, metals, ceramics, glass, paintings, prints, firearms, and textiles from the 17th to the 19th century. It also has the largest collection of Southern furniture and one of the largest collections of British ceramics outside of England.
Like other Hard Rock Cafes around the world, the Washington DC branch of the megachain has plenty of rock ’n’ roll–themed memorabilia, along with regular live music performances. In an ode to their surroundings, however, this branch has a few localized decor features, with the words "Embassy of Rock" emblazoned on a mezzanine wall.
Penn Quarter is a lively and compact neighborhood in eastern Washington DC; its famed for its diverse selection of restaurants, bars, museums, and sports and entertainment venues. The district is a short distance from the National Mall and US Capitol.
One of DC’s key historical churches, the Church of the Epiphany has been a place of worship since 1842, and is on the National Register of Historic Landmarks. Once frequented by figures such as President Abraham Lincoln and known for its Civil War associations, the church is just a few blocks from the White House.
Home to abolitionist, statesman, and intellectual Frederick Douglass for nearly 20 years, Cedar Hill is located in the Anacostia neighborhood of Washington DC. A National Historic Site since 1988, his former home is now overseen by the National Park Service; today, visitors can tour the site and learn about Douglass’ life and work.
