White House

A day in Washington DC (in summer)

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Itinerary Summary:

Travel Time: September 2024 (good time – check avg. conditions by month here)

Most Important Landmarks (Must-See): Capitol Hill, White House, National Mall, The Pentagon, and Smithsonian Institutions

Travel Tip 1: Walking around Washington, D.C. although easy on paper can get very tiring due to long stretches of straight roads that tire one out visually and physically.

Travel Tip 2: Museums in Washington, D.C. are extremely popular, and it is mandatory in many instances to book a slot in advance – even if it’s free.

Hotel

Uber

Car Rental

National Air and Space Museum

We had long wanted to visit the United States together as a couple, and when we finally made it in the summer of 2024, we couldn’t but help start things off at the country’s capital, the über planned city of Washington in the District of Columbia.  

1. Capitol HillOur Washington, D.C. adventure began at the heart of the United States’ legislative power – the United States Capitol. Dominating the skyline of Washington with its iconic dome that since 1866, it is the seat of the U.S. Congress. We walked up the steps to this Neoclassical masterpiece while recounting the pivotal role that the building has played in both American and World history – best depicted in the cult TV Series, House of Cards. Due to paucity of time however, we missed out on visiting the Library of Congress, one of the largest repositories of knowledge in the world, and it will definitely be on our list for next time! 

2. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum: From the Capitol, we strolled past the tranquil Capitol Reflecting Pool and the National Museum of the American Indian, with its natural rock formations inspired curved limestone exteriors, to the National Air and Space Museum. It was the only Smithsonian Institution that we had chosen for our day in DC, something that we felt vindicated about once inside. From exhibiting pathbreaking inventions like The Wright Brothers’ Flyer to segments on space exploration, like the Apollo Command Module and the Mars Rovers, the museum highlighted the best of human ingenuity – no wonder it is amongst the most visited museums in the world. As we exited the museum a little wiser and a lot more amazed, we couldn’t but help think about how far we have come as a species in the last 120+ years since the first human flight in 1903. 

3. U.S. Government Offices and Museums: From the National Air and Space Museum, we continued walking along Independence Avenue, past the numerous government offices and museums that dot that stretch of road. The imposing Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial stood in the foreground to the U.S. Department of Education, which sandwiched the FAA National Headquarters, the nerve centre of U.S. aviation safety from one end, while the grand Smithsonian Castle completed the other. After walking under the Knapp Memorial Arch, we turned towards 14th Street. Here we got our first full glimpse of the imposing Washington Monument, which continued to dominate the skyline, as we passed the traditional Yoruba art inspired stunning bronze façade of the National Museum of African American History and Culture

4. White House: As we continued along 15th Street, the Herbert C. Hoover Federal Building, home to the Department of Commerce, and the epitome of early 20th-century Federal architecture came into view. At the crossing with New York Avenue, we got a direct shot of the most powerful residence address in the world – 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, better known as the White House. This iconic building which has been the official residence of the U.S. president since 1800, seemed slightly smaller than its portrayal in movies – reel vs. real we guess!

5. Washington Monument: Retracing our steps we could feel the hot and humid weather of Washington DC taking its toll on us, forcing us to take some rest in the shadow of the 555-foot-tall Washington Monument. Once the tallest structure (between 1884 and 1889) in the world, until it was superseded by the Eiffel Tower, this imposing obelisk rises majestically from the beautifully landscaped National Mall. Sitting on the lush grass amidst its shadows, we recharged our batteries while reflecting on the significance of each landmark we had visited, and the key role played by Hollywood in making them seem so familiar to residents and visitors alike.

6. National Mall and Lincoln Memorial: Resuming our tour, we strolled along the National Mall, flanked by memorials like the one dedicated to the heroes of World War II. Walking beside the 2030-foot-long reflecting pool, we made full use of the opportunity to capture flights taking off and landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport against the backdrop of the collumns of the Lincoln Memorial. At the memorial itself, we stood before the massive, seated statue of Abraham Lincoln and inscriptions from some of his most iconic speeches, amazed at the splendid portrayal of a key chapter of American history.

7. Last of Washington DC: Worn out by the unrelenting heat, we decided to take an Uber to our parking spot, instead of walking back, as we had initially planned. Driving along Constitution Avenue, we caught glimpses of the Museum of Natural History and the United States Archive. We also stepped inside the L’Enfant Plaza Metro Station to admire its iconic vaulted ceilings, a hallmark of Washington Metro’s brutalist architectural designs, before exiting the parking lot and the city itself.

Driving to our hotel in McLean, Virginia, along the George Washington Memorial Parkway was the perfect way to end the day. We caught scenic views of the Potomac River before passing through leafy suburbs with their grand homes that seemed to echo the prestige of the city we had explored. Although we would have loved to have explored more of the city, including the Jefferson Memorial, the Museum of Natural History, and the Pentagon, our day in the US capital had been well spent. It gave us a chance to get a glimpse into a city that celebrates the history, culture, and the enduring symbols of American heritage – from natural beauty to racial diversity to technological progresses that have paved the way for not just USA, but the entire world. 

Food haunts of the day: Breakfast at Staybridge Suites Tysons – McLean, including snacks from Giant Food Supermarket. Shrimp Tempura Poke Bowl with Honey Wasabi from Poki DC and Thai Mango Green Milk Tea from Gong cha for Lunch (both amazing), and Dinner of Chicken Noodles and Egg Fried Rice from Bansari Indian Food (average). 

Next adventure please!