It’s not really a question of what things to do in Washington DC but more a question of how much time to spend at all the different landmarks and in what order to do them.

The White House – The White House was originally built in 1792 but had to be rebuilt in 1818 after British Forces burned it down.  It’s housed every president with the exception of George Washington.  Tours are available but if you’re not a US Citizen that can be rather difficult so unless your a who’s who and/or know someone high and mighty, you probably just have to have a perve from the outside like everybody else.  It’s worth noting that next door to the White House are the Treasury Building Executive Office Building – two old government buildings in Washington that are worth seeing.

The Lincoln Memorial – This is where Martin Luther King gave his “I have a dream” speech and lesser known, where President Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt let African-American singer Marian Anderson perform after being told she couldn’t perform at the nearby Constitution Hall by the all-white Daughters of the American Revolution. It’s at the Western end of the National Mall separated by a lake from the Washington Monument. Again, fascinating and interesting history and not to be left out on any list of things to do Washington DC.

The Washington Monument – Note the Washington Monument is closed until Spring 2019.  You can still obviously take a look from the outside but the elevator that allows you go inside and to the top is closed for renovations. It was built to commemorate the first President of the United States – George Washington.

 United States Capitol – Perhaps one of the most recognisable buildings in the world, the United States Capitol is home to Congress and the seat of the legislative branch of the U.S. federal government.  And yes, the dome does look similar to St Peters in Rome and was modelled after it, just as the Jefferson Memorial was designed after the Pantheon. But they’re not Chinese knock offs and have a distinct (and tasteful) American feel to them. Start at the visitor center and do a tour but check the website before going because tours can be unavailable when special events are on.

More things to do in Washington DC to come including

• National Air & Space Museum
• National Gallery of Art
• National Museum of American History
• National Museum of Natural History
• Jefferson Memorial
• Washington National Cathedral
• Georgetown Historic District
• Smithsonian Institution

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