Washington’s museums, monuments and memorials

As we're travelling through the USA we can’t help but think of the movies and TV series that we have watched over the years based in various locations in the States. Forrest Gump was very excited to be ‘in our nation’s capital’ on his visit to Washington D.C., so we smiled when we walked past the Washington Monument and along the reflection pool. This was the very spot where the movie’s characters, Jenny and Forrest found each other again.

The scenes from the films we remember did not actually occur, but it sometimes feels like a real memory when you walk around the corner and see an iconic, yet familiar structure that appeared in West Wing or House of Cards. Walking the National Mall in Washington certainly felt like this a little more so than other places we have visited in the US.

Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC, USA

Most visitors and locals consider Washington D.C. to be an expensive city. The accommodation and restaurants certainly help to create this impression, but as a tourist, this city can be a great place to visit on a budget. The Smithsonian museums, all the memorials on the National Mall and a tour of the Capitol do not cost a cent. Once you have figured out how to catch the subway to the Smithsonian station, you can keep yourself busy for a few days seeing all the sights for free, all within walking distance.

The National Mall includes a green belt covering 3km (1.9 miles) with a number of monuments throughout. On the one end sits the majestic Capitol, the home of the Senate and House of Representatives. The free tour from the visitor’s centre not only included viewing the building’s wonderful architecture and artwork but also helps you to understand the purpose of the two houses and the way in which the government operates.

The Capitol, Washington DC, USA

Interior of the Capitol, Washington DC, USA

The Capitol, Washington DC, USA

From there you walk past various Smithsonian museums to get to the massive obelisk that is Washington Monument. Surrounded by a ring of stars and stripes flags, this monument is better viewed from a little distance – close-up simply gives you a sore neck.

Washington Monument, Washington DC, USA

Just past the monument, you can see the White House to you right as you make your way to the World War II memorial. This memorial is a beautiful tribute to those who served and is well worth the visit.

World War II Memorial, Washington DC, USA

You walk past the reflection pool when making your way to the Lincoln Memorial, where you stare up at this incredible marble statesman. Off to one side is the Korean War Veterans Memorial and on the opposite side is the Vietnam War Veterans Memorial. Although all these memorials are striking, they do leave you feeling sad at what now seems like a senseless loss of life.

Korean War Vetrans Memorial, Washington DC, USA

We only visited three of the Smithsonian Museums during our time in Washington and each one was awesome. The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum brought out your inner child, and you quickly become completely engrossed in the exhibits. The displays show everything from our ability to first fly and then travel trough space. You also see how our knowledge of space developed, and get to view the latest photographs from the Hubble telescope.

Inside the Smithsonian National air and Space Museum, Washington DC, USA

Our visit to the National Gallery of Art first took us on a journey of the great American artists. Crossing the hall, we were wowed by the likes of work by Monet, Van Gough, Degas, Toulouse-Lautrec and Renoir. Our only regret in visiting this museum was that we arrived too late and did not have enough time to see everything before it closed.

Monet's Woman with Parasol (Madame Monet and her son, 1875),
National Gallery of Art, Washington DC, USA

We also visited the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. The highlights here included the IMAX movie on the National Parks, the Butterfly Pavilion where we had hundreds of live butterflies all around us, and the Nature’s Best Photography Awards exhibit.

We were able to take lovely close-up photos of all the butterflies at the Butterfly Pavilion,
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington DC, USA

With all these free attractions and exhibits, Washington is a wonderful city to visit, even if you are on a tight budget for food and accommodation. One of our tips for good affordable food would be to walk along Maryland Avenue (just outside the L'Enfant Plaza subway station) and select from multiple gourmet offerings available from a row of food trucks.

Once you have your belly full and have had something cool to drink, you are all set to visit more museums, monuments and memorials.