| You have finally realized your dream of visiting | | | | The Mall |
| Washington D.C. Visions of the White House, | | | | The Mall is the grassy, park-like strip that runs from the |
| Congress, and the Washington Monument race | | | | Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial. From the White House, |
| through your mind. However, the reality is that a | | | | you are only a short distance from the Washington |
| person needs a full week to take in all of the important | | | | Monument, located in the approximate center of the |
| sites in Washington D. C. And, alas, you have only one | | | | Mall. If you are in good health and have the energy, |
| or two days. So what are the must-see sites for a | | | | you will want to walk or bike from the Washington |
| short visit? | | | | Monument to the Lincoln Memorial. But I should warn |
| I live only two hours away from Washington D. C. So I | | | | you that it is about a two-mile round trip. On the way |
| have visited it numerous times. Obviously, everyone's | | | | to the Lincoln Memorial, you will be able to visit the the |
| tastes and interests are a bit different. But the | | | | World War II Memorial and Vietnam Veteran's |
| following five items are on the short "must-see" list of | | | | Memorial. |
| most visitors and most travel guides. Now, you will not | | | | Remaining Washington DC Sites |
| be able to do justice to all five of these sites in one | | | | When you return to the Washington Monument, you |
| day. Still, you can see them all in one day. However, a | | | | will then want to head towards the Capitol, which will |
| two-day trip would be better to really explore these | | | | be in view. On the way there, you will come to the |
| five sites in detail. | | | | National Art Gallery on your right. This is a world-class |
| The good news is that all of the sites I've listed here | | | | art museum, containing works by some of the world's |
| are free. Also, you can rent bicycles and Segways in | | | | most renowned artists. (If you don't like art, you might |
| various places around the main sites of D.C.-which will | | | | want to visit the Smithsonian Museum of Natural |
| be of great help if your time is short. | | | | History, which is nearby.) |
| White House | | | | If you have children with you, you will definitely want to |
| The White House is probably at the top of most | | | | include the National Air and Space Museum during your |
| people's list as the place to visit in Washington D.C. To | | | | visit to the nation's capital. It lies across the mall from |
| read about the history of the President's residence, | | | | the National Art Gallery. Here you will see exhibits |
| see White House History. Unfortunately, unless you are | | | | ranging from the Wright Brothers' plane to World War |
| part of a group that has arranged a tour in advance, | | | | II aircraft to space capsules, cruise missiles, and drones. |
| you will not be able to go inside the White House. | | | | From the National Air and Space Museum, it is about a |
| However, you can get a nice view of the back of the | | | | one-half mile walk to the Capitol, where Congress |
| White House (which is the most famous view) and the | | | | meets. Visitors are still allowed inside here, but with |
| South Lawn from Constitution Ave. | | | | more restrictions than in the past. |