The Thomas Jefferson Memorial stands as a symbol of liberty and endures as a site for reflection and inspiration for all citizens of the United States and the world.

A firm believer in equal rights, democracy, education available to all, freedom of religion and separation between church and state, he gave form to the nascent nation still searching for its identity. Besides being a politician, Jefferson was also an architect, a writer, musician, scientist and inventor.

The Jefferson Memorial is located at the south side of the Tidal Basin. The manmade inlet is surrounded by cherry trees. The trees were a gift from the city of Tokyo to the city of Washington in 1912. It is one of the most photographed sights in Washington, especially during the two weeks when the trees bloom.

Located on the Potomac River next to the Watergate complex, Washington's premier performing arts venue (dedicated to arts advocate JFK) has nine stages and is the home base for the National Symphony Orchestra and Washington National Opera.

It hosts more than 2,000 performances each year, including touring plays, Broadway musicals, and dance programs. Free performances, from Japanese koto recitals to family-friendly theater, take the Millennium Stage daily at 6 p.m. (tickets are not required).

The Opera House seats 2,300 and includes lots of rich red velvet. Renovated in 2004, it is home to the Washington National Opera and is the site of the annual Kennedy Center Honors ceremonies.

The building itself is also worth a look: There's artwork on display (gifts from other nations), an impressive bronze bust of JFK in the GrandFoyer, and panoramic Potomac River views from the building's outdoor terraces. Guided tours are available.

Opened in 1971, the Kennedy Center has been the centerpiece of the Washington D.C. cultural and arts scene for the past 40 years. 

The Lincoln Memorial stands at the west end of the National Mall as a neoclassical monument to the 16th President.

It is built in the form of a Greek Doric temple.
Within the memorial is a colossal statue of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. The president is shown in a seated position. Two of his most famous speeches are inscribed on the memorial as well, namely The Gettysburg Address and the Second Inaugural Address.

While it is only one of several monuments built to honor an American president, many regard the Lincoln Memorial as the very finest one.

Always a hit with kids, the National Zoo was founded in 1889 and absorbed into the Smithsonian Institution one year later. The leafy, 163-acre Frederick Law Olmsted–designed grounds in northwest Washington are home to over 400 species—from tiny leaf-cutter ants to four-ton Asian elephants.

Late spring, when there are adorable baby animals to coo at (and before the swampy humidity sets in), is the best time to visit. Each April, the zoo celebrates all things panda with films, costumed characters, and keeper talks, but watching bamboo-eating Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and their cub, Tai Shan, is a big draw year-round.

In the Invertebrate Exhibit's touch tank, you can tickle the backs of sea stars, horseshoe crabs, and sometimes shoulder up to giant tarantulas (if you're gutsy enough). Parking is limited, but the Woodley Park–Zoo stop is just a 20-minute metro ride from downtown on the red line.

The zoo is divided into several different habitats including sections entitled Amazonia, African Savanna, North America, and Asia Trail. You can also visit a primate area, aviary, reptile and amphibian house, small mammals, invertebrates, and a special "kid's farm".

The Capitol is among the most architecturally impressive and symbolically important buildings in the world. The Senate and the House of Representatives have met here for more than two centuries. Begun in 1793, the Capitol has been built, burnt, rebuilt, extended, and restored; today, it stands as a monument not only to its builders but also to the American people and their government.

Whether you are here to get information about an upcoming visit, to involve yourself in the workings of the Senate and House of Representatives, or to be inspired by two centuries of art and architecture, this site will be a gateway to your Capitol experience.

The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center is the newest addition to this historic complex. At nearly 580,000 square feet, the Visitor Center is the largest project in the Capitol's more than two-century history and is approximately three quarters the size of the Capitol itself. The entire facility is located underground on the east side of the Capitol so as not to detract from the appearance of the Capitol and the grounds designed by Frederick Law Olmsted in 1874.

Union Station is the main Railway Station in Washington. It was constructed between 1907 and 1908 as the new terminal for the Baltimore & Ohio and the Pennsylvania Railroads.

Besides serving as a train station it has become a popular place for shopping and eating with a large food court and more than 100 shops.

The train station is served by Amtrak, MARC and Virginia Railways services as well as by the Metro Trains and local buses. It opened in 1907 and at its height during WW2 some 200,000 people passed through it every day. It is also the headquarters for Amtrak.

The track area of the station is divided into upper and lower levels. On the Upper Level are tracks 7–20 which are used by MARC (weekdays) and Amtrak Acela Express, as well as a few Amtrak Regional trains. The Lower Level consists of tracks 22–29 and is used by all southbound service, including all VRE trains, as well as some northbound Amtrak services during the week. The D.C. Metrorail Red Line station is located underground at the western side of the building, and is the busiest station in the entire Metro system.

The Washington Monument is a 555ft/169m tall obelisk built between 1848 and 1884 in honor of the first President of the United States, George Washington.

It is the tallest free standing masonry structure in the world.

The Washington Monument is located at the National Mall. It is surrounded by flagpoles, with each flag representing one state. The monument is open to the public; an elevator brings you to the observatory at the top of the obelisk from where you have a magnificent view over all of Washington. Admission is free, but you have to reserve a ticket.

The White House is located on a site near the Mall chosen in 1790 by president George Washington and Pierre l'Enfant, the architect who created the master plan for the new capital. Meanwhile the president resided in the President's House at the temporary capital Philadelphia.

The White House has been extended and modified many times. The most important extensions were the addition of the East Wing and the West Wing. The latter contains the famous 'Oval Office', the president's main office. The room was modeled on the 'Blue Room', an oval room at the center of the White House.

Public tours of the White House are available. Requests must be submitted through one's Member of Congress and are accepted up to six months in advance. These self-guided tours are available from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Fridays, and 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturdays (excluding federal holidays). Tour hours will be extended when possible based on the official White House schedule. Tours are scheduled on a first come, first served basis. Requests can be submitted up to six months in advance and no less than 30 days in advance. You are encouraged to submit your request as early as possible since a limited number of tours are available. All White House tours are free of charge. For the most current tour information, please call the 24-hour line at 202-456-7041. Please note that White House tours may be subject to last minute cancellation.

If you wish to visit the White House and are a citizen of a foreign country, please contact your embassy in Washington, DC for assistance in submitting a tour request.