A trip to Washington, D.C. is one that every true American must make in their lifetime. It's not only our capital but also home to some of the world’s most renowned museums, monuments, and buildings. Here is a list of all the things you must do on a trip to Washington, D.C.:

The White House

A tour of the White House in Washington, D.C. is a once-in-a lifetime experience as you can see rooms that countless presidents have occupied. The tour is self-guided yet informative nonetheless. It's free to the public but must be approved through your state’s Representative or Senator.

In order to discover who you must contact, click here to search for your Representative. After finding the applicable name, search for their name and how they wish for tours to be requested. Make sure you do this at least a month in advance so that your request can be processed.

United States Capitol

The Capitol Building also offers a tour of rich history that transports you back in time to that of America’s founding fathers. The famous dome in Washington, D.C. has stood since 1793, so countless figures like Abraham Lincoln and Franklin D. Roosevelt have walked its halls. In order to take a tour through this wondrous building, make sure to create an account here 90 days in advance to get a reservation. This tour is also free of charge, so you have no excuses not to go.

D.C. by Foot

Everyone knows of the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Jefferson Memorial, but what about the Vietnam Veterans Memorial or the D.C. World War Memorial? The best way to tackle each of these monuments is to hop on a tour with an informative guide.

The structure of each monument in Washington, D.C. and all of their details have meaning that you can't see with a blind eye. The only way to see these seemingly small details is to have an expert point them out. D.C. by Foot offers a free walking tour to all of the city's monuments and sites, so check out their website to figure out where they will be and when to plan your journey to the monuments.

International Spy Museum

The more curious kids and adults will especially enjoy the International Spy Museum. This museum is unique as it exhibits a piece of the nation’s history and portrays it in an interesting, interactive way. The museum showcases countless gadgets used by spies across time and allows you to step into their shoes and understand what it’s like to be on a secret mission.

There's no other museum like this one, so you must take advantage of the opportunity to visit it while you're in Washington, D.C. They're in the process of moving to a new, bigger, and better location, so they will reopen on May 11, 2019. Make sure to grab your tickets as soon as possible to reserve your chance to live like a spy.

African American Museum

Telling the story of a large minority population, the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. approaches a sensitive subject in a thought-provoking, story-telling way. Head to this museum to gain perspective of the hardships that African Americans have faced through the history of our country. Learn more about defining figures such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Jackie Robinson, and more.

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Commemorating perhaps the world’s most devastating event, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum broadcasts the story in a way that you can’t learn in your history classroom. Fully immerse yourself into the tragedy that people across Europe experienced through their moving exhibits.

If you're going to Washington, D.C. between March 1 and August 31, make sure to grab tickets here now. If this is too far in advance for you, grab tickets online by visiting the ticket website at 6 a.m. Eastern time on the day you wish to tour.

There are countless other activities and museums to visit during your time in Washington, D.C. No matter what you end up choosing to do, you'll no doubt be engulfed into the rich history and culture of our capital.

Find more things to do in Washington, D.C. by registering on 202area.com, your free guide to the Washington D.C. area.

 

Cover photo courtesy of Unsplash.