1. Visit Washington, DC, to Witness Our Government in Action
Another unusual activity to do when in Washington, DC, is to visit the Congressional galleries. The Senate and House of Representatives galleries are available to the public several weekdays throughout the year if you are interested in the political process and the most recent happenings in what can often seem like a roller coaster ride in our government.
Read more about Capital city tours by visiting our website.
To visit either gallery at any time, you will require a pass. You may observe the activity when either legislative body is in session. Although you probably won’t meet members of Congress, you can still witness where the “magic happens” even when Congress is on recess. You can pick up gallery passes at your representative or senator’s office. The Capitol Building is directly across the street from the offices. At the House and Senate Appointment Desks on the Capitol Visitor Center’s top floor, foreign visitors can inquire for gallery permits.
2. Honor Our Heroes
Remembering those who sacrificed their life for our nation is one of my most poignant experiences when I travel to Washington, DC. The numerous war memorials and museums of honor serve as somber reminders of the costs of war and the extent of our gratitude for the men and women who gave their lives in defense of our liberties.
Depending on the season, the National Park Service, which is in charge of the National Mall, provides walking tours of all or part of the Memorials. Visit their website to learn more, or ask a ranger when you’re in Washington, DC. There have been occasions when I asked a ranger if there were any upcoming walking tours, and they immediately took four of us on an impromptu tour.
Unfortunately, personnel has decreased as a result of National Parks budget constraints. You may also download a free narrated walking tour of the National Mall area, which includes many of the memorials, if there isn’t a ranger-led tour available when you’re there.
3. Make a Holocaust Museum pledge to “Never Forget”
The Holocaust Museum is among the most powerful sites to see when visiting museums in Washington, DC. Every person in the world need to see this depressing historical memorial at least once. The hallowed area honors and informs about the horrifying slaughter that took place in Nazi Germany and a few neighboring nations during the 1930s and 1940s.
The majority of the museum is intended for adults and kids aged 11 and up. “Remember the Children: Daniel’s Story” is a unique display suitable for children aged 8 and above. Due to the sensitive and graphic nature of the subjects, children under the age of eight are not advised to visit the museum.
4. Summer Camps, Study Tours, Lectures, and Classes
You can opt to take advantage of lectures, courses, and seminars in addition to special and targeted Study Tours on topics as diverse as horses, Henry VIII, and horticulture, as if the millions of items spread around the city weren’t enough to occupy you for years. When you visit Washington, DC, you might want to sign up your child for one of the half-day or full-day Smithsonian Summer Camps, which run for a week. After that, you’ll have time to explore the area as an adult exclusively.
5. It’s a Fantastic Location for Nature Appreciation
Additionally, the outside areas are artistic creations. In every season, visitors to Washington, DC, may enjoy the city’s several parks and Smithsonian Gardens. You can escape the rain or snow and enjoy a tropical paradise right in the middle of the city at the Botanic Garden, which is near the Capitol Building.
The annual Independence Day Celebration, which includes a parade, fireworks, and a performance on the Capitol steps, kicks off the festivities on July 4.
Or take the Metro to the US National Arboretum in the north. The biggest planned herb garden in America is located there, along with a tree grove that features state trees from every state and Washington, DC. A variety of perennials, including dogwoods and azaleas, bloom throughout the spring and summer. It’s also worthwhile to visit to see the stunning fall foliage of the maple and yellowwood trees.