The Lincoln Memorial was built to honor the 16th President and was dedicated on May 30, 1922. The Greek temple looking building contains a huge sculpture of Abraham Lincoln and the inscriptions of two well-known speeches by Lincoln. The memorial has been the site of many famous speeches, including Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech.

At Arlington National Cemetery is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It stands on top of a hill overlooking Washington, D.C. The Tomb of the Unknowns has been guarded by the U.S. Army since April 6, 1948. Most Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies take place here and at Arlington Memorial Amphitheater.

This is the first place to visit if you are from another country. No other place holds more unique American landmarks. For those of us from America, visiting the Washington DC area is an extremely memorable experience. There is a lot to see so you'll need to really decide just how long and what to visit. Some could spend a week just visiting all the Smithsonian buildings, others are quite content hitting the top spots and spending their vacation in more cities. Plan well here making reservations and having all the phone numbers and websites for visitor information. Tour times regularly change with all the events happening around this busy city.

The White House is the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States, built between 1792 and 1800. It has been the residence of every U.S. President since John Adams. Free public tours of the White House are available by request submitted through one's Member of Congress in advance.

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The United States Capitol is the location of the United States Congress, the Senate and House of Representatives. In 1792, Thomas Jefferson proposed a design competition to solicit designs for the Capitol. Amateur architect William Thornton submission won, he said he was inspired by the Louvre and Pantheon. Free tours of the U.S. Capitol are conducted Monday through Saturday.

The Washington Monument was built to commemorate the first U.S. president, General George Washington. The monument is the tallest obelisk and stone structure in the world at 555 feet tall. Inside, you can take an elevator to the observation level to look out of small windows over the entire city.

The Thomas Jefferson Memorial is dedicated to Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States. The building was completed in 1943, and the bronze statue of Jefferson was added in 1947.

Lincoln Memorial

Washington Monument

United States Capitol Building

U.S. Supreme Court Building

Jefferson Monument

The White House

Ford's Theatre is the site of the assassination of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865. Free tours of Ford's Theatre are available.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial honors members of the U.S. armed forces who died in the Vietnam War. The main memorial was completed in 1982 and has become a sight to visit like all the others in the area. The Vietnam Memorial Statue is also at this location and remembers all those who fought in the war.

The Smithsonian is the world's largest museum complex and research organization composed of 19 museums, 9 research centers, and the National Zoo. Founded around 1836 when the Smithson estate was donated to the government for the "Establishment for the increase & diffusion of Knowledge among men". The first Smithsonian Institution Building on the National Mall known as "The Castle" was completed in 1855.

The Supreme Court Building is the seat of the Supreme Court of the United States. It was built in 1935 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987. The building is open to tour at times with exhibits, films and often courtroom lectures.

Vietnam War Memorial

Ford's Theatre

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Arlington National Cemetary

Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima Memorial)

Smithsonian Castle

Vietnam Memorial Statue

George Washington Birthplace National Monument (Mount Vernon)

Smithsonian Air and Space Museum

U.S. Capitol Building from Washington Monument and the 15 Smithsonian Museums along the edges

Jefferson Memorial from Washington Monument

Lincoln Monument from Washington Monument

Lots of government buildings

Washington Mon. from Lincoln Mem.

United States Capitol Building

Washington Monument

Lincoln Statue in the monument

Arlington National Cemetery is the national military cemetery in Virginia directly across the Potomac River from Washington D.C. It was established during the American Civil War and now holds over 300,000 people buried from every war. You can access it on the Metro system from Washington D.C.

The Marine Corps War Memorial is a bronze statue near Arlington National. The memorial is dedicated to all personnel of the United States Marine Corps who have died in the defense of their country since 1775. The design was based on the iconic photo Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima, taken during the Battle of Iwo Jima.

A side trip out of town is George Washington's Birthplace. Although his house burned down, the "Memorial House" was built in 1831 in his memory and holds a museum for the events of his lifetime. The monument is a National Historic Landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places.

Reflection Pond

On the Mall