Top Rated Attractions in Washington DC

Step inside this art haven with a collection spanning over 150,000 works. You'll encounter works of art from renowned European masters like Matthias Grünewald, Albrecht Dürer, Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres, Eugène Delacroix, and many others. In addition to that, the gallery also has a beautiful collection of drawings, photographs, paintings, sculptures, medals and art which take you on a journey to the Middle Ages and back to the present. Once you’ve toured the gallery, explore the serene oasis of the Sculpture Garden. Adorned with beautiful sculptures by renowned artists, the garden offers a peaceful space for contemplation and reflection.

Part of the original design for the federal city, this massive park stretches from the US Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial and around the Tidal Basin to the Jefferson Memorial. It has played host to many momentous, world-changing events throughout history including the 1963 March on Washington, the Million Man March and several presidential inaugurations. Today, the National Mall serves as a place for reflection, a memorial to American heroes, a symbol of freedom and a forum for the exercise of democracy. The Smithsonian museums, the Vietnam Memorial, the Reflecting Pool and the iconic Washington Monument are some of the most well-known of the National Mall's many iconic sites. Certainly, any visit to Washington DC should start with a tour of the United States National Mall, aptly named "America's front yard."

Best known for its vast collection of azaleas, (a popular porch-flower), this 446-acre (180-hectare) garden park has much else to offer. Fountains, pools and open space separate a series of focused gardens at the United States National Arboretum. The National Bonsai Collection, a gift from Japan, is a fascinating exhibit of tiny trees. Other notable sections are the aquatic garden (filled with lotuses of many varieties) and the National Herb Garden.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial not only honors the nation's 32nd president, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, but also pays tribute to the people of his time. Stretching over 7.5 acres (3 hectares) along the Tidal Basin, the memorial features four outdoor rooms, each depicting a different aspect of FDR's presidency. The second room, for instance, captures the hardship of the Great Depression with statues of people waiting in a bread line. Another room contains a statue of Eleanor Roosevelt, the only memorial to honor a First Lady. With its serene pools and cascading water, the monument offers a beautiful and contemplative space for visitors to reflect on the legacy of FDR and his era.

The Sidney Harman Hall is a majestic 774-seat theater in the heart of Washington DC and forms a part of the Harman Center of the Arts. Suitable for dance and music events, organizers can choose from the proscenium, thrust, semi-arena or bare stages, depending on the show. It is acoustically designed to suit dramas, plays and even live chamber music concerts. The venue along with the Lansburgh Theatre on the 7th Street is home to the Shakespeare Theatre Company.

Take a trip back in time and explore the much celebrated American history at the National Museum of American History. Opened in 1962 as the Museum of History and Technology, it was renamed the National Museum of American History in 1980. Focusing on collecting, preserving, and honoring history, the Museum displays the American journey through the ages; it resides a beautiful gallery that portrays the emergence of the American national anthem along with other innovative and cherished artifacts. Housed within this multi-floor building are exhibition halls and rooms that illustrate significant events pertaining to the past of America.