Historical Things to Do in Washington DC

Mount Vernon, the sprawling estate of founding father George Washington, tops our list, because what better way to learn about the history of the city than to visit the home of its namesake? Also on the list are several major attractions on the tourist trail, such as the U.S. Capitol Building and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, as well as little-known landmarks like the Old Stone House, the oldest building in Washington, and the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, the home of the famed abolitionist.

Indeed, Washington, DC, has so many historic attractions and memorials, we had to leave some sights off of the list. You can be sure, however, that if you like your travels tempered with tales of the past, a trip to Washington will satisfy you with historic highlights at almost every turn.