Arlington House once belonged to Confederate General Robert E. Lee, whose wife, Mary Custis, a great-granddaughter of George Washington, inherited the home. During the Civil War, Union troops made the house their headquarters. The home is furnished as it was when the Lees raised their seven children here. Park rangers dressed in period costume help dramatize the era. Enjoy a stunning view of Washington from the front of the hillside mansion. As the mansion is located within Arlington National Cemetery, visitors must either walk from the Visitor Center or join the Tourmobile Sightseeing tour of the cemetery.
Designed by John Russell Pope, this Roman-style monument to Thomas Jefferson, the nation's third president and author of the Declaration of Independence, is elegant and simple. Jefferson's 19-foot statue stands within, surrounded by some of his most inspirational writings. This is a perfect after-dinner destination. At night, the view of the Washington Monument across the tidal basin is one of the most attractive in Washington, especially when the cherry blossoms are in bloom. Admission is free.
This laid-back Georgetown establishment boasts a decidedly Southern atmosphere; come here to satisfy your craving for barbeque. The restaurant offers several original regional barbecue sauces, which sit in little bottles on every table. Tastes range from tart 'Eastern Carolina' to sweet 'Memphis' to spicy 'Southwest Texas'. Those wishing to steer clear of ribs have other dining options, including a Pit-fired Chicken Sandwich.
Pho 75
Cuisine: Vietnamese, Asian
Pho is the Vietnamese word for soup which is traditionally considered a comfort food. And the 75 in the name comes from the year the Vietnam War ended. At Pho 75 you can enjoy more than 15 varieties of pho, each built from a beef broth base topped with special cuts of steak and brisket. The broth is then ladled in to a regular or very large bowl and served with rice noodles and a plate of vegetable condiments like bean sprouts, hot peppers, slices of lemon and fresh mint. Add them to the soup to taste. As this is an alcohol-free place you'll have to take your pick from some flavored lemonades or special Vietnamese ice-coffee.
The symbol of the city of Washington DC, this 555-foot marble obelisk on the National Mall honors the nation's first president. The cornerstone was laid in 1848, but construction was not completed until 1884. About one-third of the way up the obelisk is a visible change in the marble, evidence of the onset of the Civil War. Construction was halted during the war, and when builders returned to the same quarry to complete the project afterwards, enough time had passed to cause a significant change in the color. Admission is free, but you will need a 'timed pass' (also free) for the elevator ride to the top.
A stunning tribute to the 16th president of the United States, this memorial sits at the western end of the reflecting pool and the national mall. This famous memorial is featured on both the penny and the back of the five dollar bill. The Lincoln Memorial is also the historic site of the famous March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, where Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered his “I have a dream” speech. A true must visit for any trip to Washington, DC. Inside the temple-like structure you will find a 19-foot tall statue of Lincoln seated, with a number of memorable speeches inscribed in the walls that surround him.
One of the most powerful and moving sights in the District of Columbia is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, located near the National Mall and the Lincoln Memorial. The main portion of the memorial, dedicated in 1982, was designed by architect Maya Ying Lin and contains 58,256 names of soldiers who either died or were classified as missing in action as a result of the conflict in Vietnam. The memorial consists of two long black granite walls that are sunk into the ground, inscribed with the names of the fallen. Visitors can walk along a path, viewing both the names on the wall and their own reflection simultaneously. In addition, a smaller bronze statue named The Three Soldiers stands at the end of the wall, looking back on their comrades. This addition was a compromise due to the negative reaction to the original design, and was dedicated in 1984. The final addition came in 1993 in the form of the Vietnam Women's Memorial, dedicated to the women of the United States who served in the Vietnam War.
One of Washington's newest memorials, the Korean War Veterans Memorial pays tribute to the many who fought in the Korean War. Located near the Lincoln Memorial, this monument features statues of 19 soldiers carefully making their way through unknown terrain. Photographic images on a 164-foot granite wall pays tribute to the thousands of others who contributed to the war; nurses, mechanics, crew chiefs and support personnel. Inscribed on the wall are the words: "Freedom Is Not Free."
Located between the Lincoln and the Jefferson Memorials, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial (FDR) is unlike any other memorial in DC. Commemorative both the life and the times of FDR, the memorial includes four areas, each designed to remind visitors of the key events during each of FDR’s terms. Unlike the Jefferson and Lincoln memorials that are confined by buildings, this memorial spreads out over a large, uncovered area. The memorial makes generous use of water and unique lighting techniques to bring to life to each of the outdoor rooms. The original memorial included a statute of FDR in a wheelchair partially covered by a cloak. More recently, a group of disability advocates commissioned an additional statue of FDR, clearly in a wheelchair. This statue now stands at the entrance to the memorial.
Arlington National Cemetery sits on the Virginia banks of the Potomac River and overlooks Washington DC and the monuments clustered around Lincoln Memorial. More than 300,000 people are buried on the rolling 200-acre grounds of Arlington Cemetery including veterans from all of America’s military conflicts, American explorers, astronauts, literary figures, presidents, Supreme Court Justices, and prominent figures from Black and Hispanic history. Visit the eternal flame of President John F. Kenney’s grave, see the Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns, or simply walk the grounds and explore the final resting place of so many of America’s own. Enjoy quiet pristine views of the Potomac and DC from the front lawn of the Arlington House (also known as Custis-Lee Mansion). Paid parking is available, accessible from Memorial Drive at $1.75 - $2.00/hour. The Metro blue line stops at the Arlington National Cemetery station during visitor hours. Tourmobile also services Arlington Cemetery.
button while searching through our recommendations
Day Note
