We finally got a break in the cold weather and a beautiful, sunny weekend so we hit the road to see our Nation's Capital.
We like guided bus tours so we hopped on the bus and let them show is around.
National Mall The Mall is spans two miles from the US Capitol Building to the Lincoln Memorial. The Mall is in the middle of downtown and home to the country’s most famous monuments and memorials. We enjoyed exploring the pedestrian-friendly Mall and stopping at the various monuments and memorials. We were in awe looking at the world-famous museums and huge federal buildings along Constitution Avenue. Visiting Washington DC is great in that its monuments and memorials are FREE! We were able to see them during the day and the evening. We started at the National Archives Building to see our Nation's most important documents.
National Archives Building
The Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom, located on the upper level of the National Archives museum, is the permanent home of the original Declaration of Independence, Constitution of the United States, and Bill of Rights.
The United States Capital Building
The Capitol Building is the center of American democracy. The world-famous domed building is home to the United States House of Representatives and Senate. This is where America’s congressmen and congresswomen conduct business, debate laws and pass bills on behalf of the American people.
A guided tour stops in the Capitol Rotunda and there ia a star on the floor indicating the center point of the District of Columbia. The guide demonstrated the unique acoustical effect where a speaker several yards. The Capitol Dome is encircled by murals, and the fresco on the eye of the ceiling is called The Apotheosis of Washington. This shows President Washington rising to the heavens in glory with Liberty and Victory/Fame beside him.
Statue of Freedom is the crowning feature of the Dome of the United States Capitol. The bronze statue stands 19 feet 6 inches tall and weighs approximately 15,000 pounds. The full-size plaster model for the Statue of Freedom was used to cast the bronze statue on top of the Capitol dome. It is on display inside Emancipation Hall in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center.
The Library of Congress
World War II Memorial
The Washington Monument
Jefferson Memorial
Lincoln Memorial
The Lincoln Memorial was built to honor the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. It is located on the western end of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., across from the Washington Monument
The White House
The United States Marine Corps War Memorial, better known as the Iwo Jima Memorial depicts one of the most historic battles of World War II. The Battle of Iwo Jima was a major battle in which the United States Marine Corps landed on and eventually captured the island of Iwo Jima from the Japanese Imperial Army.
