More about: Attractions and museums in Washington DC
Washington is a city with a lot of history and great monuments. To make the most of your vacation in the capital of the United States, I tell you which museums and attractions you can not miss.
Which monuments or museums are worth visiting in Washington?
Washington is a monumental city, full of history, culture and museums. There is a lot to do and see but there is no doubt that some of the must-see monuments and museums here are:
- The White House: the official residence of the President of the United States.
- The Capitol: the symbol of American democracy.
- The National Mall: a park in the center of the capital that houses some of Washington's most important memorials.
- The Abraham Lincoln Memorial: a huge memorial dedicated to the 16th president of the country.
- The Washington Obelisk: a monument erected in honor of the nation's 1st president.
- The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial: dedicated to the U.S. civil rights activist who gave the famous "I Have a Dream" speech.
- The Thomas Jefferson Memorial: built in memory of the nation's 3rd president and one of the Founding Fathers.
- Arlington National Cemetery: the largest cemetery in the world where the remains of thousands of American soldiers and figures rest.
- The Air and Space Museum: see aircraft and spacecraft from different eras in realistically presented exhibits.
- The Library of Congress: the oldest cultural institution in the United States and the largest library on the planet.
- The National Gallery of Art: a museum that contains one of the most important art collections in the world from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.
- The National Archives Museum: exhibits many of the nation's founding documents such as the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence.
- The Museum of Natural Sciences: one of the largest and most visited museums in the world thanks to its excellent collections on nature covering paleontology, zoology, geology and much more.
- The Iwo Jima Memorial: erected in honor of the soldiers of the U.S. Army Infantry Corps.
How to book tickets to Washington monuments?
There are travelers who like to travel the world with an open and flexible plan seeing tourist attractions as they go. There is no doubt that this is an exciting way to get to know new places, since there is nothing planned and unexpected surprises can always arise.
However, there are certain risks involved as unexpected situations can occur when trying to buy tickets to visit a monument once at the destination, these are sold out after an endless queue at the ticket office. The nightmare of any tourist!
Washington is a city that receives many visitors and where there are often long lines at the ticket offices of its monuments and museums. To avoid being immersed in a scenario like the above, my advice is to book your tickets to the monuments of Washington online and in advance of your travel date.
Nothing gives greater peace of mind when traveling than having everything well tied from home, don't you think? In Hellotickets you can compare prices, schedules and availability of tickets and tours for the monuments and museums of Washington, sure you will find the one that best suits you!
Another option to save money: the Washington Sightseeing Pass, the tourist card
If you are going to spend several days in Washington sightseeing and want to enjoy the city to the fullest, I recommend you to get the Washington Sightseeing Pass, a tourist card that gives you access to its main attractions while saving you money and time, so you can visit as many places as you want!
This pass is perfect for travelers visiting Washington for the first time who want to take it all in, for those who travel with an open and flexible plan seeing sights as they go, or for families with children who prefer to visit the city at their leisure aboard a tour bus and take advantage of the discounts at restaurants and stores that this pass provides.
The Washington Sightseeing Pass is activated the first time you use it and you can choose between 1, 2 or 3-day sightseeing passes that include a 24-hour sightseeing bus ticket so you can enjoy the sights of the capital while you sit and listen to the guide tell interesting facts about the places you are seeing.
You can also use it as a means of transport to move around different parts of the city thanks to the Hop-on / Hop-off system. Something very convenient and practical if you need to give your legs a rest or if you are traveling with small children.
This is the pass you were looking for to make the most of your vacation in Washington!
Isabel's Traveler Tip
The opening hours of tourist attractions may vary during the holiday period so before visiting them I advise you to always check them.
How does the Washington Sightseeing pass work?
If you want to make the most of your vacation in Washington sightseeing and you are going to spend several days in the city, then I advise you to get the Washington Sightseeing Pass, a tourist card with which you can access the main tourist attractions and that will also save you money and time.
The operation of the Washington Sightseeing Pass is very simple. You can choose between a 1, 2 or 3 day tourist pass and it is activated the first time you use it, from that moment you can visit as many places as you want!
With this tourist card you will have access to more than 15 attractions and includes a 24-hour tourist bus ticket to tour Washington without leaving your seat or to use it as a means of transportation to move between different parts of the city.
In addition, by presenting the Washington Sightseeing Pass at certain restaurants and stores you can take advantage of the interesting discounts offered by this pass and save a little more during your trip. It's all advantages!
You can also opt for tours of the city with entrance tickets to some monuments
The Capitol is the symbol of American democracy and a must on your list of what to see in Washington.
You probably recognize the white facade and the great dome of this iconic building for having seen it hundreds of times in the movies but with this VIP ticket to the Capitol and the National Archives you will have the opportunity to see it inside through a guided tour to see popular sites such as the Rotunda, the National Statuary Hall, the House of Representatives or the Senate, where some of the most important decisions that direct the country's politics are made.
You will also access the National Archives building, where the original Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution are exhibited.
And not only that, the truth is that this is a pretty complete tour because it also includes a bus tour of the main monuments of Washington where you will make some stops to take pictures. You can even enjoy a fun cruise on the Potomac River and lunch at L'Enfant Plaza.
If you are passionate about politics and history, do not hesitate because with this tour of Washington you are going to have a great time.