Interesting places in Washington. Washington - attractions and interesting places. DC architecture

On December 1, 1800, Washington became the capital of the United States of America. We invite you to take a walk around the main city of the USA, where, in addition to official buildings, there are many monuments and museums of national importance

The center of Washington and home to many museum objects is the National Mall, a one-mile-long open park area. The main attractions of the US capital are concentrated here.

The political center of America's capital is the White House, which was and is the official residence of all US presidents. It has six floors: two basements, two for public receptions and two for the president's family. Visitors who come to the White House for a tour are shown the most beautiful and famous rooms: the East Room, the Green Room, the Blue Room, the Red Room and the formal dining room. These rooms are used by the President and First Lady for official receptions. The president works in the Oval Office: he signs bills and government orders, and meets with his staff and guests.

Capitol

The Capitol, home to the US Congress, is located in the city center on Capitol Hill. It has a Rotunda open to visitors, which is decorated with sculptures of famous people of America and paintings, and other halls. Visitors have the opportunity to attend a meeting of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The construction of the Capitol was carried out by several generations of architects. The first stone of the building was laid by US President George Washington. The decoration of the building is symbolic, in particular, the capitals of the stone columns are decorated with tobacco leaves and ears of corn. The huge 87-meter dome of the Congress building is decorated with the Statue of Liberty. On the inside of the Capitol dome is a fresco depicting Washington surrounded by the Olympian gods.

Library of Congress

The Library of Congress, one of the largest libraries in the world, was founded in 1800. Since 1870, it has become the depository for legal deposit of any public publication published in the United States. In total, the library contains about 33 million books, and its total fund contains over 147 million items. The library houses more than 5,500 historical books (including the Gutenberg Bible), collections of works of Chinese and Japanese literature, and a collection of rare American publications. The Library of Congress has 18 reading rooms with 1,460 reading spaces. It is located in three buildings on Capitol Hill, which are connected by underground passages.

Washington Monument

The Washington Monument is a huge (169 m) granite obelisk, lined with marble. Opened in 1884, before the construction of the Eiffel Tower, it was considered the tallest structure on Earth. It is located between the White House and the Capitol, and was erected in honor of the first US President, George Washington. At the top of the stone arrow there is an observation deck with views of Washington. On the top of the monument on the east side is carved in Latin “Laus Deo” (Praise be to God). Every new day in the US capital begins with the first ray of sun illuminating this inscription.

Smithsonian Institution Museum Complex

This is the most famous museum complex in the United States. It combines: the Museum of American History, the Museum of Natural History, the Museum of American Indians, the Museum of African Art, the Holocaust Museum, the Museum of Natural History, and the Aerospace Museum (the largest museum in terms of the number of exhibits from the Cold War era and the space race).

Museum of Journalism and News

The seven-story building of the Museum of Journalism contains 14 galleries, 15 cinema halls and two broadcast studios. Here is a chronology of the development of the media - print media, radio, television, photography and the Internet. The International News Gallery compares levels of press freedom around the world. On the façade of the museum building is inscribed the text of the First Amendment of the US Constitution, which guarantees the fundamental rights and freedoms of American citizens. Next to the museum there is an obelisk on which 1,800 names of journalists who died in the line of professional duty are carved.

The National Gallery contains the best examples of works of art from around the world. The two gallery buildings display masterpieces by European and American masters: paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs, graphics, objects of decorative and applied art. The gallery, which opened in 1937, was made up of private collections that were donated by wealthy Americans. Paintings and sculptures by European masters from the Middle Ages to the end of the 19th century are in the western building. Here you can see masterpieces by Vermeer, Rembrandt, Monet, Van Gogh, Leonardo da Vinci. The eastern building houses works of contemporary art - works by Picasso, Matisse, Pollock, Warhol and others. Next to the National Gallery is a sculpture garden. In the center of the garden there is a large fountain (in winter it is used as an ice skating rink).

National Zoo

The Washington Zoo houses more than 400 species of animals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians. The zoo is also part of the US Smithsonian Institution and laboratories for the research and breeding of rare animals on the verge of extinction.

The capital of the United States is a city with an amazing history that delights and makes you admire the willpower of a proud nation. The result of the long struggle for independence can be clearly seen in the example of Washington: it is here that the main historical milestones in the life of the country can be traced. Every year, millions of tourists from all over the world come to the United States to see the famous Washington sights. This article talks about the most amazing of them.

1. White House

The White House is the main attraction of Washington and all of America, which is a symbol of power, authority and prosperity for Americans. Construction began in 1792. The mansion is designed in the style of early classicism in accordance with the strict principles of Italian architecture. The history of this incredibly beautiful building goes back centuries, symbolizing the strength and unity of the nation. The building acquired its famous name during the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt and has since become firmly established in everyday use. It is known that each subsequent president had the right to reconstruct the house at will. The White House is the only working presidential residence in the world that is open to visitors and tours. The rooms differ in color, shape and purpose. For example, the oval blue room, considered the most beautiful, is intended for receptions of the President and First Lady. Tea parties are held in the green room, a music room is located in the red room, and the best examples of porcelain products are collected in the porcelain room.

2. Capitol

The Capitol building is located in the heart of Washington DC. This is where the US Congress, the main legislative body of America, works. It is noteworthy that Capitol Hill was chosen for the construction of the building, hence the name Capitol. It is historically known that George Washington laid one of the foundation stones of this snow-white building. The Congress building has its own subway and transports politicians. The area around the Capitol is a favorite walking spot for locals and tourists. The Capitol will not leave art connoisseurs indifferent: there are many paintings depicting the main events in the history of the country, as well as sculptures of famous people. Getting to this landmark of Washington is very easy: all the main streets of the city lead here.

3. National Museum of Natural History

The National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC, part of the Smithsonian Institution complex, is the most visited museum of its kind in the world. The stunning Beaux Arts building with its striking green dome houses over 126.5 million exhibits. Some of them have an amazing history. The museum's collection is unique and began to be collected in 1846. These include plants, stuffed animals, butterflies, gemstones, meteorites and numerous artifacts. The most interesting thing is that the museum is free for visitors and is open every day until five o’clock. At the entrance, guests are greeted by a huge stuffed elephant, which has become its real symbol. The exhibition of one of the greatest museums in the world covers different geological eras, and the exhibition halls are grouped by theme. The most popular among visitors is the dinosaur hall, where there are skeletons and models of these ancient reptiles. This is a must visit place in Washington DC.

4. International Spy Museum

The International Spy Museum is one of the most popular museums in Washington, which began its work in the summer of 2002. This is the only museum in the world dedicated to the methods of espionage art. This place is filled with an atmosphere of mystery and mystery: the best experts from the intelligence community were involved in developing the concept of the museum. The largest number of spy artifacts, weapons and tools are collected here. The collection is regularly updated and includes more than 600 exhibits, many of which were shown to the general public for the first time. The main goal of the museum is to educate and promote understanding of the importance of the influence of espionage on the course of history. Here anyone can try themselves in the role of a spy: interactive games and even spy lessons are held for visitors.

5. National Gallery of Art

The National Gallery of Art is Washington's top attraction for art lovers. This rich art museum houses a huge collection of art masterpieces from large private collections. It contains works of both European and American masters: sculptors, painters, illustrators, photographers. The idea of the gallery arose back in the 30s of the last century. The museum was created thanks to one of the richest people in America at that time - Mellon. It was he who began collecting valuable sculptures and paintings, and after his death he bequeathed everything to the gallery. The museum is housed in two buildings near the Capitol: eastern and western. The eastern building contains works by contemporary authors and creators of the 20th century. The western building contains works by American artists and masterpieces by European masters, including Botticelli, da Vinci, Van Gogh. Russian tourists can discover in the gallery works that once tragically left the Hermitage.

6. Holocaust Memorial Museum

The Museum of Conscience is a memorial to millions of people who have passed away. The main goal of the museum is to study the accumulated documents and preserve the memory of concentration camp prisoners. In addition to the terrifying exhibitions, large-scale research and educational work is being carried out. Audio and video recordings, photographs, and models are collected here, which allow us to understand the horror of those times. When visiting, everyone receives a passport of a real person, and during the tour it is as if his tragic experience is lived. Visitors walk across the bridge, from where they can see the ghetto, the crematorium and the “Tower of Faces of Disappeared People.” The Holocaust Museum displays many horrific things that are forever intended to preserve the memory of the victims and prevent the recurrence of the terrible tragedy.

7. Washington Supreme Court

For some time, the city's Supreme Court remained in the Capitol until Congress approved the construction of a separate residence. The building of the famous US House of Justice is made in the neoclassical style and was built in the 30s of the 20th century. This is a very beautiful architectural landmark of Washington. Gilbert designed the building to resemble the Parthenon. The facades and interior are made of marble brought from several states. And the main meeting room is decorated with expensive Siena marble, requested for this purpose from Mussolini. The building is lavishly decorated with sculpture, and the main decoration of the Temple of Justice are statues of famous public figures. Of particular interest is the meeting room, which is truly impressive in its luxury: gold, heavy velvet curtains and majestic columns. The Supreme Court polices its own police department, independent of city authorities.

8. Lincoln Memorial

This symbolic architectural structure was erected in 1922 to honor one of the most respected presidents of the country, whose presidency occurred during the difficult years of the Civil War. Lincoln forever went down in history as the person who managed to free the country from slavery. It is known that over 50 thousand people gathered at the opening of the memorial. This landmark of the US capital fascinates with its beauty and size: the grandiose structure is very similar to the Greek Parthenon. The memorial is surrounded by 36 marble columns, which symbolize the number of states of America during Lincoln's reign. At night, the monumental complex, illuminated by floodlights, appears in its full grandeur. Inside the memorial there is an elaborate statue of Lincoln, which is almost 6 meters high.

9. National Air and Space Museum

The National Air and Space Museum is one of Washington's most popular tourist attractions. The museum was officially opened in 1976, having its own special building, and is currently the most popular technology museum in the world. This research center has assembled the largest collection of aircraft. Most of the exhibits are unique and are genuine historical rarities. The collection provides insight into the history of flight, from Chinese kites to manned spacecraft. The first example on display was the Stringfellow aviation steam engine, which is still kept in the museum. Also here is the Wright brothers' glider, in which they made their first flight. A large amount of military equipment was received by the museum after World War II and the Korean War. Entrance to the museum is free, and almost every exhibit can be touched with your own hands.

10. Washington Cathedral

The Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul is the main religious landmark of the city of Washington. This building, whose architecture is dominated by the neo-Gothic style, at first glance makes you feel proud of the country and the people living in it. The cathedral took 83 years to build, and the first stone was laid by Theodore Roosevelt. The building material for the temple was sandstone, which was delivered from India. Numerous fragments of the cathedral are made of stones brought from different parts of the world. What amazes visitors more than the scale of the building are the mosaic windows that create amazing, mesmerizing patterns. The “space window”, dedicated to the landing of man on the Moon and containing a fragment of a moon rock in the center, stands out against the general background. The walls of the cathedral are decorated with 112 gargoyles, among which there is an extremely unexpected sculpture - the head of Darth Vader.

11. Hillwood Museum and Gardens

Another attraction that will be interesting to visit in Washington is the Hillwood Museum and Gardens. Many valuable works of art found a permanent home in the collection of Maggiori Post, who founded this museum, purchasing a mansion on Rock Greek for this purpose. Even then, Post planned to make a museum inside and a beautiful garden around it, connecting the traditions of different countries. Many of the exhibits, including porcelain, Romanov jewelry and Faberge eggs, were previously in the Hermitage. The museum's collection is impressive with its variety of exhibits. In addition to a large collection of things from Russia, Post collected some works of art from France. The doors of the museum were opened in 1977. The mansion's stunning gardens were laid out in 1950, when Post hired the best specialists to style the existing gardens.

12. US Botanical Garden

The garden is located near the Capitol and is the most beautiful landmark in Washington, where those who truly love the beauty of nature will have a nice time. The complex is divided into thematic areas and will appeal to everyone: both ordinary tourists and botanists. There really is a lot to explore here. You can find out what grows in the desert and what in the tropics. Particularly popular among visitors are the reconstruction of the primeval landscape, the orchid garden and the area with endangered species. The saturation of the garden with plants did not progress so quickly, but the US research expedition helped significantly. Living plants and seeds from the expedition became the core of the Botanical Garden. Subsequently, seeds to create the collection were brought from all over the world. Now the garden contains over 60 thousand plants.

When reading newspapers or watching news about the United States on TV, we often hear about Washington, DC. In addition to its political significance, it is also a huge cultural and educational center, home to some of the country's best museums, galleries, universities and listed buildings. This article focuses on the main attractions. In English it is written as Washington DC(District of Columbia), and most people briefly call it simply DC (DC), so as not to be confused with the name of the state of Washington, which is located in the northwest of the country.

I’ll tell you my personal opinion right away - Washington is one of the most beloved cities in the USA, I love its unique spirit, not like somewhere in New York or Chicago, where people are constantly running somewhere, where there is a smell of money in the air, where the streets are similar to each other, with two walls stretching somewhere into the horizon. There is something completely different in Washington, there is a smell of power here. The real political power is people everywhere, constantly entering and leaving the doors of endless ministries, departments and departments.

People who work in the government apparatus of the most powerful state in the world, almost all of them go to work by public transport; pushing and even pushing each other when entering the subway; standing in the morning for Starbucks coffee, creating lines for half a block, just to grab a glass of coffee and run to work; they all wear business suits, so when you come to the station you may even be surprised whether it is a train station or, say, an airport.

The central part of the city is National Mall, a wide park lined with two of the most protected buildings in the country, the White House and the Capitol, as well as many museums and monuments. It’s worth saying that when I went to Washington for the first time, I thought that the name Mall meant a huge shopping center))) Perhaps I’m not the only one, that’s why I’m writing about it.

Since the city is full of attractions, if not world-wide, then at least national, and tourists come here for a maximum of two incomplete days, I would like to do this - first I will write about the so-called Must see sights that are a must see when you are here. And then I’ll tell you about other interesting places and objects, familiarity with which will undoubtedly enrich your understanding of Washington.

All you have to do is take a map of Washington and put on it all the places that will be discussed below. After that, you will see that everything is very, very close to each other and, depending on how much free time you have, you can see all these attractions on your own or during the many excursions that are offered in the city.

National Mall. When the city was originally planned, instead of a park there should have been a huge street more than 2 kilometers long and about 120 meters wide. However, it was never possible to build the street; instead, a huge open park appeared, around which many government institutions were later built.

I can’t say that this is some uniquely beautiful place, like Central Park in New York or Millennium Park in Chicago. Not at all, it’s just an open square, with, by the way, not very well-kept lawns, walking paths, places for outdoor games and so on.

The mall is bordered by the Capitol on one side and the Abraham Lincoln Memorial on the other. The distance from one attraction to another is 3 kilometers, which is quite enough for a leisurely walk for half a day. Moreover, between them there will be several more museums, a memorial to George Washington and the White House.

Since the mall is located right in front of the Capitol, this is where up to 3 million people gather to listen to the president's inaugural speech after the election.

United States Capitol

Address: East Capitol St NE & First St SE, Washington, DC 20004

The construction of this iconic building in the Empire style for the United States, with huge columns, porticoes and a huge dome, was initiated by George Washington himself in 1793. However, construction dragged on for several decades, during which the building was rebuilt, burned and restored, reconstructed and expanded.

It was the Capitol that was the basis for the planning of the District of Columbia, its geographical center, and it is it that divides the city into four quadrants. Conventionally, the Capitol consists of two parts - southern and northern. The District of Columbia has a law that prohibits the construction of buildings taller than the Capitol within the District. That's why there are no skyscrapers in Washington. All of them are already outside the county line, on the other side of the Potomac River, on which the city stands, in suburban Arlington, Roslyn and Alexandria.

The US Congress meets in both parts that make up the building. In the southern part of the building, the lower house of parliament sits - the House of Representatives of the US Congress (it has a total of 435 seats and congressmen from each are elected depending on its population).

The upper house, the Senate, is located in the northern part of the building. The Senate provides equal representation of all states (2 people per state), so there are 100 people (senators) sitting in the Senate. All laws must be approved by both houses of parliament, and since the process of adopting a law is preceded by long approvals, all multi-page laws go from one wing of the building to another.

White House

Address: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20500

Opened: 1800 Start of construction: 1792

Official residence of all US presidents. Construction was completed in 1800, and already in 1801, the then current President John Adams became its owner.

The building has 6 floors - 2 basements, two for public receptions and two for the president and his family. Tourists have the opportunity to visit the White House, but they need to sign up for a tour almost six months in advance.

The White House is not something completely secret; through the fence you can quite see how helicopters with top officials of the state fly in and fly away to the area in front of the building. However, note that there are always snipers on the building itself. Despite the openness of this facility, the security of the president and his family has not been canceled.

Washington Monument

Address: 2 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20007

Opened: 1888 Start of construction: 1848

The monument is the world's tallest stone structure and at the same time the world's tallest obelisk, which rises above the city to a height of almost 170 meters.

Construction of the monument began in 1848, and the official opening took place only in 1888. Such a long construction period is due to the lack of funding for the monument caused by the American Civil War.

At approximately 46 meters, a change in the color of the marble from which the monument is built can be discerned. This is due to the fact that after construction resumed, marble was delivered from other mines in Maryland, the color of which was different from the original. For a whole year from the moment of its opening until the completion of construction of the Eiffel Tower, the obelisk in the center of Washington remained the tallest structure in the world.

Not many people know, but tourists have the opportunity to climb to the top of the obelisk to the observation deck. To do this, you need to reserve time and stand in a fairly long line. However, after the earthquake on August 23, 2011, cracks were discovered in the obelisk and it was closed to the public for the duration of reconstruction.

National World War II Memorial

Address: 1750 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20006

Opened: 2004 Start of construction: 1995

One of the youngest memorials in Washington, it was built by order of Bill Clinton, opened by George W. Bush on May 29, 2004, and is dedicated to the veterans and soldiers who died during World War II. An interesting fact is that it was built with donations from both ordinary citizens and many veteran organizations.

The memorial is an oval composition in the center of which there is a 75x45 meter pool framed by granite slabs with the names of all the states and territories that took part in that war. Also at the north and south ends of the memorial are two arches engraved with "Atlantic" and "Pacific".

The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

Opened: 1923 Start of construction: 1922

It is part of the Lincoln Memorial and at the same time the largest reflecting pool in Washington. Measuring 618 meters long, 51 meters wide and 46 to 76 centimeters deep, it was built in 1922-1923 and is one of the most beloved photo spots for the more than 25 million tourists who visit Washington every year.

It is also notable for the fact that it was near this pool in 1963 that thousands of black Americans stood and listened to Martin Luther King deliver his historic speech “I have a dream.”

Lincoln Memorial

Address: 2 Lincoln Memorial Cir NW, Washington, DC 20024

Opened: 1922 Start of construction: 1914

The memorial was built in honor of the 16th and one of the most beloved US presidents, Abraham Lincoln. Now this is one of the most favorite vacation spots for both locals and tourists. From its steps one can see, as Americans say, an iconic view of the National Mall, the Washington Monument, the reflecting pool and the Capitol, especially since access to the memorial is open 24 hours a day.

The building measures 58x36x30 meters and is built in the classical Doric style, taken from ancient Greek architecture. The roof is supported by 36 Doric columns, symbolizing the 36 states that were part of the United States at the time of Lincoln's death. At the top are the names of all 50 modern states with the dates of their annexation to the United States.

Inside is a huge marble statue of Lincoln sitting on a pedestal. Engraved on the walls are two of his most famous speeches—the first, the Gettysburg Address, and the second, his inaugural address during his second term.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Opened: 1982 Start of construction: 1982

The memorial consists of three parts - the Three Soldiers Statue, the Vietnam Women's Memorial and the most famous - the Vietnam Veterans Wall.

The memorial, located just north of the Lincoln Memorial, was completed in 1982 and now attracts more than 3 million visitors a year. The above-mentioned wall, consisting of two parts, each 75 meters long, contains 59,195 names. It was built with money from a non-governmental organization of Vietnam veterans that raises funds and donations.

Korean War Veterans Memorial

Opened: 1995 Start of construction: 1992

The memorial was unveiled on July 27, 1995, on the 42nd anniversary of the end of the Korean War, by the presidents of the United States and Korea who personally participated in that war, Bill Clinton and Kim Young Sam.

The memorial is a huge triangle intersecting with a circle. The walls, made of Californian granite, are engraved with more than 2,500 photographs of battles in the air, on water and on land. Inside the triangle, surrounded by a wall, are 19 statues of soldiers patrolling the area in full uniform. The soldiers are made to be slightly larger than their natural height.

The circle into which the triangle rests is the Pool of Memory. This is a shallow pond lined with black granite, next to which is written the number of killed, wounded, missing and captured soldiers.

Jefferson Memorial

Opened: 1943 Start of construction: 1938

The memorial is dedicated to the third President of the United States and was opened to the public in 1947. According to the architects, the memorial was supposed to be located on the same line as the White House and the George Washington Monument, but due to the marshy area, the monument had to be moved to the east.

The building is designed in the form of an ancient Roman pantheon; it is an open marble rotunda, surrounded on all sides by steps. Inside the memorial is a statue of Thomas Jefferson and a passage from the Declaration of Independence.

The memorial is surrounded by a huge number of cherry trees, which were given to Washington by the people of Japan in 1912. It is here that the famous Cherry blossom Festival— The cherry blossom festival, when, just like in Japan, thousands of cherry trees are covered with flowers for just a few days.

The Pentagon

Address: 1400 Defense Pentagon, Arlington, VA

Opened: 1943 Start of construction: 1941

The main building of the US Department of Defense is located in Arlington, just a ten-minute drive from downtown Washington. Built in 1942, the building is the world's largest office building by floor area. Approximately 23,000 military and 3,000 non-defense professionals work in this building.

The Pentagon, as its name suggests, has five sides. This seven-story building (five above ground and two basement floors) is pierced inside by five circular corridors, which together have a length of almost 29 kilometers.

The center has an open area of 20,000 square meters called Ground Zero. The name comes from the Cold War and suggests that in the event of a nuclear war, the USSR would send at least one of its missiles to this location.

You can get to the Pentagon by metro, because there is a huge interchange hub with a metro and bus station nearby. However, you should keep in mind that taking photographs of the building is prohibited and, of course, no one will let you inside.

These were the top must-see attractions when planning a trip to Washington DC. Moreover, most of them are included in the List of American Architecture - a list of the most famous and beloved buildings and structures by Americans. The following will be an expanded list of attractions and interesting places in Washington.

Smithsonian Institution

A trip to one of its museums should be a must when visiting Washington. Firstly, these museums are truly world class, and secondly, they are free. And all this thanks to a scientific organization that is funded primarily by the state budget - the Smithsonian Institution.

The organization brings together 19 museums, 11 of which are located on the National Mall between the Capitol and the Washington Monument, the National Zoo and 9 research centers. This the world's largest museum complex, which brings together a variety of architectural monuments, along with the latest exhibition halls, its collection contains more than 136 million artifacts, and also publishes two popular science magazines - Smithsonian and Air & Space.

Here are just a few museums I would recommend visiting if you have time:

— Air and Space Museum(Museum of Cosmonautics and Aeronautics);

— Natural History Museum(National Museum of Natural History);

— National Zoo(Zoo);

— National American Indian Museum(Museum of the American Indian);

— NationalAmerican Art Museum(Museum of American Art);

— The National Portrait Gallery(Portrait Gallery) and many others.

Arlington National Cemetery. The military cemetery is located directly across from the Lincoln Memorial across the Potomac River in Arlington, Virginia. It was founded during the Civil War and since then heroes of all wars in which the United States is involved are buried there. However, what makes it most interesting for tourists is that John and Jacqueline Kennedy are buried there.

The cemetery is quite large and is divided into 70 sections to make it easier to navigate inside. There is also a huge Amphitheater ( Arlington Memorial Amphitheater), where ceremonies are held on Memorial and Veterans Days, as well as on Easter. Every day there are changes of the guard of honor at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier ( Tomb of the Unknowns).

Union Station. The train station, which is located in the very center of Washington, just a few minutes walk from the Capitol, and which is visited by more than 32 million people a year (of which almost 5 million are direct passengers).

It is the southernmost point of the Northeast Corridor, an electrified rail line that connects major American cities such as Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York and Boston. Amtrak's headquarters are also located here.

Due to the huge number of civil servants working in the city, when you get to the station, it seems that you are at least at the airport. People in suits are constantly rushing somewhere, grabbing coffee and fresh pastries on the go, and shoe shiners also have plenty of work to do. In general, Union Station is not only a transport hub; it also houses a large number of cafes and restaurants, shops and tourist offices. Plus the building itself is a kind of work of architectural art.

National Cathedral. The official name of this religious building is Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Built in the neo-Gothic style, it is the sixth tallest cathedral in the world and the second in the United States. Over the course of a year, more than 400 thousand tourists visit this cathedral.

Construction began in 1907, but ended 83 years later, only in 1990. When planning the city back at the end of the 18th century, the building was to be built in the very center of the city, on the site where the Portrait Gallery is now located. However, construction was delayed and began more than a hundred years after the plan was developed. Tourists are given the opportunity to climb the bell tower, which offers a very good view of Washington.

Library of Congress. Formally, this is the main library of the country, as well as the largest library in the world in terms of shelf space. It occupies four buildings, the main one of which is located immediately behind the Capitol.

The library was founded in 1800, but the main building was not built until 1897. It houses more than 32 million books in 470 languages, unique exhibits such as a draft of the Declaration of Independence, one of the four surviving Guttenberg Bibles, millions of audio recordings, photographs, government documents and more. The library is open for free visits by tourists, and with a library card, also for access to funds.

In the end, I would just like to list a few additional interesting places that you can see while in Washington:

Downtown Alexandria) (can be reached in 20 minutes by subway from downtown Washington);

— US Navy Memorial(US Navy Memorial);

— Kennedy Center for Performing Arts(Kennedy Concert Hall);

— George Washington University(George Washington University campus) and Georgetown University;

— Dupont Circle;

— FBI building(FBI Building);

— Botanic Garden(Botanical Garden);

— Chinatown DC;

—Federal Triangle;

Washington is a city with a unique atmosphere. A city that can be called a place of power. It houses a lot of government agencies, ministries and departments. This place has many attractions and they are all very close to each other, giving you the opportunity to see everything.

You can see the entire city at a glance by going up to the observation deck. The main monument of the capital can be considered the Washington Monument. Not far from it there are no less interesting monuments, such as the Lincoln, Jefferson and Roosevelt memorials. In addition to the state ones, dozens of private museums have settled in the city, which are dedicated to various topics. In the capital you can also go to the opera (the National Opera is located here). You can listen to the symphony orchestra and attend the ballet (the Washington ballet troupe is located here). A large number of nightclubs and establishments that operate 24 hours a day can be found in the Georgetown area. If you are traveling with children, then it is worth visiting the National Zoo, where you will see a huge number of rare animals.

Some of the most interesting attractions of the US capital are:

White House and Pentagon;
Capitol;
International Spy Museum;
Mall and memorial parks;
Washington National Cathedral;

The White house

This is a very beautiful building, which is a symbol of the United States of America. Its construction dates back to 1792, designed by James Hoban, under the direction of George Washington. The residence was built in a classic style, it is laconic, sophisticated and elegant. The façade is clad in white Virginia sandstone and coated with a mixture of casein, lead and lime. In 1801, the White House increased its area, and eastern and western terraces were added to the building. At the beginning of the 20th century, two wings were added to the house - Western and Eastern. At the moment, the residence consists of six floors, including two basements, two for official events and two for the president’s family. The most delightful and historically important premises are open to tourists. The interior of them changed, but at the same time remained in the style of the 18-19th century. Some of the rooms contain items that once belonged to the presidential families.

Inside the building you can see:

East Hall;
Green Hall;
Oval Office;
Red room.

Pentagon- This is a symbol of the country's power. The US Department of Defense is located within its walls. The seven-story building is built in the form of a pentagon, two floors of which are underground. It’s not easy to get on the excursion. To do this, you must first register for it. Cadets act as guides. This is the largest office building in the world.

Capitol

Washington is a city that does not have skyscrapers, since the district has a law that all buildings should not be taller than the Capitol, which is 88 m high. This is the most recognizable building with a rich past. The Capitol is conventionally divided into two parts, southern and northern, and the large dome symbolizes the unity of America. The lower house of parliament sits in its southern part, and the upper house in the northern part. This building is one of those that is definitely worth seeing during your trip.

A huge number of historical documents, valuable photographs, expensive paintings, and statues are collected here. Even in the decoration of the premises, strength and power can be traced. In addition to the Capitol, this includes such attractions as the Library of Congress and the US Supreme Court. You can also take a walk in the magnificent park nearby.

International Spy Museum

This museum is unique as it is the only one in the world. It will be interesting for a person of any age to visit it. Here you have the opportunity to try your espionage skills. There are interactive games and even spy lessons for guests. Here you can see umbrellas with syringes, pistols in a tube of lipstick, hidden cameras.

The museum was founded by a man who served 35 years in the CIA. Geographically, the museum is located in 5 historical buildings that form a complex. It includes halls with expositions, shops with spy paraphernalia, a cafe, a restaurant, a storage facility, all this makes a great impression and looks impressive. There are several halls here. One of them is called “Legends and Covers”. When you enter it, you will hear the speakers telling you that you are being watched. Your task is to come up with a fake name and pass a lie detector test. The second is “Spy School.” Here you will receive instructions on how to apply makeup correctly, how to follow the subject, eavesdrop, and take photographs. The third hall of the "Secret History". In it you can hear stories about special services and agents.

Mall and memorial parks

It is a large open park surrounded on one side by the Capitol and on the other by the Abraham Lincoln Memorial. On your way from one to the other, you can visit several museums, the White House and the George Washington Memorial. It houses a large collection of exhibits and works of art. Most of Washington's museums are located within the park. This square is important in the public life of the city, rallies and protests are held here, history is created here.

On the territory of the Mall (as the National Mall is called) there is Smithsonian Institution, which created a network of free museums (ten of the nineteen museums are located in the park). Here you can see the best collection of art in the whole world. A huge collection of precious stones and minerals can be admired in Natural History Museum. You can learn more about US history at Museum of American History. You can see vintage airplanes and spacecraft in National Air and Space Museum. If you want to admire paintings by Picasso, Matisse, Hoffmann, Bacon, go to Hirshhorn Museum.
The very majestic architecture and beauty make the National Mall a very unusual place where you can feel all the grandeur and significance of the capital of the United States.

Washington National Cathedral

The Washington Cathedral is a majestic building whose architecture is dominated by the Gothic style. Among the cathedrals around the world, this is the sixth largest. The cathedral took 83 years to build and was completed in 1990. Sandstone brought from India was used as the main building material. Beautiful stained glass windows and 112 gargoyles that adorn the walls of the cathedral fascinate tourists from all over the world. The high altar is made of sandstone brought from the Solomon quarries themselves. And in front of him are laid ten stones from the Chapel of Moses, which are symbols of the ten biblical commandments. The cathedral has ten completely different chapels. It is also the resting place of many prominent US figures. It is worth mentioning such unusual design elements as a stained glass window dedicated to the landing of man on the moon, and the head of Darth Vader among the gargoyles of the cathedral.

Map Hotels

The city of Washington made a strange impression on me. IMHO, this is not a living and real city like New York, Chicago, San Francisco, but some kind of life-size “model” of the city. That is, everything seems to be in place, but the spirit of the city is not felt at all. No bubbling energy New York, industrial power and gloss Chicago, European charm San Francisco, love of life New Orleans or Miami and (looking ahead a little) colonial charm and comfort Philadelphia.

It seems that no people live here, but only faceless officials “function” - and, like those officials, the city of Washington appears “dressed” in a boring official suit. It is somehow gray, faded, colorless. Of course, there are many world famous landmarks in Washington: the Capitol, the White House, the Pentagon, Arlington Cemetery, Lincoln Memorial. But all this seemed somehow lifeless to me, like a set for a film, when they can build an entire street or block for filming, and then dismantle it all in a day or two. It is quite possible that these are my personal “defects of perception”, because by the time of my arrival in the US capital, I had slept for 4 hours for several days and simply had accumulated banal fatigue, which, quite likely, influenced my impression of Washington as a city. I have met people who really like this city - but I personally am not one of them. Washington, with its bureaucratic “artificiality,” reminded me a little of The Hague.

According to historical chronicles, George Washington personally chose the location for the future capital of the United States, and was also involved in attracting capital and monitoring the progress of construction work. On his instructions, the French engineer (characteristically, not an architect) Pierre Lanfant “planned a beautiful city with wide alleys and luxurious mansions.” The fact that the choice fell on a Frenchman is not surprising - at that time, after the successful war for the independence of the North American United States against Great Britain, the British were not in favor and, quite naturally, they invited a Frenchman to the role of the creator of the new capital - a representative of a country always ready “insert a pin” for the British: in addition to the city of Washington, France is responsible for another world-famous American symbol and “example of architectural taste” - the Statue of Liberty in New York.

Interestingly, the American idea of creating an artificial city for officials sprouted in distant Brazil in the form of the new capital of the country, the city of Brasilia. Moreover, in my humble opinion, the Brazilians succeeded in implementing this bold plan a little better than the Americans.

These days, Washington stands out among other US cities not only for its faceless architecture and dull atmosphere, but also for several purely democratic incidents: although the population of the district elects its mayor, the city is governed directly by the US Congress; the only deputy from Washington in the House of Representatives does not have the right to vote there, and in the Senate, Washington has no delegates at all - in light of the above, it is not surprising that Washington residents consider their city “the last colony of the United States.”

Washington Sights: White House

The White house- a small building in the center of Washington at the address 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, used by the current US presidents as their residence, is known - at least by its name alone - to the majority of the literate population of the Earth.

In fact, in reality the house is quite nondescript, looking like an ordinary villa of a middle-income tycoon. At this point, the Anglo-Saxon “continuity” is clearly visible: London’s Buckingham Palace, the residence of the queen there, is also no more impressive than an ordinary tram stop. If you wish, you can discern in this fact the “modesty of power” and its “closeness to the people” - but I had no such desire, so in the White House of Washington, I saw only an ordinary “landowner’s estate” with a garden.

At one time, excursions to the White House were popular among tourists, but after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the then American president closed this shop - and now, instead of contemplating the famous Green Room (with green silk-covered walls and interiors in the style of the 18th century), the East Room ( where Nixon once announced his resignation) and the Red Room (for some reason very beloved by the first ladies), tourists are just offered an organized look in the garden in front of the White House. Although, if you have an irresistible desire to touch the holy of holies of America, you can visit a thematic exhibition dedicated to the residence of American presidents - the address is 1450 Pennsylvania avenue, open daily from 7:30 to 16:00.

Anti-Israel picket in front of the White House:

Sights of Washington: Hoover House and National Archives

Hoover House(J. Edgar Hoover building) is the headquarters of the American FBI, which is known to everyone who even occasionally watches Hollywood products.

Among other things, the Hoover House is known for its impressive collection of weapons, which have been used as evidence at various times - if you wish, you can admire the tools of such celebrities as Al Capone, Bonnie and Clyde and others. More information about visiting the Hoover House and the mentioned exhibition can be read at www.fbi.gov/aboutus/tour/tour.htm.

Literally across the street from FBI headquarters is US National Archives- a place where priceless artifacts such as the Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution with its first ten amendments, Magna Carta and the Bill of Rights are preserved with all possible respect.

Washington Sights: Capitol

The fact that a building for the work of senators and the House of Representatives was to be erected in the US capital, Washington, is even mentioned in the American Constitution, adopted in 1787. In 1800, in the still unfinished building, the US Congress met for the first time - and the congressmen of the “stronghold of freedom and democracy” were not particularly bothered by the fact that the Capitol building was built by slaves. In 1814, that first building was almost completely destroyed by the British, who sought to regain their rebellious colony. The builders of the American Capitol took the dome of St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome as a role model - and the Americans do not particularly hide this fact (Americans, in principle, do not tend to reflect on any matter).

It is somewhat easier for a tourist to enter the Capitol than to enter the White House - and for good reason. After passing through massive bronze doors designed to inspire awe and respect for authority, visitors find themselves in a huge circular lobby with a diameter of 30 meters, covered with a dome. Apparently, the main purpose of this room was to deepen the impression previously made by the bronze doors. In addition, at the Capitol Tourist Center you can get free tickets to the Hall of Statues, where sculptures of 100 of America's most outstanding people are displayed - the characters for the hall were selected fairly, two from each state.

The Capitol building is only part of a huge complex that also includes the Library of Congress and the Supreme Court (both also located on Capitol Hill, east of the main Capitol building). If you wish, you can observe the work of the US judiciary - to obtain information about available times for visiting the Supreme Court, you must contact the tourist information center.

Library of Congress It is considered the world's largest collection of books, brochures, magazines, newspapers, photographs and maps, and its collections are replenished with ten new documents every minute. If books and photographs are not particularly attractive, it still makes sense to go to the library: there is a cafe on its sixth floor Madison Building Cafeteria with a good panorama of the city of Washington.

Not far from the Capitol is the tallest building in the city: Washington Monument(in general, in the American capital one can quite feel the “cult of personality” of this undoubtedly respected political figure). It is legally prohibited to build buildings higher than the Capitol in the US capital (or rather, there is no direct reference to the Capitol in the law, only the maximum permissible height of buildings is mentioned) and the Washington Monument is the only exception to this rule.

Washington D.C. Sights: Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum complex and one of America's oldest scientific and cultural institutions, it includes eighteen museums and galleries, including the National Gallery of Art, Woodrow Wilson Science Center, the National Zoo, the Astrophysical Laboratory and much more. Founded in 1846 in Washington by decision of Congress at the expense of the English scientist James Smithson, who, although he had never been to the United States in his life, bequeathed his entire inheritance (500 thousand then American dollars) to the United States government “to create an institution for the development and spread knowledge." In his will, the benefactor did not specify which institution he had in mind: a research institute, a library, a museum, or something else. 17 years after Smithson's death, the American Congress approved the creation of an educational and scientific institution that included museums, several libraries and research institutes.

Smithsonian Institution in Washington is located in one of the most unusual and memorable buildings in the US capital, known as the “castle”:

Washington Monument

Washington Monument built and named after the first US President George Washington, and for a long time was the tallest building on the planet until the Eiffel Tower was erected in Paris. This is one of the most famous “long-term construction projects” in the United States - the construction of the obelisk began in 1848, and was completed 36 years later, in 1884.

Actually, the Washington Monument was built of granite and faced with marble and surrounded by a ring of flags of the 50 American states - but, unfortunately, I did not find it in this form: after the 2011 earthquake, the Washington Monument was decorated with a picturesque crack and, for the purpose of repair monument, the marble was stripped from it:

Washington City: Lincoln Memorial

Lincoln Memorial- one of the few places in the US capital that makes at least some impression.

The Lincoln Memorial, erected in the center of Washington, is a tribute to the memory of the 16th President of the United States, whose reign was marked by the Civil War (from 1861 to 1865) and the abolition of slavery in a country that considered itself free and democratic from the very day of its founding. And in which such phenomena as “freedom” and “slavery” coexisted quite peacefully with each other until the era of Abraham Lincoln. According to US residents, Lincoln could rightfully be called honest, persistent and tolerant - it is not surprising that such a rare set of positive qualities for a politician greatly helped him die a violent death. The Lincoln Memorial is a symbol of the 16th President's unwavering belief that all people have the right and should be free. And, if you look at the results of Abraham Lincoln's reign, he was not such an idealist.

The Lincoln Memorial is built in the image and likeness of an ancient temple - the height of the architectural structure is 57 meters and its width is 36 meters. The pseudo-Greek temple of the Lincoln Memorial is supported by 36 marble columns, which are symbols of the North American United States (today there are more states in the country, but it was 36 states that made up the United States at the time of the assassination of its 16th president).

A stern, unyielding Lincoln sits in the “altar” of the “temple” and looks towards the Capitol with obvious disapproval:

At first glance, the six-meter statue of Abraham Lincoln appears to be made from a single piece of marble, but in reality it consists of many parts skillfully fitted to each other.

Washington Sights: Pentagon

Pentagon, American Department of Defense (translated from the Greek word pentagon means "pentagon") is the largest office building in the world.

Here are just a few numbers: the perimeter of the “pentagon” is 1405 meters, the length of each of its sides is 280 meters. The total area of all five floors of the Pentagon is 604 thousand square meters, and the total length of all its corridors is about 28 kilometers. So, if I again come across the journalistic stamp “in the corridors of the Pentagon” somewhere on the Internet, I will imagine something endless, like a hadron collider. The height of the building, excluding underground floors, is about 20 meters; it is designed in such a way that you can get to any place in a maximum of 7 minutes. In general, the Pentagon is a skyscraper that, keeping in mind the ban on the construction of high-rise buildings in the city of Washington, was simply laid on its side.

Washington City: Arlington Cemetery

America's most famous cemetery is located on the opposite bank of the river Potomac, you can get there from the city via a bridge.

Among those buried in Arlington are a huge number of national heroes and political figures of the first magnitude - for example, brothers John and Robert F. Kennedy. Considering the crowds of people visiting the graves of celebrities, it can be said that those buried in Arlington Cemetery are unlikely to find peace in death.

Arlington Cemetery also has its own tourist attraction: Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Every half hour there is a change of honor guard, consisting of members of the 3rd Infantry Regiment of the US Army.

Well, just a photo of the city of Washington:

My personal opinion: if you go to Washington, then only for government needs (and preferably at government expense) or for show - they say, you’ve been, you’ve seen the White House and the Capitol, you don’t care about the Pentagon... In America there are a sufficient number of much more interesting and places worthy of visiting, from New York it seems to me that it would be more interesting and closer to go for a day or two to Philadelphia or Boston with Niagara Falls than to waste this time on a trip to the completely artificial Washington.

How to get to Washington

By plane: There are currently no direct flights between Russian cities and Washington, so you will have to fly with at least one transfer - in New York or at one of the European airports; If you take care of buying tickets in advance, then it is quite possible to find them for $500 (round trip, with one transfer).

To search for cheap air tickets to Washington DC, you can use this form:

By bus: private carrier Greyhound buses compete with Amtrak trains on price and are often comparable in speed. The Greyhound Washington Bus Terminal is located at 1005 1st/L Sts. N.E.

By train: Amtrak trains arrive at Union Station and connect Washington to all major cities on the East Coast and Midwest (and, with connections, to all other major US cities). To check flight schedules and purchase tickets, visit www.amtrak.com

Washington: how to get from the airport to the city center

Washington Ronald Reagan Airport:
The easiest way to do this is by metro. In my case, I had to take the yellow line to Gallery Palace/Chinatown station, the fare was $3. In addition to the metro, you can get to the city center from Ronald Reagan Airport by bus.

In addition to Ronald Reagan, you can get to Washington from two other airports: Dulles(Dulles International Airport) and Baltimore-Washington (Baltimore-Washington International Airport)

Dulles International Airport: located 42 kilometers southwest of the city, a shuttle departs from the airport every 45 minutes to the West Falls Church metro station. If you need to get to the center of Washington, it is more convenient to use the Washington Flyer express train, www.metwashairports.com.

Baltimore-Washington International Airport: is located 48 kilometers northeast of the city of Washington. An express bus runs from the airport to the Greenbelt metro station every 40 minutes, www.bwiairport.com.

Life hack: how I save on hotels and insurance

In addition to traditional and well-known tools - such as Booking or Hotellook, new online services have recently appeared that make the life of a traveler much easier and pleasantly protect the thickness of his wallet. One of them - Roomguru– I use it myself all the time and recommend it to all my friends and acquaintances. This service compares prices for an object in 30 booking systems at once and offers you the most interesting options. In addition, it tracks discounts and special offers.

As for good working travel insurance, it was not easy to find before, but now it has become even more difficult due to the constant jumps in the exchange rate of the ruble against world currencies. For the last few years, I have been purchasing travel insurance through an online service.