๐ Washington DC | Must-Visit Attractions ๐โโ๏ธ
๐ Iconic Landmarks Tour 1๏ธโฃ National Mall Axis Start at the Lincoln Memorial (Greek temple-style, open 24/7) โ Walk east along the Reflecting Pool โ Pass the WWII Memorial (fountain plaza) โ Vietnam Veterans Memorial (black V-shaped wall with names of the fallen) โ End at the Washington Monument (book tickets in advance for panoramic views!). 2๏ธโฃ Power Centers ๐ฐ White House: Free exterior tours (North Portico is the $20 bill backdrop!). Interior tours require booking 3 months ahead via a Congress member. ๐ U.S. Capitol: Free guided toursโdonโt miss the Rotundaโs frescoes & statues! Connect via underground tunnel to the Library of Congress (neoclassical dome = pure grandeur). ๐ผ Museum Bonanza: Free Cultural Treasures ๐ธ For Aviation Geeks: National Air and Space Museum โ Features real aircraft like the Apollo 11 capsule + flight simulators. Summer hours extend to 7PM. ๐ธ Nature & Art Lovers: Natural History Museum: See the 45.5-carat Hope Diamond & T-Rex skeleton. Butterfly Pavilion free on Tuesdays! National Gallery of Art: West Wing = Da Vinci & Van Gogh originals. East Wing = IM Peiโs modern masterpiece. ๐ธ Hidden Gems: Freer|Sackler Galleries (Asian art) โ Stunning Chinese ceramics & Japanese ukiyo-e prints. Serene & crowd-free! ๐ Unique Experiences: Neighborhood Strolls Georgetown: Cobblestone streets + 18th-century row houses. Jazz at Blues Alley + perfect cafรฉ stops. โ U Street Corridor: Try Benโs Chili Bowl hot dogs & visit jazz legend Duke Ellingtonโs home. ๐ Pro Tips: Save Time & Avoid Hassles ๐ Transport: Metro covers major sights. Get a SmartTrip card (free bus transfers within 2 hrs). ๐ณ Tickets: Museums are FREE but require timed entry (book 1-3 days ahead). โ ๏ธ Safety: Tourist areas are safe, but avoid Rock Creek Park at night. 5๏ธโฃ-Day Itinerary Snapshot D1: NYC โ Princeton โ Philly โ DC Princeton Uni โ Liberty Bell โ Lincoln Memorial โ Capitol D2: DC โ Harrisburg White House โ Air & Space Museum D3: Harrisburg โ Corning โ Niagara Falls Corning Glass Center โ Maid of the Mist โ Cave of the Winds D4: Niagara โ Boston Freedom Trail โ Quincy Market D5: Boston โ Woodbury โ NYC Harvard/MIT โ Woodbury Outlets #WashingtonDC #USTravel #EastCoastTrip #WhiteHouse #LincolnMemorial #DCMuseums