Washington, D.C. is a city full of history and culture, and there’s something for everyone to see and do. Be sure to plan your trip carefully so that you can make the most of your time in the city. Have a great time in Washington, D.C.!

Featured Image Credit: Unsplash

Washington, D.C. is a city with rich history and plenty of sights and landmarks to see. From the Capitol building to the Lincoln Memorial, these iconic destinations will give you a taste of America’s past. If you’re planning on visiting the nation’s capital, here are 20 of the most significant historical landmarks and sights to visit.

1. Rorschah Theatre

Featured Image: Recent Shows at Rorschach Theatre. Photo: Rorschach Theatre.

Rorschach Theatre is a professional improvisational theatre company located next to the historic Eastern Market in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington DC.

The theater’s performances take place on a stage with a bare minimum of props and sets, but always with a very gripping script. Rorschach Theatre runs several different improv shows throughout the year that appeal to a wide range of audiences.

2. National Museum of the American Indian

Featured Image: National Museum of the American Indian Display Page. Photo: National Museum of the American Indian.

Located on the northern side of the National Mall in Washington DC, the National Museum of the American Indian features both ancient and recently acquired Native American artifacts.

The museum tells stories about different tribes through art, theater, film, and music. You can also check out weekly events like Native Nations’ Nights, family days, or special performances by musicians and dancers who are connected to some of the exhibits.

3. George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate

Featured Image: George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate. Photo: Mount Vernon.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate is a popular historic sight in DC, just south of the city on the Virginia side of the Potomac River.

The estate includes several different buildings that were home to George Washington and tells the story of his life through tours, art exhibits, special events, and more. You can also tour other parts of the plantation grounds by renting golf carts or participating in their Annual Buggy Tour.

4. National Postal Museum

Featured Image: Celebrating Women’s History Month at National Postal Museum. Photo: National Postal Museum.

The National Postal Museum is one of the most visited historical sites in Washington DC’s Union Station.

This museum takes visitors through different aspects of mail throughout history, including different delivery methods and how they shaped society. You can also check out their unique collection of stamps, celebrities’ canceled mail, and other special exhibits.

5. DC History Center

Featured Image: Exhibits at DC History Center. Photo: DC History Center.

​​The DC History Center is a museum that offers free admission to the public and includes exhibits from all over Washington, DC.

You can learn about different events throughout history by visiting their permanent exhibits, which include a recreation of a slave cabin, a colorful barbershop quartet, and more. If you happen to be traveling with kids, there are also special kid-friendly exhibits at the center as well.

6. National Building Museum

Featured Image: National Building Museum Webpage. Photo: National Building Museum.

The National Building Museum is one of the most popular museums in Washington DC. The museum was originally built to demonstrate new designs for steel-frame construction, but it’s changed over time to focus on different historical events.

Now it features special exhibits about architecture, design, public works, and more. You can also check out some of their permanent exhibits like “Built by US” which shows how labor has changed throughout history through buildings.

7. Mexican Cultural Institute

Featured Image: Mexican Cultural Institute Website. Photo: Mexican Cultural Institute.

Mexico City’s very own Mexican Cultural Institute has a small museum that displays exhibits related to the history of Mexico. Admission is free and it’s open Wednesday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

8. U.S. Navy Memorial

Featured Image: United States Navy Memorial. Photo: United States Navy Memorial.

The United States Navy Memorial in DC is a monument dedicated to all the sailors who have fought and died for the United States.

Visitors can walk along the plaza and see flags from every state in America, as well as special memorials to individuals who have been killed fighting in US naval wars.

It’s open from 10:00 am to 11:30 pm daily.

9. Smithsonian Folklife Festival

Featured Image: Smithsonian Folklife Festival Homepage. Photo: Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

The Smithsonian Folklife Festival is an event that takes place every year along the National Mall and features performances, art exhibits, and lessons in cultures from around the world. It’s free to attend and typically lasts about two weeks every year in late June and early July.

10. Smithsonian Castle

Featured Image: Smithsonian Building (The Castle). Photo: The Smithsonian Castle.

The Smithsonian Castle in Washington, DC is a historic building and one of the most popular attractions among tourists.

The castle includes free exhibits about the history of America and how it became what it is today. It’s open to visitors from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm except for December 25th.

11. Old Stone House

Featured Image: Old Stone House. Photo: National Park Service.

The Old Stone House in Washington DC is a historic home that was built in 1765 by the wealthy family who originally owned it. They called it “the little house on the side of the hill” because it’s located on one of the steepest hills of Georgetown, but today visitors can go inside to see exhibits related to its history and how daily life was lived by the families who lived there.

It’s open from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM every day except December 25th and 31st.

12. Heurich House Museum

Featured Image: Heurich House Museum. Photo: Heurich House Museum.

The Heurich House in Washington, DC is a Victorian mansion built by German immigrant brewer Christian Heurich. It’s one of the city’s most famous residences because after it was made into a museum in 1962, they began to find artifacts buried beneath the floorboards.

It’s only open to the public on Wednesdays from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. You can tour the building and see exhibits about its history if you make an appointment—check out their website for more information about tours and pricing.

13. Old Korean Legation Museum in Washington

Featured Image: Korean Legation Opened (Fisher House). Photo: Old Korean Legation Museum.

The Old Korean Legation Museum is the only museum in Washington, D.C. that pays homage to the history of Korea. Visitors can peek inside an old brick building to see displays about art and handicrafts from the era before the official establishment of modern South Korea.

It’s open daily except for Thanksgiving Day, December 25th, and January 1st. You can learn more about it on their website.

14. National Museum of American History

Featured Image: Women’s History Month at National Museum of American History. Photo: National Museum of American History.

The National Museum of American History is one of the most visited museums in Washington, D.C. and it’s easy to see why.

You can find permanent exhibits dedicated to the history of America and American culture, plus temporary ones that vary depending on the year. It’s open every day except December 25th.

15. Embassy of Hungary Washington

Featured Image: Visit Hungary. Photo: Embassy of Hungary in Washington, D.C.

The Embassy of Hungary in Washington, D.C. is the only embassy in the city that’s dedicated to a country from Central Europe. It was originally built in 1893 as the residence of the US Ambassador to Hungary, and today you can go inside to see exhibits about Hungarian history and culture.

It’s open Monday-Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

16. Emancipation Memorial

Featured Image: Lincoln Park. Photo: National Park Service.

The Emancipation Memorial in Washington, D.C. is a monument that was erected to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. It’s located in Lincoln Park, which is also home to the Lincoln Memorial, and it was designed by Frederick Douglass.

17. National Museum of African Art

Featured Image: National Museum of African Art. Photo: National Museum of African Art.

The National Museum of African Art is dedicated to the art and culture of Africa, and it’s one of only a few museums in the country that focus exclusively on that topic.

18. Fiat Luxe Tours

Featured Image: Fiat Luxe Tours. Photo: Fiat Luxe Tours.

Fiat Luxe Tours is a tour company in Washington, DC that offers unique and interesting tours of the city. They offer everything from Segway tours to food tours to history tours, and there’s something for everyone.

You can learn more about their different tours on their website.

19. President Lincoln’s Cottage

Featured Image: President Lincoln’s Cottage Website. Photo: President Lincoln’s Cottage.

President Lincoln’s Cottage is a historic site located in Washington, DC that was used as a summer home by President Abraham Lincoln. It’s open to the public from March-November.

20. The Octagon

Featured Image: The Octagon House. Photo: Architects Foundation.

The Octagon House is a historic site in Washington, DC that was built in 1801. It’s one of the oldest buildings in the city, and it’s open to the public for tours.

Things to remember when you’re traveling to Washington, DC

    1. Plan Your Trip Carefully—There is a lot to see and do in Washington, D.C., so be sure to plan your trip carefully.
    1. The best time to visit Washington, D.C. is from March to November.
    1. Check The Website of The Attraction You’re Going To—Be sure to check the website of each attraction before you visit, as some of them may be closed on certain days or have special hours during the holidays.
    1. Bring Cash and Your Cards—Most attractions in Washington, DC accept cash or credit cards, but some of them only accept cash. So it’s a good idea to bring both.
    1. Dress comfortably—The weather in Washington, D.C. can be unpredictable.

Washington, D.C. is a city full of history and culture, and there’s something for everyone to see and do. Be sure to plan your trip carefully so that you can make the most of your time in the city. Have a great time in Washington, D.C.!

Featured Image Credit: Unsplash