For more than two weeks many Washington, D.C. attractions have been closed and anyone who has traveled to the area during this time has left disappointed. However after 16 days of a government shutdown, Congress has finally passed legislation to reopen government-funded programs and attractions.
- Washington, D.C. ehpien / Foter / CC BY-NC-ND
Washington, D.C. is a popular tourist attraction because of its monuments, museums and historical buildings, but no one has been able to enjoy them since the government shutdown was issued. Now that the shutdown has ended, people will return to the area to experience the Smithsonian Museums and other educational activities.
What makes Washington, D.C. attractions unique is that many of them are free to experience. With the attractions now open it’s safe to expect large crowds will quickly return. Reaching the attractions early in the day is the best way to avoid crowds. If you want to see Washington, D.C. on a guided tour, you’ll need to book them early before they fill up. Some tours of government buildings will need to be booked well in advance of the day you plan to be there.
Here is some information on some of the most popular free attractions in Washington, D.C.:
National Mall
Known as the area between the U.S. Capitol and Lincoln Memorial, the National Mall is full of attractions for tourists. The area is about two miles long and offers some of the most popular monuments and memorials. In addition to the Lincoln Memorial, the National Mall is home to the Franklin D. Roosevelt memorial, George Washington memorial, and Thomas Jefferson memorial. Other memorials pay tribute to veterans of the country’s biggest wars.
The Pentagon
Headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense, the Pentagon is a popular attraction for tourists even though a relatively small number of people are able to tour the facility each day. The building consists of seven floors – five above ground and two basement levels. If you’re planning on visiting the Pentagon and taking a tour, make sure to book the tour several weeks prior to your trip. In some cases tours are booked for several months so plan accordingly.
U.S. Capitol Building
Home to the site where many U.S laws are created, the Capitol Building is a popular tour for visitors of Washington, D.C. It’s where the Senate and House of Representatives meet and debate, which has been a controversial environment during the government’s recent shutdown. If you plan on going on a tour of the building, it’s best to book in advance as same day tickets are very limited.
National Zoo
The zoo is a great place for families to visit during the daytime hours as it’s one of the largest zoos in the country. More than 2,000 animals make this zoo their home and feeding demonstrations are performed throughout the day.
Smithsonian Museums
Possibly the most popular attractions in Washington, D.C. are the Smithsonian Museums. There are more than 19 museums and galleries offered and perhaps none more popular than the National Museum of Natural History. In fact, no other museum in the world is visited more often than the Natural History museum. It’s a must-see attraction when you’re in the area.
Traveling is usually expensive, but when most of the attractions are free it becomes much easier financially. That’s one of the biggest reasons why so many people travel to Washington, D.C. each year.
This post was created on behalf of The National Museum of Crime & Punishment. You may contact us at 575 7th Street NW Washington D.C. 20004. Our direct phone number is 202-621-5550.
