Franciscan Monastery

Picture a neoclassical rotunda rising from the Tidal Basin's edge, architect John Russell Pope's interpretation of Roman grandeur dedicated to the third president who penned the Declaration of Independence. A towering bronze likeness of Jefferson commands the interior chamber, while his most thought-provoking quotes etch the walls around you. The winter months bring a quieter, more reflective atmosphere to the site—fewer crowds mean you can linger with the words and contemplate at your own pace, while crisp evening air makes for an invigorating stroll. The view across the basin toward the Monument takes on a different magic when temperatures drop and the grounds fall still, offering Washington's most striking nighttime vistas without the summer throngs. An ideal evening destination when you're looking to stretch your legs after dinner and soak in some American history under the stars.

Step inside the beating heart of American government, where marble halls and solemn chambers hold centuries of debate and decision-making. The sprawling complex stretches across multiple interconnected buildings—the iconic dome you've seen in photographs sits alongside dedicated spaces for House and Senate members, the Library of Congress archives, and the Supreme Court's home. Winter transforms the grounds into a quieter, more contemplative experience, with fewer crowds allowing you to absorb the architectural grandeur and historical weight without the summer rush. A subterranean visitor center now channels guests beneath the eastern plaza, while the Capitol Power Plant and various administrative buildings support the daily operations of the nation's legislative engine. The U.S. Botanic Garden rounds out the complex, offering a verdant escape even during the colder months. Every corner tells a story of how American law and policy actually get shaped.

Rock Creek Park is truly a gem in our nation’s capital. It offers visitors an opportunity to reflect and soothe their spirits through the beauty of nature. Fresh air, majestic trees, wild animals, and the ebb and flow of Rock Creek emanate the delicate aura of the forest.

Stepping into this classical sanctuary, you'll find yourself face to face with one of America's most commanding tributes. Henry Bacon orchestrated the architectural vision while Daniel Chester French carved the iconic seated figure, with Jules Guerin adding artistic finishing touches—a true collaboration of 19th-century masters. The building itself tells a geographic story, its stones sourced from quarries scattered across different states and unified into something architecturally overwhelming in scale and presence. Winter transforms the experience entirely. The marble gleams sharply against cold gray skies, and fewer crowds mean you can linger with the 19-foot seated figure in relative quiet, reading the famous inscription etched into the chamber walls. The 16th President sits here in perpetual contemplation, his legacy as the Great Emancipator and the Union's preserver still resonating through the quiet halls. Visitors come seeking that spark of inspiration, that connection to freedom and resilience the space seems to radiate—whether you're drawn by history, by reflection, or simply by curiosity about what makes this place so fundamentally moving.

The assassination of President Abraham Lincoln here on April 14, 1865, overshadowed this theater for most of its history. Ford's opened just four years before that fateful night. Restored to its 1865 appearance, Ford's is again a showcase for plays. The basement-level Lincoln Museum displays artifacts from the assassination, including the gun John Wilkes Booth used to kill Lincoln. Mementos from Lincoln's life are also on display. National Park Service rangers give talks 15 minutes after the hour. Across the street is Petersen House , the house where Lincoln died. See website for performance schedule.

Established in 1927 by an Act of Congress. The Arboretum is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service. It was created to serve the public need for scientific research, education, and gardens that conserve and showcase plants to enhance the environment. Its size is 446 acres with 9.5 miles of winding roadways. <br> Its gardens gardens includes: azalea, boxwood, daffodil, daylily, dogwood, holly, magnolia, maple, and peony. Major garden features include: aquatic plants, the Asian Collections, the Fern Valley Native Plant Collections, the Flowering Tree Collection, the Flowering Tree Walk, the Friendship Garden, the Gotelli Dwarf and Slow-Growing Conifer Collection, the Introduction Garden, the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, the National Capitol Columns, the National Grove of State Trees, and the National Herb Garden.

"The idea for a national cathedral is as old as Washington itself. In 1791, when Congress selected the site to be the capital of the United States, President George Washington commissioned Major Pierre l’Enfant to design an overall plan for the future seat of government. <br> Since the first services were held in Bethlehem Chapel, Washington National Cathedral has opened its doors to people of all faiths as they have gathered to worship and pray, to mourn the passing of world leaders, and to confront the pressing moral and social issues of the day."

Destination DC serves as the lead organization to successfully manage and market Washington, DC as a premier global convention, tourism and special events destination, with a special emphasis on the arts, cultural and historical communities. By developing and executing centralized and cohesive sales and marketing strategies, Destination DC generates economic development for the city through tourism and meetings. In 2006, visitor spending exceeded $5.2 billion, representing $564 million in new tax dollars for the District of Columbia.