United States National Arboretum

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.

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.

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.

Discover a serene escape tucked away in Brookland—this historic monastery offers peaceful hillside gardens dotted with quiet sitting areas and charming shrines, plus stunning replicas of Holy Land sacred sites in the upper church. History buffs shouldn't miss the lower church's fascinating Roman catacomb replicas, available through guided tours that run about 45 minutes.

"This monument is not only a memorial to the nation's 32nd president, but also a remembrance of the people of his time. The monument stretches along the Tidal Basin with four outdoor gallery rooms, connected by granite passageways. Each room exhibits aspects of Franklin D. Roosevelt's terms in office. The second room, for example, depicts the Great Depression with statues waiting in a bread line and of a man listening to a fireside chat. Another room contains a statue of Eleanor Roosevelt, the only memorial to honor a First Lady. The monument is glorified by waterfalls and pools."

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.

"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."

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.