The proximity of Washington, D.C. to Alexandria, Virginia is so close, a simple drive across the Potomac River is all that separates the two. Although, I have to be honest, I am not a big fan of driving into this large and congested city when there are other better ways to get around using public transportation: the best of which would be the Metrorail. The Metrorail, or simply “Metro” as it is more commonly referred to, is the subway system that provides transportation from Washington D.C. and the surrounding area, with nearly 100 stations that extend into both Virginia and Maryland. It is clean, efficient, and inexpensive to ride and can get you in and out of D.C. far quicker than driving, without the hassle of traffic jams or finding and paying for parking. D.C. parking can be challenging with so many prohibited times and days listed on the sign, which if you aren’t careful, could land you a parking ticket! From the Ballston metro station in which I was closest to, I could literally get on the National Mall (the massive, lush and grassy park-like setting that extends nearly two miles with The Capitol on one end, the Washington Monument in the center, and the reflecting pool and Lincoln Memorial at the opposite end) within 20 minutes! Once you exit the Metro at the “Smithsonian” stop and make your way outside, you will be located centrally on the National Mall and can walk to any number of world class museums, typically with free admission. The Smithsonian is comprised of a collection of museums, galleries and the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., with additional other locations outside of the immediate area. The goal of the Smithsonian is to increase knowledge through its museum displays, as well as educational programs and research. Some of the Smithsonian museums which I explored and thoroughly enjoyed were the National Portrait Gallery, the National Museum of American History, and the American Art Museum. Let’s talk about these three a bit.
In the National Portrait Gallery, you will find the complete collection of paintings, pictures, caricatures, sculptures, etc of every U.S. President. This museum also houses photos and paintings of other notable figures, who played their part in shaping our nation’s history.
In the National Museum of American History, one of the more impressive artifacts on display is the original, tattered flag that flew over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. This is the flag that inspired the “Star Spangled Banner” and is preserved in a climate controlled, light protected chamber, in an effort to preserve the flag from further damage. This area of the museum in which it is housed feels very sacred when you walk in to see this exhibit, especially when reading the moving background information within the display. There is also a display that showcases the inaugural ball gown worn by former First Lady Michelle Obama, as well as the Ruby Slippers worn by Judy Garland, the actress who played Dorothy in the movie, The Wizard of Oz. This museum is a great way to learn about our nations history, from multiple perspectives including political, military, science, medicine, culture, technology and even entertainment. Anyone looking to understand what it is like to be from America, can certainly leave this museum feeling more knowledgeable than when they walked in.
The American Art Museum is a museum worth visiting if you enjoy art created from all kinds of media. The museum highlights art from different historical periods in American history, with a strong focus on contemporary art.
There are so many options for exploring museums in D.C. that you would need a solid week to really see them all without rushing. In addition to the above, as well as the other Smithsonian museums in D.C., you can also head over to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to take a tour (free as well) to see the process in which U.S. paper currency is printed.
Another museum worthy of a visit in the nation’s capital is the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. In my opinion, every adult – whether an American or someone visiting this country – should experience this very somber museum. This museum educates the public on the events that led to the The Holocaust, the horrifying persecution and murder of six million Jews carried out by the Nazi regime and their allies, which took place over a twelve year period between the years of 1933 and 1945. This act of brutality did not discriminate among gender or age group – both men and women alike, from infants to the elderly, were slaughtered by this regime, usually by being executed by gunfire or being sent to the gas chamber. This event in our world history should never be forgotten, not only for the sake of the people who lost their lives and who deserve to have their life be remembered, but also so that lessons can be learned about the hatred and discrimination that existed at that time which led to this brutality, in an effort to avoid history repeating itself. Every single human being’s life has value and should be respected no matter their race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual preference, religious beliefs, etc. This museum has numerous artifacts on display, which were collected after the Holocaust came to an end. You will find photos, videos, audio recordings, miniaturized sculptures which portray a visual reminder of these events, as well as a massive pile of shoes that represent so many lost lives. Be prepared to shed some tears as you walk through this museum, realizing what happened to these innocent people who definitely did not deserve what they endured. As hard as it is to go through this museum, it is a visit that is important for every adult, of all walks of life, to experience.
Walking around the National Mall itself is a treat on a warm, sunny day. Not only will you get your exercise in, but you will have a photographic opportunity to take pictures of the U.S. Capitol Building, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial and even the White House in the distance. Along 7th and 14th street, near the Washington Monument, you can often find a ton of food trucks that offer a variety of ethnic foods, ice cream, etc. Even without a museum visit, taking in the sights of the National Mall and walking from one end to the other, grabbing lunch at a food truck and picnicking on the grass among such beauty, is an enjoyable day in and of itself.
I expected to sum D.C. up in one blog post, however I have so much more to share on this area, including The Tidal Basin, Georgetown, and more, that I think I will leave that for another day. Stay tuned for part 2 of my favorite experiences to fully enjoy Washington, D.C.!
