If you are going to the Ronald Reagan Building in DC, the parking situation is actually one of the…read moreeasiest in that area because the building has its own massive underground garage directly underneath it. The Reagan Building is also connected directly to the Federal Triangle Metro stop, so parking there is ideal if you plan to walk the National Mall afterward. For food, you have two options: the actual Reagan Building food court for quick eats, or nearby DC restaurants if you want a real sit-down experience. Inside the Ronald Reagan Building Food Court The food court is surprisingly convenient for tourists and people working downtown. Open weekdays and limited Saturday hours.

All I would say is even if you there for 10 minutes you still have to pay for parking which is…read morebeyond disrespectful. I do like it's a large parking lot and the security officers are very helpful in you don't know where to go like I was looking for the global entry office for my interview. Now the interview was about 5-minutes it took me more time looking for parking than the interview. And speaking of the interview half the things they ask you to bring you only need your passport. I printed the confirmation documents, bought utility bills, and also my license was never asked for any of those things. But I guess to be on the safe side have it but how dry CBP officer was don't expect them to be excited about their job. I'll have to come back because it seems like there are a lot of interesting things inside the building.

Centrally located with a Metro Station right there, Woodrow Wilson Plaza still feels like a hidden…read moregem. Many pass through it without stopping to notice the giant sculptures and architecture inside. It's also home to the National Children's Museum and a weekly farmers market. They also host concerts and other free events.

A lot of fun. Music and food and joy!…read more So much can be found on the plaza at lunchtime. Today's live music was the Junkyard Band (Sep 20, 2024). Other bands come further work we, farmers Marlon Wednesdays, sometimes a used book seller. It's is really great, Come by at lunchtime or checkout the website!

This building has amazing architecture and paintings. Get the free tour with a volunteer guide…read more She pointed out so many interesting facts that I would have missed on my own. You can also get a free library card if you want to do research or go into the reading rooms. First time visiting this beautiful building.

If you're in DC for just a few days, I'd add Library of Congress to the list. Note that you do need…read moretickets to enter, but the best part about the tickets is that it's free. The architecture is beautiful. There was a lot of thought that went into the structure and design of the building. I took the advice of one of the people and went into the viewing room first, but I wish I had gotten a later "timed entry" to see the library itself so that I could've taken the time to learn what I was looking at. If I were to do it again, I'd follow the order online of how to view the Library of Congress, and I'd time the viewing of the library itself to be the last part. Fun fact: you also can get a library card for the Library of Congress! As long as if you fill out the form and have an ID, you can get a library card the same day and it'll last for 2 years.

This absolutely lovely park is just across the street from the White House and can only be accessed…read moreby foot (no cars allowed at area of White House). I have been here countless times and never grow tired of it. There are benches, statues, and trees all around. The park attracts tourists and locals alike. Whether to protest or have a sandwich at lunch, it's a nice spot to visit and one that shouldn't be passed up when in D.C.

Lafayette Square pleasantly surprised me during my visit to Washington, D.C. This historic park…read morelocated right next to the White House offers a wonderful combination of greenery, relaxation, and interesting monuments. I especially liked that, despite being in the heart of a busy city, it maintains a peaceful atmosphere. The well-maintained pathways, the many trees providing shade, and the beautiful views of the surrounding historic buildings make it a very enjoyable place to spend some time. The statues of notable historical figures also add to the unique character of the park. It is an excellent spot for photography, relaxation, and learning more about the history of Washington. Unfortunately, the current security measures around the President have made the area inaccessible to the public, so it can only be admired from behind the fence, but it remains an impressive and memorable landmark.

Hey yall, Stop…read moresecurity all around the premises lol then I noticed a sign, people who have an appointment get inside the gates, yes gates surrounding the White House now from so far away! They not playing these days! Can't trust people. People ruined the experience of going up on the White House doors for everyone. Well at least that's what I assumed about the gates being there, not just from construction. I've seen some people months ago taking pics at the actual White House inside so idk maybe it's invite only, but they do have a people's White House nearby and I'm curious to check that out! Anyways lots of tourist here and tours stopping by and I felt good stopping by paying my respects and it's nice to imagine the president living here and or people staying at the top bouie hotels all around the areas! Got a feel for the area and the people which were a lot of white women today running around the areas! I was surprised at how many white people were actually in this very area! It's just a color not a race thing for me but none the less very interesting place to visit!

We were very fortunate to be on a visit to the nations capital when the spring garden tour was…read morehappening at the White House. This is a once a year event for only two days that is free to the public that allowed us to get an up close look at the White House Gardens /grounds and the outside of the White House to include a chance to see the presidential limousine "the beast". The grounds were absolutely beautiful and it was a real treat, possibly once in a lifetime, to be so close to the White House. NICE!!! As this trip was with our grandkids it gave us a great deal of satisfaction of being able to share such a memorable and lifelong memory with them. it is truly nice to see times like this when our government offers up such unique viewing opportunities to the general public.

Be sure to look for these while in Rock Creek Park but be prepared to look awhile. It can be hard…read moreto find. The Capitol Stones are exactly that. Leftover stones from renovation of the Capitol Building. Somewhere there's a big pile in the woods. Finding these can take awhile. If you don't know where to go of course. The first place to head towards is the horse stables. After you get here go along the trail east. The stones are off to the side of this trail after a ways. Look for a do not enter sign. When you see this enter there. Ignore what the sign says and just go. The stones are in a few piles. It doesn't seem like much to look at. Just a lot of stones that are piled high. These are of course more than that so it's worth a visit.

Visit the hard-to-find Capitol Stones, hidden in the wilds of Rock Creek Park; easy to find if you…read moreknow where to look. We wandered the foot paths of the park for an hour, and even with the help of Google Maps (which showed the wrong location), we couldn't find the famous pile of discarded sandstone and marble sections that were removed the original US Capitol during the 1958 renovation of the West Front, until someone told us where to look. Park at the Rock Creek Park Horse Center, 5100 Glover Road. Walk over to the horse barns adjacent to the Horse Center's office. Locate the walking path near the southeast corner of horse barns. Follow that path in an easterly (ENE) direction, downhill. In 100 feet or so you pass a building on the right side of the path, beyond the trees and foliage. Continue along the path for another 400-500 feet, past the buildings visible on the right. On the right side of the path, past trees and foliage you will see a cyclone fence. There are two narrow dirt foot paths from the main path to the cyclone fence. The second one was much easier to traverse the day we were there. The Capitol Stones are piled up inside the fenced area. From outside the fence, it doesn't look like much. But there is a break in the fence, on the south side, and it is well worth climbing through to wander among the piles of discarded building blocks from the old Capitol building. You will come across carved pieces like the one shown below, sometimes stacks of them. The history of our city and country, discarded like trash in a landfill. A poignant bookend to every visitor's tour of the monuments.

Recently visited DC for a conference and had a day of meetings on 'The Hill'. This was my first…read moretrip to Rayburn, and it's a doozy of a building! Wear comfortable shoes with exploring this House Office Building. Shoutout to security - friendly and super efficient!

We visited the Rayburn office before our scheduled Capitol tour during our DC trip. An intern…read moreguided us through the tour and did an excellent job. The office has plenty of restrooms, and we found the second-floor ones to be noticeably cleaner than those on the first floor. We spent some time in the cafeteria and found it to be quite comfortable.

If you come to visit Arlington, please do not leave without visiting the Tomb of the Unknown…read moreSoldier. It is one of the most moving and solemn ceremonies you will ever witness in your lives. This tomb is the most heavily guarded grave in the world; guarded by the elite soldiers from the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Regiment, known as "The Old Guard." They are there 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, through all weather conditions. The guards march exact patterns of 21 steps, pause for 21 seconds, and turn meticulously, all to honor the fallen. The tombs holds unidentified American service members from World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. The inscription reads: "Here Rests in Honored Glory an American Soldier Known but to God." The Changing of the Guard ceremony lasts about 15 minutes. This ceremony represents one of the highest honors in the United States military. During the ceremony, one Sentinel is relieved by another in a series of precise movements. The guard's weapon is inspected, and a slow salute is exchanged. In the summer, the guards change every 30 minutes. At night, the schedule extends to two-hour shifts, but the watch never ends. Visitors who plan to attend should arrive a few minutes early and remain silent throughout. Being silent during the ceremony only enhances your experience of this solemn event. This changing of the guard has been happening without interruption since 1948. On the day we were there, we not only had the privilege of the changing of the guard, but we also had the honor to witness a wreath laying ceremony, which was a really moving experience.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was such an amazing experience…read more I thought it was for one person, but it's a beautiful memorial to all of the unnamed soldiers that pass in battle. We were lucky enough to whiteness the changing of the guard. It only lasts a few moments , but it's such an amazing thing to experience.