This old Courthouse is still in use today. I was a prosecutor and felt very fortunate to…read moreparticipate in many cases held in that historic building.

Parking bad . Security OK Staff friendly . Overall ok for…read morea court. Historical area

Per the sign, this is one of the boundary stones that originally marked the border between DC and…read moreVirginia before that part of DC was given back to Virginia way back in the 1840s or so. It's interesting to me that DC extended so far into Virginia back then and I just happened to see this when I was walking by. It's probably a must see if you're a hard core DC history buff but I thought it was kind of interesting when I just happened to walk by and notice it. I wouldn't make a special trip just to check it out.

There isn't much out here where Virginia Route 7 crosses over the Shenandoah River, but I spotted…read morethis historical marker and stopped to check it out. The marker reads: "One and a half miles north is The Retreat, home to three distinguished generations of the Parker family. Thomas Parker, a general in the War of 1812, constructed this imposing Federal-style house in 1799. Richard Parker, his nephew, was a U.S. senator, justice of the state Supreme Court of Appeals, and jury member at the trial of Aaron Burr. His son, Richard Elliot Parker, served in the U.S. House of Representatives and presided as a federal judge at the trial of John Brown. During the Civil War, the Battle of Cool Spring was fought near The Retreat on 18 July 1864." I didn't have enough time to drive down Parker Lane and check it out. Maybe next time.

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.

The American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial (AVDLM) is an honor to the disabled veteran men…read moreand women. The memorial is dedicated to the living and fallen. This is one of my favorite memorials because of its design and special messaging inscribed in the stone and glass; all of which is inspiring, invoke reflection, and draws peace. There's a beautiful fountain, which is symbol of tranquility, and seating around the memorial. The quotes on the granite and glass are intentionally situated at eye-level, which is accommodating to wheelchair users. In the fall, the memorial is surrounded by the beautiful color change in tree foliage. When it snows, the site has a feeling of peace. The site is somewhat tucked away from the sight lines of the National Mall, so I don't think many, other than Capitol Hill and federal workers, are aware of this memorial. Because of this, there isn't much foot traffic here which makes it a great place to relax, eat lunch, or simply pit stop from your itinerary around Capitol Hill. A special memorial although isolated from the beaten path of the National Mall.

What a lovely tribute to our veterans. This might not one you would stop and go out of your way to…read moresee simply because you might not know about it and it is not around the rest of the typical memorials. Let me make a point to say that it is worth seeing! Located on the Capitol grounds, this memorial is settled across the street from Bartholdi Park and within sight of the Capitol itself and near the Botanical Gardens. If you wish to visit it, I suggest putting this on your list when in this area. Even though the District has a several monuments and memorials dedicated to our veterans, this particular one is dedicated to those who became handicapped due to their service. Considering that being disabled was looked down upon when many of our memorials were first constructed, it is truly respectable that this was created to honor those very specific individuals who will not be able to return to their regular lives after service. The memorial has a large star with water flowing out from the flame that is in the middle of the star. Surrounding the star are walls with quotes from veterans and namesake individuals from our US history. The way I interpreted the flame inside the star was that just because someone may lose their ability to see, walk, or simply live a 'normal' life again - that their flame remains burning internally. The veteran keeps going and they do not lose sight of serving their country. It's a simple memorial with such a strong message. It is very moving, and I highly recommend seeing this at dusk or twilight.

Pretty cool old steel bridge in a beautiful area. With views of the Potomac River down below, and…read morepretty vistas all around, you can enjoy Maryland and Virginia.

It's a beautiful bridge. This connects southern Maryland to Virginia. Have driven it quite a few…read moretimes, and also hiked/bikes underneath it on the C&O Canal. Crossing this part of the Potomac River is stunning. One thing I don't like, is there looks like a section to walk the bridge, but that would be a no. Barricades aren't in place, and it's a thin bit of sidewalk. Also when you drive across this it's two way two lane traffic. Definitely pay attention, as not much clearance. Yet the blue bridge is stunning. If you're lucky enough to be a passenger, the views of the Potomac are truly impressive. It's a fairly rural area, although rush hour can be frustrating. If there's a wreck on or near the bridge, you will not be moving anytime soon. My hope is this can continue being operational, but that Whites Ferry can return.

I've been a student of the American Civil War for over 60 years. Recently, while visiting friends,…read moreI learned about the Monocacy National Battlefield where "The Battle That Saved Washington" was fought in July 1864. The Visitor Center is very nice with a electronic interpretive displays, as well as battlefield artifacts. There is a self-guided 4 mile (6 km) automobile tour of the battlefield and three walking loop trails. It was raining the day we visited, which curtailed exploring the Battlefield and its historical buildings. But I thoroughly enjoyed the the view of the Battlefield -- a rolling grassy field with dense forest around it -- and imagined what the battle may have looked like that day.

For history lovers, there's much to see at Monocacy National Battlefield. For non-history lovers…read morewho find all Civil War battlefields to be just boring fields, there's something for you too. For the history lovers: 1) Monuments: There are several monuments to stop and see that honor the fallen soldiers. 2) Buildings: From the new visitors center to a historic farm, there's plenty to see. Grist Mill, used as a Union field hospital, is worth a visit as well as Edgewood, a beautiful old home behind it. The Thomas House where civilians hid during the battle is worth a stop too. 3) Trails: There are several that offer beautiful views of the river. The trail by Grist Mill is family-friendly and popular for local families. Entrance is free!