Totorus

Photo credit by Rob Shenk

Washington D.C is best known for the capital of the United States. It is a culturally diverse city which lays claim to many historical sites. There are many activities to enjoy and places to visit in Washington D.C, including theaters, museums, and art galleries.

Here are some of the finest around the Washington D.C area for your enjoyment:

Smithsonian American Art Museum

The building that houses the Smithsonian American Art museum is both exceptional and unique. It was renovated as recently as 2006, and includes a phenomenal curving double staircase, porticos, colonnades, as well as skylights which are the same length as a city block. The museum displays a diverse range of American art including sculptures and paintings. Some of the most prominent artists who have works on display are Georgia O’Keefe, and Winslow Homer. For the first time, the museum has opened its doors to allow the public to view art restoration work in the Lunder Conservation Center. The Luce Foundation Center which is in the same building is an art and study center; the first of its kind in Washington D.C.

National Archives Building

This building which is located slightly north of the National Mall is home to the original copies of the main and formative documents of the United States. The Magna Carta, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are all preserved and displayed to the public here, but no flash photography is permitted because it can cause the documents to fade over long periods of time. If you wish to visit this building, you can wander around between the documents freely. There are many other photographs and documents on display.

United States Holocaust Museum

This museum has become a national institution, and is also located around The National Mall in Washington D.C. Here, the world’s foremost experts study and research the history of the Holocaust. The museum was originally designed to pay tribute to the many people killed in Germany under the Nazi regime, and many Jewish donors contribute to allow the experts to interpret exactly what happened during this period. The building itself is unremarkable, but the displays inside depict the full extent of this tragedy.

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

This center is one of the most prominent and prestigious musical theater centers in the world. The center is home to the National Symphony Orchestra, and three main concert halls. The Opera House, the Eisenhower Theater, and the Concert Hall host many great events such as ballet performances, music concerts, and contemporary dance shows. Each of the main theaters is unique; the Concert Hall houses a 3,144 pipe organ, and the Eisenhower Theater has a pit which can seat more than forty musicians at one time.

If none of these destinations strike your fancy, there are many other historic and modern sites to keep you entertained. The National Zoo is located in Washington D.C and there are many huge shopping malls, and restaurants for fine dining.