Combine Fun & Education With A Trip to Washington, D.C.

There are many wonderful capitols in the world, but Washington, D.C. remains one of the best. It is an ideal location for a family vacation that will be entertaining for the adults and educational for the children.

I visited when I was 9. My grandma lived in nearby Maryland and I saw most of the sites after I had studied US history in school that year. It was very memorable and I can’t wait to take my kids to see these sites.

Although locations involving government and famous politicians obviously dominate the attractions that most tourists are interested in, there are many exciting things to see and do in the city that have nothing to do with politics at all. If you do the necessary amount of research, you should also have no problem finding affordable hotels in Washington, D.C. And there are plenty of great restaurants for all budgets and tastes!

Reasons why Washington, D.C. is a capitol unlike any other:

1. The United States Botanic Garden

If you have a deep passion for plant life, or if you simply enjoy looking at many beautiful flowers, the United States Botanic Garden will be the perfect place for you to spend an afternoon. A great deal of care has gone into the design of the building and the surrounding area. It has gained the reputation nationally as being one of the premiere botanic gardens in the country. Obviously, you will want to see it on a day when the weather is good to get the most out of your visit.

2. The Washington Monument

One of the most recognizable landmarks in all of the United States is the Washington Monument. It towers over the rest of the nation’s capitol, a lasting tribute to the father of the country and the first president, George Washington. If you are one of the people who are brave enough to attempt a trek to the top on the stairs, be prepared for a difficult climb. However, if you still want to see the top while avoiding the stairs, there is also an elevator that will take you 500 feet to the top in roughly one minute. You will be able to snap some incredible pictures from the top.

3. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial

One of the most powerful experiences that a person can have when they visit Washington, D.C. is to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. This is an enormous wall with the names of more than 50,000 brave male and female members of the U.S. military who gave their lives during the conflict in Vietnam. When you actually see how big the wall is, and how many names it contains, it is not something that can easily be forgotten.

4. The United States Capitol Building

The Capitol Building is where all of the senators and congressmen vote on the issues and create the laws that impact the world’s largest democracy. The building’s famous dome is one of the most iconic government structures on the planet. The building itself has remained mostly unchanged for the past 150 years. Tours are available. In the summer months, be prepared for a substantial wait because this is when tourist season is in full swing.

5. The National Archives

The National Archives are where the three most important documents in the history of the United States are housed. The Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence are all on display for tourists to look at. These documents are what gave the founding fathers of the country the ability to establish a new home for themselves, independent from England.

This article was contributed by Fiona Moriarty of Hipmunk, a travel website that offers customers a fast and easy way to find the best travel deals.