It's a whole lot more fun to take night tours of Washington D. C. Than go around by day. The moonlight shining down upon brightly lit landmarks is an ethereal sight, much more stunning than in broad daylight. From the White House to the U. S. Capitol at Pennsylvania Avenue's other end, these are living history monuments which are not just historic but also witnesses to history being made.
The wealth of attractions makes it hard to plan an itinerary and decide which ones to skip. Tourists also have to choose a mode of transportation, and this can affect the number of stops in the tour. A moonlight walking tour is pleasant, but a narrated audio tour in a bus can cover a lot more ground. On the other hand, going around DC in a trolley is a whole lot more fun.
As far as the attractions are concerned, the most popular starting points are the U. S. Capitol and the White House. Neither is open to visitors, and it's not just because the lateness of the hour prohibits visits. It's not possible since arrangements to visit have to be made a long time in advance through the right channel.
Inside or out, a good close look at these majestic monuments is more than enough to feel the thrill and awe that comes with being surrounded by greatness. A tour that sets off from the Old Post Office or the Capitol will then continue to the WW II Memorial. Next up is the Vietnam War Memorial, and then on to see Lincoln. It's a tradition to take pictures on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, with a larger-than-life Honest Abe providing the backdrop.
After Lincoln comes the Korean War Memorial, and then on to the Potomac Tidal Basin's south bank for a stop at the Jefferson Memorial. Famed as one of the best architectural specimens in the nation, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial was built based on ancient inspiration from the Pantheon in Rome and from the third President's own home in Virginia. The stunning 19-foot statue of Jefferson, the columns and the dome above are all a must-see spectacle for DC visitors.
After Jefferson comes FDR, whose memorial is rather more touristy than the rest. Each of President Roosevelt's four "rooms" has a different kind of waterfall. From the Great Depression to the Second World War, the waterfalls are symbolic of the different challenges FDR faced in his four terms.
Next up is the Iowa Jima Memorial, followed by the King Memorial which comes under the area earmarked for the National Mall, making it a twofer. Another notable point about this particular attraction is its address. It's on 1964 Independence Avenue, which is the same year that the Civil Rights bill finally became the law of the land and Dr. King's dream was fulfilled.
The last point of interest on this tour is the White House. It's definitely worth a stop, even if tourists aren't allowed inside. There are quite a few more sights that can be added on to night tours of Washington D. C., and yet other attractions that visitors can explore on their own. The Georgetown waterfront, for instance, is an ideal place for a nice long walk.
The wealth of attractions makes it hard to plan an itinerary and decide which ones to skip. Tourists also have to choose a mode of transportation, and this can affect the number of stops in the tour. A moonlight walking tour is pleasant, but a narrated audio tour in a bus can cover a lot more ground. On the other hand, going around DC in a trolley is a whole lot more fun.
As far as the attractions are concerned, the most popular starting points are the U. S. Capitol and the White House. Neither is open to visitors, and it's not just because the lateness of the hour prohibits visits. It's not possible since arrangements to visit have to be made a long time in advance through the right channel.
Inside or out, a good close look at these majestic monuments is more than enough to feel the thrill and awe that comes with being surrounded by greatness. A tour that sets off from the Old Post Office or the Capitol will then continue to the WW II Memorial. Next up is the Vietnam War Memorial, and then on to see Lincoln. It's a tradition to take pictures on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, with a larger-than-life Honest Abe providing the backdrop.
After Lincoln comes the Korean War Memorial, and then on to the Potomac Tidal Basin's south bank for a stop at the Jefferson Memorial. Famed as one of the best architectural specimens in the nation, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial was built based on ancient inspiration from the Pantheon in Rome and from the third President's own home in Virginia. The stunning 19-foot statue of Jefferson, the columns and the dome above are all a must-see spectacle for DC visitors.
After Jefferson comes FDR, whose memorial is rather more touristy than the rest. Each of President Roosevelt's four "rooms" has a different kind of waterfall. From the Great Depression to the Second World War, the waterfalls are symbolic of the different challenges FDR faced in his four terms.
Next up is the Iowa Jima Memorial, followed by the King Memorial which comes under the area earmarked for the National Mall, making it a twofer. Another notable point about this particular attraction is its address. It's on 1964 Independence Avenue, which is the same year that the Civil Rights bill finally became the law of the land and Dr. King's dream was fulfilled.
The last point of interest on this tour is the White House. It's definitely worth a stop, even if tourists aren't allowed inside. There are quite a few more sights that can be added on to night tours of Washington D. C., and yet other attractions that visitors can explore on their own. The Georgetown waterfront, for instance, is an ideal place for a nice long walk.
No comments:
Post a Comment