Doing D.C.by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger 11 Nov 2007 08:42 PM Happy Veteran's Day! To all the men and women who have sacrificed (and continue to sacrifice) their lives to help protect our freedoms--a heartfelt thank you. In honor of the holiday I am devoting an entire day's worth of blogs to Washington, D.C., our nation's capital. It is one of the most visited places on the planet and a trip to the area's monuments and attractions goes a long way to aid in the understanding of the history and development of the United States. The White House No trip to D.C. is complete without visiting 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. However, to get past the well-photographed outer gates you must contact your congressional representatives' office. The office makes you fill out an application and then it's a waiting game. You can apply up to six months in advance for a White House tour. Those who are approved by the Secret Service are notified about a month before their requested dates. Once you get the okay you will be given a free, self-guided tour that leads past the library and the Vermeil Room, then up the stairs and through the State Dining Room, the Red, Blue and Green Rooms, the red-carpeted Cross Halls and the East Room. A typical visit lasts about 30 minutes. National Mall and Memorial Parks Remember to pack some comfortable walking shoes---you'll need them during your trip to the National Mall and Memorial Parks. I would suggest starting at the Lincoln Memorial on 23rd Street, at the west end of the National Mall. There you will be able to join thousands of other tourists waiting in line to get up close and personal with a 19-foot-high statue of a seated Abraham Lincoln housed in a Greek-inspired temple overlooking the Reflecting Pool, lined with American elms. Don't forget your camera. It's a moment you'll want to document. To the left of the Lincoln Monument is the Korean War memorial, which includes the United Nations Wall and 19 stainless steel statues of soldiers. From there you'll want to head down Constitution Avenue where you will end up at the famous Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The solemn area where the names of nearly 60,000 soldiers who died or remain missing are inscribed in black granite is a must-see attraction in the D.C. area. United States Capitol It's undoubtedly the foremost symbol of American democracy and really should not be missed if you plan to be in Washington, D.C. It is also one of the most visited attractions in the world. Each year approximately 4 million people from around the planet visit the Capitol. It has been the site of inaugurations and impeachments, fires and funerals. To stand where all that history took place it's best to take the guided tour, though getting a spot is kind of tricky. The guided tours have a 40-visitor capacity and leave every half hour from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Free tickets are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis with only one ticket per person. Tickets are not available in advance, and each person must have his or her own ticket, including children. Tickets are available at the ticket kiosk at the southwest area of the Capitol across from the Botanic Garden. Related Articles: Hawaii's "Not So Famous" Military Memorials National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl Pearl Harbor: An Unforgettable Trip Visiting Pearl Harbor's Newest Attraction More Educational Vacation Destinations Family Friendly Attractions in Baltimore More Of Maryland's Top Family Friendly Attractions Learn more about Michele Cheplic  Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. Relevanttravel tags User Comments No comments on this article yet. Be the first to comment! Community Tags Lincoln Memorial, National Mall, The White House, United States Capitol, washington d.c. Discuss this article
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