Favorite Places in Washington D.C.

I've always liked to play tour guide at the places that I know very well. Washington D.C. is one of those places. I took several weekend trips to this City between 2006 and 2008. DC has a special place in my heart, not only because one of my best friends and my cousin live there. This was the first place were I did a semi-solo trip and after that I was hooked on taking short trips. Since my best friend hosted me, I was not completely alone. However, I was alone during the day while she worked. I loved it. I spent as much time as I wanted visiting the museums and the monuments and at night I had the best company that I could ask for. Every trip I took, there was always something new to see and a great restaurant to try. I wanted to move there, until I visited during the winter and confirmed that I can't like in the cold. I still have it at the top of my list if I ever move out of Tampa.

My sister and my nephew are going to Washington next month. Sadly, starting next week, I can't fly until my baby arrives. Otherwise, I would have been planning a weekend trip to DC. Years ago, I promised my 8 year old nephew to give him a trip to New York City for his 10th birthday. I will keep that promise and give him that trip next year. After looking at some of my old pictures, I got inspired to make a list for my sister and nephew to make the best out of their weekend in DC.

The view from the Lincoln Memorial

One of the best parts of walking around tourist attractions alone is that there is only room for 1 more. I remember that the line to go up to the Washington Monument was very long. Since I was alone, there was room for 1 more and I was able to skip the line. The view from the top is worth the long line.

Washington Monument

View of the Lincoln Memorial from the Washington Memorial

One of those great trips to DC was when I went with my parents. I really enjoyed showing them around one of my favorite Cities. My dad and I love history and my mom and I love art. It was great to share these things with them. We took the tourist hop on hop off bus to see as much of DC as possible in 3 days. This was the first time that I took the bus and I was surprised by how much I liked it. I highly recommend it if you only have a few days in the City. The only way to see the National Mall is walking, but the bus is a great way to get to George Town, the Arlington National Cemetery, and the Washington Cathedral which are not so close to the metro.

National Gallery of Art

JFK's Eternal Flame at the Arlington Cemetery

U.S. Capitol

Jefferson Memorial

Does anyone has any advise for visiting DC with kids? There are so many museums to visit in DC that there is never enough time. My parents and I decided to go to the National Gallery and the Holocaust Memorial.  I have also been to several other Smithsonian Museums, but never with the intention of traveling with kids. I know that my nephew would love the Air and Space Museum. Anything else? I'm going to look through my old travel pics and my maps to give them a nice itinerary in another post.