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African American Civil War Memorial
At the center of a granite plaza, the bronze statue of rifle-bearing troops is DC's first major art piece by black sculptor Ed Hamilton. The sculpture is surrounded on three sides by the Wall of Honor, listing the names of 209,145 black troops who fought in the Union Army, as well as the 7000 white soldiers who served alongside them. Use the directory to locate individual names within the regiments.
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Basilica Of The National Shrine Of The Immaculate Conception
The largest Catholic church in the Western Hemisphere (and some say the Catholic answer to the Washington National Cathedral), this huge church accommodates 6000 worshipers. In addition to its unearthly size, the Marian shrine sports an eclectic mix of Romanesque and Byzantine motifs, from classical towers to a mosque-like dome, all anchored by a 329ft minaret-shaped campanile. A large gift shop sells religious literature, rosaries and statues.
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Bike The Sites
Knowledgeable guides lead tours of DC's major landmarks, as well as more specialized options, such as over and under Washington bridges or to Civil War sites. Additional tours vary with the season. The price includes bikes and all necessary equipment.
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C&O Canal & Towpath
On a hot summer day, do as locals do and head to the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal and its towpath for a day of hiking, biking or canoeing. Within Georgetown's central zone, the canal is crisscrossed by walkways and bridges and lined with old warehouses and factories turned into upscale retail and entertainment complexes. The blocks between Thomas Jefferson and 31st Sts feature converted mid-19th century artesian houses.
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Capitol
It's definitely a toss-up when it comes to which is Washington's most iconic image, the Capitol or the White House. We're going to have to put on the Team Capitol jersey - there's just nothing quite like the sight of the towering 285ft cast-iron dome topped by the bronze Statue of Freedom, ornate fountains and marble Roman pillars set on sweeping lawns and flowering gardens that just screams this is DC.
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Cathedral Of St Matthew The Apostle
The sturdy red-brick exterior doesn't hint at the marvelous mosaics and gilding within this 1889 Catholic cathedral, where JFK was laid in state and his funeral mass held. Between stained glass, murals and scintillating Italianate mosaics, almost no surface is left undecorated. Evening's the best time to visit, when flickering candles illuminate the sanctuary, but you can attend Mass on Sunday morning or slip in almost any time to look around.
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Christ Church
Since 1773, this red-brick Georgian-style church has welcomed worshippers including George Washington and Robert E Lee. The interesting churchyard cemetery contains the mass grave of Confederate soldiers.
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Constitution Gardens
Originally planned to be a Rivoli-style amusement park, Constitution Gardens - really just a grove of trees - is a shady place for a stroll. In its midst, a small pool is punctuated by a tiny island holding the Signers' Memorial, a plaza honoring those who signed the Declaration of Independence. At the northeast corner of the gardens is an intriguing, aged stone cottage from the days when the Washington City Canal flowed through this area.
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Dc Ducks
In a classic case of defense conversion, amphibious land/water vehicles carry tourists on a waddle around the city streets and float along the Potomac. The 90-minute tour departs from Union Station and features visits to the Mall and monuments, as well as the corniest jokes available.
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Decatur House
This storied house was designed in 1818 by Benjamin Latrobe for naval hero Stephen Decatur. Decatur is best remembered for his skills fighting Barbary pirates; sadly these failed him when he was killed in a duel a year after moving into his new home. A tour shows you the house's austere architectural charms and details the lives of not only its famous tenants - including Martin Van Buren and Henry Clay - but also the slaves who waited upon them.
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District Of Columbia War Memorial
Near the Korean War Memorial, this small monument commemorates local soldiers killed in WWI. The circular temple, set amid a grove, is a nice place to escape Mall crowds. Dedicated by President Herbert Hoover on Nov 11, 1931 (Armistice Day), this is the only local District memorial on the Mall.
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Federal Reserve
'The Fed' conjures strong images of high-powered executives and bureaucrats crafting the economic ebbs and flows of the country. Unfortunately, you won't see too much of that on this tour, which focuses on the architecture of the Eccles Building that houses the Fed. It does feature a film, The Fed Today , and a visit to the Board Room. The tour is recommended for adults only; kids under college age will likely get bored at the Board.
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Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
When locals give guests the requisite DC memorial tour, they save the FDR memorial until after dark. Not only is the combination of light and water more powerful at night, the place is void of crowds. The fabulously landscaped area is composed of four red-granite 'rooms' narrating FDR's presidency through statues and inscriptions, punctuated with cascades and peaceful alcoves.
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George Mason Memorial
This little oasis of flowers and fountains honors the famed statesman and author of the Commonwealth of Virginia Declaration of Rights (a forerunner to the US Bill of Rights). A bronze sculpture of Mason sits in a lovely setting, amid his wise words against slavery and in support of human rights.
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George Washington Masonic National Memorial
Alexandria's most prominent landmark features a fine view from its 333ft tower, where you can see the Capitol, Mt Vernon and the Potomac River. It is modeled after the lighthouse in Alexandria, and honors America's first president (who was initiated into the Masons in Fredericksburg in 1752 and later became Worshipful Master of Alexandria Lodge No 22). Artifacts of Washington's life and a striking bronze statue do the job.
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Georgetown University
Founded in 1789, America's first Roman Catholic university was originally directed by the country's first black Jesuit, Father Patrick Healy. Today, about 12,000 students pursue degrees here and lend the neighborhood much of its energetic vibe. Notable Hoyas (derived from the Latin hoya saxa , 'what rocks') include both Clintons. It's easy to wander around the attractive grounds - enter through the east gate.
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Hay-Adams Hotel
Sweeping arches and elegant columns are trademarks of this awesome Renaissance-revival building. Across from the Decatur Hours the hotel is a DC landmark as far as politicking goes. This is where Henry Kissinger lunched regularly and Oliver North did much of his Iran-Contra fundraising inside its walls. The Clintons stayed the night during Bill's first inauguration.
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Heurich House
Looking very much like a medieval castle, this 31-room mansion was designed by John Granville Myers for local brewer Christian Heurich. The interior is predominantly Renaissance and rococo revival. A period garden park, a refuge for nearby office workers, offers the perfect spot for contemplation or a quiet lunch break.
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Islamic Center
The national mosque for American Muslims is a pale limestone building (facing Mecca) topped with a 160ft minaret. It is so delicately inscribed with Koranic verse that it appears to float above Massachusetts Ave. Inside, the mosque glows with bright floral tiling, thick Persian rugs and gilt-trimmed ceilings. You can enter to look around; remove your shoes, and women must bring scarves to cover their hair.
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K Street
What happened? K Street didn't used to be this cool. When this author was growing up, the place had slightly more oomph than a visit to the dentist. But these days, corporate America's district headquarter street is happening. George Clooney chose it as the location for an HBO series by the same name. Once the sole turf of lobbying firms, law firms and consultants, today it has some of DC's costliest restaurants and a thriving nightlife.
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Korean War Veterans Memorial
Dedicated in 1995, this memorial depicts a troop of 19 heavily cloaked soldiers on night patrol in the rice paddies. The larger-than-life-size statues are shown mid-stride, realistically exhausted and anxious. The striking setting is enhanced by a granite wall and Pool of Remembrance along with fiber-optic lighting for night viewing. It's a poignant reminder of America's forgotten war.
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Lafayette Square
In 1804 President Thomas Jefferson decided to divide the White House grounds and give half the plot back to the public in the form of a park, now known as Lafayette Sq. A statue of Andrew Jackson astride a horse holds court in the center, while four statues of foreign-born Revolutionary leaders anchor the corners, recalling the non-American freedom fighters who helped ensure George Washington had a presidency to preside over in the first place.
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Lincoln Memorial
Here's a local secret: if you're ever stuck in a thunderstorm while wandering around the Mall, make a dash for the Lincoln Memorial. Thunder seems to rumble like clockwork nearly every 4th of July, and everyone in the know takes shelter under the marble dome, crouching near the foot of the enormous chair in which a gigantic Lincoln holds court.
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Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park is the lively center of Capitol Hill's east end. Freed black slaves raised the funds to erect the 1876 Emancipation Memorial, which portrays the snapping of slavery's chains as Lincoln proffers the Emancipation Proclamation. The Mary McLeod Bethune Memorial, DC's first statue of a black woman, honors the educator and founder of the National Council of Negro Women.
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Metropolitan Ame Church
Built and paid for in 1886 by former slaves (quite a feat considering its impressive size), the Metropolitan AME Church occupies an imposing red-brick Gothic structure and is one of the city's most handsome, yet striking, churches. Statesman and orator Frederick Douglass often preached here, and his state funeral was held here in February 1895.
