Washington DC's Top National Monuments

From the White House to the Lincoln Memorial, DC's monuments are the city's major calling card, attracting millions of annual visitors from the US and abroad. With a long list of can't-miss sites, here's how to see it all in the nation's capital.

What to See

*The White House— home to all the presidents since 1800 and a can’t-miss photo op for most visitors 

*Capitol Hill— a historic district surrounding its crown jewel: the domed Capitol Building where Congress sits

*The National Mall— a 1,000-acre park in the heart of the city, dotted with more than a dozen monuments and memorials

*Tidal Basin— a manmade reservoir where you’ll find most of the monuments that aren’t on the Mall, including one of the newest: The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial 

*The National Archives— a history-lover’s paradise and home to important documents like the original Constitution

How to Visit

• Admire the White House from the outside on acity walking tour, or plan in advance and arrange a self-guided tour through your member of Congress.

• Choose your preferred way to see the mall and Tidal Basin:on foot, bike, bus, Segway, or electric cart.

• Opt for anevening bus tourto see the monuments and memorials lit up against the night sky without the usual daytime crowds.

• If you want an inside look at DC past and present, book aVIP tour with priority accessto the Capitol Building and National Archives.