2. Peruse the Presidential Monuments
Almost everyone who comes to Washington has the National Mall on their roster. Within this two mile green-space are four must-see monuments to past presidents, all free and open 24 hours a day. Right in the center is the George Washington Monument, the world tallest stone structure at 555 feet. A limited number of free tickets to the top of this obelisk are available each day. At the western point sits the Lincoln Memorial, an enormous marble likeness the 16th president seated within a columned temple. If Abe was to stand up, he’d be 28 ft tall – and that’s without his stovepipe hat. The Thomas Jefferson Memorial is towards the south tip of the Mall on the shores of the Tidal Basin. The bronze likeness of this Founding Father stands under a dome flanked with excerpts from the Declaration of Independence. It’s especially impressive when lit up at night or during cherry blossom season in March and April. Mid-way between Jefferson and Lincoln is the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, which features four outdoor galleries and ten bronze statues depicting 12 years of FDR’s presidency. Stop by the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial just north of here while you’re making your making your monumental rounds.
