New York is one of America’s most iconic cities. Another is Washington D.C, which is home to the White House and a number of other historical landmarks. Washington, D.C. is precisely 225 miles south of New York. You can travel by airline, car, train, or coach.

At one point, New York was America’s capital city. If you live in the former capital and want to visit the current one, then there are lots for you to see. In this article, we’re going to explore what some of the top landmarks are for you to visit in the nation’s capital:

White House

The White House is the sitting president’s home for the duration of their presidency. The White House has been home to every single U.S. president since 1800. You can see it all [by taking a tour of the house and gardens] on a day trip to Washington DC from NYC, as well as multiple other landmarks which are located nearby. The property is a National Heritage Site and is part of the President’s Park. It’s a very popular tourist destination and the heart of the United States. It’s somewhere every American needs to visit at least once in their life.

Lincoln Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial is near the White House, so you can see it on a day trip. The memorial is designed in the neoclassical style and commemorates the 16th American president, Abraham Lincoln. At night, neon lights light up the statue and the columns that front the building. One of Lincoln’s hands is clenched in a fist, which represents strength. The other is open and represents compassion. Lincoln is credited with abolishing slavery, which is why he is one of America’s most beloved presidents.

Washington Monument

The Washington Monument is one of the most recognizable sites in the entire United States. It has featured in countless films and television series. You can ride to the top in an elevator and see panoramic views of the city from the monument’s internal observation deck. As long as you’re not afraid of heights, then you’ll definitely enjoy visiting the top of the monument. If you would rather not go to the top, then you can still visit the monument and take pictures from ground level. The Washington Monument is just over a mile away from the White House, which means that you can walk there very quickly or take a cab.

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is located in West Potomac Park, a stone’s throw from the Washington Monument and the National Mall. It features four acres of park and a granite statue of Martin Luther King Jr, the iconic leader of the Civil Rights Movement. The memorial was first opened in 2011 and has attracted millions of tourists every year since. There has never been a more relevant time to visit the memorial and pay respects to Martin Luther King Jr than today, with the world’s becoming increasingly concerned with equality and tolerance.

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

Another destination worth visiting (that’s not a landmark, but instead a tourist attraction) is the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Inside, you can view historic aircraft and space items including a Space Shuttle Discovery model, the Lunar Module, and the Mercury Capsule. If you’re interested in things that are related to aviation and space, then the Smithsonian is definitely somewhere that you’ll want to visit. There are regular events held, which means that there’s always something going on or something to see. 

National Gallery of Art

The National Gallery of Art is one of Washington, D.C.’s most popular tourist attractions because it offers a sculpture garden, numerous famous paintings, and lots of other things. On the building’s roof, you can get a fantastic view of the Capitol. There are regular exhibitions and events held there, so check out what’s going on the official website before you go. For all fans of art, Washington, D.C.’s National Gallery is somewhere you’ll want to visit. There’s also a café inside, so you can stop for something to eat or a cup of coffee.

U.S. Capitol

The U.S. Capitol is another of the city’s most popular landmarks. The building has a visitor’s center, which provides lots of information about the history of the building, as well as the U.S. government, and the legislation introduced there. In the building’s Emancipation Hall, suffrage banners that were used in the fight for women’s rights are displayed. There is also an iron table on display which was used in President Lincoln’s inauguration. The U.S. Capitol may or may not be accessible, after the January 6 Insurrection caused security to tighten. Make sure to do your research beforehand if you want to visit this location, so that you can find out whether you’ll be allowed in or not.

Library of Congress

The Library of Congress is the largest library in the entire world. There are over 170 million items held there, which means that there’s no shortage of things for you to examine and see. The library encompasses three buildings, the Thomas Jefferson Building, the James Madison Memorial, and the John Adams Building. Events regularly take place at the library, including the National Book Festival. It’s worth doing some reading online before you go, to see if you can attend any upcoming events. 

U.S. Holocaust Memorial

A somber landmark worth visiting when you’re in Washington, D.C. is the Holocaust Memorial Museum. The museum hosts pictures, artifacts, and written history of the holocaust. The museum also provides information on the American response to the Nazi Party’s ideology. The Holocaust Memorial is definitely something you’ll want to visit if you care about history and want to pay respect to the victims of Adolf Hitler. 

As this article shows, there’s no shortage of things to do when you’re in Washington, D.C. Whether you’re there on a day trip or for an extended period of time, you’ll have lots of things to do.