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Somewhere along the line, most of us have been to Washington, D.C. Whether it was for a class trip, to tend that patriotic fire, or because you gave in to that nagging urge to start a political action committee, our nation's capital is a long-time tourist favorite. And no matter what your politics, it's hard to leave the place without pride.
Most itineraries include the vaunted favorites: Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Vietnam Memorial, the White House, the Capital, Arlington Cemetery, etc. But DC is more than just the usual suspects; and if you are going to visit, you owe it to yourself to consider visiting some of the lesser-known gems this city has to offer. Create your own Capitol adventure, and choose to blaze a path outside of typical tourist stops.
First, get yourself some learnin’ and culture…..
Having just re-opened last summer, The National Portrait Gallery once again displays the mugs of over 20,000 famous Americans. Including prints, photographs, paintings, sculptures and more, the Gallery displays portraits of citizens that have made significant contributions to the development and flowering of one of the world’s great nations. Subjects include history-book rock stars like George Washington and Rosa Parks, and more obscure contributors like Anne Green, a colonial-era widow that took over her husband’s printing business and achieved business success long before women could even vote. It’s a great reminder that this country is what it is because of more than just the founding fathers. Other options for great art include the Corcoran Gallery and the Phillips Collection.
It’s not really under-the-radar, but any trip to DC should include a trip to the Holocaust Museum if at all possible. Appropriately solemn and impeccably designed, the exhibits here chronicle the tragedies and heroism of the holocaust in the 1930s and 40s. Entrance is by appointment only, so call ahead--and don’t plan to be too cheerful afterward. You can also check out the Dumbarton House in Georgetown to get a sense of what life was like for the privileged during the presidency of John Adams, or understand a bit about spying through the years at the International Spy Museum.
