Walking Tour of Monuments and Memorials

The White House is the official residence and office of the President of the United States and the first family. It is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and was built between 1792 and 1800. In 1814, during the war of 1812 it caught fire and much of the interior was damaged.

There are several sections of the White House, spread out over 6 floors (4 above, 2 below ground), including the Executive Residence, West Wing, Cabinet Room, Roosevelt Room, East Wing and Old Executive Office Building.

Built in honor of George Washington, the Washington Monument is hard to miss as it stands 555.5 ft tall in the middle of the National Mall. Anyone can go to the top free of charge but you may need to wait a while to get your free ticket. Once at the top, you can see up to 30 miles in an direction on a clear day.

The World War II memorial, located at one end of the reflecting pool commemorates all those who sacrifices for the United States during World War II. It is designed by Fredrich St. Florian and contains pillars representing each of the 50 states, surrounding a fountain in the middle. It is lit up at night, and you can see the Lincoln Memorial across the reflecting pool in the distance.

Designed by Maya Lin, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial honors the men and women who were lost while fighting for the United States during the Vietnam War. While walking along the wall it is difficult not to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of names carved into the wall.

Perhaps the most famous and most-highly visited Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial stands on the end of the National Mall opposite the Capitol Building. it is dedicated to the memory of Abraham Lincoln, who most people claim as their favorite US president of all time for all that he stood for and accomplished in his time. The Memorial stands as a symbol of freedom, remembering the Civil War and Abolition, of which Lincoln was such a strong supporter.

On either side of the large statue of lincoln are two famous speeches, carved into the stone walls.

At the foot of the Lincoln Memorial stands a reflecting pool where you can see the reflection of the Washington Monument further down the National Mall. Roughly 24 million visitors a year visit the National Mall, and many make it to the reflecting pool to take one of the better-known pictures of Washington DC.

In 2009, President Barack Obama held his inaugural celebration on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, with around 400,000 watching around the reflecting pool and the tidal basin.

19 steel sculptures are positioned here reminding visitors of the cost of defending freedom. The memorial remembers the Korean War, where the United States helped to defend the freedom of South Korea.

Walk around the Tidal Basin to find the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, which has the most square footage out of any of the other memorials. It is located along Cherry Tree Walk (visit here in Spring to see the full effect of the blossoming cherry trees).

As you walk through the memorial, you will walk through 12 hears of American History, separated by four sections, representing Roosevelt's four separate terms in office.

Thomas Jefferson played one of the larger roles as a founding father during the birth of the United States and his words and ideals have shaped America ever since.

In this Memorial, Jefferson stands tall as a symbol of liberty (for which he fought throughout his life) looking out over the Tidal Basin.

It is by far the newest Memorial along this tour but should not be missed. This memorial serves to honor and remember the victims of the Holocaust. At the museum, you can listen to an audio montage of stories from the few who survived.

The United States Capitol Building is arguably the most important building in Washington DC. It was built in 1793 and has been rebuilt, destroyed, and remodeled many times. Other than the Washington Monument, no other building is allowed to be taller than the Capitol Building, and the city plan and street numbers are all based around the building as the center of the city.

This is where the Legislative Branch of the United States government runs (both the House of Representatives and the Senate).

The United States Supreme Court is the highest judicial body in the United States. The 9 justices are appointed by the president and serve a life term (it only ends upon death, resignation, retirement, or impeachment). Most legal disputes are first heard at local and state courts, but may reach the Supreme Court if the matter has a large impact on the interpretation of the Constitution, the most important document in the United States Government.