Washington, DC, the U.S. capital, is a compact city on the Potomac River, bordering the states of Maryland and Virginia. It’s defined by imposing neoclassical monuments and buildings—including the iconic ones that house the federal government’s three branches: the Capitol, White House, and Supreme Court. It also has iconic museums and performing-arts venues such as the Kennedy Center.
Visitors are encouraged to take advantage of the WMATA’s Metro system, as street and garage parking is tough to find around many of the city’s popular monuments, memorials, and museums. The attractions in this list are organized by nearby Metrorail stops. Many of these attractions are accessible from multiple Metro stops, while others require Metrobus connections to complete the journey. Please visit individual websites for specific public transit directions.
Below is an interactive map of things to do in the local area while you’re here for DXC 2025. Click on each map key icon to learn more!
United States Navy Memorial
701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Ste. 123 • Washington, DC 20004
The Navy Memorial’s mission is to Honor, Recognize and Celebrate the men and women of the Sea Services, past, present and future, and to inform the public about their service.
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington, VA 22211
The Arlington National Cemetery is the country’s largest military cemetery and serves as the final resting place for more than 400,000 military veterans and their immediate family from the fronts of Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as World Wars I and II, the Korean conflict, Vietnam, the Cold War and America’s Civil War. The site is open to the public 365 days a year with free admission for those who wish to tour the site and pay their respects.
National World War I Memorial
14th St. & Pennsylvania Ave. NW • Washington, DC 20006
The centennial of World War I provided the opportunity to give long-overdue recognition to America’s 4.7 million sons and daughters who served in the War to End All Wars.
National World War II Memorial
17th St. & Independence Ave. NW • Washington, DC 20001
The National World War II Memorial honors the 16 million people who served as part of the American armed forces during World War II, including more than 400,000 who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country. The memorial sits along the central vista of the National Mall, at the east end of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
5 Henry Bacon Dr. NW • Washington, DC 20245
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall pays tribute to the brave members of the U.S. Armed Forces who fought in the Vietnam War and were killed or missing in action. The memorial consists of three separate parts: The Three Soldiers statue, the Vietnam Women’s Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, which is the most popular feature.
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial
450 F St. NW • Washington, DC 20001
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial is centered in the 400 block of E Street, NW, Washington, DC and is the nation’s monument to law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. Dedicated on October 15, 1991, the Memorial honors federal, tribal, state, and local law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the safety and protection of our nation and its people.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial
540 Independence Ave. SW • Washington, DC 20024
Located at the base of Capitol Hill, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial is surrounded by the U.S. Department of Education, the Federal Aviation Administration, Voice of America, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services — all institutions to which Eisenhower was closely connected.
National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial
1 Rotary Rd. • West side of the Pentagon Grounds • Arlington, VA 20301
The National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial is a national memorial dedicated to the tragic events that occurred on Sept. 11, 2001. All 184 lives lost in the attack on the Pentagon are represented by “Memorial Unit” benches. Surrounding the benches are 85 Crape Myrtles (trees that will grow up to 30 feet tall) and the Age Wall, which grows one inch in height per year relative to the ages of the victims.
U.S. Air Force Memorial
1 Air Force Memorial Dr. • Arlington, VA 22211
Located in Arlington, VA, the United States Air Force Memorial honors the service and heritage of the men and women of the United States Air Force. The three stainless steel spires reach a height of 402 feet above sea-level. It is adjacent to the Arlington National Cemetery and overlooks the Pentagon.
U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial
Route 50 near Arlington National Cemetery • Arlington, VA 22101
The United States Marine Corps War Memorial represents this nation’s gratitude to Marines and those who have fought beside them. While the statue depicts one of the most famous incidents of World War II, the memorial is dedicated to all Marines who have given their lives in defense of the United States since 1775.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
400 W Basin Dr. SW • Washington, DC 20024
A visit to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial is to be transported to a trying time in American history, an era rife with economic depression and international conflict. The memorial, which honors the 32nd president of the United States, is composed of four “rooms” which represent each of President Roosevelt’s four terms as commander in chief.
Jefferson Memorial
701 E Basin Dr. SW • Tidal Basin South End • Washington, DC 20242
This gem on the National Mall is dedicated to the third U.S. President and author of the Declaration of Independence. The location and architecture of the Jefferson Memorial make it stand out among DC’s amazing array of monuments and memorials. Surrounded by water, the structure is located on the National Mall’s Tidal Basin, a large body of water that is bordered by DC’s famous cherry blossom trees.
Korean War Veterans Memorial
10 Daniel French Dr. SW • Washington, DC 20037
The Korean War Veterans Memorial consists of multiple structures that honor those who sacrificed during the three-year conflict that was the Korean War. The memorial’s mural wall measures 164 feet long and eight inches thick, and from a bird’s eye view, the wall appears as an isosceles triangle, with the tip intersecting a circle over the Pool of Remembrance. It resides on the National Mall, southeast of the Lincoln Memorial and just south of the Reflecting Pool.
Lincoln Memorial
2 Lincoln Memorial Cir. NW • Washington, DC 20037
The grand Lincoln Memorial towers over the Reflecting Pool, anchoring the western end of the National Mall. The best way to approach the memorial is from the east, by the Washington Monument and the National World War II Memorial. The Lincoln Memorial honors President Abraham Lincoln, the 16th United States president.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
1964 Independence Ave. SW • Washington, DC 20024
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is situated on a four-acre site along the National Mall’s Tidal Basin, adjacent to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial and shares a direct line of sight between the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials. Its official address is 1964 Independence Avenue SW, in honor of the Civl Rights Act of 1964.
Anacostia Community Museum
1901 Fort Place SE • Washington, DC 20020
Shining a lens on urban life, the Anacostia Community Museum examines, documents and interprets the impact of historical and contemporary social issues on communities. However, the museum didn’t always focus on global communities, as the museum owes its roots to Anacostia’s local African American history and culture.
Renwick Gallery
Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street, NW • Washington, DC 20006
The Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, DC is one of the largest and most expansive collections of American art in the world. The museum’s two locations, the main building in Penn Quarter and the Renwick Gallery located next to the White House, represent thousands of artists spanning hundreds of years.
United States Botanic Garden
100 Maryland Avenue SW • Washington, DC 20001
Steeped in history, the United States Botanic Garden is a living plant museum that informs visitors about the importance, and often irreplaceable value, of plants to people and Earth’s ecosystems.
National Museum of African American History and Culture
1400 Constitution Ave NW • Washington, DC 20560
The four-level museum opened on Sept. 24, 2016, becoming the only national museum solely dedicated to the documentation of African American life, history and culture. This Smithsonian Institution museum is an architectural marvel that features numerous interactive exhibits.
National Museum of Natural History
10th St. & Constitution Ave. NW • Washington, D.C. 20560
Visit the world’s largest natural history museum. Highlights include the 45.5-carat Hope Diamonafd, Ocean Hall, Mammals Hall, Hall of Human Origins, Insect Zoo, dinosaurs, and the magnificent African bush elephant in the museum’s rotunda. The Butterfly Pavilion features hundreds of live butterflies. Atrium Café offers food court dining.
American Art Museum
8th and G Streets, NW • Washington, DC 20004
The Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, DC is one of the largest and most expansive collections of American art in the world. The museum’s two locations, the main building in Penn Quarter and the Renwick Gallery located next to the White House, represent thousands of artists spanning hundreds of years.
National Portrait Gallery
8th and G Streets NW • Washington, DC 20001
Painting a picture of the many influential people throughout America’s history, the National Portrait Gallery is a must-see for pop culture fans, history buffs and art lovers alike. From activists and actors to presidents and poets, the museum displays paintings, photographs and sculptures of the people that have come to define America as we know it.
National Air and Space Museum
6th Street and Independence Ave SW • Washington, DC 20560
Glimpse the 1903 Wright Flyer, run your hands over moon rock and experience the larger-than-life world of aviation and space travel at the National Air and Space Museum. Since opening on the National Mall in 1976, this hub of all things flight has educated and inspired future generations of pilots and astronauts from around the world. Also be sure to visit the Air and Space Museum’s annex, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA. The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center displays thousands of aviation and space artifacts, including the Space Shuttle Discovery, a Blackbird SR-71, and a Concorde, in two large hangars.
National Museum of African Art
950 Independence Avenue, SW • Washington, D.C. 20560
The National Museum of African Art is located on Independence Avenue SW on the National Mall. The museum possesses the largest publicly held collection of African art in the United States, with roughly 12,000 objects in total. Its mission: to teach visitors about African art in order to create a dialogue that crosses cultural boundaries.
National Museum of the American Indian
4th Street SW • Washington, DC 20560
The National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) is located on Independence Avenue SW on the National Mall. The museum boasts one of the world’s most expansive collections of Native American objects, photographs, artifacts and media. The NMAI is dedicated to bringing Native voices to life throughout its contemplative exhibitions and colorful activities.
National Museum of American History
1300 Constitution Avenue NW • Washington, D.C
The National Museum of American History is located on Constitution Avenue NW and runs along the National Mall. Through research, in-depth exhibits, extensive collections and public outreach, the museum presents America’s history in all of its complexity. The museum’s collection features more than three million artifacts, from Dorothy’s ruby slippers in The Wizard of Oz to sheet music written by DC legend Duke Ellington.
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Independence Ave and 7th St • Washington, DC 20560
The Smithsonian Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden displays some of the most unique artworks in modern and contemporary art, including painting, sculpture and photography. Founded in 1974 by renowned art collector Joseph H. Hirshhorn, curators continue to expand the collection of the museum, which now boasts more than 12,000 pieces.
National Museum of Asian Art
1050 Independence Ave. SW • Washington, DC 20013
The museum opened to the public in 1987, with Dr. Arthur M. Sackler as its primary donor. His immense collection of Asian art included famous Chinese jades and ancient bronzes. The museum now contains more than 26,000 objects across 6,000 years of history.
Smithsonian Institution Building (The Castle)
1000 Jefferson Drive, SW • Washington, DC
The Castle is the Smithsonian’s first and oldest building. It first opened its doors in 1855 and has witnessed countless moments in American and world history.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
100 Raoul Wallenberg Pl. SW • Washington, DC 20024-2150
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is America’s national institution for the documentation, study, and interpretation of Holocaust history, and serves as this country’s memorial to the millions of people murdered during the Holocaust.
National Guard Memorial Museum
1 Massachusetts Ave. NW • Washington, DC 20001
The National Guard’s rich history is filled with dynamic change and inspiring stories of honor, duty and sacrifice. Since 1636, the Guard has reflected the political and social dynamics of the day. The National Guard Memorial Museum comprises more than 5,600 square feet of artifacts, images and interactive exhibits telling the expansive story of the citizen-soldier.
National Postal Museum
2 Massachusetts Ave., N.E. • Washington, DC 20002
Since its opening in 1993 in the historic City Post Office Building, the Smithsonian National Postal Museum has served to honor and celebrate America’s proud postal history. Located next to Union Station in DC’s NoMa neighborhood, the museum houses a vast collection of stamps, historic artifacts and interactive exhibits. Visitors will learn the fascinating evolution of how Americans have used the mail to communicate with each other and the world.
Lincoln Park
11th & E Capitol St. NE • Washington, DC 20003
This historic park celebrates the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia. The park features the Emancipation statue and the Mary McLeod Bethune statue.
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
2700 F St. NW • Washington, DC 20566
Presenting the best music, dance, theatre, international and children’s programs in nine theaters and stages.
Ford’s Theater
511 10th St. NW • Washington, DC 20004
A working theatre, historical monument, world-class museum and learning center, Ford’s Theatre is the premier destination in Washington, DC to explore and celebrate the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. The site of Lincoln’s assassination in April 1865, Ford’s Theatre offers visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in America’s past while revealing meaningful connections to today.
Washington National Cathedral
3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW • Washington, DC 20016
The church’s grandeur is evidenced in its stunning features: soaring vaulting, sparkling stained glass windows, and intricate carvings. The Space Window contains a piece of lunar rock presented to the cathedral by the astronauts of Apollo XI. Fanciful gargoyles and dramatic sculpture adorn the exterior. The Cathedral welcomes persons of all faiths and is frequently the site of interfaith and ecumenical services.
National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute
3001 Connecticut Ave., NW • Washington, DC 20008
It’s not all elephants and donkeys in DC. At the National Zoo, visitors can find all sorts of animals that don’t subscribe to party lines. The zoo’s habitats feature animals from 300 different species and about 25 percent of the zoo’s residents are endangered. All of the animals at the National Zoo – which is also a global research center and conservation center – are cared for by world-class zoologists and veterinarians.
U.S. Capitol & Capitol Visitor Center
E Capitol St. & 1st St. NE • Washington, DC 20004
The United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., is a symbol of the American people and our government and the meeting place of the nation’s legislature, the U.S. Congress. The Capitol is a working office building, but it is also the place where visitors from around the United States and the world come to learn about American democracy.
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW • Washington, DC 20500
The White House is owned by the American people and stewarded by the National Park Service. It is more than the President’s residence; it is a site for protests and national discourse about what it means to be American. As one of the most iconic sites in the country, the White House and President’s Park seeks to tell the stories of all people who have lived, worked, and visited.
Washington Monument
15th St. & Constitution Ave. NW • Washington, DC 20001
Built to honor George Washington, the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army and the first President of the United States, the Washington Monument was once the tallest building in the world at just over 555 feet. The monument to America’s first president still holds the title of world’s tallest stone structure and obelisk.