Quickly walking everywhere, we scrambled to see everything in a day. Although that didn’t happen, we enthusiastically conquered a lot!
Understanding the unique layout to the city, I strategically planned our route.
From our free parking we walked to the Jefferson Memorial, where the kids oohed and ahhed over everything, especially Jefferson looking in the direction of the Washington Monument, then further on to the White House.
Jefferson Memorial
Captain John Paul Jones
En route to the Lincoln Memorial, we happened by the statue of Captain John Paul Jones, who led our first Navy during the American Revolution. He was one of many favorites we had studied last year!
World War II Memorial
As we continued to the Lincoln Memorial, we saw the impressive World War II Memorial, so we explored that!
The bas relief panels portraying significant moments from World War II reminded us of the ancient art we studied a few years ago.
Views from the Lincoln Memorial
Finally we climbed up the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, which on one side overlooks the Potomac to Arlington Cemetery…
…while on the other, Abraham Lincoln looks at the Washington Monument, memorial to his favorite president, and beyond that to the US Capitol where he use to serve in the US House of Representatives.
Korean and Vietnam War Memorials
From there we turned toward the solemn Korean and Vietnam War Memorials.
White House
Then we saw the White House from afar, then past Lafayette Park (Lafayette has been everywhere on this trip), on to the National Archives.
National Archives
Since we studied the Magna Charta, Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights last year, we were thrilled to see these original documents that defined liberty for our nation.
Beautiful paintings and gorgeous architecture abounded, as we entered the room that held the cases protecting the historic documents.
For preservation, the special cases are filled with gases that preserve the documents. Then at night the cases sink deep into the ground to protect the documents.
Then we walked past the Capitol and the Supreme Court to the Library of Congress, which was another favorite stop.
US Capitol
Supreme Court
Library of Congress
Intrigued by all the busts of famous authors on the front of the building, we had fun trying to identify them.
Built in Italian Renaissance style in 1886, we were stunned by all the beauty inside!
Having studied the Renaissance last year, we were thrilled to see the art form in person!
Originally in 1800 to store research for Congress, the British burned it down during the War of 1812.
The one reason that drew us here was Thomas Jefferson’s personal collection of books that he donated to Congress after the fire.
For the previous 50 years he had been “putting by everything which related to America, and indeed whatever was rare and valuable in every science.”
Also on our to-do list was finding the Gutenberg Bible, which we studied about last year! That we found!
Although we could have stayed longer, they were closing.
Outdoors I perused my map and guide-book to see if anything else was open.
Smithsonian Air and Space Museum
The Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum was still open!
The Wright Flyer exhibit was incredible with the actual plane and several interactives.
Hanging from the ceiling was the Spirit of St. Louis, which Charles Lindberg flew over the Atlantic Ocean to Paris. Unbelievable how that little plane made the flight over the Atlantic.
Then my daughter found the most fascinated object of all! She enthusiastically pointed us in the direction of the very first manned flight in 1783 that we had studied last spring!
Benjamin Franklin saw this hot air balloon when he was in France!
After the Smithsonian closed, we walked back to the car in the evening glow.
Everywhere we turned we found reminiscences of our past art studies, from Ancient to Renaissance.
From the clay-tiled roofs to Corinthian pillars, to watching the glow from the setting sun create new effects on the white monuments.
USAF Memorial
However, there is so much more to see! When can we come again?
To see my 88 photos of this day in Washington DC, click on any of the photos or click here to access my Flickr set.
