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Two-for-One: Check Out Related Attractions in Washington, DC
Lincoln Memorial/President Lincoln’s Cottage There are so many cool aspects of the Lincoln Memorial: its positioning on the Mall, the larger-than-life statue of Abe, some of his most famous words inscribed on the walls, its view of the Reflecting Pool. Make sure you read our guide to the monument for even more details. You will then want to visit President Lincoln’s Cottage, a 250-acre campus in Northwest DC which features a historic site and museum in commemoration of the locale, where Lincoln developed the Emancipation Proclamation. Book a guided tour to enrich the day (and don’t forget to explore Ford’s Theatre as part of your Lincoln-themed itinerary). Check out a Frederick Douglass exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery/Cedar Hill The first joint acquisition of the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum (the two share a building) is Sir Isaac Julien’s fascinating moving image installation, which blends period reenactments across five screens to give the viewer insight into the life, accomplishments, activism and brilliance of Frederick Douglass (1818-1895). After you view the awesome installation focused on Douglass at the Gallery, head over to Cedar Hill, also known as the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, where the icon lived for the last two decades of his life. Both locations are free to visit. U.S. Capitol Building/U.S. National Arboretum The world-famous domed building that is home to the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate can be toured for free; just make sure to reserve a date and time for your excursion and you can enjoy the insights of a professional tour guide as you walk through the Capitol Building. What you may not know: over at the U.S. National Arboretum (which offers free admission as well), you can take in the National Capitol Columns, an installation of 22 Corinthian columns that once supported the east portico of the building. The Arboretum also features 446 acres of natural beauty and the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum. National Museum of African American History & Culture (NMAAHC)/African American Civil War Memorial You’ll want to reserve timed passes to the latest Smithsonian museum to grace the Mall. Since NMAAHC opened in 2016, it’s become one of the most popular attractions in DC thanks to its comprehensive look at the Black experience in America, from slavery to the Civil Rights Movement to Black Lives Matter. Just across town, check out the African American Civil War Memorial, located at the corner of Vermont Avenue, 10th Street and U Street NW. We highly recommend additional exploration of the neighborhood, one of the most vibrant and historic in DC; it was once known as “Black Broadway”. National Air & Space Museum/Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center Did you know that you can take your imagination to infinity and beyond at two separate locations in the DC area? Aside from the National Mall’s museum, which recently unveiled the first phase of a multi-year renovation, there’s the Steven. F Udvar-Hazy Center, located just south of Dulles Airport in Chantilly, Va. Both museums are free to visit, but you will need a timed-entry pass for the Air & Space Museum in the District, which ensures the facilitation of crowds. Passes are not required for the Udvar-Hazy Center. George Washington’s Mount Vernon/Tudor Place The riverside abode of the first U.S. president (located in Mount Vernon, Va.) is a scenic marvel that also offers immersive historical experiences, four gardens, tours of the expansive mansion and exciting events year-round. While not as large of an estate, Tudor Place in DC’s Georgetown neighborhood was home to six generations of Martha Washington’s descendants from 1805 to 1983, providing additional (and fascinating) context to the history of the first First Family of the nation. You can also learn essential history about the enslaved workers and families who lived and worked on both properties during your visits. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts/Atlas Performing Arts Center Affectionately known as the Kennedy Center, the one-of-a-kind performance hub is a cultural metropolis unto itself, featuring some of the world’s most talented performers through a wide range of plays, concerts, operas, comedy shows and much more. Millennium Stage hosts a free performances Wednesday through Saturday nights at 6 p.m. and The REACH is a jaw-dropping indoor/outdoor on-site expansion. Over on H Street NE, the neighborhood staple that is Atlas Performing Arts Center may offer productions and performances on a smaller scale, but they’re no less alluring and enlightening. Local theater companies (including ExPats Theatre and Mosaic Theater) bring cutting-edge new plays to Atlas throughout the year. The Center also hosts dance performances, improv shows, symphony concerts and the annual Intersections Festival, a community-focused, weeks-long commemoration of art that positively impacts our society through education, inspiration and entertainment.
Visiting Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, DC
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. Lions, tigers and giraffes are just some of the 1,500-plus animals that call the 163-acre park home. 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. At the end of 2024, The roster of animals again includes two giant pandas. Bao Li and Qing Bao, both two years old, have moved into their new digs at the Zoo, with the public able to view on Jan. 24, 2025 (a member preview runs Jan. 10-19). The National Zoo is located in DC’s residential Woodley Park neighborhood and, like all Smithsonian museums, admission is free. The main entrance (you’ll know it by the two Instagram-friendly lion statues flanking the gate) is on Connecticut Avenue. The zoo is just a short walk from both the Woodley Park and Cleveland Park Metro stops on the Red Line and the L1 and L2 buses drop off right in front of the entrance. Be prepared to do lots of walking! The National Zoo, which is handicapped and stroller accessible, is a large park with 18 distinct areas to explore. Meet the animals at the National Zoo You’ll find animals from all over the world in various exhibits that are open like the Elephant Trails, Great Ape House, Cheetah Conservation Station and American Trail. Check out the National Zoo map for specifics. Special events and programming for the whole family With world-class zoologists and conservationists on staff, every day offers an opportunity for visitors to learn even more about the National Zoo’s wild residents. Take a self-guided tour of the zoo with the Animal Adventure Guide; spend some time chatting with the animal keepers at the Great Ape House; or get up close and personal with the American farm animals at the Kids’ Farm.