D.C. is kind of like New York for us, in the respect that it is chock full of things that we’ve seen our entire lives, but never in person. It’s nice to finally see these places with our own eyes.
Washington is an exhausting place to see on foot. It’s 2 miles from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol. Of course our subway dropped us smack dab in the middle of the two. We spent our one sunny day seeing the Washington Monument, Lincoln, and the White House. We made it to the White House just minutes before they cleared the entire area—snipers on the roof, helicopters circling overhead, and Secret Service ushering the tourists off the sidewalks.
Most of this history is still over our kids’ heads, but you hope that some of the lessons stick in there somewhere. Nothing like seeing 58,000 names inscribed on a wall to give kids a feel for what war really means—or having a discussion about why, not so very long ago, white Americans owned black slaves. The lessons are deep, but important.
What I’m struck by is the monumental nature of D.C. Every building looks able to withstand the apocalypse. There is so much weight everywhere you look. And way too much to see.
20 Comments on “Washington, D.C.”
An impressive place. The gnarly tree looks surreal…
Now that I have taken a closer look I see the tree is a sculpture! Awesome.
We lived there for 10 years and still didn’t see everything. Your photos bring back such great memories. Walk the C and O canal pathway from Georgetown for some pretty views and some quiet if you need it, and there’s a great old carousel in Glen Echo Park. Great place to spend some time.
Did you get to go into the new museum ?
Heard it’s sold out until January. Though, apparently if you get there early in the morning you might get tickets for that day.
Some of the best DC photography I’ve ever seen. I’m betting your kids will remember some of it. My father took my brother and I (I the elder, like Ouest) to DC when we were young too, and I have never forgotten it.
National zoo is fantastic.
Yes! Favulous photogepraphy! Echo above– the zoo is free and fantastis
Hey Patrick
We are at Gangplank marina at the Wharf if you are still in town…
Miami and Shelly on Yume
Go out to the north and try Great Falls Park and the old canal.
Curious now that we’re traveling around with a little one, have you and Ali ever used a sound machine with the kids for sleep time in the boat/Travco/Travelall with the thin walls, etc., or did they just manage to sleep through the noises?
Oh, yeah, we’re never without our noise machine. We’ve had about five of these over the years. https://www.walmart.com/ip/HoMedics-SoundSpa-Portable-Sound-Machine/2686012
Our favorite from our family trip to DC was Mount Vernon.
My town! It’s so lovely here, and as Chris said, even if you live here, it’s hard to see everything. Perfect time to visit, weather-wise. Our kids really love the Museum of Natural History.
To think you were only ten miles from us when you took the lovely photos above!!
I have lived here since 1967; and still think of myself as blessed to have been able to live and have my career in this area.
From age 8 to age 12 I lived in the Metro D.C. area. My mom would take me out of school once every year to do the Smithsonian museums. That memory has stuck with me my entire 68 years. I would think the Natural History Museum would a natural kiddo favorite along with the Air & Space museum for Lowe.
In 1860, there were about 3000 black slave owners. It wasn’t just white people…..just saying.
Seeing as how there were 394,000 slave owners according the 1860 census, I think I’m going to stick with my narrative for now.
If you have time go to the spy museum. Plan on a day but it is an adventure.
Washington is best explored by driving the car down and parking where you need it. Despite what people say, when you are from Chicago, parking is cheap if booked from parking panda app and “traffic” is not really a traffic, but light slowdown.
Take your kids to Congress and Senate sessions- this is striking experience! Need to get passes in senator office
Guided tour of Congress Library is a must! Just walk in and find a tour to follow, no sign up
Guided tour of Department of State will change the way you think about american history and our external politics! Sad, striking, must see! Available through senator office, must be booke in advance.
Walk though embacy row, to get you europian experiences come back to life