District of Columbia: Memorials, Museums and Nature

District of Columbia combines impressive memorials, major museum collections and a surprising amount of nature. A prominent starting point is the National Mall: It stretches from the foot of the United States Capitol to the Potomac River. The associated National Mall and Memorial Parks protect more than 1,000 acres of green space and are open around the clock. This makes it possible to plan your stay in different ways—with a focused cultural program, walks between the memorials or a combination of both.

Memorials and Museums between the Capitol and the Potomac

Eleven Smithsonian museums are located along the National Mall. The Smithsonian comprises 21 museums in total as well as the National Zoo and is considered the largest museum complex in the world. When planning a vacation rental in District of Columbia, this thematic diversity is an important point of reference: Those interested in history, politics, science or art can select the cultural highlights of their trip deliberately, without repeating the same type of visit every day.

The memorials also offer very different points of emphasis. At the Lincoln Memorial, the statue of Abraham Lincoln created by Daniel Chester French is the central feature; it consists of 28 sections of Georgia marble. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the struggle for freedom, equality and justice. The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial is located in West Potomac Park, while the Thomas Jefferson Memorial stands at the Tidal Basin among Japanese flowering cherry trees.

Other memorials provide a historical perspective on different eras: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial lists chronologically the names of 58,318 Americans who lost their lives in service to their country during the Vietnam War. The 56 pillars of the World War II Memorial represent the 50 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories at the time of World War II. The Korean War Veterans Memorial honors 21 other countries that fought alongside the United States in the Korean War. The Washington Monument commemorates George Washington in the center of the nation's capital.

Parks, Wildlife and Quieter Discoveries

District of Columbia is not only about monumental architecture. Rock Creek Park manages nearly 3,000 acres of land in northwest and parts of northeast Washington, DC. Within its main boundaries, there are more than 30 miles of trails. Those who want to include some exercise between museum visits will find a distinctly different landscape here than on the National Mall. Meridian Hill Park, covering more than 11 acres and designated a National Historic Landmark in northwest Washington, DC, has seasonal opening hours: From May to October, the park is open daily from 5 a.m. to midnight; from November to April, it is open daily from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

At the National Zoo, visitors can observe animal experts working with the zoo's animals during daily animal demonstrations. The Reptile Discovery Center focuses on the diversity, beauty and special adaptations of more than 70 reptiles and amphibians. Rock Creek Park also offers a historic point of interest at Peirce Mill: Visitors can explore the interior, watch demonstrations and meet park staff and volunteers.

Planning Your Visiting Days Effectively

Free timed-entry passes are required for the Library of Congress's Thomas Jefferson Building. Visitors can also take part in short, five-minute tours around the center of the Main Reading Room. The “Live! at the Library” series regularly offers special talks, music, performances, films and workshops. These program highlights complement the freely accessible outdoor orientation with a visit experience set within a fixed time frame.

When looking for a vacation rental or vacation home, you can therefore first decide which pace of travel suits your group: several cultural appointments around the National Mall, a mix of memorials and park trails, or days focused on wildlife and library programming. Metro Bus travels on the streets and offers views of DC's most important attractions along the way.

For additional orientation, visit District of Columbia. Further destinations to read about: New York, Delaware, Montana, Oklahoma, New England, Wyoming, Minnesota.

For the higher-level travel overview: USA.