The Bill of Rights, Constitution, and Declaration of Independence are among the fascinating papers you can view at the National Archives, which is a must-see. (By the way, we weren’t entirely certain that these documents were the originals as they claimed; we’re not sure if they are.)
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Additionally, preparation is essential to avoid feeling overburdened and walking more than is necessary. Allow adequate time for each trip, but avoid overscheduling or you’ll soon regret it. On the first day, I discovered the hard way that you walk a lot. After the first day in the city, I immediately realized that I had chosen the incorrect shoes for the vacation since my feet were hurting me. Invest in comfy shoes!
The U.S. Supreme Court, the Postal Museum, the Library of Congress, the White House Visitor Center, the Kennedy Center, and the National Portrait Gallery are additional places you should think about seeing.
1. Your First Visit to Washington, DC: A Tour of the White House and More
Seeing one or all of the three branches of the federal government is one of the main attractions of Washington, DC. Instead of being treated like livestock with everyone else, there are a few things you may do to make this a unique experience.
The Tour of the White House
First of all, tours of the White House are available, but they fill up quickly, so there is no way to wait until the last minute. Tell your senator you would want to visit by calling their office. I made a guide that you may use to explore the White House. On your behalf, they will submit a request to the Secret Service, and you will be asked for your security details, such as your social security number and birthplace. Following a background check, you will get a letter confirming availability on the requested day.
Although more rooms are now available for public viewing as of 2024, the White House tour is not particularly long. Basically, you navigate the East Wing by yourself, and before you know it, it’s over. You’ll probably see the state library and dining room throughout the trip. Along with a few other areas like the Red and Blue chambers, the presidential movie theater is a brand-new room that is now open.
No, you won’t see anything near the president’s residence or the office where he and his staff operate. Every member of the Secret Service was amiable. Even if there isn’t much to see, it’s still nice to stand there and remember that you are in the White House.
Policy for White House Photographs
One interesting photo opportunity throughout the tour is as you depart, which is ironically out the front door, as you can see below. The picture policy is subject to change according on the administration in charge. As of 2023, taking pictures inside during your tour is permitted, but filming is not.
Taking a Tour of the Capitol Building
On your first trip to Washington, DC, you should absolutely take a tour of the Capitol building. Additionally, you ought to make arrangements with your congressman or senator. The reason is that you won’t be hurried or in a large group, and you’ll receive a lot more personal tour. For instance, I had an amazing experience because I was the only one on the tour with my senator’s office. I saw that those who had just arrived at the visitors center were not enjoying their time there as much. Plan ahead and schedule a tour through your representative in Congress.
The Supreme Court
Finally, one of my favorite places I visited during the entire trip was the Supreme Court. Sitting in the real courtroom where so many well-known cases have been decided is kind of fascinating. If you time it well, you can observe a real hearing, but it’s quite challenging because of the tremendous demand. The best course of action is to schedule a time to sit through a thirty-minute lecture that will be held in the courtroom.
You will hear a fascinating history, some intriguing facts about the structure, and where and why individuals sit during hearings. I will admit that, despite my inability to remain still for extended periods of time, I quite appreciated the presentation and the experience.
2. Dining in Washington, DC, Will Break the Bank!
I thought there would be plenty of fast food restaurants and corner pubs to stop by in between seeing the attractions during my first trip to Washington, DC. False! There are several concession stalls along the national mall’s pavement, and one of the Smithsonian institutions has a McDonald’s adjacent.
It’s pricey, the cuisine isn’t very good, and you’ll wish you had eaten before checking out of the hotel. Make the most of the hotel breakfast, pack a little snack to stave off noon hunger, and devour it until dinnertime. The greatest eateries in the area are mostly located far from the major tourist attractions.
Additionally, remember that every museum and site of importance has a security checkpoint if you want to carry anything. Every museum will need you to wait for your bag to be examined, which will take up a significant amount of your time. Remember that. You will enjoy your vacation far more than someone who is carrying a bag if you can get by with only your wallet and cell phone. Additionally, certain locations, like the White House, do not allow bags. You will be turned away since there is nowhere to check it either.
3. Finally, but not least…
The thing that most impressed me about Washington, DC, was how open it was. Despite all the negative things we hear about Washington, DC, mostly related to politics, I thought the government’s institutions were warm and inviting. Along the route, I also met a lot of kind individuals, and I really like how simple it was to go from one location to another by foot.
So plan your first vacation to Washington, DC, and make sure you have comfy shoes with you! Exploring the neighborhood will be a blast for you.