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I was a young teenager in the early 1970's when I joined my family exploring the sights of Washington D.C. It wasn't our first time in the city, but I remember this trip in particular because my Dad, not one to care much about the rich and famous, got downright giddy when walking around Capitol Hill he spotted Mo Udall, the liberal Democratic Congressman from Arizona (who later ran for president). Dad reacted to the tall, Lincoln-esque politician as if he had seen Mick Jagger, and even though he didn't get much beyond a "Hello, Congressman," Dad talked about the meeting for months.
 To many visitors, D.C. is another world -- one where politicians are like rock stars and where even the most cynical citizens feel patriotic at the sight of the Capitol Building lit up at night. Washington is also a place where history happens before your eyes. You can see the White House at least from the outside (or inside if you are in a group of 10 or more). You can visit the Senate and House chambers to see government in action. You can stand where Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech. You can visit dozens of monuments dedicated to the people and events who shaped this country.
But history and politics aren't the only attractions on the menu in D.C. You could spend your entire visit just exploring the 19 museums of the Smithsonian, all free of charge, or wandering through the city's unique neighborhoods -- like Adams-Morgan with its ethnic eateries, posh Georgetown with its historic rowhouses, or 14th and U. Streets, where you can escape the conservative suits of the Hill and explore hip boutiques (a new phenomenon in a city not known for hip). And don't forget the city's green spaces; join the local joggers and dog-walkers along the National Mall, or visit in early spring to see the fluffy pink blooms of the glorious cherry trees along the Tidal Basin, a gift from Japan in 1912.
With so much to see, advance planning is a must. If you want to visit the House or Senate in action, it's best to contact your Congressperson before your trip to get passes to visit the chambers. Same goes for the White House (requests can be made up to six months in advance). You can beat the lines at the Washington Monument, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and International Spy Museum, but only if you order tickets before you leave home.
Washington is not a difficult city to find your way around, once you know the lay of the land. The District of Columbia is 68 square miles, but most government attractions and many of the Smithsonian museums are within an easy walk of the National Mall. The Metro is easy to navigate and buses get you to neighborhoods like Georgetown. The city has four quadrants, Northwest, Southwest, Northeast and Southeast, and you'll notice addresses designated accordingly (NW, SW and so forth). The U.S. Capitol marks the center where they meet. Numbered streets run north/south, lettered streets run east/west and avenues (which are named for U.S. states) run diagonally.
What to See
 The U.S. Capitol is the seat of the legislative branch of the U.S. government, and is also home to a brand-new visitor center (opened in December 2008). If you would like to visit the House or Senate chambers and see the politicians in action -- highly recommended -- we suggest you write or call your Congressperson's office before your trip for passes. However, you may be able to get passes at the last minute by visiting his or her office in person (a directory near the ticket booth will tell you where your representative's office is located). International visitors can visit the galleries by visiting the House and Senate Appointment Desks in the Capitol Visitor Center.
To see the rest of the majestic building, the Capitol Guide Service offers free guided tours, not including the chambers, with guides outlining the history and architecture, from 8:50 a.m. to 3:20 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Tours can be reserved in advance through your representative's office or online at the link above, but there are a limited number of same-day passes available each day at the new Capitol Visitor Center. Get there early; at peak times, such as spring holidays, there are lines by 7:30 a.m. Even if you arrive too late for a tour, you can browse the exhibitions in the visitor center, which is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
 Washington's monuments and memorials are some of the most celebrated structures of their kind in the world. They are clustered in and around the National Mall, which spans 2 1/4 miles from the Lincoln Memorial to the U.S. Capitol, with plenty of grassy area in between (the setting for festivals, Frisbee matches, rallies, picnics and protests). The space was planned by original Washington designer Pierre L'Enfant as a grand boulevard and place for remembrance, observance and protest.
Located in a structure reminiscent of the Pantheon, the Jefferson Memorial (south end of 15th St., NW) displays a 19-foot bronze statue of the third President of the United States. The memorial was dedicated in 1943, and includes one of Jefferson's favorite design elements, the rotunda, in the design.
The Lincoln Memorial (Independence Ave. at 23rd) was dedicated in 1922 and overlooks the Reflecting Pool, the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol. Inside the Greek temple design, with its 38 columns, is a 19-foot marble statue of the 16th president. The memorial was also an important backdrop for the Civil Rights Movement, including Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech.
The Washington Monument (1600 Independence Ave., NW) stands 555 feet above the Mall, an Egyptian obelisk built as a tribute to George Washington. What you see today was not completed until 1884, with 50 flagpoles representing each state installed in 1959. For access to the top (which is reached by elevator), it is suggested you make reservations in advance to avoid the long lines (there is a $1.50 fee per ticket). Same-day tickets are offered free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 8:30 a.m. (in spring and summer lines form as early as 7:30 a.m.) at the 15th Street kiosk. Once on top, you are treated to spectacular 360-degree views of the city and beyond (past the Lincoln Memorial look for Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia).
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