LaGuardia Airport is a wonderful place. Why am I saying that when I actually want to talk to you about my trip to Washington DC? Because they have a great added service that made my parking arrangement so much easier – LaGuardia airport parking was very easy to find and convenient. There is a staggering number of sites and sights that you can take in when you are here. But, according to me, there are 5 important places.
Lincoln Memorial
Step into this building and you can almost hear the powerful reverberations of Martin Luther King Jr’s speech “I have a dream”. Then your eyes soar to the 19 feet tall statue of Abraham Lincoln and you can be caught in the history of the Gettysburg Address. If you do want to know more about this famous speech, simply turn to the south chamber and read the inscription. Visiting this Memorial is also important because:
- It is associated strongly with the Civil Rights Movement.
- There is so much of symbolism here that captures the life principles that Lincoln lived by.
- You can look at the various architectural styles on display here as well.
National Mall
Which is actually a national park! I found it extraordinary that there is a national park that lies so close to civilization and has so many historic monuments too! Within this space there are so many things to do and see:
- Walk along the Reflecting Pool.
- Have a picnic in the Constitution Gardens and
- Cross the wooden bridge in the island here to see the memorial to the signatories of the Declaration of Independence.
- Visit the National Museum of American History.
Library of Congress
One of the largest libraries in the world, the Library of Congress was established in 1800. Whether you love books or not is not the question. Your visit here is sure to enrich you in more ways than one. Within this space are buildings such as the John Adams Building and the Thomas Jefferson Building. The beauty of the main reading room is par compare.
Mount Vernon
Of course, Washington DC is full of historic buildings but there is one that you must visit. This one is Mount Vernon. Why should you do so? Because it is the plantation house of George Washington, the very first President of the USA. Sprawled over 500 acres, this property has a Palladian style house and the tombs of George and Martha Washington. Even the trees on the grounds have history! English boxwoods that dot the entry way were planted in 1786. The Colonial Revival Gardens sustained the family with produce.
National Museum of Natural History
Administered by the Smithsonian Institution, this museum will take you down all kinds of historic journeys. Mammals, gemstones, dinosaurs, insects co-exist in peace here. There are quite a few temporary exhibitions that occur through the year so do be sure to check them out as well. Take in famous diamonds such as the Star of Asia Sapphire and the whale and squid on display in the Ocean Hall.