Travel To DC

A DAY IN DC

When we think about Washington, DC what comes in our mind: the Capital city playing grand role in world’s affair or the most architecturally impressive tourist destination in USA?As first time visitor I have to find that out. 


So for this summer break I decided to visit Washington,DC with my family.With iconic monuments,plethora of museums and memorials the place offers a lot to explore.Being a perfect iconography of history,we decided to make memories where others made history.

The destination being only three hours from my place, it was not a long drive but as we approached we got the idea of worst congestion around. Driving in the city was no fun for us, fact that it was Memorial Day weekend ,it was over crowded with tourist and veterans. Above all limited and ruthless "no parking enforcement” trapped us into expensive paid parking. But that can’t plummet my skyrocket spirit. I was so overwhelmed with the vibe of the city everything else seemed so trivial.

It was sunny gorgeous day and I was soaking myself in colonial architecture. There is so much to see from National Mall to numerous free museums that we were confused where to start. Our first stop was National mall.

National Mall-  When I heard first time about National Mall, my ‘shopaholic brain’ thought that may be it is mall where nation's top branded stores are located !! But I was wrong.Rather it is the centre point of all tourist attraction.  Sightseeing spots stretched from foot of U.S. Capitol past the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial. It is also where  Smithsonian museums,Jefferson & Vietnam memorials are placed. National Mall commemorates nation’s rich history, America’s heroes and their blood.  

Our first stop was Capitol building; huge dome shaped building is the meeting chamber for Senate and House of Representative. Though the tour of historic capitol building was free but due to some concert going on, there was some kind of restriction imposed .I really wished to see some congress man in action.

Our next stop was supposed to be at Washington monument.We decided to walk because I was pretty confident about my walking ability. I thought New York City had given me enough hard time, I was ready to take the challenge. But DC wins, the tourist attractions were placed as far as possible making me walk longest route possible. It was getting hot outside, and relentless heat  left me cranky.  


So to beat the heat, we decided to check out the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. 

The museum displays nation’s major scientific achievement and greatest embodiment of space history. Situated at the heart of DC it is must see stunner. Though I am not a science geek, still this science museum was overwhelming with array of World War II aircrafts, space shuttles & space crafts.  For me the star  attraction was hundred of NASA‘s collection of spacecraft, space suits & apace artifacts from Apollo 11 mission in July 1969. 

Next stop was American History Museum.It is the place where history is preserved. I am not a history buff,but really had pleasant time strolling from one gallery to other studying evolution of our early human family to observing remnants of extinct creatures. 


Last and final stop was Washington Monument and Lincoln memorial.
Washington Monument is the coronation stone,a tribute to George Washington's military leadership The monument proudly stands tall  around 555 feet. It is so high that it can be seen from every other corner of the city.To our bad luck reflecting pool was closed  due to some kind of construction

My last stop was Lincoln memorial.It is amazing structure with Potomac river in background.It is a tribute to president Abraham Lincoln and a big 19 foot marble statue of Lincoln sits there.I think it is the place for public gathering. We were lucky enough as some kind of annual motorcycle rally"Rolling Thunder" was going  there.

As I was walking by the Potomac river , the striking similarities of the structures with my homeland Calcutta and Washington DC suddenly dawned to me ! Confused ? Check out the snaps below ;)