Lafayette Park - Washington DC

Lafayette Park is just north of the White House. Walking back to our metro station, we walked through Lafayette Park, taking in the beauty of its many water fountains, paths, and viewing benches. We were probably the only one's in the park! If we were dropped in the middle of it, we would have no idea that we were in the Nation's capitol city.

The first night my fiance and I were there, we were too exhausted to sit in the park for long, but we decided to come back another night and take a romantic stroll through the park with ice cream. So after a Saturday night eating at the Capital Grille on PA Ave. right inbetween the Capitol Building and White House, we tried finding an ice cream parlor near the park, but to our dismay, there was no ice cream. We didn't let that damper our spirits, so we walked through the park anyway. As we came to the fountain we had sat in front of the first night, my fiance proposed! There was no other place more romantic than in a gorgeous park in the heart of DC! Of course I said yes, and the rest is history!

The White House - Washington DC

The White House has been the home to every U.S. President since John Adams. Built in 1800, the White House stood for 12 years before being set ablaze during the war of 1812. President James Monroe moved in while reconstruction began almost immediately. New porticos were added on the Northern and Southern sides, making the House distict, and eventually a world-wide icon. The White House is where all the action happens on Capitol Hill. This is where every bill is signed, all the Presidential Addresses are held, and not to mention the countless televised interviews. This is one of the most famous homes on the planet!

The White House really is a sight to see. Even though you can't get very close, the opportunity to see the White House in its grand stature is still worth a visit. I really wanted to see the White House at night, so that's what we did on our first night there. About 100 other tourists had the same idea. Just standing there looking at it made me feel important. Somewhere in there was the First Family. What a lucky bunch!

If you plan ahead, you can get a tour of the White House. You have to call your Congressional Representatives at least 2 months in advance to ask permission, and you have to pass a background check. If you make it through, you're in! I wanted so badly to take a tour of the White House, but I hadn't planned ahead. It would have been great to write about that, but when I go to DC a second time, I will arrange a White House Tour!

Old Post Office Pavillion - Washington DC

The Old Post Office Pavillion is located on Pennsylvania Ave. and has been refurbished to fit today's modern era. Inside you can cure your appetite at many different restaurants, stop in and browse its unique shops, and head to the top of the clock tower for the best sights of DC!

This Clock Tower Tour is free and it has easier access than the Washington Monument. And, from experience, I think it has the best views of DC, better than the monument because you can SEE the monument from the Old Post Office Pavillion! You can also see the White House, the Capitol Building, the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorial, and even the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery! When you get to the top, like other observation decks, there are plaques describing what you see when you are looking in a specific direction.

The DC sights look much different from the top, and I would suggest anyone to take the time to head up! The views will not disappoint!

Tips on the Old Post Office Pavillion:

-The Clock Tower is a tight squeeze and there are a lot of tourists up there at once, so be patient.

-The elevator to the top is an open, indoor elevator, so if you are afraid of heights, turn the other way, because you won't want to miss what's at the top!

Desination: Washington D.C

Here are some great things to see in our nation's capital.

Overview
Capitol Building
Washington Monument
Old Post Office Pavillion
Lincoln Memorial
White House
Lafayette Park
Arlington National Cemetery
Smithsonian
Holocaust Museum
Ford's Theater
Nationals Park
The Metro

The Nation's Capitol

Visiting Washington D.C. was by far one of my most memorable trips to date, for many reasons, and I will get into those later. I was there for 4 days, and tried to see everything, which was nearly impossible. In those 4 days, my then-boyfriend and I did a lot, so sit back, relax, and enjoy!

As a reader, you may get overwhelmed by all the stuff we did in just 4 days, so maybe grab a glass of water and read on!

Here are some tips on D.C.:
-If you are sightseeing strictly in D.C., fly into Ronald Regan (DCA). It is the closest to the city, about 4 miles. The other 2 airports that serve the city (Dulles International and Baltimore) are 30+ miles away.
-White House Tours can be taken, but sign up for those online 3 months beforehand. If you don't do this, you won't be admitted.
-Dress for the weather, and bring lots of water with you. You may not think it, but there is a lot of walking to be done in D.C., so be prepared.