Washington, D.C.

The White House (Matt Wade Photography, Wikimedia CCA 3.0)

Let’s Visit

Join us on this virtual tour highlighting the top attractions in Washington, D.C.
For an overview, see: National Geographic Kids. Washington, D.C.

Highlights

United States Capitol (Wikimedia Commons)

Let’s learn more about some fascinating places worth seeing in Washington, D.C.

The National Mall (Downtown Washington, D.C.)
This iconic two-mile stretch is famous for its monuments, memorials, and museums, serving as the heart of many historic events and protests.
The White House (1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW)
Known as the official residence and workplace of the U.S. President, the White House is an emblem of American leadership and history.
The United States Capitol (Capitol Hill)
Famous as the home of the U.S. Congress, this neoclassical building is where important legislative decisions are made and where the State of the Union Address is delivered. A hidden crypt beneath the Capitol Building contains the remains of President Zachary Taylor and other notable figures.
Lincoln Memorial (West end of the National Mall)
This grand monument honors President Abraham Lincoln and is known for the iconic statue of Lincoln seated, as well as for its role in historic events like Martin Luther King Jr.’s I Have a Dream speech.
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (Independence Avenue SW)
One of the most popular museums in the world, it houses famous aircraft like the Wright Brothers’ plane and Apollo 11’s command module, chronicling the history of aviation and space exploration.
Washington Monument (National Mall)
Famous for being the world’s tallest obelisk, this monument honors the first U.S. president, George Washington, and offers stunning views of the city from the top.
Smithsonian National Museum of American History (Constitution Avenue NW)
This museum is known for showcasing key artifacts from American history, including the original Star-Spangled Banner, First Ladies’ gowns, and iconic pop culture items.
Thomas Jefferson Memorial (Tidal Basin)
A tribute to the third U.S. president, this neoclassical memorial is famous for its dome and large statue of Jefferson, as well as its scenic location near the Tidal Basin’s cherry blossoms.
National Gallery of Art (Constitution Avenue NW)
Known for its vast collection of Western art, the museum spans centuries, featuring masterpieces from artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent van Gogh, and Claude Monet.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial (Constitution Gardens)
This powerful and somber memorial honors those who served and died in the Vietnam War, with its famous black granite wall inscribed with the names of over 58,000 soldiers.

Intriguing mysteries and weird facts

Washington Monument (Sgt. Andy Dunaway, Wikimedia Commons)

Discover these little-known facts about Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. has no “J” street.
The city’s streets are laid out alphabetically, but there is no “J” street. This is because, in early English, the letters “I” and “J” were often used interchangeably, making the two letters too similar.
The city is home to a “Darth Vader” gargoyle.
The Washington National Cathedral has a hidden Darth Vader gargoyle on its northwest tower, added after a children’s competition in the 1980s.
The Library of Congress is the largest in the world.
The Library of Congress, located in D.C., holds more than 170 million items, making it the largest library in the world by both shelf space and number of books.
Washington, D.C. residents have no voting representation in Congress.
Despite being U.S. citizens, D.C. residents don’t have full voting rights in Congress. They can vote in presidential elections but don’t have voting representation in the Senate or House.
The Washington Monument was once the tallest building in the world.
When completed in 1884, the Washington Monument briefly held the title of the tallest structure in the world until the Eiffel Tower surpassed it in 1889.
There’s a hidden train station under the Capitol.
An underground train system exists beneath the U.S. Capitol, primarily used to transport members of Congress between buildings quickly.
The Washington Monument has a “secret” staircase: A narrow staircase that spirals up the inside of the monument. Inside the monument lies a small apartment, used by the monument’s keeper in the 1800s.
Every president but one has lived in the White House.
George Washington is the only U.S. president who never lived in the White House, as it was completed after his term ended.
The Capitol Dome is not the original.
The current dome on the U.S. Capitol building was completed in 1866 and is actually the second dome—the first one was much smaller and made of wood.
The city’s streets are designed to confuse invaders.
The original design of D.C.’s streets by Pierre L’Enfant features diagonal avenues and traffic circles to confuse and slow down potential invaders trying to navigate the city.

Notable People

Here are 10 famous men and women from Washington, D.C.

Famous Men

Richard M. Nixon presenting the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Duke Ellington in 1969 (White House Photo Office Collection, Wikimedia Commons)

Duke Ellington (1899–1974)
Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Ellington became one of the most influential jazz composers, pianists, and bandleaders in history, shaping the world of music for decades.
John Philip Sousa (1854–1932)
A native of Washington, D.C., Sousa is known as “The March King” for his contributions to American military and patriotic music, including iconic marches like “The Stars and Stripes Forever.”
Marvin Gaye (1939–1984)
Born in Washington, D.C., Gaye became a legendary Motown singer, songwriter, and producer, known for soulful hits like “What’s Going On” and “Sexual Healing.”
Charles Drew (1904–1950)
Born in Washington, D.C., Drew was a pioneering African American physician who developed innovative methods of blood storage and established large-scale blood banks during World War II.
Bill Nye (born 1955)
Raised in Washington, D.C., Nye became famous as “Bill Nye the Science Guy,” a popular television host and advocate for science education, known for making science fun and accessible.

Famous Women

Goldie Hawn (Nadja Amireh, Wikimedia CCA 2.0)

Helen Hayes (1900–1993)
Known as the First Lady of American Theater, Hayes was born in Washington, D.C., and became a highly celebrated actress, winning both an Academy Award and a Tony Award during her career.
Taraji P. Henson (born 1970)
A native of Washington, D.C., Henson rose to fame as an award-winning actress, best known for her roles in Empire and Hidden Figures, becoming a major figure in Hollywood.
Eleanor Holmes Norton (born 1937)
Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Norton has served as the city’s Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives since 1991, known for her advocacy for civil rights and D.C. statehood.
Goldie Hawn (born 1945)
Born in Washington, D.C., Hawn became an Academy Award-winning actress, famous for her comedic performances in films such as Cactus Flower and Private Benjamin.
Kathleen Turner (born 1954)
Raised in Washington, D.C., Turner became a well-known actress, recognized for her roles in films such as Romancing the Stone and Peggy Sue Got Married, as well as her distinct, husky voice.

Date of Ratification of the Articles of Confederation/
Admission to the Union

Residence Act. July 16, 1790

Capital, District of Colombia

John A .Wilson Building Office of the Mayor and Council of the District of Columbia (APK, Wikimedia CCA 4.0)

Washington, D.C.
Government of Washington, D.C.

Area and Population

Area: 61 square miles

Total Population: 659,000

Education

Healy Hall, Georgetown University (Ajay Suresh, Wikimedia-CCA 2.0)

Office of the State Superintendent of Education
Higher Education in Washington, D.C.
American University
Catholic University of America
Georgetown University
George Washington University
Howard University

Educational Resources

Twinkl. Washington, D.C.

Fairs and festivals

Events and festivals in Washington, D.C.

Flag

The flag of Washington, D.C. consists of three red stars above two red bars on a white background, based on the coat of arms granted to Lawrence Washington (George Washington’s 3rd great-grandfather) of Northamptonshire, England in 1592. George Washington, the President, used this coat of arms privately at his home in Mount Vernon.

Geography

Location

Google map of Washington, D.C.

Glimpses Into History

The assassination of President Lincoln at the Ford Theater in 1865 by John WIlks Booth (Adam Cuerden, Wikimedia Commons)

The History of Washington, D.C.

Breathtaking Landscapes

Check out these amazing landscapes and wildlife of Washington, D.C.

National Landmarks and Historic Sites

Historic sites. Washington, D.C.

National Monuments

National Parks

Constitution Gardens at the National Mall &; Memorial Parks in DC (NP Gallery, Wikimedia Commons)

National Park Service. Washington, D.C.

Sports

Washington Capitals versus the Pittsburgh Penguins (Bryan Rust, Wikimedia CCA 2.0)

Professional Sports Teams

Major League Baseball (MLB): Washington Nationals
Major League Soccer (MLS): D.C. United
National Basketball Association (NBA): Washington Wizards
National Football League (NFL): Washington Commanders
National Hockey League (NHL): Washington Capitals

NCAA (National Collegiate Athletics Association) Division I Teams

George Washington University Revolutionaries

Symbols

Official symbols. Washington, D.C.

Motto

“Justitia Omnibus” meaning “Justice for All”

Nickname

The District

Seal

The official seal of the District of Columbia features Lady Justice hanging a wreath on a statue of George Washington. The U.S. Capitol and a train steaming across a viaduct under the rising sun is shown in the background. The official motto of the District of Columbia; “JUSTITIA OMNIBUS” (Latin for “Justice for All”), and the number “1871” (the year in which the District was organized in its present form) appear at the bottom of the seal.

License Plate