The White House - which I've seen countless times on tv - here only a few steps away. Obama held a conference that night, and the grounds were all lit up with reporters coming to participate...Very exciting to think this is where the important U.S. decisions are made... Right next to the White House is the Treasury Department. Such beautiful architecture, especially with the green grass on either side... - and turning around to view the plaza...this was late March, so most trees were still bare (but at least the weather was beautiful! A picture is worth a thousand words... International visitors to Washington DC should consider travel insurance

The Washington Monument Ah the mighty Washington Monument, an Egyptian obelisk... Encircling the monument are flags blowing in the wind... Looking toward the opposite end of the Washington Mall to the World War II Memorial, reflecting pool, and the Lincoln Memorial   The World War II Memorial In between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial is the World War II Memorial. It's a grand circular monument with a fountain in the center On either side are stately pillars, behind which are circular ramps A four-sided archway stands mid-way at the height of the ramp - this one is for the Atlantic states - and this one for the Pacific states Turning around to view the Washington Monument   The Lincoln Memorial At the far end of the Washington Mall is the Lincoln Memorial. This view is from the World War II Memorial - you can see the imposing shadow from the Washington Monument Walking a little closer...this is by far my favorite structure...it's like an ancient mystical temple Straight on... The Monument is a tiered plaza with captivating architectural details Climbing higher and higher... There he is - honest Abe... Walking around the perimeter...you can see the Washington Monument between the columns... - and turning around to view the Washington Monument   The Jefferson Memorial From the Lincoln Memorial, you follow the path along the Tidal Basin to the Jefferson Memorial - turning around to view the Washington Memorial A little closer - this temple is sublime... Front view - you can see the staue of Thomas Jefferson in the center Climbing the majestic steps Inside looking out - the columns dwarf the people! Walking around the outer ring of giant columns - and looking up...

Washington DC Hotels

		I love the architecture of this building - it almost resembles an Egyptian temple

Constitution Avenue What an amazing road! Constitution Ave stretches on with never-ending majestic architecture...you almost feel like you're walking the streets of ancient Rome or Athens... You can see the American History Museum on the right Further down is the Ronald Reagan Building   Museum of American History More modern then the Romanesque look on the opposite side of the street, but still a site to behold The back of the building   Natural History Museum The Natural History Museum, as seen from Madison Avenue So beautiful with the shining dome...now we've entered the Renaissance These are actual Moai statues from Easter Island - the one on the left stands outside, while the one on the right is inside the museum. Very cool!   The National Gallery of Art My second favorite building (after the Lincoln Memorial) is the The National Gallery of Art (west). It resembles a beautiful Roman temple... The view from the opposite side, a little farther away Climbing the steps to the grand entrance Some of the pillars at the top - oh I love this place! The people are nearly dwarfed by the scale... Once inside, you're swept away by the beauty of the atrium... Dark marble pillars surround a bountiful bouquet of fragrant, colorful azaleas... At the east wing is a lovely courtyard... Now you jump from the past to the future as you descend to the cafeteria, then take the concourse to the National Gallery of Art on the East side. As you move, tiny white lights blink & flash as though you're moving through time... The National Gallery of Art (east) as seen from the outside. This gallery is much more modern than the west side. Walking along Madison Avenue - you can see the Washington Monument in the distance   The Canadian Embassy One of the coolest buildings, IMO is the Canadian Embassy. Modern, yet classical and very interesting to view What could be a circular temple... Inside the "temple" looking around... Some of the more modern areas of the plaza

Walking around the International Trade Center with its daunting pillars and archways, you definitely feel like you're in ancient Rome or Athens. One of my favorite places in D.C.!