traveldk.com

Four million people each year visit these rolling lawns studded with the headstones of America’s war dead. A moving and reflective experience.

Words of the Declaration of Independence are engraved on the wall here.

The breathtaking interior of the largest library in the world does full justice to its 120 million items, the work fills 530 miles (850 km) of shelves.

This imposing marble memorial honors the US president who carried the country through its most difficult era. Designed by Henry Bacon (1866–1924) and featuring a monumental 19-ft (6-m) high statue of the seated Lincoln by Daniel Chester French (1850–1931), the memorial was dedicated in 1922. The Greek architecture reflects the ideals of its time.

Home to the foundation documents of the nation, including the Declaration of Independence.

Cleverly combining the “America’s attic” approach with contemporary interpretive displays, this museum exhibits artifacts ranging from political campaign buttons to early locomotives.

The home of the highest seat of the judicial branch of the US government is a solid and handsome Neo-Classical building designed by Cass Gilbert – the architect of the beautiful Woolworth Building in New York City – and completed in 1935. On its west pediment, above the marble columns of the main entrance, is inscribed in bold letters the famous motto “Equal Justice Under Law” (see Supreme Court).

The Capitol’s design combines ancient tradition and New World innovation, perfectly invoking the spirit of US democracy.

Among the city’s most challenging sites, this museum is both a working study center for issues relating to the Holocaust and a national memorial for the millions murdered by the World War II Nazi government. The museum is solemn and respectful while engrossing and highly informative. Free timed passes are required to view the three-story permanent exhibition; special exhibitions, including the child-oriented “Remember the Children: Daniel’s Story” can be seen without passes.

This stark remembrance features a black polished wall on which are carved the names of those who died during the Vietnam War. Controversial when it opened, because of its minimalism and because it failed to glorify the war, the memorial has become one of the world’s most popular. Its creator, Maya Lin, was a 21-year-old Chinese-American student when she completed the design. More traditional statues were added in 1984.

The plain Egyptian design of this radiant spire was largely the result of congressional cost-cutting, but now it seems an inspired choice. At 555 ft (165 m), the monument, built to honor the first president of the United States, towers over everything in the neighborhood. The view from the observation platform at the top, reached by a 72-second elevator ride, is unforgettable. The new elevator on the descending trip allows visitors see some of the many commemorative stones that have been laid in the masonry walls.

Ancient and modern come together in this “national house of prayer,” from the Gothic architecture to the Space Window.

A huge range of meeting rooms and guest rooms with desks and modern communications.

Situated in an old 1891 bank but completely upto-date. Near the city’s convention center. The hotel has four conference rooms.

Well-furnished rooms with good work areas and a separate living room for meetings or relaxing. Conference rooms with extensive equipment available for rent. Indoor swimming pool and fitness center. Breakfast included.

Totally remade from a motel-like facility into a very modern business hotel with professional meeting specialist. The garden terrace around the indoor pool can be booked for functions.

The location is superb and the concierge offers full information on local sports, theaters, and events, and can arrange to have a rental bicycle delivered. The sports bar is a popular meeting place, and the business center even offers desktop publishing.

This distinguished hotel is recently renovated. The guest rooms offer a desk with a modem connection and voice mail, and cable TV with in-room movies. Fourteen meeting rooms are available with teleconferencing and a multi-lingual staff. Pets are welcome.

The outside is festooned with gargoyles, and the interior boasts original stained glass. Four-poster beds furnish some rooms.

The garden setting is lovely, and the elevated location gives a good view of the skyline. Both the layout and size of this complex create a resort atmosphere, while staff and facilities offer every amenity. The Olympic-sized pool is an attraction in the summer.

One of the most fashionable hotels in the city, deserving attention because of its innovative design, excellent business accommodations (the desks are huge slices of granite with contemporary communications), and its fine bistro-style restaurant. The in-room CD player/ radio provides sound environments including ocean, brook, forest, or wind.

A bustling hotel that takes up an entire block. The rooftop restaurant overlooks the Capitol – dazzling at night.

Two blocks from the White House, the location minimizes walking distances for little feet. Child care offered by pre-arrangement.

An excellent downtown location, close to the Mall. This big hotel, with 465 rooms, still provides a personal touch. The Regatta Raw Bar has seasonal food.

Created from two town-houses, this mansion served as the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen’s Club for nearly 50 years. Decorative touches remain, including four gorgeous tall mirrors.

Business travelers receive excellent services at this Foggy Bottom hotel. A knowledgable staff manages the four meeting rooms, and suites have lots of seating space for work. Larger suites have full kitchens.

Named after the famous park in Dublin, this hotel expresses an understated Irish theme. The stately Georgian Revival hotel, built in 1922, retains an Old World flavor.

All the friendly Red Roof family extras: kids can rent video games for in-room play; the TV cable service includes the Cartoon, Discovery, and Learning channels; snack centers relieve the munchies.

This big hotel with over 800 rooms is hard to miss with its striking façade. Oriented toward business travelers, but still a good location between the White House and Capitol.

Opened to a huge crowd on the day of Calvin Coolidge’s 1925 presidential inauguration, this hotel has been a fixture for politicians – Franklin D. Roosevelt wrote his 1933 inaugural address here and J. Edgar Hoover had lunch here nearly every day. A classic hotel with complimentary shoe shines, and multilingual staff.

On a corner of Lafayette Square, this 1862 building has been transformed by the French Sofitel chain into an elegant contemporary hotel. The soundproofing and acoustic doors are a welcome feature. The restaurant serves refined French cuisine.

The beautifully landscaped and resort-like hotel surrounds the big outdoor pool. In warm weather, poolside barbecues are offered on Friday nights.

Two 1920s buildings offer big hotel amenities in a charming and personable environment. The main building is on the National Register of Historic Places, and has some marvelous Art Deco ornamentation. Evening sherry in the lounge. No elevator.