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The capital of the US has quite a few things going for it. It’s well-designed, less crowded than other US cities (hello New York), the train system is easy to navigate and it boasts attractions that can keep one occupied for days in any weather (it rained for four of the six days we were visiting). And, even better, virtually all the museums and attractions in the city are free. This is by no means an exhaustive list (I would need about three months to see everything properly), but an idea of some of the big and not-so-big things to do.
One of the Wright brothers aircraft at the National Air and Space Museum.
Photo: Spiros Tzioumis
The National Air and Space museum Once past the airport-like security, this museum has something for everyone – from air enthusiasts to space geeks and everyone in between. The museum is deceptively big, with rooms of different exhibitions branching out of the two main floors. Highlights included the Wright brothers journey into the sky, the history of US space exploration and a stunning exhibition of paintings from World War I and photos of carvings from the trenches – a quiet reminder of the cost of war amid the weaponry on display.
The National Portrait Gallery This is the only place outside the White House (which no longer hosts general tours for visitors) where you can see portraits of every president (bar the current one). It houses representations of American people and lives that provide a fascinating insight into the people that shaped the country. And best of all it is open until 7pm so go in the afternoon to avoid the long queues at the portraits of Barack and Michelle Obama especially.
The African American Museum of History and Culture This is one of the newest museums in the capital. It opened in 2016 and has since hosted more than 1 million visitors. Such is the demand timed entries are booked out months in advance. So while I, unfortunately, did not get to visit I did speak to many who have and they say plan ahead as it is a must-see.
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