Washington, D.C./Sites/ar

There are countless opportunities for sightseeing in Washington. The National Mall is a large, open park area in the center of the city. Located in the center of the Mall are the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Pier. Also located on the mall are the Lincoln Memorial, the National World War II Memorial at the east end of the Reflecting Pool, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The National Archives houses thousands of documents important to American history including the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. The Cherry Blossoms of Washington, D.C. — so beautiful, there is an entire festival dedicated to them in the spring. Located alongside the Mall are several museums comprising the Smithsonian Institution, chartered by Congress in 1846. The Smithsonian museums have free admission, and these museums as well as several other private and public institutions are listed lower on this page. Located directly south of the Mall, the Tidal Basin features rows of Japanese cherry blossom trees that were presented as gifts from the nation of Japan. Located around the Tidal Basin are the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, George Mason Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, and the District of Columbia War Memorial, with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial set to open in August 2011. Outside of downtown D.C., the Metro D.C. area has numerous historical sites and neighborhoods, such as Georgetown and Old Town Alexandria, to name a few.