Tour the nation's capital, named in honor of our first president, by visiting the Washington, D.C. sites and museums that preserve his legacy.
Washington Monument
The Washington Monument towers over Washington, D.C. at a height of 555 feet.
The monument was completed in two phases and is the shape of an Egyptian obelisk to evoke the timelessness of ancient civilizations.
When construction ended in 1884, the Washington Monument was the tallest building in the world.
The White House
Home to the United States President, the White House sits at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C.
George Washington was the only U.S. president not to live at the White House. The federal government moved from Philadelphia to the capital in 1800, three years after his retirement.
Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery
On D.C.'s National Mall, the National Portrait Gallery houses the nation's only complete collection of presidential portraits outside the White House.
Its collection includes the “Lansdowne” portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart.
The Lansdowne portrait is one of Stuart’s most impressive works. It was painted in 1796 for William Petty, the first marquis of Lansdowne, a British admirer of Washington.
Items on display are subject to change. Please check the Portrait Gallery's website for the most up-to-date information.
National Museum of American History
The National Museum of American History is located on D.C.'s National Mall and displays artifacts of all kinds, such as military uniforms, gowns, cars and more.
Included in the museum's collection are:
- Martha Washington's gown
- Horatio Greenough's George Washington statue; it was on display in the Capitol Rotunda from 1841 to 1843
- George Washington's 1789 uniform
Items on display are subject to change. Please check the museum's website for the most up-to-date information.
Martha Washington's Gown
George Washington's Capitol Hill Townhomes
A little more than a year before his death, George Washington began building two adjoining townhouses on Capitol Hill.
Although the buildings no longer stand, their former location is marked by a memorial plaque in Upper Senate Park, which can be found a few blocks away from the modern United States Capitol building.
Arlington House
Arlington House was built by George Washington's step-grandson, George Washington Parke Custis, and sits on the grounds of Arlington National Cemetery.
Arlington National Cemetery is accessible from Washington, D.C. by car or Metro.
National Archives
View the Constitution at the National Archives on Constitution Ave. NW in Washington, D.C.
The Declaration of Independence is also on display. It does not bear George Washington's signature, as he was with his army in New York City. He read the declaration to his soldiers on the evening of July 9, 1776.
Tudor Place
Built by Martha Washington's granddaughter and her husband, Tudor Place tells the story of Martha Washington's descendants from from 1805 to 1983.
Daughters of the American Revolution Museum
Step into the past and tour 31 period rooms that depict home life in the 1700s and 1800s. Self-guided and docent-led tours are available.
Admission is free.
Mount Vernon is located in northern Virginia, just a short drive from Washington, D.C.
For more information about things to do in Virginia, visit Virginia.org, the official tourism website for the state of Virginia. You’ll find an overview of each region in Virginia, as well as information about cultural attractions, upcoming events, and where to stay. You can also purchase merchandise featuring the official Virginia slogan, “Virginia is for Lovers.”