Soaring 555 feet above the National Mall in Washington DC, the Washington Monument honors our first President, George Washington. Construction on the monument began on July 4 1848, and the capstone was laid on December 6 1884. At the time, it was the world's tallest structure and held that honor until the Eiffel Tower was completed in 1889.

Visitors can take an elevator to the top of the monument for breath-taking views of 30-40 miles on clear days, and spectacular views of the Capitol on any day.

The Lincoln Memorial is the icon of memorials. The memorial itself is memorialized on the penny, making this one of the most recognizable in America.

The Smithsonian Institution features 19 museums, serveral research centers, and the National Zoo. Washington DC is home to 17 museums, and 10 of those are on the National Mall. Admission is free to nearly all of the Smithsonian facilities, and most are open nearly every day of the year.

Mt. Vernon, located on the Potomac river and 16 miles from Washington DC, is not only the home of George Washington, the "Father of Our Country", it is also the place where he died, and the place where he is now entombed.

The home and several outbuildings are meticously preserved and restored, and contain hundreds of artifacts from the Washingtons. Visiting them will take at least a half day or more.