I really enjoyed visiting this museum. It's a small place and the tour was about half an hour, but…read moreI learned a lot of cool facts about medicinal history and how sick people were treated in the past. They preserved a lot of old artifacts, medicines, apothecary tools and furnitures which was really cool to see and learn about. They also compare some of the practices from back then to present day which was interesting to learn. They have a nice little gift shop too. A really interesting place to visit in Old town Alexandria!

Might update later but wanted to share that I finally visited this place. It's wild that I have…read morelived nearby for so many years and have just walked by without noticing. It is a small place, but very interesting snapshot of what an Apothecary would have looked like approximately 100 years ago. They still have all the medicine that was in the jars when they closed, on display. I didn't go upstairs yet, but the downstairs is fascinating by itself. Free for Alexandria City residents but otherwise $5 or $8 depending if you want to tour upstairs (specific times). You can also go inside and stay in the lobby area which is also a gift stop without paying admission. As a herbalist, it was very cool to see cinnamon being prescribed alongside arsenic and marijuana - all plants have their purposes! Haha. I liked that the tour guides seemed passionate about the history of the place. We discussed my concern that the gender and race of the apothecary owners allowed them to profit off of the ancestral knowledge and traditional medicine in a way that was denied to women, BIPOC people, and BIPOC women in particular, who often worked in the field under the threat of death and/or imprisonment. Anyways, I am working to change that. I will definitely be back!

We were on a brief trolley tour of Arlington Cemetery and saw views of Arlington House from below…read morewhen standing at the JFK gravesite and again soon thereafter when the bus stopped for those having time to access it from the upper entrance for a tour. Since we were limited on time, we had to forgo touring it further during this trip, but will look forward to future visits and take the opportunity to explore further.

The former home of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. The house was closed since it was at the end…read moreof the day, but it was enormous and grand. It overlooks the Capital area and the grounds are hallowed.

In addition to the museum at Fort Ward there is also the park. And it is a nifty little park. There…read moreare rifle trenches and bombproofs and historical stuff like that going on. Then there are practical things too, like a 0.6 mile loop paved looped that goes around the park that sees a decent amount of foot traffic - walkers and runners getting some exercise in. They also have pavilions for picnics and an amphitheater. They often have free events at the amphitheater (like a Jazz show over Memorial Day). The park section also has a dog park. According to websites online, the dog park is the grassy area to the east side of the entrance. It is large and semi-fenced. But don't bother to look for signs that specifically designate the dog park area when you are there. I lived close by and was there almost every day and never found any signs that designated the dog park. Regardless, it is a good place to take your dog to play fetch and allow for a nice space to run. Of course you have to trust your dog off leash because it isn't totally fenced and it is right along Braddock Road. There are typically people coming in and out with dogs. Not normally many, but during nice weather, particularly on weekends, the whole outdoor park can get a bit busy with people. There is also free and easy parking access. I recommend the park at Fort Ward as a nice place for a stroll (with our without your dog), a picnic, some relaxing, & enjoying good weather.

I was not too keen at first to be taking a group of 50 odd 8th graders to see a fort. And neither…read morewere they. I was presently surprised! While there isn't much left of the fort walls themselves, they have a good stock of military instruments and displays that are interesting reminders of the struggles our country has faced. And the kids ended up pretending that they were back in the Civil War fighting! =P Its worth the trip out as a nice outing for kids.

Very well thought out and curated museum on the history of the US Army and its role in different…read moreperiods of US history. I appreciated the focus on personal service member stories and getting to learn more about individual soldiers. The theming of the main exhibit spaces around different conflicts was well done, creating a dynamic and interactive museum. It's a massive space with lots to learn so you can easily spend a whole day here, plus it's completely free! Both of my parents are Army veterans and it was great to be able to hear their stories as well when visiting the museum.

After arriving at the museum, where ample parking was available, we proceeded inside. We'd secured…read moreour free tickets online, though the museum didn't appear close to selling out. Following a smooth check-in with our digital tickets, we passed through security. Inside, the museum proved impressive, showcasing a rich history of the army's pivotal role in forming our nation and ensuring our present day safety. The exhibits were well organized, sectioned by distinct eras in American history, and the theater presentation was fantastic. For refreshments, a small cafe was on site. We thoroughly enjoyed the exceptionally clean and welcoming environment.

Mount Vernon was one of the highlights of our trip to Washington, DC. The grounds are absolutely…read morebeautiful, and everything is so well maintained. Walking through George Washington's home and learning more about his life gave us an even greater appreciation for the man behind the history. The staff and volunteers were friendly, knowledgeable, and happy to answer questions. We also enjoyed the museum and exhibits, which added so much to the experience. Plan to spend several hours here because there's a lot to see. If you're visiting the DC area, I highly recommend making time for Mount Vernon. It's well worth the trip.

We recently went to Mount Vernon and had a great experience! The tickets are a little pricey but…read moreyou can see when you get there that they have a lot of restoration happening but it doesn't impact the experience. You get to take a manor tour, walk around the gardens and the grounds and see his tomb. Would recommend for those who are ok venturing out of DC for the day!

One of my favorite national museums…read more The museum makes a strong first impression, with sculptures and a rushing waterfall surrounding the exterior. Inside, the soaring ceilings create a grand sense of scale. The walkways were accessible and easy to navigate, though the elevators were a bit slow. During our visit, the museum was not particularly crowded, allowing us to take our time reading the exhibits and fully appreciating the displays. What I appreciated most was the museum's emphasis on the differing perspectives of American Indians and Americans throughout history. Many exhibits presented both viewpoints side by side, highlighting how dramatically interpretations of the same events could differ. The timelines were thoughtfully organized and I learned about numerous Indigenous nations and communities that were rarely discussed in my prior education. The Americans exhibit was particularly memorable. It explored the representation of American Indians throughout popular culture, including television, sports mascots, advertising, food branding, and more. At the end, visitors were invited to write postcards reflecting on examples of Indigenous representation in modern life. Pocahontas was a recurring figure throughout the exhibit and I gained a much deeper understanding of both her historical significance and how her story has been commercialized and reinterpreted over time. The Nation to Nation exhibit focused more on cultural and historical artifacts, showcasing clothing, household items, tools, and musical instruments. Meanwhile, Water's Edge explored the importance of water through both artistic expression and its relationship to Indigenous life and traditions. The gift shop was easily one of the best I encountered among the national museums. It featured a wide variety of unique and meaningful souvenirs, and the lighter crowds meant several items sold out elsewhere were still available here. I was surprised by some of the lukewarm reviews, as I found this museum engaging and informative from start to finish. It easily filled two to three hours and I left with a far greater appreciation for Indigenous history and perspectives. I would love to see future exhibits further explore Native American music, art, and cultural expression.

I came for the taco and stayed for the art! After researching a few places for lunch, the reviews…read moreof the Mitsitam cafe here were amazing for their fry bread taco. The museum itself is gorgeous, inside and out. The grounds area has lots of plants and shrubbery to observe. It's kind of serene and takes you away from the capital craziness which isn't too far away. Inside, you'll find multiple floor with displays about history, conflict, and art. I took the elevator to the top then worked my way down each level via the stairs. It's an awesome place and the gift shop had some of the coolest stuff too. It's right next to the super popular Air and Space Museum so if you don't feel like walking too far after exploring that one, check this one out.

What a cool museum! The various exhibits are very informative and cool to learn about. Especially…read morethe Covid-19 one. Very intriguing! There is a huge play in the middle for children to play in. Highly recommend. Staff was super friendly and the place was very clean!

The museum remains where other things have changed over the years. Notably, you can walk into the…read morebuilding without buying a ticket but most of the exhibitions require a wristband. I unintentionally stopped in on a day when they were offering free tickets. I don't think they ever open every room in the building for exhibition at the same time, so the amount of stuff on display is less than you'd think looking at it from the outside. However, my visit did yield some intriguing finds including a hall on contemporary southern architecture that hits much harder if you've actually been to the places (which by and large I now have), and a historical exhibition on schoolhouses for black people in the South, which provided an interesting window into history. I wouldn't count the Building Museum among the top tier of attractions, but it's a good landmark and worth visiting.

This museum is small and free, but not really worth the time to go through security for. It's only…read moreopen on weekdays. It's a small exhibit with an overview of this catch all department and its focuses over time, but that takes about 10 minutes to look over the timeline. The second room has a couple of large and beautiful paintings, and that's about it. Half the room is vacant. I don't know if it's in transition, but there's not much here. It's quiet, so if you need somewhere to sit awhile inside, it does do that well, and there are chargers around. No gift shop. Just not a lot to note here, so was pretty disappointed.

The United States National Parks Service, a sub department of The United States Department of The…read moreInterior, is the administration in charge of The National Parks Passport Program . Since 1986, national park visitors have turned to the Passport To Your National Parks program to preserve memories of their park travels by collecting ink cancellations at every national park they visit.There are three styles of Passport books, a special Junior Ranger Passport for kids, and colorful commemorative stickers. There is also a collection of accessories and gear so you can proudly show off your love of our national parks wherever you go! You bring your National Parks Passport® with you when you visit a national park, then use the free ink Passport cancellation stamp in the visitor center or park store to capture the date and location of your visit. You can also personalize your Passport book by adding stickers, logging the trails you hiked, or any other way that helps you preserve your memories. When you participate in the Passport To Your National Parks program, you help support the people, places, and stories that matter at America's national parks.100% of the proceeds from the Passport program support important education and preservation programs at national parks, ensuring future generations will enjoy our natural, historical, and cultural treasures. . . . . #usdeptoftheinterior #nationalparksystem #thenationalparksservice #nationalparks #unitedstates #ilovetheusa #ilovethenationalparks #seenationalparks #nationalparkspassportprogram #usa1 #godblessamerica #washingtondc #waynesalvatti #photografxworldwide