Did you even know there's a cemetery in Tenleytown? Like, right behind Best Buy? Oho, I thought…read morenot. It's worth exploring: most of Tenleytown's first families are buried here, and as someone who did her AP Human Geography paper on the demographics of the people interred, I can tell you that it tells a really interesting story about the changing immigrant populations of NW DC in the 19th and early 20th centuries. (I know how much you've been dying to hear more about that.) I feel a little ridiculous giving a 3* rating to a cemetery. No knock on the dead or anything - that rating is for the living. Fie, fie, living people, for forgetting about this cemetery, which often looks neglected. Its maintenance depends on an all-volunteer corps that hasn't updated its website since 2005. I fear that this, like Holy Rood in Georgetown, is an endangered place, so it's worth checking out while you still can.

I wasn't expecting a naked bronze woman today as I explored Washington DC but here she is. The…read moreDarlington Memorial Fountain is located in Judiciary Park at 5th Street and D Street NW not far from Judiciary Square metro station. It is named after Joseph J. Darlington, who was a leader of the legal community in Washington. The statue was installed in 1923 and includes this on the marble base: "This monument has been erected by his friends with the sanction of Congress in memory of Joseph James Darlington 1849-1920 counselor teacher lover of mankind." She's quite lovely and worth a stop if you are visiting the National Law Enforcement Museum nearby. [Review 14282 overall, 1606 of 2020, number 94 in Washington.]

This sculpture is located near the White House. I caught my eye as I was walking to take pictures…read moreof the White House. It is a little plaza area that has a statue, benches, and a fountain. The fountain was not operating during my late November visit though and the plaza was not being maintained. The location of this monument is deliberate as it is the site of the first Boy Scout Jamboree in 1937. Funding for the monument was obtained by various Boy Scouts Troops from across the county. Being a former Boy Scout, I really found this attraction very interesting. The monument features a sculpture that was made by Donald De Lue in 1964. The sculpture depicts a Boy Scout in uniform, leading a naked male figure, only having his private area covered by a cloth. That figure symbolizes love of country, citizenship, patriotism, loyalty, honor, integrity, courage, clean living, and physical development. The scout is also leading a half naked female figure with a flame coming from her left palm, that symbolizes the spiritual qualities of good citizenship - enlightenment with the light of faith, love of God, high ideals, liberty, freedom, democracy, love of humanity, lighting the way. The sculptures are very detailed and nicely done. You can see the power and pride coming from them as they walk. The base of the statue has the inscription, On my honor I Will do my best, To do my duty, To God & my, Country and to obey the, Scout law to, Help other people, At all times, To keep myself, Physically strong, Mentally awake And morally Straight". I am sure that during Spring and Summer this place is better maintained and nice, including the fountain operating. This is definitley worth a stop, especially if you are already going to see the White House anyway. It is not only a place to see, but a spot to take the load off for a bit while touring downtown.

While walking towards the White House, we came across a bronze statue of three figures: a boy, a…read morewoman, and a naked man. I stopped to take a look and discovered it was the Boy Scouts of American Monument. Unveiled on November 7, 1964, the memorial is located at the site of the first Boy Scout Jamboree that occurred in 1937. The statue stands in front of a small pool of water and inscribed on the pedestal on which the figures stand is the Scout Oath. The young boy is in a Boy Scouts uniform, and the man and woman, standing on either side of the boy, represent "American Manhood and Womanhood and the ideals they will pass onto the youth" according to Wikipedia. The woman is holding a torch (the "eternal flame of God's Holy Spirit") and she symbolizes "enlightenment with the love of God and fellow man, justice, freedom, and democracy." The man "exemplifies physical, mental, and moral fitness, love of country, good citizenship, loyalty, honor, and courage." That still doesn't explain why he's naked. [Yelp collections: East Coast 2022; Washington, DC 2022; Monuments, Memorials, and Historical Markers]

I travel to our nation's capital once a year and never tire of it…read more There is always so much to do and see. Full of history from the Lincoln Monument to the National Portrait Gallery. Not to mention other iconic and historical landmarks and parks. Lots and lots of shopping and dining options. Great nightlife options. No better place to be during cherry blossom season than D.C.!

I've been coming to Washington DC since I was in 6th grade. Went back a couple of weekends ago and…read morehad a fabulous little getaway. It's changed alot over the years but still maintains it's magical, historical charm and character. Whatever your politics, it's our nation's Capitol and is a wonderful place to visit.

It is so interesting learning the story behind the many, many war memorials in Washington, D.C. The…read moreGeneral Pulaski Memorial celebrates a Polish-American Revolutionary War hero. Casimir Pulaski was born into Polish nobility in 1745 in Warsaw. His family joined other noble families in a revolt against the Russian-backed Polish king in 1764. The young Pulaski commanded cavalry units during the revolt. Later in life, he fled to Paris after a failed plot to kidnap the Polish king, which is where he met Benjamin Franklin who recruited him to join the Revolutionary War in America. Pulaski arrived in Boston in 1777 and met General Washington a month later. Through a translator, Washington recognized his cavalry skill and recommended him to lead cavalry units. Congress declined. Washington kept him on as an aide. Pulaski showed his cavalry expertise at the Battle of Brandywine. When the British outflanked the American line, Washington ordered a retreat. Pulaski requested a cavalry detachment to slow the British advance. This action helped the Washington's army escape and most likely saved Washington himself. After this, Congress soon made him a brigadier general. A promotion with limited authority. Later, Washington created Pulaski's Legion, a new cavalry unit sent to defend Charleston, South Carolina. This successful performance led to his inclusion in the campaign to retake Savannah. On October 9, 1779, during the assault on the city, Pulaski was struck by grapeshot. He died several days later. Pulaski is considered the "Father of the American Cavalry." He is celebrated for his contributions to the Revolutionary War. In 2009, he was granted an honorary U.S. citizenship, only the seventh person to receive the recognition. "He brought to your shores his bravery and his military talents and offered them for the defense of your ideals and your independence."

Located on 16th Street and K Street, the mural is difficult to capture in a photo, on ground level…read moredue to its size. The letters are about 30-35 feet in height, for 2 blocks long to H Street. Commissioned in 2020 on June 5th, the birthday of Breonna Taylor, an unarmed Black women killed by 3 police officers in Louisville, KY the same year, in here home. The mural and the renaming of the street was announced by Mayor Bowser during the time of protest in Washington DC for the killing of George Floyd. The letters are spelled out in all capital letters in yellow along with the Washington DC flag. From stories above, the mural can be seen very vividly. I walked the full stretch appreciating the artist work as well as the expression of its creation.

A two-block section of street leading up to Franklin Park and the Whitehouse, Black Lives Matter…read morePlaza is a remarkable sight in Washington DC and sends a clear message, rooted in love and the fight for racial equality. The portion of 16th Street (between H & K Streets NW) on which the mural is showcased, plays host to many local and community based events that are not only for African Americans....but for ALL. It was created as an outcry to heightened political tensions and police brutality in America during the pandemic -- summer of 2020. And, has been a standing landmark since. I've been here on several occasions myself during George Floyd protests....to Juneteenth celebrations and DC statehood forums. My most favorite time spent here were for the FIT DC Health & Fitness events and classes....some of the best outdoor events to experience, especially the weekend morning yoga and boot camp classes which are all sponsored and made free by the City. Today, it remains a public gathering place and allows for future visitors to reflect on the words inscribed "bright yellow" on the street. Definitely a sight to take in and see when visiting DC or walking around the city. Located outside of the White House on 16th Street NW, it was officially renamed by Mayor Muriel Bowser as "Black Lives Matter Plaza NW." The area is open to all and visitors are often seen taking photos at all times of the day of the mural on one of the nation's capitol most iconic streets. It's a cool place to be and see. * ELITE TIP: Parking can be difficult in this area of downtown DC. Pay attention to the signs to avoid expensive parking tickets. My suggestion is to save the trouble and take the Metro subway. The nearest Metro subway station is McPherson Square, on the Blue, Orange and Silver lines.

Before this review is over You'll know everything about NOVA…read moreBut if you go by car You won't get very far In a jam behind some dude's Land Rover Easily some of the worst traffic I've ever experienced, though DC proper and Maryland are not better. I went to school in Fairfax, those were simpler times. I loved it, although I would recommend other schools to those wanting a true college experience. My Uncle lives around here and I know it well. He lives out in the bougie parts of Manassas, and that's just too far away, although it's beautiful. I recommend Falls Church, specifically the Eden Center, the Viet capital of the East Coast really. Even though Annandale is famous for being the Korean heart of perhaps the whole of East Coast (only K-town in Los Angeles is more Korean, of any place in the US I've been), it has a lot of other great things too. Such as Indo-Pakistani, Peruvian, and many more. Not to mention The Block which is one of the hottest places to hang out, with the snocream and poke place inside. DC food in general - Falafel Inc in Georgetown. Burger Shack in Centreville. In MD burbs, Sardi's (Peruvian Chicken), Silk Road Choyhona (chicken kebab), hot pretzel and banana shake at Sadieanne's inside Dutch Village Farmer's Market in Upper Marlboro. Gyros at Yia Yia and Plaka. Late night, these 3: Kabob Palace, Amsterdam Falafel, Hard Times (Alexandria - Terlingua Red). La Casita for Salvadoran. Mazadar for Afghan. Dessert at SnoCream in Annandale. Also District Doughnuts in Georgetown, York Castle - crazy tropical flavors. If I had to pick one suburb to hang out, in all of the DMV, I would pick Annandale. The tragedy is that I used to live in Annandale and I never understood how wonderful it was until I had to move away. Youth is definitely wasted on the young. Yes Annandale is amazing for culture and food, such as The Block, a cool dance club/indoor food hall full of mostly Asian treats. This is absolutely the cool hip place to hang out in the DMV. All the cool kids are here from many different ethnic backgrounds, which is awesome. I can't really list the highlights of the place because I only come here for sno-cream. So far anyway. I loved it but I loved it more when it was on the bus and was a novelty and had the feeling and the decor of something truly unique and special, whereas it is now just your typical hipster spot. I even wrote a rap about The Block to finish this review. I love K-Pop but I don't like ROCK I love Molly Ringwald and Kelly Le BROCK Like Robin Thicke I have a big C**K Like the Chilli Peppers I keep it in a SOCK Actually, everything I said is a CROCK Trying to find my pee-pee's like the search for SPOCK It's skinnier than the second hand on a CLOCK It's the reason girls always laugh and MOCK It's why my little row boat never can DOCK It's a key so small it could never fit a LOCK I'm starting to believe I'd be better in a FROCK Or in an old gulag in the Eastern BLOC Anyway, come on in, you don't have to KNOCK I won't take off my pants (you'd faint from SHOCK) Instead you and I can run (not WALK) To the place where more than Seagulls FLOCK It is to NOVA teens what soy sauce is to the WOK It is to Yelp what Nessie is to the LOCH Yeah let's all go and get dessert at The BLOCK WHOCK I mean What.

General William Tecumseh Sherman Monument - This monument is, in my opinion, one of the most…read morebeautiful sculptures in Washington. The detailed craftsmanship, dynamism, and expression left a strong impression on me. The statue feels both majestic and artistically refined. It is a place where you naturally stop to admire both the craftsmanship and its historical significance.

Decent statue. General Sherman was a warrior. He took care of the confederacy quite brutally, and…read morehis name is often not liked in the Deep South. Not my problem, as family are from elsewhere, but we would side with the Union. Here is a prominent spot, this is close to the White House. Props to DC, as traffic signals allow ease of access. The statue is huge. Sherman's expression seems defiant and determined. I like this from an art standpoint. Definitely like to visit this one. If you're in the area I recommend this. Sure there are bigger exhibits, but this is one worthy of your time.