I am an Air Force retiree but never visited the Pentagon. My daughter is badged for the Pentagon…read moreand signed us up to get a tour. First impression of the building was how ugly it was, but I knew that before hand. Inside the building was amazing and I can see how people could get lost there. The tour exhibits are spread throughout multiple corridors and we walked a lot to see everything we wanted. I saw exhibits with details on three organizations that I knew of, and pictures of three general officers I've met over the years. We were amazed at all the food and services options available within the building. But with the traffic situation in DC, it is not a place where you can easily run at lunch time and get things done so having the various options available in the building makes complete sense.

Reservations required Background check mandatory…read moreUtilize the metro Amazing tour No cameras allowed No beverages allowed

Right next to the Pentagon is a powerful memorial honoring the lives lost during 9/11. It's open…read moreall the time, but plan to Metro there. Parking is sparse. Each life lost is honored as a bench where you can reflect on their life. If the bench faces the Pentagon, they passed away on the flight that ran into it. If the bench faces away from the Pentagon, they died while inside the Pentagon. It's a very powerful mme

Despite being a Washingtonian, I had visited the World Trade Center and its memorial, as well as…read morethe Flight 93 site in Western Pennsylvania, but had not been to the Pentagon Memorial for the same series of events until I figured a notable anniversary was the time to do it. The practicalities of the memorial have always bugged me; obviously they wanted it to be onsite at the Pentagon, but the reality is that you can't drive there, you have to get off at a Metro stop that no one normally gets off at unless they are a card carrying member of the Military Industrial Complex, then walk around the Pentagon through some unpleasantly utilitarian scenery with a thousand signs about national security that make it seem like you don't belong. It's very different than many of our DC memorials in terms of accessibility. Many people who visit New York will see the WTC site, but very few DC visitors will even be aware of this memorial. It's also by a loud highway, and has some limited temporary bathroom facilities. So as a visitor experience, it just isn't what it could be. The experience of the memorial itself is nonetheless distinctive and noteworthy. Curve benches carry the names of victims of the attack, and are notoriously lit up after dark, which is really the time to see the site. It is a place that inspires reflection, and many still gather in specific recognition of people whose only crime on 9/11 was showing up to work.

I'm an executive branch alum, so I give the EEOB five out of five bald eagles. Sure, the United…read moreStates Capitol houses TWO chambers, and the Supreme Court Building allegedly has a basketball court at the top. But can you bowl a perfect game at the legislature or the judiciary? NOPE. President Truman was a visionary for having this bowling alley installed. Truly ahead of his time, making sure pins could fall while democracy stands strong. Absolutely worth getting a job in the executive branch to sign up for a chance to bowl here. Oh, and there's other stuff in the building too, but bowling in the basement is what really drives good government.

I love visiting this building more than the White House. It has such a history and great people…read morewatching. Try to contact your Congress person to get a tour.

What's prettier than the White House, the Monument, the Lincoln Memorial and the Smithsonian put…read moretogether? Yes, Ariana Grande is a good answer, but I was looking for the Executive Office on 17th St! A long time ago, the love of my life used to say that this building was the highlight of her trips to DC, and I can see why. I remember walking with her in the pouring rain next to it, and taking pictures of her exposing herself in front of it. Times change... But this building never did. It's glorious and resplendent. It reminds me of something in France, but better kept, perhaps. It looks palatial. If the White House is a little underwhelming then this executive office is completely awe-inspiring. It's level with the Capitol as my favourite building in the DC area, and is the easiest 5-star rating I've given since my Cousin Daniel got drunk and showed me the ropes.

Didn't really have a lot of time to roam around Pennsylvania Ave. And my friend and I, being…read moreslightly less than ignorant didn't know that the BACK of the WHITE HOUSE would be on Pennsylvania Ave. ** Not impressed** So our pictures we're not exactly anythng to brag about. So we decided to take pictures in front of the Executive Office of the President where the FRONT of this architecture was much more impressive than the BACK of the White House on Pennsylvania Ave. Still a great experience to roam DC and take in the history and political side of the US. (You don't get much of that or appreciate it as much coming from the west coast. Hence, the ignorance of the FRONT vs the BACK of the WHITE HOUSE. =X)

I love the history VA has. This memorial is free and has parking. It might looked closed because of…read morethe cones. But pull forward and a security guard will let you in (during business hours). You can walk through it and read within half an hour. So I'd combine this with other things to do in the area. Like the cemetery across the street. Take some photos and learn something. That's what it's there for. God bless the USA

Beautiful memorial located inside of Arlington Cemetery and wish we could've had enough time to get…read morecloser, but we were on a speedy trip on the tour trolley to see as much as possible for a brief visit in the area. We were also fortunate to see this memorial as our plane departed from DCA at 5 PM and it was thrilling to see it from this vantage point. Love the depiction and homage to the planes in flight and missing man formation.

This is honestly such a magnificent memorial to Abraham Lincoln. One of my favorites to visit when…read morein DC. We got to visit here once on our own and then again on our dusk tour. It's very popular, so there's usually always a crowd. Just be patient and take your time to soak it all in. There's even a stone that marks where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stood when he gave his iconic "I have a dream" speech. Overlooking the reflection pool and the Washington Monument, you can choose to take a seat on the steps out front and truly reflect on the history around you. My daughter had to re-enact the scene from Captain America and also had to pay homage to Percy Jackson. She really enjoyed this monument as well.

What an impressive architectural structure memorializing the presidency of one our Nations great…read morepresidents. The building sits on a lower plinth of granite then transitions to white marble surrounded by Greek columns. Inside is housed the seated sculpture of Abraham Lincoln. The ceiling is stained glass and illuminates the space and the marble in a stunning play of light and shadow. The steps were many and a great place to just chill and relax and take in all of the beautiful scenery.

If you come to visit Arlington, please do not leave without visiting the Tomb of the Unknown…read moreSoldier. It is one of the most moving and solemn ceremonies you will ever witness in your lives. This tomb is the most heavily guarded grave in the world; guarded by the elite soldiers from the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Regiment, known as "The Old Guard." They are there 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, through all weather conditions. The guards march exact patterns of 21 steps, pause for 21 seconds, and turn meticulously, all to honor the fallen. The tombs holds unidentified American service members from World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. The inscription reads: "Here Rests in Honored Glory an American Soldier Known but to God." The Changing of the Guard ceremony lasts about 15 minutes. This ceremony represents one of the highest honors in the United States military. During the ceremony, one Sentinel is relieved by another in a series of precise movements. The guard's weapon is inspected, and a slow salute is exchanged. In the summer, the guards change every 30 minutes. At night, the schedule extends to two-hour shifts, but the watch never ends. Visitors who plan to attend should arrive a few minutes early and remain silent throughout. Being silent during the ceremony only enhances your experience of this solemn event. This changing of the guard has been happening without interruption since 1948. On the day we were there, we not only had the privilege of the changing of the guard, but we also had the honor to witness a wreath laying ceremony, which was a really moving experience.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was such an amazing experience…read more I thought it was for one person, but it's a beautiful memorial to all of the unnamed soldiers that pass in battle. We were lucky enough to whiteness the changing of the guard. It only lasts a few moments , but it's such an amazing thing to experience.

What an amazing monument to the soldiers of this country. The Iwo Jima photograph is legendary…read more It was months between the time the photo was taken and it was developed. Could you imagine taking a photo that would live on in history and you didn't even get to see your picture for nearly two months? Mind boggling in the day and age of instant digital photography. There is no fee to park or visit this memorial and it has easy access right off of the highway. You can see the Washington Monument in the background of the memorial from the parking area. I suggest taking an hour to walk around and read all of the signs and just reflect on the history of this recreation as well as thinking about all of the wars the US has been involved in which are mentioned on the base of the monument. Sit quietly and reflect on all of the sacrifices that were made by others at the cost of their lives so we can be here today.

Such an amazing memorial. This was our first stop on our DC at Dusk tour. It was very warm and…read morehumid when we went, but everyone was so respectful around the memorial. It's located right next to Arlington Cemetery, another place that can't be missed. We enjoyed a nice stop here to admire the memorial and learn some amazing facts about it from our tour guide. Wish it had been a little darker so we could have seen it when it is lit up at night!

This building has amazing architecture and paintings. Get the free tour with a volunteer guide…read more She pointed out so many interesting facts that I would have missed on my own. You can also get a free library card if you want to do research or go into the reading rooms. First time visiting this beautiful building.

If you're in DC for just a few days, I'd add Library of Congress to the list. Note that you do need…read moretickets to enter, but the best part about the tickets is that it's free. The architecture is beautiful. There was a lot of thought that went into the structure and design of the building. I took the advice of one of the people and went into the viewing room first, but I wish I had gotten a later "timed entry" to see the library itself so that I could've taken the time to learn what I was looking at. If I were to do it again, I'd follow the order online of how to view the Library of Congress, and I'd time the viewing of the library itself to be the last part. Fun fact: you also can get a library card for the Library of Congress! As long as if you fill out the form and have an ID, you can get a library card the same day and it'll last for 2 years.

A free and excellent view of Downtown Washington DC can be viewed from the Old Post Office and…read moreClock Tower, which is the 3rd tallest structure in DC. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and it was completed in 1899. This is attached to the (now) Waldorf Astoria, however the Tower is manned by the National Parks Service. The entrance is in the back of the hotel, and the elevator looks out into the hotel's atrium. When you reach the open air top floor, you'll look out for a 360 degree view. One lonely park ranger is up there, and they are there year-round. When we visited, it was completely empty and we had the space to ourselves (and the ranger).

Actual rating: 3.5/5…read more Ok so in fairness, I have never cared for panoramic views. I came here with my friends on a day trip to DC after seeing a post about this place on social media. The entrance to the this place to see the views is incredibly tricky to access. The Waldorf took over and shut down the way to access through the building so you'll have to walk around and find the nearly completely hidden from street view entrance. For ease, I have linked the approximate location from Apple Maps below. There is a small historic background museum when you enter following the bag search and this is part of the National Parks stamping service so if you collect those speak with the nice ranger on duty. There are two elevators to travel to get to the top, the first takes you up to see views of the Astoria and the second will show you the rooftop from the Old Post Office Tower. This view is obscured by bars that make photography challenging. Would I, who does not like views, come again? No. But!!! If you are into views this is quite nice and free so I would recommend.