BLUF: One of DC's newest memorials honoring Americans who served in World War 1…read more The Great War later known as World War 1 ended in 1918 yet it took until 2021 for the United States to create a national memorial. Over 4 million service members supported the war and many more supported the efforts on the home front. During the country's two years of participation, 116,516 Americans were killed. Although more American were killed in WWI than Vietnam and Korea combined, the memorial in DC was opened long after the last American WWI veteran passed away. Around 2021 Pershing Park was repurposed to be the World War I memorial and installation of the iconic bronze sculpture was completed in 2026. The statue of General Pershing, who was Commander of US forces during the Great War, remains on the memorial grounds. The main feature of the memorial is "A Soldier's Journey" - 36 bronze figures in a 60 foot memorial that tell the story of a soldier leaving home for war and subsequently returning home. The soldiers take us through the having to leave his family, through battle and the aftermath and then returning home again. Real veterans posed for the sculpture and it's the most life-like bronze I can ever recall seeing. I greeted each figure and could feel their emotions through this graphic, detailed and patriotic sculpture. Taps is played daily at the memorial at 5pm. I was late for Taps but just in time to see the presidential motorcade departing the White House. This two acre memorial is new, not well known but certainly not one to be missed. It is located near the White House next to the famous Willard Hotel.

The World War I monument is right in front of the Marriott and the Intercontinental, along…read morePennsylvania Avenue NW between 14th Street NW and 15th Street NW, across from the White House Visitor Center. The American flag was raised over the World War I Memorial for the 1st time in 2021. The memorial honors all 4.7 million Americans who served their nation in World War I, including 116,516 who made the supreme sacrifice. This new memorial incorporates the existing memorial to Gen. Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Forces during the war. The memorial includes the Peace Fountain, a cascade of water behind an excerpt from the poem "The Young Dead Soldiers Do Not Speak" with engraved quotes and references to theaters, campaigns & battles in which American forces participated. A sculpture titled A Soldier's Journey, was just installed. The 58-foot-long bas-relief sculpture features 38 figures depicting the journey of a recurring American soldier. Due to the size & complexity of this memorial, the sculpture is scheduled to be installed later in 2024. Until then, artwork showing what the final product will look like will be in its place. The wall is surrounded by water and is viewed from a platform several feet in front of it. A belvedere is an architectural feature providing a particularly scenic view. Here the Belvedere is the conceptual center of the memorial, it provides a view of the elements and features of the memorial - the American Expeditionary Forces memorial and General Pershing statue is located to the viewer's left, the A Soldier's Journey sculpture is to the front, and flagstaff are and quotes from President Woodrow Wilson and others are to the right. Encircling the Belvedere are the names of the campaigns in which U.S. forces participated during the war.

Water you doing here? You're here to admire the amazing view of the Potomac, of course…read more I love it here. It's one of my fave places on the Potomac. Of course there have been concerts here, as well as heads of state and famous celebrities walking up these steps to Kennedy and the Hotel and what not. But for me, it's a place to relax, to stare across the river into the land of illegal radar detectors, and to watch the world go by.

The Watergate Steps are 40 steps directly behind the Lincoln Memorial along the Potomac River. They…read morewere originally made for VIPs visiting the National Mall who docked along the Potomac River. However, the steps were never used for that. Instead, they were used for sunset orchestra concerts. The orchestra would play from a barge on the river and the audience would sit on the steps. Today, the steps are used by mostly locals for one of two reasons- 1) To watch the sunset over the Rosslyn skyline across the river and 2) For workouts.

It just occurred to me that I've been on this thing during a trip to DC in 8th grade…read more I have nothing else to say. I just wanted to blatantly humblebrag this.

I almost got ran over by John McCain while he was rushing back to his office…read more No joke. (The railway goes 500 ft, it seems. For the lazy or old, apparently.)

Another obscure statue in DC. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was a giant of literature. It certainly is…read moreappropriate for him to have a statue. Finding it is just kind of hard. This is kind of hidden in the middle of a street. Getting here is kind of confusing. It isn't in the touristy part of the city so you have to go like a local. Take a bus or Metro to DuPont Circle and you're almost there. It isn't worth making a trip just to see this statue so have plans to also do something else. This is located around Connecticut Avenue and 18th Street. It's located in a small park area. This isn't much of a park but there's a few shrubs and trees. It doesn't take long to look at. It's not the most interesting statue. This is good to see if you're a fan of his or like classic writings.

One of my favorite resting places in the city. Right at the confluence of 18th street and…read moreConnecticut, there you will find Longfellow, his back turned to the Daily Grill, with a look of consternation on his face. Wondering where we lost our way, no doubt. There are a couple of benches to sit on, and a bit of greenery, and with traffic zooming by on both sides, it is a little like being on an island. Mostly, I just like the fact that we have a monument to a poet in the middle of the street. A DC treasure.

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)

The American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial (AVDLM) is an honor to the disabled veteran men…read moreand women. The memorial is dedicated to the living and fallen. This is one of my favorite memorials because of its design and special messaging inscribed in the stone and glass; all of which is inspiring, invoke reflection, and draws peace. There's a beautiful fountain, which is symbol of tranquility, and seating around the memorial. The quotes on the granite and glass are intentionally situated at eye-level, which is accommodating to wheelchair users. In the fall, the memorial is surrounded by the beautiful color change in tree foliage. When it snows, the site has a feeling of peace. The site is somewhat tucked away from the sight lines of the National Mall, so I don't think many, other than Capitol Hill and federal workers, are aware of this memorial. Because of this, there isn't much foot traffic here which makes it a great place to relax, eat lunch, or simply pit stop from your itinerary around Capitol Hill. A special memorial although isolated from the beaten path of the National Mall.

What a lovely tribute to our veterans. This might not one you would stop and go out of your way to…read moresee simply because you might not know about it and it is not around the rest of the typical memorials. Let me make a point to say that it is worth seeing! Located on the Capitol grounds, this memorial is settled across the street from Bartholdi Park and within sight of the Capitol itself and near the Botanical Gardens. If you wish to visit it, I suggest putting this on your list when in this area. Even though the District has a several monuments and memorials dedicated to our veterans, this particular one is dedicated to those who became handicapped due to their service. Considering that being disabled was looked down upon when many of our memorials were first constructed, it is truly respectable that this was created to honor those very specific individuals who will not be able to return to their regular lives after service. The memorial has a large star with water flowing out from the flame that is in the middle of the star. Surrounding the star are walls with quotes from veterans and namesake individuals from our US history. The way I interpreted the flame inside the star was that just because someone may lose their ability to see, walk, or simply live a 'normal' life again - that their flame remains burning internally. The veteran keeps going and they do not lose sight of serving their country. It's a simple memorial with such a strong message. It is very moving, and I highly recommend seeing this at dusk or twilight.

Our nation's Capital houses many of the necessary departments to run our country. The building is…read morebeautiful and it has the Albert Gallatin statue in front.

My brother in law works here and told me about how tours are free. So naturally, this was added to…read moreour visit list! Be aware--you do have to log into their website and sign up for tickets for the tour--they will not let you in without this reservation. They do have a gift shop of sorts, but they do not sell water--just an fyi. They give a guided tour and it was so very neat! They tell you all about the money printing process from start to finish, how to tell the difference between real vs counterfeit. They discuss the reasons that bills change every few years. You get to see them actually working the ginormous printing machines. I highly recommend visiting on your next DC trip!

The Japanese Pagoda is a small pagoda located near the Tidal Basin south of the National Mall. The…read moreattraction itself is not super big but it's very popular when the cherry blossoms are out and blooming. It's near the FDR Memorial and you might just miss it if you're not paying attention. The contrast was interesting seeing this tinier statue with the humongous National Monument in the background. It's a nice pagoda but I spent probably 30 seconds looking at it and taking pictures before we left. I would recommend checking this out if you're in the area for the cherry blossoms.

This is pretty any day, but especially when the cherry blossoms are in bloom. If you want to…read moreactually read the inscription or get pictures without tons of people, go any month except late March or early April. This is also an excellent sunrise/sunset photo opportunity. You can take the #1 Circulator bus from Union Station and get off at stop 6 or 7. It costs $1 per stop. You need dollars or your metro card.