My husband had always wanted to see the Friday Evening Parade, so we reserved tickets for the two…read moreof us and his father to see the presentation. I didn't really know much about the 8th and I traditions, so the experience was a really beautiful look into the discipline and pageantry of the Marine Corps. We parked at the recommended lot ($15) and took the huge MC bus to the drop off point. (I seriously have no idea how they navigate that bus through the tiny streets, but it was a very comfortable ride.) At the gate, you can scan your QR code on the emailed tickets, or they can look up the name for your party on their digital list. There was plenty of stadium seating, and they made sure everyone knew where they could get water or locate the bathrooms. They also have a small outdoor gift shop and offer veteran discounts. Before the presentation started, some members of the band came out to visit with the audience and answer questions. The actual parade was amazing. The precision and form of each group was flawless, and the music was specially organized to celebrate the 250th anniversary of America. The Silent Drill Platoon was the shining star of the parade. The coordination of the routine was perfection, and the difficulty of their movements was stunning to see. The members of this platoon were masters of the craft, and it was truly an honor to see them perform in person. If you've never seen the parade before, I so highly recommend it!

Great DC and local attraction rich in history and current military appreciation goodness. Plus who…read morewouldn't find Chesty the English Bulldog and Barracks' mascot adorable (can a Marine be adorable? Maybe not.). The Silent Drill Team, two bands, and amazing drill by Marine Barracks Washington is incredibly impressive. Definitely bring water for a summer evening performance. The bleachers are cushioned but a second cushion is recommended. Gates close at 8pm and the parade starts 45 minutes later. That's a lot of sitting...but worth it! Definitely a must see!

Loving history and graffiti, visiting the Graffiti House was a special treat. Built in the middle…read moreof the 19th century, the house is one of the best examples of Civil War graffiti. Used as a hospital during the War and occupied by both the Union and Confederacy, many soldiers signed their names or added drawings of horses, women, men, and more. The first floor has a little shop, a meeting room, and a restroom. (The restroom has some Civil War graffiti.) It's in the second-floor rooms where the majority of the historic graffiti can be seen along with stories of a few of its artists. It's a small museum open to the public thanks to a foundation, but it's worth your time!

Heads up: Graffiti House is only open from noon to 4p on Saturdays. Sign on the front says those…read morehours will be in place through Dec 2026

This is a good historical trail. I've not been to all of the stops yet. My dog is old and slow. So…read morewe do a few at a time. It's a good way to learn the history of the neighborhood. It's not long and you can easily knock it out with a little bit of time.

This is an astounding piece. It is also known as Waves and Gulls and is located right of of the…read moreMount Vernon Trail. If boarders the Potomac River. It was made in 1934 by Ernesto Begni del Piatta and depicts 7 sea gulls flying over a wave's crest. It stands 35 feet tall and 30 Feet wide. What caught my eye was the full bed of beautiful red flowers surrounding the statue. There were many people there taking photos. It is very picturesque. As a bonus, you do get a great view of the DC skyline from here. Just be careful of the bicyclist zooming around the corner past the statue. They are going full speed and will seriously hurt you. This memorial is worth a brief stop if you are going by. There is no nearby parking that I saw and I only stumbled upon it because I was walking the trail. I suggest you either walk, bike or scooter here.

The Navy Merchant Marine Memorial is a memorial on Columbia Island that many recognize by driving…read morealong the George Washington Memorial Parkway, but few have stopped to visit it. Here's why it's worth your time: 1) Story: It's the first memorial dedicated to those who lost their lives in the Navy and Merchant Marines. It took almost twenty years to go from ideation to opening due to lack of funds. Given the amount of trash nearby and the decay on the memorial, it's still neglected. 2) Memorial: It's one of the most unique memorials in the city and weirdly beautiful. You can also climb into the wave or use it as a place to read a good book. 3) Views: It's on an island in the Potomac River with stunning views of the National Mall. If you want to visit, you can access it via foot or bike along the Mt. Vernon Trail or you can drive. The parking lot near the marina gives you three hours of free parking. It's a short walk from the parking lot.

A beautiful historic building in DuPont Circle. It has the library of the Freemasons. The Scottish…read moreRite is a high order of this fraternity and this is an impressive home. Has public tours if you call ahead. The outside is impressive too. Has two sphinxes on the sides of the stairs outside the main entrance. I see people always on the stairs hanging out. This must be such a good place for a sit. Inside should be checked out if you get a chance. They have a functioning library. It was the oldest public library in DC. The selection has some interesting stuff. It has the world's largest collection of poetry by Robert Burns. There's all kinds of artifacts about freemasonry and tour guides will give you a look around and tell you about it. It seems mysterious which is why this is such an interesting building. Look into it and find out about freemasonry. They also allow you to check out books and go to the library to read and study.

This is a beautiful building found in our nation's capital. It is the representation of one of the…read moreworlds oldest fraternities. And it definitely represents antiquity at its finest! The outside of the building displays great architecture. It is similar to ancient Greek architecture, specifically due to the large stone columns. Long stone steps lead you to the inside, where there are many great artifacts, books, and displays that tell the story of this fraternity. This building is open to the public on certain days and times. I recommend visiting this place if you like history, and are willing to part with silly conspiracy theories.

This is a low-key memorial that is dedicated to the brave men and women of law enforcement who have…read moremade the ultimate sacrifice. There is metered street parking within a reasonable walking distance. It is right across the street from the Law Enforcement Museum and the DC Court of Appeals. On the other side of the memorial, you will find the Building Museum. The memorial was designed by architect Davis Buckley and dedicated on October 15, 1991. It sits on three acres of federal park land. It has a water feature. However, it was dry during my visit. I looked like they were doing some maintenance on it. The Memorial also features two curving limestone walls along its perimeter, each over 300 feet long, with the names of more than 24,000 officers who died in the line of duty etched on them. The walls are a part of the memorial, along with a line of trees, called "pathways of remembrance". You will find a pathway on each side of the memorial, and each entrance is marked by a powerful statuary grouping of an adult lion protecting its cubs. The sculptures are the work of Raymond Kaskey. They symbolize the protective role of law enforcement officers and convey the strength, courage, and valor that are hallmarks of those who serve and protect. The people being honored date back to the first known death in 1786. The memorial is ever-changing. New names of fallen officers are added to it each spring, in conjunction with National Police Week. I did not see much seating at the memorial, but this place is not a park. It is meant to honor. It does have a peaceful effect, even with the Metro elevator right in the middle. This is not a destination spot, but it is definitely worth a visit if you are in the area.

I visited a lot of law enforcement museums, and this is the best one I have ever been so far. This…read moreis not a free museum, but it worth the money you spent. They offers law enforcement and student discount tickets. Security and staff were very friendly. My favorite were the use of force demonstration and driving stimulator that visitors can experiences how police officers handle certain situations. There was an instructor, who had 30+ years experience coaching us throughout the experience. I enjoyed that a lot. I will come back again if I happened to be in town.

Came here as it was recommended as a unique historical site to see in Middleburg. $10 entry fee,…read moreand I would estimate it takes about 30 minutes to go through the entire exhibit. I liked the amount of paintings about the sporting horses as well as dogs. Overall good selection, and is a nice area to escape the heat in the summer! Be sure to check out the library next door as well.

Great art work that focuses on the horse and hound. Rotation of artwork comes through a decent…read moreamount, and the library has a lot to offer those who love to do research. It is not as big as some other museums, but definitely can hold its own.

--Location/Parking-- Located on the southern edge of the…read moreNational Mall. I recommend parking in one spot of the National Mall and walking throughout. I didn't see any local parking spots. --Ambience-- Outdoor memorial where you can see the sculpture and read the inscriptions on the wall. I believe there is an outdoor restroom nearby. Great to complete your stamp collection --Service/Staff-- The gift shop next to it has the last remaining stamp you need for the National Mall tour area. This is a must to stopping place that is sometimes overlooked because of its proximity to the Mall which is off the beaten path. --Products-- The gift shop has the usual items you see at the various tourist attractions throughout the National Mall. This was no exception. What makes it unique is the hidden stamp you can only collect at this spot which many travelers miss. --Overall-- For history buff and stamp collectors this is one of the hidden gems you must trek for 30+ minutes to reach even if you park close to the National Mall. I recommend an umbrella on those sunny days

The Eisenhower Memorial is one of The National Mall's newly erected memorials. It seems The Mall is…read morerunning out of space for new memorials and the location of the Eisenhower memorial seems to be in somewhat of an odd place in the Southwest quadrant of Independence Avenue, across the street from the Air & Space Museum and adjacent to the U.S. Department of Education federal building. Like many other memorials on The Mall that feature presidents or American leaders, this memorial has a fine depiction of the 34th president's leadership through imagery in some of his famous quotes and life-size sculptures. The memorial occupies a lot of land, however, much of it is landscaping, making the visit a quick walk-through. The landscaping is beautiful during the early spring when the grass is lush and green. Many tourists who visit the area pass by en route to the Air & Space Museum, the Holiday Inn hotel nearby, the Museum of the Bible on 4th Street, or the many food trucks situated along Independence Avenue. The location has an epic shot of the Capitol Building to the west. The good thing about the location is the memorial has restrooms on site (and perhaps one of the cleanest on The Mall), is in walking distance to the Capitol Building, 4th Street along The Mall which is less busy with tourists, and multiple Metro stations. Overall, a great memorial to visit, but if you have a tight itinerary I recommend lowering it on your list of priorities if you have other must-see museums or memorials on your list.