# Lincoln Memorial 7 
The Lincoln Memorial, an awe-inspiring marble monument, features a massive seated statue of President Abraham Lincoln gazing over the Reflecting Pool, with his Gettysburg Address and Second Inaugural Address inscribed on the interior walls.
This iconic site, where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his I Have a Dream speech, becomes especially breathtaking at night when illuminated against the Washington skyline.
by John Brighenti / CC BY-SA 2.0
# National Gallery of Art 7
Open to the public free of charge, the National Gallery of Art is known for its world-class collection of paintings by the most renowned European and American artists from the 12th century to the present.
Highlights include masterpieces by Rogier van der Weyden, Johannes Vermeer, and Raphael.
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- Important Masterpieces: 24
- Total Masterworks of Painting: 210 (world-class), All Ranks of the Top 5 Paintings Added (low score is better): 893 (excellent), Mentions of the Top 5 Paintings in Influential Art Books: 50 (world-class)
- Highlight: Watson and the Shark by John Singleton Copley (1778), 182.1 cm Ă— 229.7 cm (71.6 in Ă— 90.4 in)
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by Kurt Kaiser / CC BY-SA 2.0
This is our selection of the eight best paintings of the National Gallery of Art:
(Click on images to open in lightbox)
1) Watson and the Shark, John Singleton Copley (1778),
182.1 cm Ă— 229.7 cm (71.6 in Ă— 90.4 in)
by Wikimedia / Public Domain
2) The Girl with the Red Hat, Johannes Vermeer van Delft (1888),
23.2 cm Ă— 18.1 cm (9.1 in Ă— 7.1 in)
by Wikimedia / Public Domain
3) Portrait of a Lady, Rogier van der Weyden (1460),
34 cm Ă— 25.5 cm (13 in Ă— 10 in)
by Wikimedia / Public Domain
4) Portrait of Bindo Altoviti, Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio) (1514)
by Wikimedia / Public Domain
5) Portrait of Ginevra de’ Benci, Leonardo Da Vinci (1474-1478)
by Wikimedia / Public Domain
6) Annunciation, Jan van Eyck (1434–1436)
by Wikimedia / Public Domain
7) Laocoon, El Greco (1604–1616)
by Wikimedia / Public Domain
8) Breezing Up (A Fair Wind), Winslow Homer (1873–76)
by Wikimedia / Public Domain
# Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History 6 
The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, housed in an elegant Beaux-Arts building with a grand rotunda, boasts fascinating exhibits, including the dazzling Hope Diamond, lifelike dioramas of prehistoric creatures, and a towering African elephant at its entrance. From the deep-sea wonders of the Ocean Hall to the eerie skeletons in the Fossil Hall, this museum captivates visitors with a vast collection spanning Earth’s past and present.
by ]Alex Proimos from Sydney / CC BY-SA 2.0
# Capitol 6
The United States Capitol, an iconic neoclassical building with a majestic white dome, serves as the seat of the U.S. Congress and houses the Senate and House of Representatives, with its grand Rotunda adorned with historical frescoes like The Apotheosis of Washington.
Visitors can explore the stately National Statuary Hall, gaze up at the intricate dome ceiling, and walk the Capitol grounds, which offer breathtaking views of the National Mall.
by Carol M. Highsmith / Public domain
# National Air and Space Museum 6
The National Air and Space Museum, home to legendary aircraft and spacecraft like the Wright brothers’ Flyer and the Apollo 11 command module Columbia, immerses visitors in the history of aviation and space exploration. Interactive exhibits, a planetarium, and actual moon rocks make this Smithsonian museum one of the most visited attractions in Washington, D.C.
by Jawed Karim / CC BY-SA 3.0
# The National Mall 6
The National Mall, a sprawling two-mile-long park lined with cherry trees, stretches from the Lincoln Memorial to the U.S. Capitol and serves as the nation’s premier gathering place for historical events, protests, and celebrations. Flanked by world-renowned museums and monuments, this open space invites visitors to stroll past landmarks like the Washington Monument and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial while soaking in the grandeur of American history.
by Bin im Garten / CC BY-SA 3.0
# White House 6
The White House, an iconic neoclassical residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, serves as the official home and workplace of the President of the United States, featuring 132 rooms, a grand East Room for receptions, and the famous Oval Office where historic decisions shape the nation.
by Matt H. Wade / CC BY-SA 3.0
# Phillips Collection 6
The Phillips Collection, nestled in the Dupont Circle neighborhood, is America's first museum of modern art, boasting an intimate setting filled with masterpieces by Renoir, Rothko, O’Keeffe, and Van Gogh, all housed in a charming 19th-century mansion that creates a unique dialogue between art and space.
by Joyofmuseums / CC BY-SA 4.0
# National Museum of African American History and Culture 5 
The National Museum of African American History and Culture, housed in a striking bronze-colored building with an intricate iron lattice design, tells the powerful story of Black history in America through exhibits on slavery, the Civil Rights Movement, and cultural icons like Harriet Tubman and Chuck Berry. Artifacts such as Emmett Till’s casket and a segregation-era rail car provide deeply moving and immersive experiences that highlight resilience and triumph.
by Frank Schulenburg / CC BY-SA 4.0
#10 | Washington Monument 5
The Washington Monument, a soaring 555-foot marble obelisk on the National Mall, honors George Washington’s legacy and offers breathtaking panoramic views from its observation deck, reached via an elevator ride that reveals historical commemorative stones embedded in its towering interior.
by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Andy Dunaway, Public domain
#11 | Library of Congress 5
The Library of Congress, the largest library in the world, spans three opulent buildings filled with over 170 million items. It includes the Gutenberg Bible, Thomas Jefferson’s original book collection, and the breathtaking Main Reading Room crowned by a massive stained-glass dome.
by Carol M. Highsmith / Public domain
#12 | Capitol Hill 5
Capitol Hill, the heart of American democracy, houses the majestic U.S. Capitol with its iconic cast-iron dome, where the Senate and House of Representatives debate laws, while the surrounding area features historic row houses, Supreme Court chambers, and the serene U.S. Botanic Garden.
by Carol M. Highsmith / Public domain
– Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute 5
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, spanning 163 acres in Rock Creek Park, is home to over 2,000 animals, including giant pandas, Sumatran tigers, and cheetahs, with a mission focused on cutting-edge wildlife conservation, research, and education.
by Jeff Kubina / Public domain
– Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial 5
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, a powerful tribute along the Tidal Basin, features a 30-foot statue of Dr. King emerging from a "Stone of Hope," flanked by inscriptions of his profound speeches, symbolizing his enduring impact on justice, equality, and civil rights.
by Rachel Hendrix / Public domain
New York City 8 
A roughly four-hour drive or a bit more than a three-hour train ride away, the bustling metropolis of New York City offers iconic sights like Times Square, Central Park, and the Statue of Liberty, as well as world-class museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art.
City Distance from Washington, D.C: 225 miles / 362 km
by Worldcitiesranking.com / CC BY-SA 3.0
Mount Vernon Mansion 5
Just a short 30-minute drive along the scenic Potomac River, Mount Vernon is the beautifully preserved estate of George Washington, featuring his elegant mansion, lush gardens, a working farm, and a museum with fascinating exhibits about the first U.S. president’s life and legacy.
Island Distance from Washington, D.C: 15 miles / 24 km
by Otherspice / CC BY-SA 4.0