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Go Backpacking > Destinations > North America > United States > Walking Tour of Washington, DC

Walking Tour of Washington, DC

October 12, 2009 By Dave

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Vanessa (Germany) on Capitol Hill
Vanessa (Germany) on Capitol Hill

I learned a valuable lesson in Colombia earlier this year – when you stay put, it's only a matter of time before other world wanderers visit your neck of the woods. 

Of course, it helps to live near a major city, and in my case, that city is the US capitol of Washington, DC.

National Gallery of Art - East Building
National Gallery of Art – East Building

Vanessa and I met Christmas Eve 2007 when we arrived in Queenstown via the same Stray bus. 

A few days later, we exchanged e-mail addresses as so often is the case and stayed loosely in touch via Facebook. 

I skipped visiting her in Germany this past January, in part, due to the cold winter weather. 

A few weeks ago I received a message that she would be visiting Washington, so I offered to play tour guide.

I took the metro to the Eastern Market station and walked to William Penn House, her Quaker-run hostel located on Capitol Hill. 

When I later joked about her hostel being run by Quakers, I realized she had no idea it was a religious group.

We set off down East Capitol Street, our first stop being the Supreme Court building. 

A few cameras were set up and a local homeless person was across the street yelling his objections to something or other. 

I mentioned it was the first day of the Court's new session and this was a popular place for rallies to gain attention.

Next, we walked across the street toward the Capitol Building. There is a newly-opened, underground visitor's center, however, the day was so beautiful, neither of us was inclined to go inside. 

Vanessa liked the sunlight, and I can never get enough of the white Washington buildings and monuments set against cloudless blue skies.

We walked around the Capitol Building and down to the Mall, passing our first monument of a General on a horse. 

Vanessa highlighted men on horseback as a popular theme in America (she had previously visited Boston). 

Such an observation is exactly the kind I so often make in other countries.  For example, noticing the ubiquitous Chairman Mao statues in China.

I showed her the optical illusion at the National Gallery of Art's East Building, where if you stand at the right spot, it appears as though part of the building is only two dimensional like a piece of paper. 

In the past, you could walk right up to the building to see it, but someone recently decided to plant shrubbery in front, thus distancing tourists from that particular corner.

Washington Monument as seen from WWII Memorial
Washington Monument as seen from WWII Memorial

We continued westward, through the Sculpture Garden, set across the street from the National Archives. 

I suggested we take a look at the original copy of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, the perfect excuse to get my bald head out of the sun for a bit. 

When I visited as a kid, you could walk straight up the front stairs, through the big doors, and into the open rotunda. 

These days, the front doors are closed for security reasons.  There is a street-level entrance with metal detectors and scanners sensitive enough to pick up the foil wrapping of my gum.

Next, we swung by the White House for photos, and then up to the Washington Monument for 360-degree views of The Mall. 

We walked through the World War II Memorial, and then past the always somber Vietnam Memorial. It was here that I had to conclude my portion of the tour as I had an evening activity to attend.

Vanessa's month-long tour of America continues with stops in Niagra Falls, Chicago, Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

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Filed Under: Features, United States Tagged With: Washington-DC

About Dave

Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking and Feastio. He's been to 65 countries and lived in Colombia and Peru. Originally from New York, Dave now calls Austin, TX home. Find him on Instagram and Twitter.

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Comments

  1. Stephanie says

    October 12, 2009 at 10:28 am

    I think all Washingtonians would agree that we never ever go sightseeing unless we are showing around someone from out of town. You know in 25 years I have NEVER been up the Washington Monument. I have a friend visiting this weekend so maybe I can finally check it off my life list.

  2. Dave says

    October 12, 2009 at 2:21 pm

    Yes, it's true, however after 15 years in northern Virginia, I did finally check out the Cherry Blossom Festival in 2007. :)

  3. BlakesJourney says

    October 14, 2009 at 10:21 am

    Sounds like a pretty typical day in our nation's capital. My mom and bro live over there and I love to stroll about. Walking is such a great way to see a place, right? Feel the street, smell the traffic and see the folk.

  4. BlakesJourney says

    October 14, 2009 at 10:23 am

    I think that's the way it is in most places. I lived in Orlando, FL for 6 years or so and never once went to disney and stuff on my own accord. Always when family or friends were in town. It's still that way for me here in Atlanta! I have yet to visit the world of coke or our gigantic aquarium (world's biggest, i think).

  5. Stephanie says

    October 14, 2009 at 3:27 pm

    I spent four years living in Atlanta and I made it to world of coke, cnn and the aquarium once each- all with out of town guests (only cnn was worth it). Never got out to see Stone Mountain though…

  6. Dave says

    October 15, 2009 at 2:24 pm

    Thanks! The Memorial photo was taken as the sun was going down. I continue to be impressed with the quality of the BB Curve camera.

  7. Dave says

    October 15, 2009 at 2:26 pm

    World of Coke? That sounds intriguing! Wonder where Pepsi is situated? I think CNN would be cool.

  8. Dave says

    October 15, 2009 at 7:24 pm

    Thanks! The Memorial photo was taken as the sun was going down. I continue to be impressed with the quality of the BB Curve camera.

  9. Dave says

    October 15, 2009 at 7:26 pm

    World of Coke? That sounds intriguing! Wonder where Pepsi is situated? I think CNN would be cool.

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