22 Iconic Washington DC Landmarks Every True American Must Visit!

Washington DC is the capital of the United States and a city filled with places most people around the world have seen in movies. Located in a Federal District, it is not part of any of the 50 states, instead situated on land donated by the states of Mayland and Virginia. More than 20 million people visit each year, making it one of the most visited cities in the United States. With an immense collection of things to do and see, those who want to experience everything Washington DC has to offer are going to need to commit some serious time to the endeavour. However, for those who want to explore the city but don’t have quite that amount of free time to spare, these are the most famous monuments and must-visit landmarks in Washington DC you should not miss. Many are part of the National Mall, which is managed by the national park service. These are the most iconic and historical locations that any trip to the nation’s capital wouldn’t be complete without visiting.

Washington DC Landmarks

The 20 Best Landmarks In Washington DC

1- The White House

Built at the very end of the 18th century, The White House has been the official residence of every United States President during their term.

The only exception to this is George Washington, who served as President before the White House was completed.

It was the residence of President Lincoln during the Civil War, where significant decisions about the war were made, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who led the United States during most of the second world war, and the residence of President Harry S. Truman, who led the United States during the Korean War (1950–1953).

Its stunning white façade of the White House is based on traditional English and Irish county houses and is a grand piece of architecture.

A National Heritage Site, it is open to tours and visitors and is a fabulous place to learn more about America’s past and the history of the U.S. government.

The White House is at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, 20500.

2- The Pentagon

While technically located in Arlington, Virginia, on the other side of the Potomac River, The Pentagon remains one of the most famous buildings for visitors to Washington DC to see.

The United States Department Of Defense headquarters is an impressive building constructed in the shape of a massive pentagon that covers more than 6.6 million square feet (620,000 square metres).

Constructed during World War II, it became the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense and played a critical role in war strategy.

Take a guided tour to discover the history of the U.S. military and the construction of the building. Visit the Hall Of Heroes, which is a shrine dedicated to the recipients of the Medal Of Honor.

3- Smithsonian National Museum Of American History

Of all the Smithsonian museums, this is one of the most visited in the United States, with more than 3.8 million annual visitors.

It has three floors and a lower level, outdoor sculptures, archives and study centres.

The 1964 museum began as the Museum Of History And Technology and grew into the museum it is today.

It features displays and artefacts relating to the cultural, military, political, scientific and social histories of the United States.

The museum contains World War II exhibits, including artifacts from the war effort, home front and military campaigns. You’ll also find exhibits and artifacts related to U.S. involvement in the Korean War, including military equipment and personal stories.

Smithsonian National Museum Of American History is at 1300 Constitution Avenue NW, 20560.

4- Lincoln Memorial 

The Lincoln Memorial is one of the most iconic landmarks in Washington DC.

It features a 19-foot (5.8 m) marble statue of the 16th U.S President Abraham Lincoln seated in a massive building inspired by the Parthenon.

The building has 36 Doric columns holding up the roof in a symbolic gesture that represented the 36 states in the Union – at the time when Lincoln was assassinated – holding up the nation. 

A U.S National Memorial, it was designed and carved over eight years between 1914 and 1922.

Inside the iconic structure, there are beautiful murals, iconic monuments and sculptures.

Lincoln Memorial is at 2 Lincoln Memorial Circle NW, 20002.

5- United States Capitol 

Originally built in 1800, the United States Capitol building houses the U.S. Senate and the House Of Representatives.

The capitol building is a symbol of American democracy and the seat of the United States Congress.

Completed in 1800, its iconic neoclassical design on Capitol Hill features a grand dome and sprawling wings housing the Senate and House of Representatives chambers.

The capitol building has witnessed pivotal moments in the country’s history, from landmark debates to presidential inaugurations.

The iconic design of the capitol building was copied by many of the state capitol buildings around the country.

Visitors can take guided tours around the interiors, which feature incredible murals and works of art, as well as easily recognisable locations like the Capitol Rotunda, crypt, and the chambers of the House and Senate.

Located at the original centre of the Federal District, the capitol building is surrounded by beautiful grounds and sports four flag poles that fly flags at different times to signify what is taking place within.

United States Capitol is on Capitol Hill at First Street SE, 20004.

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6- National Gallery Of Art

Washington DC’s National Gallery Of Art is one of the largest museums by area in the United States and the 21st most visited art museum in the world.

It is considered to be among the greatest museums in America yet doesn’t charge for admission, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to see its wonders.

Its treasure trove of over 75,000 pieces includes decorative arts, drawings, medals, paintings, prints, photographs, and sculptures, covering the evolution of western art from the Middle Ages to the present day.

It also features the only painting by Leonardo Da Vinci anywhere in the Americas.

National Gallery Of Art is at Constitution Avenue NW, 20565.

7- Washington Monument

The Washington Monument is a 555-foot (169 m) towering obelisk at the heart of the National Mall honouring the first President of the United States, George Washington.

It is a U.S National Memorial and has been listed on the U.S National Register Of Historic Places since 1966.

It was erected over 40 years from marble, with the stone structure completed between 1848 and 1884 and the internal metalworks and memorial stones finished by 1888.

The majestic monument held the record of the world’s tallest structure for five years between 1884 and 1889, losing it when the Eiffel Tower was completed.

Lucky visitors can take an elevator to the top of the monument to take in stunning views of Washington DC, although tickets are extremely limited.

Washington Monument is at 2 15th Street NW, 20024.

8- Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

The largest reflecting pool in Washington DC sits at the centre of the National Mall, sandwiched between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, reflecting both structures in its water.

One of the most iconic locations in the city, it receives 24 million visitors each year.

Surrounded by walking paths and trees, it is a beautiful location for a leisurely stroll to take in the views.

The pool has been used as a location for many important events, including National addresses by various U.S. Presidents.

Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is at 2 Lincoln Memorial Circle NW, 20024.

9- Washington National Cathedral

Its official name is quite a mouthful – the Cathedral Church Of Saint Peter And Saint Paul In The City And Diocese Of Washington – and it’s no wonder most people refer to it as the Washington National Cathedral.

The second-largest church in the United States was designed in Neo-Gothic style and modelled closely on English structures from the late 14th century.

Built between 1906 and 1988, it is a fabulous destination to learn about the religious history of the United States and take in some of its most stunning architecture.

It has previously been ranked as the third most popular piece of architecture in all of America.

Washington National Cathedral is at 3101 Wisconsin Avenue NW, 20016.

10- George Washington Equestrian Statue

Sculpted by George Clark in 1860, the George Washington Equestrian Statue is a striking bronze statue depicting the first U.S. President on horseback, riding into battle.

Listed on the U.S National Register Of Historic Places, the statue is in the centre of the Washington Circle and of historical significance.

This Washington DC monument is a memorial to the American War Of Independence.

George Washington Equestrian Statue is at 2192-2442 K Street NW, 20037.

11- National Portrait Gallery

Open to the public since 1968, the National Portrait Gallery houses portraits of influential Americans throughout the country’s storied history.

It features a collection of more than 21,000 pieces and is the only museum dedicated exclusively to portraiture.

Operated as part of the Smithsonian Institution, it is located in another worthy DC landmark, the Old Patent Office Building. The patent office is one of the oldest patent offices in the United States, covering an entire city block.

The gallery receives more than 1 million visitors each year, and entry is entirely free.

National Portrait Gallery is at 8th And G Streets, 20001.

12- Arlington National Cemetery

Set across the Potomac River in Arlington, Virginia, the Arlington National Cemetery is a vast military cemetery covering 639 acres (259 ha).

Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place of members of the U.S military who have died in combat, many of whom have been buried dating back to the Civil War.

The cemetery also has memorials for World War II veterans and grave sites of soldiers who served during the war.

Arlington National Cemetery is listed on the National Register Of Historic Places.

Pay your respects at the graves of fallen heroes and visit famous monuments like JFK’s Eternal Flame, the Memorial Amphitheatre and the Tomb Of The Unknowns.

13- Ford’s Theatre

Ford’s Theatre is a historic theatre best known as the site of the assassination of former U.S. President Abraham Lincoln.

On 14 April 1865, John Wilkes Booth shot the president in the head during a performance of the play ‘Our American Cousin’.

Booth was a Confederate sympathiser born in Baltimore where slavery was still legal at that time.   

He had been plotting to kidnap Lincoln, whom he saw as a tyrant who was depriving the Confederates of their rights to legalise slavery and couldn’t believe his luck when Lincoln attended a play in the theatre where he was performing. 

You can enjoy performances in this historic destination while taking in its stunning architecture or take guided tours to learn more about the awe-inspiring structure and Lincoln’s death.

Ford’s Theatre is at 511 10th Street NW, 20004.

14- Smithsonian National Zoological Park

Smithsonian National Zoological Park is one of the USA’s oldest zoos and has been operating since 1899.

It offers free entry for all visitors and is open every day of the year except for Christmas Day.

Its collection of 2,000 animals includes amphibians, Asian elephants, big cats, birds, great apes, insects, reptiles, a range of aquatic animals and their iconic giant pandas.

Smithsonian National Zoological Park is at 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW, 20008.

15- Basilica Of The National Shrine Of The Immaculate Conception

The Basilica is the largest Roman Catholic church in North America and one of the largest in the world. It’s also the tallest habitable building in Washington DC.

It was designed in the Byzantine Revival and Romanesque Revival styles, it took almost 100 years to complete, with construction beginning in 1920 and not finishing till 2017.

Visitors can either attend a service at the cathedral or wander around both its interior and exterior, taking in the fabulous architecture and works of art.

Basilica Of The National Shrine Of The Immaculate Conception is at 400 Michigan Avenue NE, 20017.

16- Thomas Jefferson Memorial

The Thomas Jefferson Memorial is a memorial built to honour one of the founding fathers of the United States and the Democratic-Republican Party and the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence.

Featuring Neoclassical architecture, it is built with a columned rotunda in the style of the Pantheon in Rome and located on an artificial reservoir known as the Tidal Basin.

Featuring a statue of Thomas Jefferson himself and inscriptions from the Declaration Of Independence, it ranked fourth on a “List Of America’s Favourite Architecture”.

Thomas Jefferson Memorial is at 16 East Basin Drive SW, 20242.

17- Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial

The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial is spread over 7.5 acres (3 ha)and is dedicated to America’s 32nd President who was president during most of World War II.

It features four rooms, each representing a term in his 12-year presidency.

The memorial includes statues of FDR and his famous dog, inspired by pictures of the two, monuments based around events from the time of his presidency, waterfalls and carvings of some of his most famous quotes.

FDR Memorial is at 1850 West Basin Drive SW, 20242.

18- Martin Luther King Jr Memorial

The memorial features an impressive 30-foot (9.1 m) statue of the famous civil rights leader.

Martin Luther King Jr (1929–1968) was a leader of the American Civil Rights Movement, advocating for racial equality through non-violent resistance.

Martin Luther King Jr gained prominence during the Montgomery Bus Boycott and co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).

Carved out of granite, the memorial was opened in 2011 and is a short walk from where he delivered his infamous “I Have A Dream” speech, which inspired millions.

King’s efforts led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, his legacy endures globally

Martin Luther King Jr Memorial is at 1964 Independence Avenue SW, 20003.

19- Smithsonian Castle 

Built-in 1855, the Smithsonian Castle is designed in the Norman Revival style from Seneca red sandstone.

The very first Smithsonian building, it is the location of the Smithsonian Institution’s administrative offices and information centre.

The visitor centre includes interactive displays, maps, and informative computers, while there is also a crypt that houses the tomb of James Smithson, the founding donor of the Smithsonian Institution.

The building has been listed as a National Historic Landmark since 1965.

Smithsonian Castle is at 1000 Jefferson Drive SW, 20560.

20- National Archives Museum

The National Archives Museum is home to some of the most important and historical documents that record milestones of the way of life in the USA, such as the Bill Of Rights, the Constitution, and the Declaration Of Independence.

You will also find additional documents such as the Articles Of Confederation And Perpetual Union, Emancipation Proclamation, the Louisiana Purchase Treaty, the Magna Carta, and several other photographs and artifacts that will give you a deeper understanding into the USA’s history and culture.

It houses key World War II documents, including military records and documents related to U.S. involvement in the war.

Guided tours are available for visitors and take around 90 minutes to complete.

National Archives Museum is at 701 Constitution Avenue NW, 20408.

21- Vietnam Veterans Memorial

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial honours the U.S. service members who fought, died, or went missing during the Vietnam War.

Dedicated in 1982, its centerpiece is the black granite wall etched with over 58,000 names of the fallen or missing.

Designed by Maya Lin, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial has a reflective surface invites personal connection and contemplation.

The site also includes The Three Soldiers statue and the Vietnam Women’s Memorial, making it a profound tribute to sacrifice and service.

22- The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum is a premier destination for aviation and space exploration enthusiasts.

Housing iconic artifacts like the Apollo 11 Command Module, the Spirit of St. Louis, and the Wright Brothers’ Flyer, it chronicles humanity’s journey into the skies and beyond.

Interactive exhibits, flight simulators, and IMAX films bring the stories of innovation and discovery to life. Located on the National Mall, it inspires millions annually to dream big and reach for the stars.