This would be my final day in the Washington, D.C. area. One of the reasons I wanted to visit this city so badly was to see the actual historical context of the people who lived during those times. In doing so, I knew I had to visit Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown. To do that, I had to rent a car! It was the only time I would drive a car while on this trip!
Jamestown Settlement
My first stop would be Jamestown Settlement. This was first on my list because it best represented the period when people lived, as accurately as possible, through replication.
I paid for several site passes ($119). Although I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this, it worked for me. As a teacher, I wanted to bring back as much information as I could into my classes or my peers’ classes.
Walking in, they did a fabulous job replicating the buildings, jobs, and boats of the time. Everything was sized to the period. They dressed in the 1600s and 1700s. They were extremely informative and included many hands-on activities.
Historic Jamestowne
Historic Jamestowne is the site of the original settlement. This was probably the best visit to date. Although much of the history has been torn down, broken down, etc., archaeologists were there digging and finding new artifacts. We were able to walk through original graves, churches, homes, and more. It felt very surreal walking the same grounds as those from history books, knowing the struggles they had during that period.
Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg was probably one of the sites I was most excited about seeing, but it ended up being the most disappointing part of my visit. It was so disappointing that I left after just a couple of sites. I do not recommend this site at all, which is why I do not recommend the big, expensive site pass.
When I visit places like this, I expect to see history. When I arrived, they said this was a real town built around a historic one. They supposedly had a ton of historical elements within the town. As I walked around, though, almost nothing was historical. What was historical was replicated and not original. It was a bunch of people playing dress up while regurgitating information we learned in history class. I wanted to see artifacts. I wanted to see historical markers. Instead, I saw modern cars driving through town, hotels, and other modern things that took away from the love of history.
Overall, it was a nice visit, but I wouldn’t say Washington, D.C., was my favorite. Follow up for another posting for some reviews or tips if you plan to visit!
I knew this was going to be my last day in the city. I had one more long trip I wanted to take before I left the area, so I had to make the most of my time in D.C. today. Yesterday was completely exhausting, but I was going to make use of every moment and opportunity.
Supreme Court
My first stop was to see the Supreme Court. Unfortunately, they were closed to the public the day I went (Memorial Day), but I was glad to have seen it in person. One of my dreams growing up was to be a lawyer. I made the mistake of talking myself out of it. I regret it quite often, but I also believe everything happens for a reason. The Supreme Court always held a special place in my heart – not only because of my dreams, but also because of the things fought for in that building and on those steps.
Capitol Building
With the help of Representative John Carter, I was able to schedule a tour of the Capitol Building. I didn’t realize how big the building was until I arrived there. I stood there in awe, thinking about how this was built long ago, burned down, and rebuilt with minimal tools. The building’s details respected both its past and present history.
One of the coolest facts I learned while here is that they built a Tomb for George Washington at the very bottom of the Capitol. In the center of the Capitol Building, there is a compass that points to a straight shot to his tomb. It is sectioned off on each floor to ensure no one disrupts or disrespects the idea behind it. However, because of Washington’s Mount Vernon Tomb and the family’s wishes, they kept him at his home there.
Another interesting piece of information I learned concerned the rotunda. Around the rotunda is an art piece that serves as a timeline of American history. It dates back to Christopher Columbus and modern-day Space Exploration. It was interesting to see how they tied allthe pieces of history together to show the growth of our country.
Smithsonian Museum of Natural History
I missed my chance at the Holocaust Museum, so I made my way to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. I’m not big on fossils, gems, or minerals, but I figured, why not?
The part I spent the most time on was the jewels. There was such a beautiful display of jewels from all around the world, gifted to famous U.S. Diplomats.
Holocaust Museum
Though I missed my first chance, I made my second visit to the Holocaust Museum.
I was given a card of a special person who was involved in the Holocaust. My person was a survivor, but we know that was rare. As we made our way through the museum, I learned things I didn’t know previously. I knew Hitler was evil and the period was dreadful for Jews, but this museum really opened my eyes to much more. They had many artifacts to show how bad things were during the period. It walked us through how they brainwashed the country into believing the propaganda.
It took days to get tickets for this, but I highly recommend going.
Washington Monument
Another place I recommend getting tickets to is the Washington Monument. Again, it took a couple of days to score tickets, but I’m grateful I did!
We took a ride up 500+ feet to the top of the Washington Monument. Just like a plane, you felt the pressure change. I had to pop my ears at least twice on the way up. It had stunning views of the entire city of Washington, D.C. It put into perspective just how small we really are.
Library of Congress
My final pit stop was the Library of Congress. I signed up for a tour. I’m glad I did. The columns honored famous authors such as Longfellow, Scott, and Gibbon. As a teacher who teaches reading and writing, I was in awe of the building. I came at the perfect time to visit the Reading Room as well, which is a rare opportunity.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Washington, D.C. I learned a lot and lived through moments I normally wouldn’t have had the chance to experience. My appreciation for art and architecture grew tremendously after visiting most of these places. Although I didn’t get to see everything, I experienced a lot.
After an emotional first day, I was looking forward to an exciting touristy day 2. Little did I know this would be the most interesting and enjoyable day yet!
Smithsonian
I knew I had to start at the Smithsonian Museums. As a teacher, I use their resources all the time in class. I didn’t realize they had so many museums until I came to Washington, D.C. Luckily, they are all situated near each other and easy to access. Despite that, I wasn’t able to access them all in my short time, so I had to prioritize.
I boarded the metro for another long travel into the city. Upon arriving, I walked through the streets and took pictures of other well-known monuments (i.e. Washington Monument). I saw other tourists taking photos and offered to help with family photos. They were grateful and almost shocked that I was willing to do that for them.
I started at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. I wasn’t sure what to really expect, other than history. Surprisingly, it included everything history-related – not just war history.
One of the first displays that stood out to me was the Greensboro Four display. They had part of the counter and chairs from the diner that made history. Just outside of the display, the museum included chairs for visitors to watch a short documentary on the Greensboro Four. These four gentlemen do not receive enough credit for their bravery that day.
As I walked through the displays and rooms, I saw exhibits from the old American education system. The chairs and desks were so incredibly tiny. The outfits were traditional white-and-blue dress codes, with girls wearing modest dresses, even on their arms.
They brought an actual home from the 1600s into the museum. You were able to see the architecture of the time, and it included an interactive family having tea. It told the story of six families living in one home. I’m not sure if I could handle housing another family in my small home. Next to the home, they included a bucket of water that would have been the weight of the time. I didn’t realize just how heavy these buckets were for people to carry back and forth to the home for cooking, bathing, washing clothes, etc. They included a laundry wringer as well. I thought I was strong until I started twisting the wringer.
I made my way to the entertainment portion of the museum. I saw Dorothy’s red slippers. They were on display behind a locked enclosure, but there was a second pair, copper-colored, for patrons to feel. I couldn’t believe just how heavy these shoes were and were made of metal! The entertainment portion continued with original dolls from The Muppets, Mr. Rodgers, Sesame Street, and more. It was very nostalgic, and it made me sad to be a grown adult. It made me sad to realize many of today’s kids didn’t have such great influences as we had.
I remember reading that the COVID mask was brought into the Smithsonian Museum. I remember laughing about it at the time and thinking it was crazy. Sure enough… the mask was there in the Smithsonian Museum.
The Nintendo, old video recorders, old microphones, Nokia phones, pagers, and more were also on display at the Smithsonian Museum. I immediately felt old. I felt ancient as I watched kids walk around, asking questions about things that were popular in my childhood.
The coolest part of the Smithsonian Museum I saw was the First Ladies display. I’m not one for fashion, but I was 100% intrigued by the fashion of the times. One thing I realized was how tiny women were in the 1700s. They were both extremely short and extremely skinny. You can see how fashion evolves over time in its size and design. Long modest clothing (length and arms) became off-the-shoulder, sheer, and closer to the body.
After attending the Smithsonian, I wanted to explore the city for monuments more. I knew I had future days to see other Smithsonian Museums.
Monuments Galore
I rented a Capital Bike to travel around town. I definitely don’t recommend these, but I’ll get into that later. I knew that much walking would kill my back, though, so I took the chance at the suggestion of someone else.
The White House
My first stop would be the White House. I grabbed a bike and tried to find my way to the most famous building in our country. Like the previous day, I realized many streets were blocked off. I noticed many dark-colored vehicles with dark-tinted windows. My only assumption would be that it was the Secret Service. Another interesting thing about Washington, D.C. is that there are metal barriers all over the city – even for flowerbeds and trees.
After fighting with Google Maps for several minutes to get to the White House, I finally found my way there. It included a tumble on my electric bike. It left me with a pretty nasty injury and bruise that led me to limp the rest of the day and the next day. I finally got to the gates of the White House. I always see amazing photos of the place, but I can’t figure out how people get them. There was an incredible amount of security around the White House. I was even afraid to put my arm through the metal gates to get a clear photo of the famous building. I did it though! It was absolutely stunning!
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
My next stop would be the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a place I could get up close to or inside. Because I didn’t have a lock on my bike, and I couldn’t park it anywhere in particular, I had to just take photos from a distance. Its location is absolutely stunning as it overlooks a beautiful body of water. The building was undergoing restoration, so parts of it were closed off as well.
At about this time, the weather became extremely humid. I noticed the cloud coverage was getting darker, and a few drops of drizzle were falling. I didn’t prepare for heavy rain. I had a raincoat, but that was about it.
Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial
My next stop was the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial. This one wasn’t what I expected at all. It was a huge park of stone structures and waterfalls honoring Roosevelt, his family, and his causes. Another beautifully designed memorial. The stones were covered with famous quotes, pictures, and statues related to Roosevelt.
Midway through the memorial, it started pouring rain. At this point, I just had to embrace it. It was such a moment, though. I sat in the rain, taking pictures and enjoying the moment of being in the pouring rain and seeing history. It made me think that we, as humans, need to dance in the rain more often. It was so childlike to be poured on. The only downside is that my pants were soaked. Nothing is worse than jeans soaked in the rain!
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
I wasn’t going to let the rain stop me. I continued my trek through the city to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. Walking between the two rocks, I noticed a huge statue. It was one of the biggest statues I’ve ever seen. On the side of the statue sat a famous quote from MLK Jr., “Out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope.” It made sense why they chose stone to represent MLK Jr.
When you looked at the statue from another angle, the three stones (the two you walk into and his) are connected into one major stone. It made me look up some more information about the design behind it. The thought process behind this memorial was moving.
World War II Memorial
My next stop would be the World War II Memorial. By now, the rain had let up a little bit, but I was still drenched head to toe. Arriving at the WWII Memorial gave me a chance to sit and recover. The sun was peaking in and out. I watched people admire the memorial. I was in awe at the amount of respect and dedication put into this memorial. It was an absolutely stunning and moving memorial. Several people came to honor those who served.
It was perfectly placed within the National Mall. You could see beautiful views of the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, the Capitol, and more. About that time, it began to pour rain again. I sat in the middle of the National Mall, behind the WWII Memorial and by the Reflecting Pool, and just smiled. I looked at the sky and appreciated the moment of experiencing this blessing.
Other Memorials
I saw some of the smaller memorials on the National Mall.
The Vietnam Women’s Memorial was on the edge of the National Mall. A small but honorable statue expressed appreciation for the women who served during this war.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was probably the most moving. As I walked by, I saw a line of people laying flowers along the memorial honoring those who served. The wall includes a list of names of people who were lost during this tragic war.
Band Parade
By the end of the National Mall, I was a bit exhausted. I was heading back to return my bike when I was stopped again by blocked streets. I heard music earlier but didn’t think much of it. As I made my way to the sidewalk, I realized high school bands were performing for the Memorial Day parade. They had color guards involved. In between the bands, they included military veterans. It was actually pretty cool to see the parade honoring those who served. As the parade ran, it rained on and off. I had to give major props to the kids who stuck out in the rain! This also explained the large number of schools I saw the previous day!
Back to the Hotel
I made my way back to the hotel to wrap up for the night. I needed the best shower of my life, but more so, I needed to get my soaked clothes off my body. The metro was packed with people, and I happened to be one of the few soaked. I felt bad trying to sit next to someone, but I just needed to sit.
I decided I’d do laundry. I definitely had to dry my sneakers because they were soaking wet. I didn’t pack well, in terms of extra shoes. I was trying to pack light, but I kind of regretted it at that moment. I threw my shoes in the dryer, ordered DoorDash, and finished laundry. I slept probably the best I’ve slept in ages.
I woke up incredibly excited! I thought I would start at Arlington National Cemetery because it was “out of the way” from Washington, D.C. City Central. I 100% knew I wanted to visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I always heard stories of how emotional it would be, how they did an amazing job honoring those soldiers, and just the beauty of the cemetery.
I walked to the Metro early in the morning. I was a bit iffy because it was a longer walk than I expected. It wasn’t terrible, though. I arrived at the Metro and followed the signs for the train. It was pretty easy to navigate. When I arrived, I wasn’t quite sure how to use it, though. I purchased a 7-day unlimited Metro Pass that is directly connected to my phone. Luckily, there was a nice gentleman who helped me figure out how to get to the train and explained how it worked. After that first encounter, I felt like a natural resident.
The little kid in me was giddy with excitement when I boarded the train. The last train I took was in New York City over 15 years ago with my dad. I was too young at the time to know how it worked. Before that, it was in Germany. Again, I was too young to appreciate how it worked or the beauty of a train. As I sat down, I looked out the window and took photos of the cities and the actual train itself. I’m glad I went early because not many people were there. I would have been the dictionary definition of a tourist at that moment.
I arrived at Arlington National Metro. I wasn’t sure where to go, but luckily found a couple of people to guide me. Again, walking, walking, walking nonstop. I think I grossly underestimated how much I walked on this trip. I arrived at Arlington National Cemetery. The outside was filled with military memorabilia. My dad was a former member of the military, and they had a big statue to honor that division. I got a little emotional before even entering, knowing my dad passed away and he was a part of history, even if it was in the smallest way. As I approached the visitor check-in, I noticed an insane number of people. I knew it would be busy, but this was almost intimidating. I soon discovered that several schools were there as well (I later found out why).
I made it through the checkpoint and immediately began my hunt for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I turned on Google Maps to try to guide me. As I was doing that, I realized there was so much more at Arlington National Cemetery. I walked along the paths as I followed my Google Maps. I saw rows and rows of graves. They looked beautiful in the most sad way, though. They were all clean, perfectly lined up, with perfect writing and designs. I was already tearing up. I didn’t know these people, but the fact that they gave up so much for us made me feel unworthy of being in their presence.
I realized Ruth Bader Ginsburg was buried there. Although I don’t know much about her, I do know she did a lot for our country and for women’s rights. I found her gravesite and just stared in admiration at it. That’s when I turned around and noticed the cemetery had a stunning view of the center of Washington, D.C. I had to take a picture and just admire it for a minute.
I also realized the Eternal Flame of former President Kennedy. When I learned about why he was buried there, it made it a bit more emotional. It fascinated me that a flame existed that was meant to never burn out. Although so simple, it was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever experienced in my life. How could something so sad be so beautiful?
I found my way back on the path to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I didn’t realize how I perfectly planned this. There was a line to see the Tomb, but today was even more special. Workers from the cemetery came by and handed everyone a flower to put on the Tomb. We were within touching distance of the Tomb. Since it was the weekend before Memorial Day, they held a special ceremony to honor the Tomb.
As we approached the Tomb, one of the soldiers on duty told us we must show respect by being quiet and not recording as we laid down our flowers. They told us where to place the flowers (to ensure they were evenly spread out).
I walked by the Tomb and immediately felt a heaviness in my heart. I bent down to lay the flower down. Had it been my choice, I would have just sat there feeling the ground, but we had to keep moving. I can’t imagine the heaviness some families carried/carried of a loved one that never made it home. A loved one who was never identified. A loved one who gave everything to protect their country.
The soldier who protects the Tomb was stationed at the back of the Tomb for the special occasion. Normally, he’s guarding all aspects of the Tomb, but was limited today due to the ceremony. It was amazing to still see them following the 21-second turn, 21-step protocols, etc. It made me realize how much this Tomb meant to some people. It wasn’t about being there. It was about respect.
I sat on the steps in front of the Tomb and watched as people laid flowers. The next thing I knew, I was wiping away tears and sniffles. Some people were cracking jokes, and it seriously made my blood boil. I wanted to yell and tell them to leave. It blew my mind that people could be so disrespectful, especially given that they had been given an opportunity that comes only a few times a year. People can be shot by getting close to the Tomb on a normal day. This is a day when we have the honor of being close, and you dare to make jokes? It made me sick.
I walked away after composing myself and followed the path back out of the cemetery. On the way, I saw a couple laying flowers on the gravesites of soldiers. They had no idea who these people were, but they were honoring them. I ended up crying again. It moved me to know good people existed in this world, especially after seeing such disgusting behavior just minutes later.
I made my way out to see the Arlington Military Women’s Memorial. Whoever designed this did a fantastic job of creating something moving, feminine, yet so strong. It was oddly relaxing. I would’ve sat there all day, admiring it.
An Unexpected Delay
In between Arlington National Cemetery and Mount Vernon, I decided I’d try to see something in the city center of Washington, D.C. I decided my first stop, and closest stop, would be the Lincoln Memorial. I took the Metro to the nearest stop near the Lincoln Memorial. As I made my way there, I noticed a lot of police and roads blocked off. I didn’t think much of it, other than maybe road work, but I was wrong.
I found my way to the Lincoln Memorial. I went through all the steps and was in absolute awe. I didn’t realize how many steps I had to climb, but when I got there, it was worth it. I had wonderful and beautiful views of the National Mall (which is not a shopping mall). The statue was incredibly huge. It amazed me that someone could make this with minimal tools. They honored the states on the memorial’s outer rim. It was truly gorgeous and breathtaking. It may have been one of my favorite monuments to visit. As I sat there, I realized my time was cut short. I had to haul butt to the metro to make it to Mount Vernon in time for my scheduled tour.
I made the mistake of waiting too long! I ended up caught up in a Memorial Day motorcycle parade. It lasted over an hour. Loud revving engines that just kept coming and coming and coming. There were thousands, if not tens of thousands, of motorcycles. It was never-ending. It made me look up what was happening, which I discovered was a Memorial Day remembrance and demonstration parade. It was called Rolling Thunder. Just as the motorcyclists were finishing, semi-trucks followed. Initially, it was pretty cool. But how many motorcycles can you see without getting irritated by the loud rumbling? Even with my headphones in, I heard it as if I were part of it. It didn’t help that I was on edge about making it to my tour in time, too. It would have been different if they showed patriotism, but it was literally just motorcycles riding with honor. I would’ve loved to see some banners, flags, and other decorations. The semi trucks were much more impressive on this front. There was one moment when a soldier stood in the middle of the traffic at salute to honor those fallen. That was the most impressive part of the demonstration.
When it was over, I walked faster than I ever had in my life to get to the nearest metro (which I later realized was not the nearest). Somehow, I made it without being too irritated by traffic. My focus was on making it to Mount Vernon.
Mount Vernon
My second major visit today would be Mount Vernon, home of George Washington. As a teacher, this was the nerd in me coming out. Although I don’t teach history, I am fascinated by it. I knew that this was one of the sites I had to visit before I left.
Getting here was a bit tough. I had to take several trains and buses to get here. Some of the train stations were extremely sketchy. At one of the stops, I started to feel a bit paranoid. On any other trip, I would have had mace and other defense items. However, in Washington, D.C., you can’t go anywhere with anything – not even nail clippers. I definitely felt out of place and nervous.
I had less than 20 minutes to get to my appointment for the scheduled tour. I knew I couldn’t wait here for 20 minutes. I was already anxious and feeling on edge. I didn’t know what to do. Out of desperation, I took my first Uber. I just had to get out and get away as soon as possible.
I’m a very paranoid person (especially being a female traveling alone), but this Uber driver made me feel safe and comfortable. There was no awkward conversation. He made sure to keep his distance while driving. He never once showed his frustration with other drivers. I felt extremely safe.
I arrived at Mount Vernon and immediately hauled butt to the actual tour. I had about 8 minutes to get there. I do wish they had more signs telling you where what is. It may have been easier if I grabbed a map on the way in, but I didn’t have time. I found the line to the tour. It was a good mile-long line. Again, there were tons of schools here visiting. I was starting to think something was going on (which I later learned was). Luckily, they were pulling people in by their tour times. I was able to move up front based on the time of my tour.
His house was absolutely stunning, even before entering. The perfect symmetry made my ADD heart happy. It was my ideal house because it was symmetrical on both sides. It sat at the end of the river, with a stunning view of the river and the landscapes. It seriously made me feel at ease and calm.
When we entered, it was everything I expected. It encompassed a lot of old memorabilia from that time. The floors were made of stone or dirt. In some spots, they had wood. In fewer spots, they had carpet. Almost every room had a fireplace. The walls were covered in intricate wallpaper, which I’m sure at the time meant you had money. The number of items made from metal and gold was stunning. Canopy beds were apparently a trend of the time. The rooms were decently sized, given the period. It was eye-opening to see the old doors and keys. Some keys were bigger than both my hands put together. In some parts of the property, I was amazed at how well protected he could have been at the time.
We saw George Washington’s desk and old books from that time. Things like this make me sit in awe, realizing how far we have come as a country. Wooden windows that were deteriorating due to age. They are doing a good job at preserving and restoring, though, so I will give them credit! The ceilings featured intricate designs that reflected social status at the time. Many of the items in George Washington’s house were gifts from other countries, including his main fireplace mantel. It blew my mind how everything matched within one room. The wallpaper would match the bedding.
We were able to see George Washington’s room. The same room that he died in. Although I didn’t experience anything paranormal, I’m sure there’s something interesting that happens there. I can’t imagine dying in my house, my house turning into a national treasure, and having hundreds of thousands of people in my home just about every day.
After touring the home, I visited several other buildings on the property. I saw George Washington’s old tomb. The original tomb was meant as a temporary holding space until he would be buried at the Capitol in the city center of Washington, D.C. However, by the time they created a burial site at the Capitol, Washington’s family and estate basically told them no. Instead, they built a new tomb on the property for him and his wife. Again, it was enchanting to see how people survived and lived during that time period.
The most moving part of Mount Vernon was the Slave Memorial. Walking up to the Slave Memorial, there were unmarked graves. They outlined the graves with rope and placed small rocks to indicate who should be buried there. Right next to it, a memorial was built to honor those who were part of the property. It’s not something many people think about, but to have that honor was eye-opening.
Overall, I’m glad this was my first official day. I experienced a range of emotions. I feel like this was the perfect way to start my trip and to be grateful for the opportunities in front of me. I was extremely lucky to have been part of a memorial service honoring those who served, both recently and from the 1700s.
