A Morning Walk by the Waterfront
Begin at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial on West Basin Drive. A Tourmobile stop
is directly in front of the memorial (parking is limited). The sweeping
flow of this memorial carries visitors past waterscapes punctuated by
engravings of the words of the president and evocative sculptures of his
times.
On the left, leaving the
memorial, is the little Japanese pagoda given to the city as a gesture
of friendship by the mayor of Yokohama in 1958. Graceful Japanese cherry
trees line the Tidal Basin bank beyond. Continue east across Inlet
Bridge. About five minutes along the walkway stands the brilliant
Jefferson Memorial
, noted for its delicate design in spite of its size. Looking out from the steps here to the city is a wonderful experience.
Continue around the
waterfront, cross Outlet Bridge, and bear to the left to the little
boathouse, where you can rent a paddleboat for a unique view of the
Tidal Basin . If you prefer to stay on dry ground, continue north toward
the Washington Monument and cross Maine Avenue leading to Raoul Wallenberg Place. On the right is the US Holocaust Memorial Museum. Before taking in the exhibits, gird yourself with some kosher fare in the Museum Café
(see United States Holocaust Memorial Museum). Then spend the afternoon in remembrance of lives tragically lost under the Nazi regime.
Best of the Rest
World War II Memorial
This
memorial includes 12 bas-relief sculptures depicting America at war.
Inscriptions at the base of the fountains mark key battles .
World War II Memorial
Enid A. Haupt Garden
These formal gardens contrast scale, color, and scent .
1000 Jefferson Drive, SW
Open 7am–5:45pm daily
Dis. access
Free
National Archives of the United States
Home to the foundation documents of the nation, including the Declaration of Independence.
National Archives façade
Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial
The inclusion of FDR’s dog in the statuary indicates the human scale of this tribute .
Ohio Drive, SW
Open 8am–midnight daily
Dis. access
Free
Jefferson Memorial
Words of the Declaration of Independence are engraved on the wall here .
Tidal Basin
Open 8am–midnight daily
Dis. access
Free
National Museum of the American Indian
This museum is a national center for Native American culture .
Korean War Veterans Memorial
The 19 stainless steel sculptures in this memorial to the 1953 Korean “police action” wrenchingly evoke the realities of war.
French Drive, SW
Open 8am–midnight daily
Dis. access
Free
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Workers here create and print all US paper currency – 37 million notes a day worth nearly $700 million.
National Museum of African Art
An accessible and absorbing collection – be sure to see the pre-Colonial art of Benin.
950 Independence Ave, SW
Open 10am–5:30pm daily
Dis. access
Free
Old Post Office Pavilion
The view from the tower here is among the finest in the city. A popular food court and shops draw hordes of visitors.
Tower
Items in Museum Stores
Smithsonian Teddy Bear
This is the Smithsonian’s commemorative version of the Ideal Toy Company’s 1902 bear, based on a famous Washington Star cartoon showing “Teddy” Roosevelt with a bear cub.
Compass
The
Lewis and Clark expedition organised by Thomas Jefferson in 1803 was
able to follow rivers much of the way, but depended on a compass like
this one for guidance. Formerly in the National Museum of American History.
Dinosaur mania
The
ultimate action figures, plus many genuinely informative as well as fun
activities and kits, are found in the Tricera Shop here in the National Museum of Natural History.
Leather Flight Jackets
Good-quality leather jackets recreate the genuine early flying jackets, and the selection and prices are reasonable. In the National Air and Space Museum.
Star Theater
A fun and educational simulation of the planetarium experience, capturing at least some of the excitement of the heavens.In the National Air and Space Museum.
Geodes and Fossils
The
Gem and Mineral store has beautiful examples of geodes – sparkling
crystals grown within hollows of other stones – and of fossils embedded
in various matrixes. In the National Museum of Natural History.
Chrysanthemum Satin Kimono
One
of the many magnificent fabric creations available at these two
Oriental museum stores. They also have unusual novelties such as haiku refrigerator magnets. In the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery.
Freeze-Dried Astronaut Ice Cream
Everyone should try this at least once. It has an odd texture but it really is a dessert treat for space-farers. In the National Air and Space Museum.
