The White House
Less than a 10-minute walk from Sofitel Washington DC, you can prearrange a tour of the White House through your member of Congress. Typically, tours are booked for parties of 10 or more, but if you are a small group or family, you can ask to tag along on a larger tour. The self-guided tours can be booked up to 6 months in advance and are free.
The Washington Monument
Get a unique perspective of the nation's capital from high atop this 555-foot marble obelisk built to honor George Washington, the first president of the United States. Tickets are required to access the interior where a 70-second elevator ride zips guests to the observation desk at the base of the pyramidion.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Each year, more than 4 million people visit this somber, black marble funerary wall, which displays the names of the 58,286 who lost their lives in Vietnam. The monument is flanked by a heroic Three Fighting Men statue.
Lincoln Memorial
This national monument was constructed to honor Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. Situated at the far western end of the National Mall, a 19-foot-tall statue of the former President is flanked by 36 majestic columns, each representing a state of the union at the time of Lincoln's death. It is the most visited site on the National Mall.
The United States Capitol
Learn about U.S. Congress at this historic must-see site. If you are short on time, take the quick and easy 45-minute U.S. Capitol Tour, which begins with a film, followed by stops at the Rotunda of the Capitol and National Statuary Hall. Admission is free but passes are required and need to be booked in advance.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
Southwest of the National Mall, this memorial to civil rights leader, Martin Luther King, covers four acres and includes a 30-foot statue of King, emerging out of the Stone of Hope. Text from his "I Have a Dream" speech is carved into the stone.
