National Archives on July 4th!
Although Washington, D.C. is a federal territory and not a state, it still deserve a spot on the list for being the nation’s capital! I had the privilege to visit during July 4th to catch all the festivities going on at the time. I visited all the museums and the Smithsonian, which are all free. Because I’m not an American citizen, I couldn’t get into the White House, (which is wise because the last time the Canadians were there we tried to burn the thing down) but I did get into Capitol Hill.
Passes to the House and Senate chambers
Capitol Hill is huge! It is a complex of buildings that house House and Senate offices as well as the Library of Congress and the US Supreme Court. Thanks to a lot of forethought and planning, I got a guided tour of the building and obtained passes to visit the House and Senate chambers. If you go in summer there’s not much to see since congress is in recess, but it also means that the security is much less troublesome. If you’re a nut for US politics and the function of a constitutional democracy, you should definitely come take a look!
Inside the Library of Congress
Because I was a university student, I obtained a reader card issued to researchers to access the Library of Congress. This immense library has the largest collection of books in the world. What’s more, the underground tunnels from National Treasure really do exist and connect different library buildings together! There’s affordable food in the library canteens and plenty of books to explore, some were even from former presidential libraries.
Tunnels under Capitol Hill
My next stop was the Washington Monument, but in order to get there I had to use the metro and it has a mind of its own. During the five days that I visited I’ve been on a broken down metro train twice, not impressed. In addition to that, July 4th’s road closures also mean that buses were rerouted, posing a major inconvenience to tourists. That’s why I used D.C.’s bike sharing program instead, with mature cycling infrastructure getting around by bike was a breeze.
The Washington Monument is a must-see sight and you just have to go up to the top! Remember to book your visit online well in advance to avoid disappointment as there is only one elevator that goes to the top. The view from the top of the capital is captivating. The well planned French-designed streets and neo-classical buildings unfold below you. If you squint you may just be able to see the president in the White House!
