The National Mall is always a good place to start if you are visiting Washington DC: The Smithsonian Institution comprises 19 of the world's top museums, many found right on the Mall. The National Museum of American History, National Museum of Natural History, the National Air and Space Museum and numerous art museums along the way- All free for visitors. Monuments on the Mall include the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial and the world famous Lincoln Memorial.
Visitors to DC can start the day with a trip to view the Declaration of Independence, meander through Ford's Theatre, where Lincoln was assassinated, head over to Watergate, delve into the murky world of intrigue, politics and espionage at the Spy Museum and end the day with a contemporary performance at the Kennedy Center. Washington DC is one of the most thrilling cities to visit.