Earlier this year the New York Times ranked Washington, D.C. as the #1 place to travel in 2020. For me, it’s in my top 5. Here’s why! I lived and worked there for a few years during the 80’s, have taken my family on vacation there a number of times and have been taking large groups of middle school students 2-3 times a year for the past 15 years. It’s an ever changing, vibrant, family friendly, fun city where you get to see our government in action, and actually enjoy learning about the history and culture of our great nation. And this year is particularly exciting being an election year. Can you tell I love Washington, D.C.!
No other city offers so many places that interest young people. From the many Smithsonian’s, to the U.S. Capitol, the Supreme Court and the Library of Congress, to the Presidential Monuments and War Memorials to Arlington National Cemetery and the various hands-on museums, this city is alive with a wealth of information! Over the years I’ve researched and experienced so much! I can make your trip to the Nation’s Capital your most memorable trip ever. So, pack up the family — It’s time to discover the real DC!
Proud to be an American!
One of the highlights of my work is taking students on the road to explore, learn and visit new destinations. Washington, DC is perfect for kids because they have the opportunity to experience first-hand what they learn in their Social Studies, Humanities, English and Science classes. Last month, I led another group of 8th graders around our Nation’s Capital. Our itinerary was action packed! We visited several highlights, with a few insider surprises and fun along the way. For many of my students, it was their first visit to DC. They were thrilled and energized as they watched their history, science and literature lessons come alive!
Over the next few weeks, I will highlight some of the wonderful sites in and around DC. So let’s begin with the beautiful and historical Government Buildings.
Our first stop…the United States Capitol. We had the opportunity to meet with Congressman Ted Budd, a representative from our state of North Carolina. He shared about his role as an elected official, provided an update as to what’s going on in our government and explained how it would impact those of us in North Carolina.
After our meet and greet, we checked out the statues in Emancipation Hall and then saw a brief orientation film titled “E Pluribus Unum – Out of Many, One”, which describes how we have come together as a nation to govern ourselves. Then our guide, referred to as a “Red Coat”, walked us through the corridors where we visited the Rotunda under the great dome, National Statuary Hall, the Crypt and the original House and Senate chambers. Our guide provided fun facts and interesting stories about the Capitol.
The U.S. Capitol is an impressive 540-room building with its familiar grand dome that is not only a magnificent symbol of freedom that is over 200 years old, but it also houses the working offices of our Senators and Representatives. This is the place where they meet to make the laws that govern our country.
Fun Fact #1:
Did you know the Capitol building has its own mini-metro system? It is quite unique and one of the world’s shortest transit systems. It takes you between the Capitol Building and the Russell Senate Office building.
- Tours of the U.S. Capitol can be scheduled in advance on the Capitol Visitor Center website or through the office of one of your senators or your representative. They are held Monday-Saturday from 8:30am-4:30pm.
Fun Fact #2:
Did you know you can go on a guided tour of the Capitol Dome? The tour route includes approximately 300 steps to reach the top of the Dome. It starts out straight then becomes narrow, a little bit steep, then curvy and spiraly. Are you feeling energized to climb 300 steps?
- Tours can be arranged through members of Congress or directly through the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center.
- Tours are available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and last between 45-60 minutes. One (1) tour per hour is available.
- Group size is limited to the Guide, the Member, plus a maximum of seven (7) guests.
- Weather-permitting, the Guide will take Dome Tour groups to the balcony beneath the Statue of Freedom. Now that would be a really cool experience, right?!
The White House
One of the highlights of our trip is to take a group picture in front of the White House. Yes, all 165 of us gathered in front for that souvenir photo! I usually ask a tourist to take the photo hoping they will agree. One year a woman from Kentucky agreed but she asked if her nephew’s character “Flat Stanley” could join in on our photo! Of course, I told her!! And so…snap…she took the group picture along with “Flat Stanley”. Quite memorable for sure!
The White House is the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States. It’s quite impressive both inside and out. My husband and I visited the inside a few years ago and saw the beautiful formal reception rooms, each furnished in a different historical period (including the Green Room in Federal Style, the Red Room in the Empire style of 1810-1830, and the Blue Room in the period of James Monroe). We also saw the chandelier-bedecked East Room that’s used for official receptions, the formal dining room that seats up to 140 people, the Library, and the China Room.
If you would like to visit the White House, requests can be submitted through a member of Congress or International embassy. It’s best to visit with a few people or in a small group rather than a large group like ours.
- Tours are Tuesday-Thursday from 7:30am-11:30am and Friday-Saturday from 7:30am-1:30pm
- Tour requests can be submitted up to three months in advance and no less than 21 days in advance.
- Government-issued ID is required for everyone 18 and older.
The Supreme Court
The Supreme Court Building is majestic in size and rich in ornamentation. It serves as both home to the nation’s highest Court and the manifest symbol of its importance as a coequal, independent branch of government. When court is not in session, visitors can take free, self-guided tours of the Supreme Court. Docents give courtroom lectures every 30-minutes from 9:30-3:30pm on weekdays when the court is not in session. I have found the “lectures’ to be quite interesting and informative. Visitors are also invited to attend oral arguments when court is in session. These seats are extremely limited. Visitors must wait in line the morning of a courtroom session. Did you know there is 1 lawyer for every 19 residents in Washington, DC? Now that’s a lot of lawyers in one area!
- The Supreme Court is open Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:30pm.
Fun Fact #3:
The U.S. Supreme Court has always been known as the “Highest Court of the Land,” but there is one more court that sits even above the Supreme Court. Can you guess what it is? Yep – a basketball court!! Who knew! The basketball court is on the fifth floor of the building and the actual courtroom is located on the fourth floor. The court was once a spare room to house journals, but sometime in the 1940’s it was converted into a workout area for courthouse workers. Wooden backboards and baskets were installed later, which led to the current use of a basketball court used by clerks, off-duty police officers and other supreme court employees.
The Library of Congress
Now this building is a beauty! Once you enter the Great Hall you can’t help but notice the statues, marble staircases, the paintings on the walls and ceiling and the beautiful stained glass skylights. The Library of Congress happens to be the biggest and most beautiful library in the world. Incredible! Many of the statues represent either art, commerce, philosophy, history, law, poetry, religion or science.
Next, head to the third floor to see the spectacular columned and domed 160-foot high Main Reading Room, whose stained glass windows hold the seals of 45 states of the period. A favorite attraction is the Thomas Jefferson Library, opened in 1897 and named for the president whose own 6,487 books were the foundation of the collection – there’s even a replica of Jefferson’s personal library on the premises. The library’s collections cover just about everything: presidential papers, manuscripts, books, music, videos, web pages, even comic books. (Over 100,000 of them!) It takes three buildings to hold it all.
Guided tours are quite informative and worth it. During peak seasons, special family tours may be available for kids age 6 to 14. Ask at the ground floor visitors’ desk about current tours and exhibits. Excellent activity sheets for children can be downloaded in advance to enhance the tour. Storytime for toddlers takes place Fridays at 10:30am in the Young Readers’ Center on the ground floor.
- The Library of Congress is open Monday-Saturday, 8:30am-4:30pm
Fun Fact #4:
There is a tunnel that connects the Library of Congress to the Visitors Center of the Capitol building. This is an easy way to go between these 2 buildings without having to exit to the outside and go back through security a second time.
Fun Fact #5:
Did you know there is a copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling in Braille in the Young Readers Center on the ground floor? Our students are always fascinated when they get to touch this book. This center also has other Harry Potter books translated in different languages. Children, teens, and their families are encouraged to visit the Young Readers Center and participate in hands-on activities related to the Library of Congress and its collections in this room.
I love taking students to Washington D.C. It is also a fun and educational destination for families. It’s a city steeped in the sciences, from natural to political, culture, arts and history, and there’s no better place to make the most of your time with your kids. Get out, explore, and see just how many activities on our bucket list you can cross off before childhood whizzes by. I am here ready & waiting to help you make it happen!
