Washington DC with Garcia Memories:
Day One
Day Two
Day Three
By the time Day 4 of our Washington DC trip came around, our boys had become pros on the Metro. I was impressed with their ability to follow along on the maps and use their Metro etiquette.
We started the day at The National Archives. We tried to get their early since we were not able to secure reservations. The archives opened at 9AM, we got there a little before 9 and there was already a long line outside. Most of the people in line were school field trips. The line moved quickly and soon we were inside viewing The Constitution and The Bill of Rights. No pictures are allowed inside.
Next was the Library of Congress which was the main reason for our trip. The boys were excited to see the "largest library in the world". Once inside the boys were expecting a traditional library, but a really large library. They thought they'd be able to browse the shelves and get lost in the books. Unfortunately, the Library of Congress doesn't work this way. Nonetheless, they were awed by the library, even if it was from the balcony, behind glass windows.
We had a short walk from The Library of Congress to Congressman Scott Peters office in the Longworth House Office building which is one of three buildings which house the offices of the House of Representatives. Here we met an intern from San Diego who would take us to our tour of The Capitol.
The intern took us through the underground tunnels from the Longworth House Office Building to the Capitol Building. There were two security checks in the tunnels, as well as lots of "official" looking government people busily walking to and from, with lots of important conversations in passing. The security guards look a vial of my essential oils. Apparently, peppermint oil is a security threat. Anyways. In the tunnels, they boys were impressed there were small Best Buy, Verizon, and AT&T stores, as well as Subway, Baskin Robbins, Dunkin' Donuts, and other eateries.
At the end of the tunnel was the The US Capitol Visitors Center where the intern secured our tickets and set us up with our tour.
Highlights of The Capitol:
United States Capitol rotunda
Within the Rotunda there are eight large paintings about the development of the United States as a nation. On the east side are four paintings depicting major events in the discovery of America. On the west are four paintings depicting the founding of the United States.
National Statuary Hall
The National Statuary Hall Collection in the United States Capitol is composed of statues donated by individual states to honor persons notable in their history.
The House of Representatives Chamber
The House was not in session but were were able to sit up in the gallery. We had to check in all our bags before going into the chamber. Again, no pictures allowed inside. I hope our boys remember the experience of sitting in the gallery when they see footage of the House of Representatives on the news.
Next stop was the Bureau of Printing and Engraving
I'm bummed we were not allowed to take pictures during this tour. It was amazing seeing pallets of $20 bill sheets. It literally smelled of money in the factory. There was a point in the tour when one of the technicians held up a sheet of $20 dollar bills and said the total was $250,000. WOW!
Before heading back to our hotel, we had to have one last view of the cherry blossoms from my favorite spot at the MLK Monument.
We had a great family vacation in Washington DC. The city is very easy to get around and there is so much to see and do. Of course we didn't see everything we had hoped to see. We'll hope to visit DC again in the future. I'm very blessed to have been able to share this experience with my husband and kids. Garcia Memories were definitely made!
Click here >> Day One
Washington Monument
WWII Memorial
Reflecting Pool
Lincoln Monument
Vietnam War Memorial
Korean War Memorial
Martin Luther King Jr. Monument
Tidal Basin
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
Thomas Jefferson Monument
Pentagon 9/11 Memorial
Shake Shack for Dinner
Click here >> Day Two
National Museum of American History
Walked along the National Mall with a stop at the carousel
National Air and Space Museum
Catholic University of America
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Dinner at Bonchon
Click here >> Day Three
The White House
Georgetown
National Postal Museum
Union Station
Click here >> Day Four
National Archives
Library of Congress
The Capitol
Bureau of Printing and Engraving
Cherry Blossoms
Day One
Day Two
Day Three
By the time Day 4 of our Washington DC trip came around, our boys had become pros on the Metro. I was impressed with their ability to follow along on the maps and use their Metro etiquette.
We started the day at The National Archives. We tried to get their early since we were not able to secure reservations. The archives opened at 9AM, we got there a little before 9 and there was already a long line outside. Most of the people in line were school field trips. The line moved quickly and soon we were inside viewing The Constitution and The Bill of Rights. No pictures are allowed inside.
Next was the Library of Congress which was the main reason for our trip. The boys were excited to see the "largest library in the world". Once inside the boys were expecting a traditional library, but a really large library. They thought they'd be able to browse the shelves and get lost in the books. Unfortunately, the Library of Congress doesn't work this way. Nonetheless, they were awed by the library, even if it was from the balcony, behind glass windows.
Next stop... The Capitol
We had a short walk from The Library of Congress to Congressman Scott Peters office in the Longworth House Office building which is one of three buildings which house the offices of the House of Representatives. Here we met an intern from San Diego who would take us to our tour of The Capitol.
The intern took us through the underground tunnels from the Longworth House Office Building to the Capitol Building. There were two security checks in the tunnels, as well as lots of "official" looking government people busily walking to and from, with lots of important conversations in passing. The security guards look a vial of my essential oils. Apparently, peppermint oil is a security threat. Anyways. In the tunnels, they boys were impressed there were small Best Buy, Verizon, and AT&T stores, as well as Subway, Baskin Robbins, Dunkin' Donuts, and other eateries.
At the end of the tunnel was the The US Capitol Visitors Center where the intern secured our tickets and set us up with our tour.
Highlights of The Capitol:
United States Capitol rotunda
Within the Rotunda there are eight large paintings about the development of the United States as a nation. On the east side are four paintings depicting major events in the discovery of America. On the west are four paintings depicting the founding of the United States.
National Statuary Hall
The National Statuary Hall Collection in the United States Capitol is composed of statues donated by individual states to honor persons notable in their history.
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The House was not in session but were were able to sit up in the gallery. We had to check in all our bags before going into the chamber. Again, no pictures allowed inside. I hope our boys remember the experience of sitting in the gallery when they see footage of the House of Representatives on the news.
Next stop was the Bureau of Printing and Engraving
I'm bummed we were not allowed to take pictures during this tour. It was amazing seeing pallets of $20 bill sheets. It literally smelled of money in the factory. There was a point in the tour when one of the technicians held up a sheet of $20 dollar bills and said the total was $250,000. WOW!
Before heading back to our hotel, we had to have one last view of the cherry blossoms from my favorite spot at the MLK Monument.
We had a great family vacation in Washington DC. The city is very easy to get around and there is so much to see and do. Of course we didn't see everything we had hoped to see. We'll hope to visit DC again in the future. I'm very blessed to have been able to share this experience with my husband and kids. Garcia Memories were definitely made!
Click here >> Day One
Washington Monument
WWII Memorial
Reflecting Pool
Lincoln Monument
Vietnam War Memorial
Korean War Memorial
Martin Luther King Jr. Monument
Tidal Basin
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
Thomas Jefferson Monument
Pentagon 9/11 Memorial
Shake Shack for Dinner
Click here >> Day Two
National Museum of American History
Walked along the National Mall with a stop at the carousel
National Air and Space Museum
Catholic University of America
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Dinner at Bonchon
Click here >> Day Three
The White House
Georgetown
National Postal Museum
Union Station
Click here >> Day Four
National Archives
Library of Congress
The Capitol
Bureau of Printing and Engraving
Cherry Blossoms