History Attractions in Washington DC

One of the chief reasons travelers visit Washington, DC, is to see all of the historic attractions on offer. From the Revolutionary and Civil Wars to landmark marches on the National Mall, history was made in Washington, DC, even before its actual founding. In fact the Georgetown neighborhood and Old Town Alexandria - both included in our best list - existed even before the map for the District of Columbia was drawn.

Mount Vernon, the sprawling estate of founding father George Washington, tops our list, because what better way to learn about the history of the city than to visit the home of its namesake? Also on the list are several major attractions on the tourist trail, such as the U.S. Capitol Building and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, as well as little-known landmarks like the Old Stone House, the oldest building in Washington, and the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, the home of the famed abolitionist.

Indeed, Washington, DC, has so many historic attractions and memorials, we had to leave some sights off of the list. You can be sure, however, that if you like your travels tempered with tales of the past, a trip to Washington will satisfy you with historic highlights at almost every turn.

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