Visiting another capital city - Washington DC

The Capitol Building

We wandered our way to Washington DC, after exploring a tiny bit of the south. Washington DC is often compared to Canberra and we can see the similarities. Driving along some of the roads feels just like driving some of the main roads in Canberra - wide roads, green spaces between the opposite lanes of traffic and lots of loops and roundabouts. We got lost!






Once in the city, the area known as the Mall, with the Capitol Building at one end and the Lincoln Memorial at the opposite end, is similar to ANZAC Parade in Canberra. The Capitol Building is the central point in DC and everything from the city permeates from there. That mirrors the initial plan that Walter Burley-Griffin had for Canberra, with Parliament House being the focal point. These two photos show the Mall, with each photo taken at opposite ends.

Capitol Building at one end ....

Looking down the Mall, to Washington
Monument .... with Lincoln Memorial beyond

.... and a closer view of Lincoln Memorial, right at the end of the Mall. 

Abraham Lincoln

Halfway down the Mall is the Washington Memorial

Aside from some influencing Canberra's physical layout, Washington DC is all about the museums. The most famous is the Smithsonian Institution, which consists of 19 museums of which all are free. They are primarily in the Mall area but a few are a little further afield. We managed to visit just five. As they are free, it is easy to go in and out for a short time.

Some shots of the things we've been exploring and learning about .....

We did a tour of the Capitol Building, which is the US equivalent of Parliament House. Although we felt rushed, the building is stunning and Americans do grandeur very well! The busts, statues, frescos,  and tiles used throughout the building are stunning.

Very close to the Capitol Building (actually linked by underground path) is the Library of Congress. LC is similar to our National Library and while I wasn't so interested in the books, we've been told about the grandeur of the building. We weren't disappointed. It is a stunning building, again with beautiful frescos, stunning colours, amazing amount and use of marble and intricate design work.

Finally, the Washington Monument, which is halfway along the Mall, reopened in May this year. It was damaged in a hurricane in 2011 and had to be repaired. Tickets were sold out until late August, but by queueing in the morning (only for a an hour, which managed to coincide with a run for me) we managed to get some tickets. The Monument is dedicated to the first president of the US, George Washington, who is held in high regard by all Americans we met.

This monument gives the most amazing 360 degree views of the city. Just a few ....

This view reminds me of Canberra .... 

Obama's house ...

Looking towards Lincoln Memorial.