Top Six Historical Places to Visit in Washington D.C. this Summer

Over 15 million people from all over the world travel to Washington DC each year to see the sights and wonders of the US Capitol. What started as a small city has become one of the largest districts in the country; Washington D.C. has certainly come a long way since it’s creation in 1790.

After the American Revolution, the newly independent United States needed a capital city where the nation’s government would reside. It would not only be an important political headquarters, but also the new permanent symbol of strength and unity as a nation. In 1790, founding fathers Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and Alexander Hamilton eventually agreed upon a section of land along the Potomac river bordering Virginia and Maryland.

As land was added, Military Engineer Pierre Charles L’enfant created a bold and modern design for the city, and soon construction of roads and bridges were built with a capitol building placed right in the center.

The Washington D.C. we know today was finally beginning to take shape. Go visit these places and more this summer.

 The Capital Building is a great place to find out more about the history:

Recreate this picture this summer! Photo found @ChampKat1

Or go visit the memorials to the founding fathers, themselves.

Thomas Jefferson Memorial:

The summer time is the perfect to visit the Jefferson Memorial located in West Potomac park just off the banks of the Potomac. Photo found @RicardoUSA1

James Madison Memorial Building (houses the Library of Congress, too!)

Admire the stone architecture of the James Madison Memorial Building located between First and Second street SE on Independence Avenue. Photo found @uscapitol

Alexander Hamilton doesn’t have a memorial in DC. He has to settle for an award winning Broadway play, instead. You can go on The “Hamilton” Fan’s Guide to DC this summer.

Since 1923, Hamilton’s likeness has guarded his legacy’s southern entrance of the Treasury Building, facing the memorial to his archrival, Jefferson. Photo found @RocketLawyer

In 1968, in honor of L’Enfant, a large plaza in southwest D.C. was named: L’Enfant Plaza, which can be conveniently accessed by tourists by hopping off at the L’Enfant Plaza Metro Station.

Go sit by Albert Einstein this summer at L’Enfant Plaza. Photo found @LEnfantPlaza

After more than 200 years, Washington D.C. has developed from a small settlement off the coast of Maryland and Virginia, to the complex and layered city it is today. Although countless changes have been made to the city, many of the old original historic buildings and landmarks can be found throughout the city such as the Old Stone House, located at 3051 M Street, Northwest in Georgetown, which is D.C.’s oldest unchanged building!

Photo found @dcarealtors

With such an amazing history, it’s no wonder millions of people world wide visit our amazing U.S. Capitol! Make some time this summer to see history!