The best of Washington in 1 Day
The first two stops on this tour are the Capitol and the Supreme Court. If you’re here on a weekend, you can cross the Supreme Court off you’re list, since it’s only open on weekdays. If you’re here on a weekday, let’s be honest. When both the Supreme Court and Congress are in session, and you’re hoping to attend both, and to tour the Capitol, you can expect these activities alone to take up the better part of a day. So I’m offering you some choices: you can choose between visiting the Supreme Court or the Capitol, and continue with the itinerary as laid out; or you can hope for the best, attempt to take in both the Court and Capitol and work in other stops on the this itinerary as you’re able.
It is possible, with everything working in you’re favor, to experience this itinerary in its entirety. Other factors come into play: ebbs and flows of tourist seasons, interest in a particular case being argued in the Supreme Court, or legislation up for a vote in the Senate or House, even the weather. And if you’re traveling with children under age 12, that’s another factor: Visit the Capitol and, if you want, do a tour of the Supreme Court, but do not try to attend a Supreme Court argument with young children.
Rule of thumb: To be sure of attending a Supreme Court argument or of obtaining a ticket to tour the Capitol, line up at either place by 7:30am. Start: Metro on the Blue Line to Capitol South, or on the Red Line to Union Station.
The Capitol
The story of the design and construction of the Capitol is a tumultuous one, full of strong personalities and brave compromises, kind of like the history of the United States, actually. Startling truths abound, beginning with the fact that the most important U.S. building was designed in 1792 by a Scottish – trained physician from British West Indies.
William Thornton, the first architect of the Capitol, explained himself, I lamented not having studied architecture and resolved to attempt that grand undertaking and study at the same time. Seventy years and three architects later,
The Capitol completed it’s most notable feature, a 287- foot-high dome, made of two enormous cast-iron shells, one inside the other, with all the exterior trim, cornices and columns painted to look like marble.
Tilt your head all the way back to see the 19-foot statue, “freedom” set in place atop the dome in December 1863- The same year that Abraham Lincoln issued his Emancipation Proclamation, at the height of the Civil War.
Call Ahead: Here’s a crucial piece of advice: Call the places you plan to tour each day before you set out. Many of Washington’s government buildings, museums, memorials, and monuments are open to the general public nearly all the time except when they’re not.
Because buildings like the capitol, the Supreme Court, and the White House are offices as well as tourist destinations, the business of the day always poses the potential for closing one of those sites, or at least sections, to sightseers. (The White House is probably the most vulnerable to this situation) This caveat is even more important in the wake of the terrorist attack on the Pentagon; touring procedures change and then change again in response to the perceived need for security measures.
In addition to security, there’s the matter of maintenance. The steady stream of visitors to Washington’s attractions necessitates ongoing caretaking which may require closing an entire landmark, or part of it, to the public or put in place new hours of operation or procedures for visiting.
Washington’s famous museums, grand halls, and public gardens double as settings for press conferences, galas, special exhibits, festivals, and other special events, so you might arrive at, say, the National Air and Space Museum on a Sunday afternoon, only to some of its galleries off limits because caterers are setting up for an event.
Want to avoid frustration and disappointment? Call ahead.
