See The American Capital At Your Own Pace With Washington DC Audio Walking Tours

By Tanisha Berg


The American capital is one of the most visited cities in the country. It's not surprising, considering that here you'll find national museums, memorials and sites where history was made. There are many ways to go sightseeing here but if you'd like to avoid rushing from sight to sight, Washington DC audio walking tours are just the thing for you. They give you the inside scoop that a tourist guide could give but you get to explore independently.

One of the great things about sightseeing in Washington DC is that the most famous sights are all concentrated in a relatively small area. This means that you don't have to worry too much about transportation from one sight to the next. Rent a bicycle or, better yet, put on some good walking shoes and sunscreen, pack some water and go exploring on foot.

A great tour to start with is of the National Mall and surrounding areas. It's really a strip-like park lined with some very famous landmarks. Among these are the US Capitol, where decisions are made that impact on the entire world; the Washington Monument with the reflecting pool in front of it; the Lincoln Memorial; poignant war memorials such as those for veterans of the Vietnam and Korean wars; as well as several museums, including those of the Smithsonian Institution.

Intersecting with the National Mall at the site of the US Capitol is a famous DC street, Pennsylvania Avenue. It's several miles long but the most significant stretch is the mile and a bit northwestwards from the Capitol. Among the sights here are the FBI headquarters and the Department of Justice headquarters. It's also the street along which US presidents travel from the Capitol to their residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, better known as the White House.

Washington DC has played a central role in American history and an important historical event was the Civil War. A fascinating tour for history buffs is one with a Civil War theme that starts at the Capitol and ends at the White House. Along the way you'll see sites such as Ford's Theatre, where President Lincoln was assassinated, as well as the office of pioneering nurse Clara Barton.

If you love architecture, head to the part of Massachusetts Avenue that is known as Embassy Row. The name comes from the many embassies along this section. Some are housed in stately historic mansions while others, such as the Embassy of Brazil, boast stunning modern designs. You'll also find statues of international statesmen such as Winston Churchill, Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela here.

A lovely stroll on a sunny morning is through Arlington National Cemetery. It's located just outside DC's borders, in Virginia across from the National Mall. President John F. Kennedy is buried here, as are his brothers Robert and Ted and his wife Jackie. There is a memorial to the crew of the Space Shuttle Challenger and one to the Buffalo Soldiers, among other memorials. There are graves of famous people but also of ordinary soldiers with fascinating stories.

There are many different audio walking tours available. Some are free. All you need to do is to search online and download them and play them on a device such as a mobile phone as you walk.




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