Washington D.C. is an amazing location to check out over the winter break.

My first time visiting Washington, D.C. did not disappoint. Be prepared to do a good amount of walking if you plan to see all of the monuments and museums. Don’t forget to take advantage of all the photo opportunities at the most popular landmarks! This trip was undoubtedly one of my favorites, and I hope you consider visiting in the future. If you decide to visit, I’d recommend going in December when the city is decked out for the holidays! Here are some of my favorite spots in Washington, D.C.

Washington Monument

The Washington Monument is definitely one of the most well-known landmarks in Washington, DC. It honors George Washington, our country's first commander-in-chief, and is located on the National Mall between the Lincoln Memorial and the U.S. Capitol. No trip to Washington, DC is complete without seeing this iconic monument.

Lincoln Memorial

This is the largest memorial on the west end of the National Mall, honoring America's 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. It’s made of 36 columns, one for each state in the USA at the time of Lincoln’s death. The 'Honest Abe' statue greets you as you ascend the great steps, standing 5 meters tall and crafted in marble. The Lincoln Memorial is especially cool because you can walk inside the memorial and come face to face with an enormous statue of Abe Lincoln.

Thomas Jefferson Memorial

The Jefferson Memorial, which is on the Potomac River Tidal Basin bank, is distinguished by its dome-shaped ceiling, round marble steps, and circular shape. Inside you will see a 19-foot statue of Thomas Jefferson that is encircled by passages from the Declaration of Independence. Whether you are a history buff or not, it’s impressive to see in person—especially at night. You can also see the Washington Monument from this location!

The White House

The White House is arguably the most well-known stop on my list. Your trip to D.C. isn’t complete without stopping by 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The White House is easily recognizable due to its historical significance and multiple appearances in movies and television. Despite it being smaller in person, seeing the famous landmark in person was a larger-than-life experience.

The Ellipse Christmas Tree Farm and The National Tree

This is a tradition that only takes place during the Christmas season, and it is not something you want to miss. The Ellipse, also known as President's Park South, is a 52-acre park in Washington, D.C., just south of the White House gate. Unique ornaments are created every year around Christmas time by students from 56 schools across the nation to display in the park. These ornaments are placed on 56 small trees that encircle the National Christmas Tree. The mini-Christmas trees depict each state, territory, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Don’t forget to pick up a sweet treat at the end of your walk at the hot chocolate truck.

Georgetown Cupcake

Although not technically in D.C., Georgetown is a quick 2.5 miles down the road! Georgetown Cupcake was the final stop on our visit and was a fan favorite with my family. Georgetown Cupcake serves over 100 distinct flavor options and offers nationwide shipping. They release a variety of 12 different traditional Christmas-inspired flavors around the holiday season. My personal favorite was their Rudolph Red Velvet cupcake!

Whether you are in town for a day or a week, there is so much to do and see in D.C.  I hope you enjoyed my D.C. winter travel guide, and put it to use on your next trip. Happy Travels!

Stay warm, and….
Be Well, Auburn!