Five top attractions for gap year breaks in Washington DC

Wednesday, 9 November 2011 11:16 AM

If you're looking for the perfect destination in which to enjoy an all-American experience during a gap year break, consider booking cheap flights to Washington. As the seat of the country's government, the district is full of fascinating monuments and landmarks to visit.

The capital of the USA, Washington DC boasts a wealth of attractions that draw thousands of tourists every year, such as the White House and innumerable museums.

To make the most of a stay here as part of a gap break, you're sure to want to take in some of the top landmarks. Once you've touched down in Washington and got settled in your accommodation, set about exploring this historical location.

After a long flight you might find yourself in need of a good meal, in which case you should head to the renowned eatery Ben's Chili Bowl. This landmark restaurant in the Shaw neighbourhood was established in 1958 and has been popular throughout the decades.

Serving chilli dogs, half-smokes (a local sausage delicacy) and milkshakes, the restaurant was a favourite among police and protesters during the riots of 1968 and has since become something of a celebrity haunt, counting Bill Cosby, Chris Tucker and President Barack Obama among its customers.

Once you've filled up on food, head on to Georgetown - an important neighbourhood well-known for its many historical buildings and great shopping opportunities.

Browse the high-end boutiques and enjoy refreshment breaks at the area's upmarket bars in-between shop visits, before calling in at some of the settlement's most prominent landmarks, such as the Gothic revival Oak Hill Cemetery Chapel and the Old Stone House, the latter of which is thought to be Washington's oldest unchanged building.

Another top attraction for visitors to Washington DC is the Arlington National Cemetery - a military graveyard that has become the final resting place for soldiers from the American Civil War, when it was first established - and onwards.

The poignant site measures 624 acres and can be found close to the Potomac River. Wander round and you'll discover a number of sections, including those for military personnel who lost their lives during operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

You can admire a number of monuments as you make your way through the cemetery, and keep your eyes open for notable graves, like that of former president John F Kennedy.

If you'd really like to get to know Washington, why not take a tour of the city in the moonlight? Making your way round on a special bus at night-time can make for a memorable excursion, taking in the many landmarks all lit up.

A tour will highlight some of the most important monuments in the area, including the Lincoln Memorial, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt cenotaph and the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial; while others you might spot along the way include the Vietnam Veterans' monument and the Korean War Veterans' Memorial.

Your guide will explain the history of these landmarks during the excursion and making your way round like this is useful for picking out places you would like to see in more depth once you get off the bus.

Somewhere you're sure to want to visit after taking flights to Washington DC is the awe-inspiring Capitol building, situated on Capitol Hill. The structure is the meeting place for US Congress members and has been since 1800.

Built in the American neoclassical style, the building has been extended over the years to its current imposing size and is equally as stunning inside as it is out.

If you'd like to look around, you can take a tour during the morning or afternoon. As you make your way around, take in the many works of art that dot the interior.

There are friezes and frescoes - many of which were produced by Constantino Brumidi - all over the building's interior depicting important events in the USA's past, such as the landing of Christopher Columbus and the Wright brothers' first successful flight. There's also a large image of George Washington surrounded by historical figures, called the Apotheosis of Washington.

A visit to the Capitol building is just one of the many worthwhile excursions to enjoy on a gap break in Washington - book your getaway today to discover a multitude of others firsthand!