The Mount Vernon Trail is located just across the river from Downtown Washington, DC and is a great multi-use recreation trail. The recreational trail is nearly 18 miles long and it follows the Potomac's Virginia shoreline from Theodore Roosevelt Island to George Washington's Estate located at Mount Vernon. The excellent scenery and consistently well-maintained condition of this paved surface makes the Mount Vernon Trail a favorite of cyclists, hikers and runners.
Our 16th President is remembered at one of the city's most popular attractions, the Lincoln Memorial. This iconic landmark overlooks the Reflecting Pool that creates a stunning photo opportunity as both the Washington Monument and the Capitol Building are in the vicinity as well. Make sure to have plenty of time when you visit, as you will want to walk along this magnificent pool and climb up the marble staircase that leads to the 19-foot-high statue of Abraham Lincoln.
The National Archives is the ultimate historical storage unit. Every significant document and tangible piece of history is cataloged and stored here. The site houses everything from the Declaration of Independence, to the Louisiana Purchase, to the Watergate tapes. When you walk in, you'll be struck by the fortuitous, 75-foot rotunda where the most treasured documents are on display. Maps, movies, photographs, texts and more are all here, and you can delve into your own research if you are looking for something in particular.