One of the city's most stunning attractions is the Washington National Cathedral that began construction in 1907 and was not completed until 1990. Theodore Roosevelt was just one of the Presidents who oversaw the cathedral's construction, and every US President has attended services there. The structure is approximately one-tenth of a mile long and it contains more than 200 stained-glass windows that create a mesmerizing effect when the sun shines through. The observation gallery within the cathedral offers still more unbelievable vantage points, and there are regular tours that explain the architecture, history and the church's mission in further detail.
Considering how much history there is in Washington and its surrounding areas, taking a walking tour will get you even closer to these venues and help you gain an even deeper insight to the lives of the people that shaped history. The Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center schedules various informative and detailed guided walking tours of historic Fairfax. Some of the highlights along the way include a handful of the city's oldest structures like the Gunnell House that dates back to 1830, the Old Fairfax Jail that originated back in 1891 and the Moore House that was originally constructed in 1840.
C & O Canal Boat Rides offers outdoor enthusiasts a chance to get closer to nature while learning some interesting history about the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. It begins as a history lesson in the 1870s when these waterways were used for trade, and that era is highlighted as you pass several historic buildings as the tour progresses. Beautiful foliage and even some trails can be seen from the boat, as the 1 hour canal boat ride is both an historic and visually appealing experience sure to delight visitors who are out to learn as much as they can about this area of the country.
Great family fun awaits at Tidal Basin. Known for it's breathtaking display of white-pink clouds of cherry blossoms in the spring, this is an excellent destination for swimming, fishing and boating that the whole family will enjoy.