The Mall is the centre of Washington DC, and this large oblong of land with its huge obelisk monument marks the centre of the government. The Capitol Building is at one end with the Statue of Honest Abraham Lincoln looking over them from the other. The White house lies due North of the Monument, and to the South, you will find the stately Jefferson Memorial.
The Arlington National Cemetery lies in Virginia, just across the Potomac river from the Mall, and it is here that you will find many graves of the great American Dead, from presidents to authors, as well as the poignant Iwo Jima Memorial and the famous tomb of the unknowns.
The Capitol Building officially the centre of Washington DC (the main avenues of the city all meet at a point beneath the dome) and is the seat of government. On the steps outside that presidents have been sworn in, war declared, and news of national importance given. The building contains many paintings, and the hall of statuary, where supposedly the two greatest Americans from each state have their monuments on display.
Should you want to see congress in session, then you must apply in writing to receive a pass to the visitors gallery.
Fear of terrorism has meant that security at all of the attractions in the city is high, and you should expect to be searched on entry to most if not all buildings you visit.
