A few weeks ago, I was approached with an opportunity to travel to our nation’s capital – Washington DC, and participate in an academic conference. Jumping at this opportunity, I immediately began planning what sights and adventures I would take in. Here are my Washington DC must visit spots: the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Folger Shakespeare Library.

Smithsonian Museum of Natural History

At the top of my list was the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Here you can enjoy the wonders of the natural world, from galloping through the mammal exhibit, to diving into the deep ocean, the museum has something for everyone.

The main attraction, for me, was the elephant who sits in the center of the museum, welcoming guests. Elephants are my favorite animal, and I was astonished to see one immortalized. From there you can explore the first floor, venturing through the deep ocean and showcasing its creatures. The Ocean Hall is decorated with life size displays of whales and jellyfish, with a real Giant Squid incased in resin resting in the center of the room. Each pathway takes you through a different side of the ocean, allowing you to learn everything from the microbes that make up our ocean, to the largest animals to swim our seas. My favorite moment in this exhibit was the megalodon jaws, which you can stand next to for a chilling size comparison to the largest shark that ever swam our seas. Down the hall lies the Mammal Exhibit, which showcases every mammal from a giraffe taking a sip of water to a pack of lionesses bringing down a water buffalo giving guests a depiction of what the animals did in life.

Possibly the most fascinating part of the museum lies in the Hall of Human Origins. Here, you can see the evolution of mankind; showcasing our evolution from the first upright ape to the different species of man that eventually shrunk down to our final human species, our very own homo sapiens. Bronze statues lie around the exhibit showcasing great feats in human evolution, such as the invention of fire and teaching our young how to hunt. And if stars are your jam, the Smithsonian has that for you too with their Lights Out: Recovering Our Night Sky Exhibit. Here, you can see the effects humankind has had on our stars and solar systems, as well as ideas for how we can stop it. The museum gives nature lovers the chance to explore every corner of our world, its evolution, and beyond.

Tips for Visiting

• Entry into the museum is free
• You can bring bags in; however, they may be subject to searches to ensure safety for all
• The museum has three levels, so take a map and enjoy the various wonders

The Lincoln Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial stands as one of the greatest monuments in American history. Dedicated to the 16^th president who established freedom for all, this grand exhibit showcases the might of Abraham Lincoln. The memorial was opened in 1922, nearly 57 years after Lincoln’s assassination. At one end of the reflecting pool, the marble memorial stands nearly 100 feet tall, and 120 feet wide, with 36 columns supporting the structure. Lincoln’s statue sits in the center of the memorial at a staggering height of 19 feet. Dressed in his famed overcoat, Lincoln’s stoic face is immortalized in marble. To the left of Lincolns statute sits the most prolific 272 words ever spoken by an American president, the Gettysburg Address. To the right of the statue sits Lincoln’s second inaugural address, given a mere month before his assassination. And a brand-new exhibit has opened underneath the grand memorial, showcasing the work of Lincoln and dedications to him. The memorial stands as a grand reminder of the battles fought to ensure our current freedoms and liberties. 

Tips for Visiting

• The memorial is free to visit
• The new exhibit beneath the monument has an entry fee of
• The memorial is popular, so be prepared to share the space with other visitors

The Folger Shakespeare Library

As a literature nerd, who quite has quite literally studied it from undergrad into a graduate degree, I simply could not skip over a literary mecca; the Folger Shakespeare Library. Here, every work of Shakespeare can be found, as well as art dedicated to his writing, and one of the original printing presses from London. The Folger Library displays all 82 of Folgers First Edition Shakespeare folios. As well as a second edition Folger collection book, which holds all of Shakespeare’s works, from his sonnets to his most prolific plays. Encased in glass sit a handful of first edition Shakespeare plays, some dating back to the early 1700’s.

Folger publishing has been dedicated to sharing and teaching these works. Their editions provide vocabulary and cultural explanations, clarifying classic confusion surrounding Shakespeare’s works. I was lucky enough to experience Reimagining Shakespeare: Mythmaking and Storytelling in the Regency Era. This limited exhibit displays 14 paintings, of which haven’t been displayed together since 1805, from the Boydell Shakespeare Gallery in London. The paintings, created in the late 18^th and early 19^th centuries, depict some of Shakespeare’s greatest works, such as Taming of the Shrew and Romeo and Juliet.

This library gives everyone the chance to experience one of the greatest writers in history, someone who shaped American literature and society. So, whether you are a novice, wanting to learn why this man is so important, or a Shakespeare fanatic like me, this library is the perfect place to explore the wonders he—and those inspired by him—created.

Tips for Visiting

• The library is free to explore; however, a small donation of helps keep this library available
• A café sits on the second floor of the library, a perfect place to stop for lunch

Thank you so much for reading! If you missed my last blog post, you can click here to read it.

Blog post author: Reece Kovacs