During their visit to the US Capitol, many tourists overlook Thomas Jefferson Building next door, which is one of the most beautiful libraries in all of North America.
Too bad one is only able to take photos of the atrium and not of the main reading room. Wikipedia has a spectacular photo of it:
Here are some photos from the huge National Museum of Natural History in downtown Washington. I had a great time in this free world-class museum that is annually visited by nearly 7.3 million people. It is the world's third most visited museum and definitely worth the time when you are in DC. And best of all: it's free!
Smitsonian headquarters building known as "The Castle".
National Museum of Natural History
Six million years of human evolution.
Specialty coffin used for burials in Ghana.
Priceless gems and jewelry. This collection was the most amazing jewelry collection I have ever seen!
Next door is another great Smithsonian museum, the National Museum of American History which has some very interesting stuff about America.
The America on the Move exhibition about transportation in country was very interesting.
Table where the Civil War ended.
One night we also went to Georgetown to have a fancy dinner in the famous 1789 Restaurant which is frequented by the likes of Barack Obama and other top politicians for dinner. Needless to say that the food was excellent.
If you want to see some famous documents like the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights (with those famous amendments), you have to make your way to the National Archives Building. Unfortunately there is no photography inside.
Declaration of Independence (from Wikipedia).
Constitution (from Wikipedia).
Bill of Rights (from Wikipedia).
Surrounding Pennsylvania Avenue.
Street hockey nearby White House.
White House is the residence of the President of the United States of America.
South side and the White House Gardens.
Eisenhower Executive Building is the office of the Vice President and some other staff. Huge beautiful building.