The long, grassy National Mall is home to iconic monuments including the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. At the eastern end is the domed U.S. Capitol, and the White House is to the north. It's also flanked by Smithsonian museums, and its lawns and pathways are often crowded with school groups, joggers and softball teams. Nearby, the Tidal Basin reservoir is known for its blossoming cherry trees.

With views of Woodrow Wilson Bridge over the Potomac River, National Harbor is a convention center hub with everything from busy outlet mall shopping to a casino and live music at the MGM National Harbor hotel. The waterfront is home to a vibrant carousel and a unique sculpture, plus a ferry terminal and a marina sporting a Ferris wheel. It offers many bars and restaurants, including a painting studio serving wine.