#95: The Smithsonian and Beyond (Page 735)

May 2010: As stated in my previous post, because I have lived in the DC area for the past 6 years, I have been to the Smithsonian institutions many, many, many times. However, every time I have a friend come visit, I get excited to go back and see them again! My friend, Vicki, came out for a visit in May of 2010 and Visiting the American History Smithsonian was a definite highlight of our DC sight-seeing! The American History museum is one of my favorites. It houses the kitchen of Julia Child (shown here)

And Dorothy's red shoes from the Wizard of Oz. It also has the exhibit which shows all the inaugural gowns of the First Ladies and, of course, the original Star Spangled Banner. It's a fabulous museum!

Verdict: Yes. Admittedly, I haven't been to all of them (I used to think "The Smithsonian" was one place, when in fact there are 19 museums/galleries and 1 Zoo for a total of 20 Smithsonian institutions). My favorites are the Air and Space Museum, the American History and the Natural History Museum. I also like the Zoo because of the Panda bears, but I have to say, if you've been to some other fabulous zoos like San Diego or something similar, you will likely be disappointed. Having said that, most of these museums (including the zoo) are free, so you can't beat free!

#94: The National Mall and Its Monuments (Page 734; Listed as Washington D.C. in the 2nd Ed, pg 894)

Hundreds of times over the span of my life: I can't put a date here like I usually do because I started going to DC as a very young child to visit my Aunt and Uncle that lived in the area. We came out almost every year from the time I was four until I was in Junior High. Then I moved to the area for a year (1998-1999) and then moved back in 2005 and remain in this area now (2011), so I have been to DC many, many, many times. But I still love it. And I love showing it to my kids. Here I am with my 2-year old and baby in 2009 in front of the White House.

And this is in 2006, during the Cherry Blossom festival - a gorgeous time to walk around the Tidal Basin!

With my Dad

The Washington Monument in the background

The WWII Memorial, meaningful to me because, among other things, my grandfather faught in this War.

Verdict: ABSOLUTELY! And when you go inside the monuments, read the words of our founding fathers inscribed on the walls. Very moving.