Must See Sights and Landmarks in Gaithersburg Area

"The most visited of the memorials, the 19-foot seated figure of Abraham Lincoln dedicated in 1922, never fails to inspire. It is flanked by inscriptions of his Second Inaugural Address and the Gettysburg Address. The 39 columns on all four sides of the chamber represent the states that existed at Lincoln’s death."

"Allan Baxter / Collection: Photographer's Choice RF / Getty Images. Many years went into planning the memorial to American's 16th president. An early proposal called for a statue of Abraham Lincoln surrounded by statues of 37 other people, six on horseback."

"The Lincoln Memorial sits on the opposite side of the reflecting pool from the Washington Monument. You can photograph Lincoln up close or get a distant view from across the reflecting pool (bring a long lens for this). Lincoln Memorial by Marc Andre"

"You will see the Capitol to the East and the Washington Monument to the West. The Smithsonian is comprised of 19 museums. Since you have limited time to tour the city, I would suggest that you pick just one museum to explore, either the National Museum of Natural History or the National Museum of American History. Both museums are located across the Mall (to the north of the Smithsonian Metro Station) There is so much to see and so little time--grab a museum map and spend an hour or two exploring the exhibits."

"Danita Delimont/Gallo Images Collection/Getty Images (cropped). Architect Robert Mills' initial design for the Washington Monument honored America's first president with a 600-foot tall, square, flat-topped pillar. At the base of the pillar, Mills envisioned an elaborate colonnade with statues of 30 Revolutionary War heroes and a soaring sculpture of George Washington in a chariot."

"The most iconic and recognizable building in DC is hard not to photograph since it’s DC’s tallest building. From the Tidal Basin, steps of the Lincoln Memorial or standing right next to it, the Washington Monument looks great from all angles. You can also get a unique angle of the Washington Monument from the POV bar at the W Hotel."

"United States Capitol Building, Washington, DC, Supreme Court (L) and Library of Congress (R) in Background. Carol M. Highsmith/Buyenlarge Archive Photos/Getty Images (cropped). For almost two centuries, America's governing bodies, the Senate and the House of Representatives, have gathered under the dome of the US Capitol."

"It is hard to believe it, but the Capitol is among the free things to do in Washington DC!. There is a free tour of the building if you book in advance!. Even if you aren’t able to book in advance, you can go into the lower level behind the Capitol and visit the museum."

"Day or night, the US Capitol building is one of Washington, D.C.'s most monumental sights. The marble edifice is a symbol of American Democracy, and the giant dome is based on St. Peter's in Rome. Make sure to step inside and see the rotunda under the dome."

"Designed in the Beaux-Arts style with giant columns, open light, granite and bronze doors and marble floors, the library surpasses all other local institutions when it comes to its comprehensive cultural collections. The numbers speak for themselves. The print and photographs division holds 15 million visual images, while the publication department has the world’s largest collection of graphic novels and comic books, at 5,000 titles, and an extensive collection of works by political cartoonist Herbert L. Block, or “Herblock,” on public view since 2011."

"The Library of Congress is unlike any other library in the world. The world’s largest library, it is home to more than 100 million books, maps, recordings, manuscripts, films and photos including items from Thomas Jefferson’s personal collection. In fact, it was Jefferson who donated many items to the library after it was destroyed by a fire in 1814."

"When it was created in 1800, the Library of Congress was primarily a resource for Congressmen. The library was located where the legislators worked, in the U.S."

"The White House is the elegant mansion of America's president, but its beginnings were humble. Irish-born architect James Hoban may have modeled the initial structure after the Leinster House, a Georgian style estate in Dublin, Ireland. Made of Aquia sandstone painted white, the White House was more austere when it was first built from 1792 to 1800."

"After lunch, walk west on Pennsylvania Avenue and you will come to President’s Park and the White House. Take some photos and enjoy a view of the White House grounds. The seven-acre public park across the street is a popular site for political protests and a good place to people watch."

"Play image association with the words “ Washington, DC, ” and chances are the first thing that comes to mind is the White House. The president’s pad is likely to take your breath away the first time you see it,... Top ChoiceMuseum in Upper Northwest DC"

"Washington, DC. Located just steps from the White House, one of the oldest homes in Washington, DC features Federalist and Victorian style furnishings and exhibits that explore 200 years of Washington, DC history. Continue to 13 of 25 below."

"Today it is a historic house museum managed by the White House Historical Association. The house is open to the public for scheduled tours on Mondays."

"This mall is popular among locals and tourists for its food court since they offer a wide range of cuisine options. You can find almost every kind of food at L'Enfant Plaza. Another point that is useful for tourists is that the mall is an excellent place to stop before taking the Express Bus to Dulles International Airport."

"It's best to follow these lunches on wheels on Twitter, but usually you'll find them lined up near the L'Enfant Plaza Metro Station in southwest D.C., McPherson Square, Franklin Park, and Farragut Square all in northwest D.C. Popular ones include..."

"The Saint John Paul II National Shrine is a place of prayer for Catholics and welcomes people of all faiths. The Shrine houses a permanent exhibit called "A Gift of Love: the Life of Saint John Paul II" which highlights significant events in the life of Pope John Paul II and his momentous influence. The shrine is also home to the Redemptor Hominis Church and Luminous Mysteries Chapel, both of which are decorated with mosaic art."

"A beautiful replica of Rome’s Pantheon is a fitting tribute to the nation’s third president, key member of the Founding Fathers and main author of the Declaration of Independence. The Jefferson Memorial is on the south shore of the Tidal Basin and its architecture tallies with Jefferson’s personal taste as it bears a lot of similarities to his Monticello plantation in Virginia, a building he designed himself. The relief in the pediment shows Jefferson flanked by the other signatories of the Declaration of Independence, and within stands a 5.8-metre bronze statue of Jefferson by sculptor Rudolph Evans."

"Carol M. Highsmith/Buyenlarge Archive Photos/Getty Images (cropped). The Jefferson Memorial is a round, domed monument dedicated to Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States. Also a scholar and an architect, Jefferson admired the architecture of ancient Rome and the work of Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio."

"If you’re walking around the Tidal Basin you can’t miss the Jefferson Memorial. The massive columns around the edges are beautiful and offer a great view of the Washington Monument. Be prepared to walk to if you’re heading to the Jefferson Memorial."

"K.Co Design Salon and Day Spa is a full-service salon and spa that offers a range of amazing services, including those for nails and hair plus eyelash extensions. This salon-spa allows you to take a respite from your daily activities. K.Co Design Salon and Day Spa is where you can relax and spend quality time with yourself."

"The Spa by Ivanka Trump is a 10,000 sq ft boutique spa located within the Trump International Hotel in the DC area. The spa is known for its highly customized service, ensuring that every guest has a unique experience during their visit. The spa has six rooms, with expert therapists ensuring your aches and pains disappear in no time."

"Navy Yard, Arlington, and U Street With three locations and shelf space in local grocery stores (plus an online shop, where you can get pints shipped nationwide), Ice Cream Jubilee has become a staple since it opened its first DC outpost in 2014. The shop stocks unique flavors like Banana Bourbon Caramel, MarionBerry, and Honey Lemon Lavender, but adds in seasonal offerings and specials for local occasions. For example, coinciding with this year’s Presidential Inauguration, Ice Cream Jubilee launched special flavors to honor the president and vice president, including Biden’s favorite flavor, Vanilla Chocolate Chip, available through the end of July."

"If you have the cash to spend, this shop is a near-perfect destination. Each member of its rotating slate of flavors feels innovative, from honey lemon lavender to “everything” bagel. The latter was sold out when we visited — proof that when it comes to ice cream, weird can be good — so we went for sesame halvah instead and left quite pleased."

"Owner Victoria Lai believes that eating ice cream is meant to be a happy time and one shared by those you love. That is why she created these adorable shops to indulge in your favorite sweets. Ice Cream Jubilee is known for its seasonal flavors, international flair, and special events."

"A cool little "mom and pop" pop shop that just so happens to also have coffee. With tons of seating options, this is the perfect spot for a date or some light reading. Just don't let your pop drip on the pages."

"3312 Wisconsin Ave, Washington, DC 20016Phone: 202-244-7258Visit Website. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Phoebe | Bites with Bell (@biteswithbell)"

"Nicely decorated, very good service and extensive menu of favorites. Unusual sushi rolls. I did not get to try the fish and chips roll which sounded de..."