mas24 Loc: Southern CA

I was in Washington DC during the Spring of 2015. A most memorable trip that was. You're already getting good advice. But, if you go to view the Lincoln Memorial, take a short walk and see the Vietnam Memorial, and see the names of the fallen on the Wall. It's appreciated by military and non military alike. It will have even more visitors on Veterans Day in November.

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

Wow. Where to start?! Lots of great suggestions already posted, but let me add - don't miss the Washington Cathedral.

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

I'm another long-time area resident. So much so, that I don't spend a lot of time downtown these days. But everyone has been right on! Walk, take public transportation, or even a tour bus (they have double-decker and amphibian vehicles, too!).

Everyone can (and should) photograph the monuments. But don't forget, the majority of the museums here are free! The Korean War memorial and the new(er) WWII memorial are spectacular (the Korean War memorial especially after dark). Tomb of the Unknowns. Georgetown (the university as well as the neighborhood). The area around American University and Foxhall Road. Massachusetts Ave. (Embassy Row), Dupont Circle (lots of circles, squares, parks and military statuary). Go wild! And enjoy!

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

DC is one of the most photogenic and most photographed places I can think of. There are literally thousands of places and things to photograph. Smithsonian, Take the Capitol tour, The subway, the Air and Space museum (both in the Smithsonian complex and the major museum at the air port), Arlington National Cemetery and especially the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers and especially at the time of the changing of the guards, The Marine Retreat Parade at 8th and I at dusk, Monuments, lakes, the river, traffic, people, the Mall, etc. Before you go, get a couple of guide books and also look online. Make notes of places and try to group things in specific areas together so that you aren't constantly running back and forth across town. I spent 4 weeks there shooting 10 hours a day and barely scratched the surface. But, my 4 weeks were scattered across the 4 seasons so many of my photos were of the same locations but in different types of weather. Be sure to hit the WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War Memorials in addition to the Lincoln, Washington, Jefferson Memorials. Spring time is amazing when the cherry trees are blooming but I don't think that there is a really bad time to go.
Here are 2 examples of the Korean War Memorial. The first is the wall with reflections of the statues of soldiers near the wall, the engravings of soldiers and scenes from the war, and reflections of people viewing the wall. I had to work to keep my reflection out of the photo. Second is a photo of the statues of a platoon of soldiers (would have really been nice if we had some fog for them to be coming out of.

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Bill_de Loc: US

This is just for people who know nothing about D.C.

When folks refer to the Mall, they are not talking about a shopping center.

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Ksocha Loc: Bethesda, MD

The Shrine of the Immaculate Conception at Catholic University is probably the most magnificent Catholic Basilica in the US. Lovely and not crowded.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

Good point. Thanks for reminding me. I had been there so often that I forgot to mention that the mall is actually called the National Mall and is the central area of land (primarily) in front of the Smithsonian and extends from the Capitol Building on one end to the Lincoln Memorial on the other with the Washington Monument separated from the Lincoln Memorial by a reflecting pool and the White house is on the north end.. The Mall is sort of like a Plus sign with the bottom part of the plus cut off. It also contains the Vietnam, Korean and other war memorials. I think the WWII is about half way between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln memorial. The FDR Memorial is on an area south (sort of) from the Korean / Lincoln Memorials and is a pleasant walk / lots of photo ops. (this would be the lower part of the plus sign but is almost directly south of the Korean and Lincoln memorials rather than the center of the east west line. Be sure to take a good map of all of the memorials and don't miss the Jefferson Memorial on the tidal basin. There are some good shots through the pillars of the Jefferson looing at the Washington Monument.

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

If you are not in good walking shape, get busy!
You'll be glad you did......
We were not and suffered.....
Pat

Elliern Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

It also helps to have a map and plan your day ahead of time.

My grandson recently got married in DC and they stayed over for a short honeymoon before returning to work. We took him to DC several times when he was younger. He forgot about planning his day using the map of attractions. They spent a lot of time criss crossing their path, wasting precious hours. By the late afternoon they too were exhausted but still had a lot they wanted to see that day and night.

They just left the hotel and started walking. Not really planning where they were going. A lesson learned. 😉 They thought they were in great shape too.

It is a long way from one end/side of the Mall to the other.

Rob Almeda Loc: Gaithersburg, Maryland

Yup, as Mike have said, avoid driving in DC, parking is hard to find. Metro (subway) is a must and easy to navigate. Don't forget to go to Union Station which is a good place to take pictures. If you have time, National Harbor and Great Falls is also good.

Rob Almeda Loc: Gaithersburg, Maryland

Some pictures of DC:

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Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Washington DC is a photographers wonderland. There is no shortage of things to photograph.

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

Two caveats: 1) When watching the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, don't talk or laugh loudly--the guards will chastise you; 2) DC is like most other places, keep your wallets safe, especially on the subways.

Al Freeedman

I agree, take public transportation. We recently return from a visit to DC to see friends.The city is a mess with all the construction and traffic jams,
On second thought, stay away from DC and buy some post cards.

Captain Al

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Ditto this - also the Library of Congress Building (this and the SC building are right across from the Capitol building). Ask your member of congress about getting in to the Capitol building - truly one of the most awesome buildings in the world - but getting increasingly difficult to get in to! The Mall (the park area in front of the Capitol Building) also is home to many of the Smithsonian Institution Galleries - the Museum f Natural History, the National Aquarium, and everyone's favorite - the Air and Space Museum. All FREE!