jims203 Loc: Connecticut

Take a Platypod, by the time they figure it out you will have taken your shots.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUfIJ-WNowI

aggiedad Loc: Corona, ca

You've gotten a lot of great advice already. I would just add that parking in D.C. in the summer season is terrible. If you can, check out the bus tours that allow hop-on-hop off. They take you to all the main attractions, and come by very frequently. One of the main stops is in front of Union Station. There used to be a stop at Arlington Nat'l Cemetery, and there is parking available there. If you are not staying in the city, you might be able to take a commuter train into Union Station, which by the way is a very interesting place to explore.

LESTAHL Loc: Colorado

You might want to do a side trip to Arlington, VA and visit the George Washington Masonic Memorial Building. If the wind isn't blowing you can go to the top and view across the river to the Capitol Bldg to the Washington Memorial. Great views on a nice day. The tour of the Memorial itself is very interesting as well.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

There are some decent books on photographing DC.

sazfoto

I went on an Honor Flight last September, Police escort everywhere we went(spoiled me), Lincoln memorial, Vietnam memorial, and Korean Memorial with in walking distance of each other WWII, Jefferson and Franklin memorial not that far away. Early morning is a great idea, starts getting crowded after 9am. And like Ken Stern, I regret not taking an uber or lyft to get that night shots. Had to settle on escorting two lovely twenty something to a couple of bars. Question how many monuments are in DC?

aubreybogle Loc: Albuquerque, NM

I have lived in Washington DC, and my wife and I still love visiting the city. For fine art, the National Gallery is a must see. Photography is allowed; no flash. Free! Mt Vernon is an important historic and scenic place to visit. Not free (but not expensive), and you need to make reservations online. It is approx 12 miles outside the city. As others have indicated, DC is far too large an area to cover fully walking; especially in the summer. To get an overview, a Hop-on Hop-off bus works well, but they are not cheap (about $40 per person as I recall), and you are tied to the bus itinerary. More pricey, but much more flexible, is to hire a private guide/driver. A four hour tour of DC, including the monuments, National Cathedral, a visit to Arlington National Cemetary, etc. costs about $400. Spread over a party of four, the per person cost is $100. You may dictate your own itinerary, stop to visit a site take photos whenever and wherever you wish. You are also not stuck on a bus with your 50 new best friends and dirty windows. We have found highly qualified driver/guides in DC and world-wide using Travel by Locals and VIATOR (no relationship to either company except as a satisfied customer in the past.) You can check on them on line. However, they may be totally booked. The sooner you book, before you trip, the better. Don't wait to your arrival in DC, and expect to find someone is available.

charlko

"Much of the displays are printed or projected images of newsworthy historical events."

That is why it is called the NEWSeum. It is a museum dedicated to journalism.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

I also don’t mean to sound negative, but I am going to warn you about traffic. If you are renting a vehicle (I hope you don’t have to) be aware that DC traffic is nearly as bad as LA. And the drivers are rude for what ever reason. Try using the subway system in DC if you can.

gwilliams6

This is so much more than that.especially for photography. Anyone looking at their website will know you are selling the Newseum short.

Erkibler

Some things you might not think of... if music interests you, at least one evening each week, one of the D.C. based military bands gives a free concert on the capitol steps. The National Cathedral is a must see, as is Ford’s Theatre.
I haven’t been there, but I understand the Spy Museum is interesting.

If you are looking for a place to stay, La’Fant Plaza has a full service hotel one block off the mall. Great central location
above an underground garage and a Metro station. From there you can get anywhere the Metro goes easily. It’s located about a block behind the Smithsonian castle. The subway system is very clean and safe.

Photocraig

And, most of all, remember, that you and your parents and children have and are and will still be paying for all of that stuff and the Millions of people employed there.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

There's no way traffic could be as bad as in Los Angeles.

Spectre Loc: Bothell, Washington

I went there last month for my first time and stayed south of Reagan Airport. Took the Blue Line Metro every day.
I would suggest seeing the Smithsonian Castle and taking the free tour that starts at 1pm. Most of the indoor attractions open at 10am and close at 5pm. One museum I would recommend, which has a fee, is the International Spy Museum. I spent 5 hours there.
I walked 11 miles the first day, 7 the next and 8 the third. According to my Fitbit.
Enjoy and love to see your shots.📸

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tdekany Loc: Oregon

Depending what sources you find, DC is usually #2 in the ranks after LA. Not to mention that while the views around LA are beautiful, DC is the exact opposite.

Thank god we left DC in 2009, and even back then traffic was terrible. The beltway was built in 1963!

jvangorp Loc: Stickney, SD

Thanks for the advice, Your pictures are great. I'll try and get some posted when we get back.