Washington DC: I’m headed to Washington DC the end of this month. I have never been there before so looking for suggestions. Weather, safety and photo ops I shouldn’t miss. I’ll be...

Spectre Loc: Bothell, Washington

I’m headed to Washington DC the end of this month. I have never been there before so looking for suggestions. Weather, safety and photo ops I shouldn’t miss. I’ll be using my Nikon P520 with a few filters and monopod.Thanks for any suggestions!📸

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

If you want to go this way, there are a few books that answer your questions in detail.

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

I've lived in the D.C. area for over 35 years. Everyone is going to tell you: Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Capitol Building. Yeah, okay, so take the tourist photos. Let me tell you of some other possibilities:

National Air & Space Museum
Architecture along Whitehurst Freeway
Georgetown - architecture and street photography
The Waterfront and Eastern Market
Embassy Row (Massachusetts Avenue)
Chevy Chase
The war memorials: Vietnam, Korea (go at night - it's a much better experience), WWII

There's a lot more. D.C. is a marvelous place for photographers. Especially if you make a little effort to get away from the usual. That's the good news. The bad news is that it's a city with a lot of homeless and skeevy people. Broken into quadrants, you'll enjoy Northwest and parts of Southwest. Unless you're handy with your hands (no -legal- firearms allowed) or know people, you'll probably want to avoid Northeast and Southeast. Don't stay out too late.

Enjoy. Show us your photos!

Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV

They also have a really nice zoo to consider!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Think of the most uncomfortably hot, humid day you've ever experienced in Seattle and multiply that by 10

Maybe won't be so bad pre-June, though...

Since you are a veteran, Arlington National Cemetery (especially changing of the Guard ceremony) is a very moving experience; there are tram tours if you don't want to walk a lot:

https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Visit/Tours-and-Groups/Tours

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial brought me to tears more than once (I joined the Navy prior to the end of that war).

I volunteered at The National Zoo for five years, but haven't been back since 1994. All the places mentioned here so far are easy to look up online (websites such as I linked above, with times open, costs, highlights etc). Once you've narrowed down some choices, make Mr. Google your friend!

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Spectre wrote:

I’m headed to Washington DC the end of this month. I have never been there before so looking for suggestions. Weather, safety and photo ops I shouldn’t miss. I’ll be using my Nikon P520 with a few filters and monopod.Thanks for any suggestions!📸

In Washington DC everything is a photo op.

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

Get in shape for a lot of walking!!!......
Pat

CO

Just Fred above listed great places. Don't miss Georgetown. The Georgetown area is great for architectural shots and street photography.

Also visit the National Harbor. It's just south of the Woodrow Wilson bridge. The harbor area is beautiful.

FrumCA

Totally agree with all the previous comments. If you have time and the inclination you can go to the new (well, relatively so) MGM Casino at National Harbor to try to make expenses!! Lol!!
Whatever you do enjoy your trip and take advantage of the 'hop-on/hop-off' transit services that are available to get you around.

LarryFitz Loc: Beacon NY

Call your congressperson or senator. Ask them for white house passes, capitol passes and treasury printing passes. We had a tour of the capitol by one of our representives interns. More freedom in walking around, less historical info then park rangers tour. Also got passes to sit in Senate and house galleries ( no camera allowed) . Many places have security so less you carry less they need to check.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

Just Fred wrote:

I've lived in the D.C. area for over 35 years. Ev... (show quote)

Well said. I've been to DC 6 times. Each was a week with the exception of the 6th time which was 2 weeks. I still feel that I've missed things. We did the Air and Space (both in DC and the even bigger one at the airport) and did all of the museums. Walked (and took photos completely around the capitol, white house, the Senate and Congressional office buildings, Ford's Theater, Washington's Farm, and all of the monuments. DO NOT FORGET the changing of the guard and Arlington. The problem with doing multiple trips is that everything is constantly changing. And, be sure to take the subway as it provides fairly easy access to most of the areas.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Spectre wrote:

I’m headed to Washington DC the end of this month. I have never been there before so looking for suggestions. Weather, safety and photo ops I shouldn’t miss. I’ll be using my Nikon P520 with a few filters and monopod.Thanks for any suggestions!📸

The awakening at sunrise.

FrumCA

billnikon wrote:

The awakening at sunrise.

The Awakening was relocated from Haines Point to National Harbor a couple of years ago. It's not quite as spectacular now IMO.

ronichas Loc: Long Island

There is the American Veterans Disabled for life.
For the first time, America will pay tribute to some of our most courageous heroes Ã¢ÂÂ our disabled veterans.
The American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial will celebrate those men and women who may be broken in body Ã¢ÂÂ but never in spirit.

fergmark Loc: norwalk connecticut

The museums alone are a handful all by them selves. Architectural subjects everywhere. Linda's thoughts went immediately to the heat and humidity. She is telling it like it is. For that reason alone I would want to limit wondering around a lot. Museum hopping is what I would do. And plan for a lot of opertunitys for interior shots. I wouldn't encumber myself with a monopod. Nor would I carry a bunch of lenses.