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There are three reasons that people go to visit The Jefferson Memorial in Washington D.C. The first reason is that this monument is a D.C. attraction which has been drawing visitors for many years, making it a place that is on the itinerary of tour groups and typical visits to the city. The second reason is that The Jefferson Memorial is an architecturally attractive building which impresses the people who come to visit it with its beauty and stature. And the final reason is that a trip to the nation’s capital really doesn’t seem complete without taking some time to honor one of the most important presidents in the nation’s history.

Any of these reasons is a good reason to make sure to visit The Jefferson Memorial at some point during your trip to Washington D.C. However, combining all of these reasons and taking the time to really plan out your trip will make the entire experience that much better. By learning about the history of the monument as well as the importance of Thomas Jefferson to our nation’s history, you’ll really gain an appreciation for what America is all about. This is what a trip to Washington D.C. should offer to any traveler. And by focusing on the impressive architecture and interior design of The Jefferson Memorial, you can also come away from the experience with a greater appreciation for the artistic side of the attraction.

To really get this full experience of The Jefferson Memorial, there are a few things that you’ll want to do. Here are the tips to follow in order to plan your trip properly and enjoy it to the fullest:

• Do some research in advance. The best way to really understand what you’re seeing when you visit The Jefferson Memorial is to learn about the building before you go there. Read some information online about the history of the building and the reasons that it was constructed. Take some time to pay attention to the architectural history of the building as well so that you’ll have a better appreciation of that when you actually see the building in person. In addition to assisting you in having a richer experience, this research in advance will actually help to make you more excited about your trip to The Jefferson Memorial.
• Plan your trip ahead of time. Many people get to Washington D.C. with only a vague idea of what they want to see when they are there. This results in rushing from place to place to see it all. Plan your trip in advance so that you’ll have plenty of time to really enjoy the attraction. Be aware that you can go to The Jefferson Memorial during any time of the day or not but that there will only be guides to answer your questions during the hours of 9:30 in the morning until 11:30 at night. Also be aware that parking in the area is restricted so you’ll want to skip the rental car and take public transportation instead.
• Consider actually visiting it twice during one trip. This sounds excessive but there is an entirely different experience of The Jefferson Memorial if you go there at night than if you go there during the day. One way to do this so that it isn’t convenient is to head there in the afternoon to get the daytime experience. You can then leave and explore some of the other attractions that are located in the park that the memorial calls home. Grab some dinner at a nearby restaurant and then head back to The Jefferson Memorial after dark. You won’t be put out by the trip back there because you’ll still be in the area. And you’ll be glad that you got the chance to see the lit-up version of the attraction. There are no fees for visiting The Jefferson Memorial so it won’t cost you anything to go twice.
• Make sure that you take a camera. The Jefferson memorial is an impressive structure. Even if it didn’t have the history attached to it that it does, you’d want to take photographs of it because of the beauty of the building itself. Considering that it does have this history, you’ll also want pictures so that you can remember you trip to the area. If you haven’t practiced your photography skills in awhile, you might want to brush up before the trip. Learn how to take close-up pictures as well as landscape ones to get the full view of the attraction. You’ll want to capture some of Thomas Jefferson’s words which are written on the walls of the building as well as some pictures of the whole building from afar.
• Don’t neglect the statue of Thomas Jefferson. Yes, you’ll probably notice it right off the bat and want to go take a picture standing by it. However, there’s more to this statute than just the man himself. There are also additional inscriptions on it that are really inspiring if you take the time to read them and think about them. Don’t let the heart of the man’s words get overlooked as you get wrapped up in taking pictures of the statue itself.
• Talk to people while you are there. One of the things that most people do on a trip to an attraction like this is to stick to themselves. However, this is really a shared experience. Thousands of other people have been to this location and each has a unique perspective on what a visit here means to them. Take the initiative in striking up conversations with others who are visiting to really get a sense of what other people see as they look at the same structure that you’re seeing. This is especially great if people from other countries are visiting at the same time as you because then you’ll really get a global perspective on the history of America. If you’re shy, a great way to do this is to ask questions of a park ranger about the place; others will chime in and a conversation should get going.
• Let it all sink in. You’re going to see and experience a lot at this attraction, especially if you’ve done your research and talked to some strangers. Before heading off to another attraction, take some time to let this experience sink in. Walk around the area (there are beautiful cherry blossom trees nearby if you head there during the right season) and think about what you’ve just seen.

You’ll hardly be the first person to visit The Jefferson Memorial. People come here each day to get the experience of spending time in this famous, beautiful attraction which honors the history of one of the nation’s finest presidents. However, most of these people just come to take their pictures and leave. If you really want to experience the history that a trip to Washington D.C. should be all about, it’s worth taking the time to really get a fuller experience of The Jefferson Memorial. Immersing yourself in the history of the landmark and taking the time to really experience what the building is all about will give you a better understanding of America that you can carry with you for years to come.

photo credits: kubina, cloneofsnake, sivaprakash, clicksee

Tags: jefferson memorial | North America | United States | washington dc