34 The Anderson House

When I Googled "The Anderson House," the name "The Society of the Cincinnati" appeared. 

​The Society of the Cincinnati is the United States' oldest patriotic organization, established in 1783 by officers of the Continental Army to preserve the ideals and fellowship of the American Revolution. Named after the Roman statesman Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus, the Society promotes knowledge and appreciation of the achievement of American independence. Its headquarters is Anderson House in Washington, D.C., which also serves as a museum and library. ​

The presiding officer of the Society is the President General. George Washington was the first to hold this position, serving from 1783 until his death in 1799. He was succeeded by Alexander Hamilton, who served until 1804. Initially, Presidents General served for life, but since 1950, the term has been limited to a single three-year term. ​

Curious to see the house’s architecture, I went on a guided tour yesterday. I had the opportunity not only to explore the interior but also to learn about the history of the house’s owners, their lives, and the story of the Society of the Cincinnati.

The one-hour tour is free. Our guide was an older gentleman with elegant white hair, and we assumed he was a volunteer, as the tour felt less structured and more like a series of interesting, random facts.

Compared to the O Museum, which I had previously visited, Anderson House felt grander, more spacious, less cluttered with staff, and overall at a higher level of elegance.

Statue of Geroge Washington in front of the house

33 Old Ebbitt Grill

Old Ebbitt Grill, established in 1856, holds the distinction of being Washington, D.C.'s oldest saloon. Originally a boarding house, it was frequented by notable figures such as Presidents Ulysses S. Grant, Andrew Johnson, Grover Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt, and Warren Harding. Over time, the establishment evolved into a standalone restaurant, relocating several times before settling at its current address: 675 15th Street NW, near the White House. ​

In 1970, the restaurant was acquired by Clyde's Restaurant Group, who revitalized it while preserving its historic charm. The interior features mahogany paneling, antique fixtures, and mounted game trophies, some rumored to have been hunted by President Theodore Roosevelt. ​

Old Ebbitt Grill is renowned for its oyster bar and hosts the annual "Oyster Riot" each November, celebrating oyster season with a variety of selections and wines. The restaurant also participates in oyster shell recycling efforts to support Chesapeake Bay restoration. ​

We went for lunch in the weekend.  We really enjoyed the food, drinks, the establishment and the vibes as well as excellent service.

32 Lafayette Square

About 10 minutes walk from Metro Center subway station, Lafayette Square is a historic public park right in the heart of Washington, D.C., directly north of the White House. It’s one of those places where American history, politics, protest, and everyday life all intersect. It’s part of President’s Park and covers about 7 acres.

Bordered by H Street to the north and Pennsylvania Avenue to the south, it’s basically the White House’s front yard.  Originally intended as part of the White House grounds, it was separated and became a public park in the early 1800s.

Named after the Marquis de Lafayette, the French hero of the American Revolutionary War.

It has been a stage for everything from anti-slavery rallies in the 1800s to Black Lives Matter protests in recent years.

Presidents, politicians, and activists have all passed through or made speeches here.

There’s a cool mix of statues of foreign military heroes who helped during the American Revolution, including: Marquis de Lafayette (France); Baron von Steuben (Prussia); Tadeusz Kościuszko (Poland); Comte de Rochambeau (France) Plus, there’s a central equestrian statue of Andrew Jackson—notable for being one of the first bronze castings made in the U.S.

It’s a favorite spot for peaceful protests, impromptu speeches, tourists snapping selfies with the White House, and locals just relaxing on benches.

During major political events or inaugurations, it often becomes a media hub or rallying point.

In 2020, Lafayette Square made global headlines during the George Floyd protests when law enforcement cleared protesters before President Trump’s Walk to St. John’s Episcopal Church, just across the street.

I visited this square this Ester Sunday and especially enjoyed the beautiful tulips blooming in its garden. 

31 Glorious Wisteria

This one is for these girls who love purple-colored flowers and love to take photos with them.  

Forget about Dumbarton Oak, this spot is free for public to accesses. In April-May, glorious wisteria are blooming in front of the National Museum of America in downtown DC.  Go there to see it and take pictures and visit the museum too while there.

30 Netherlands Carillon

Located in Arlington, VA.  This bell tower, or carillon, gifted by the Netherlands to the United States after World War II as a thank-you for American support during and after the war, represents the deep friendship between the two countries.

There were originally 49 when the carillon was first built, but the 50th was added in 1995 to mark the 50th anniversary of the end of WWII.  The tower itself is 127 feet tall, made of steel, and has a sleek modernist design.  Bells are played both automatically and by a live carillonneur (yes, that's a real title!).  It regularly plays concerts and tunes, especially during national holidays or special commemorations.

Each bell was a gift from the Dutch people, and the entire carillon is a symbol of liberty and gratitude. It reflects how the U.S. helped liberate the Netherlands during WWII and later supported the country through the Marshall Plan.

The best time to visit is April to see beautiful tulips dancing with music.

29 Navy and Marine Memorial

Located along the Potomac River, this beautiful spot features the Navy-Merchant Marine Memorial, a striking sculpture of a crashing wave with seven seagulls soaring above it. The memorial honors the sailors and merchant mariners who lost their lives at sea during World War I. Its powerful, fluid design captures both the movement of the ocean and the spirit of those who served.

Positioned across the river, the site offers a clear view of the Washington Monument. It’s free to visit anytime, but April is especially magical—red tulips bloom around the statue, and the combination of blue skies and fluffy white clouds can make any photographer’s heart skip a beat.

Set your GPS to "Columbia Island Marina"—there’s plenty of parking available. From there, take the path under the bridge to cross over the George Washington Parkway and reach the site.