Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C. (must see)

The Lincoln Memorial is one of those places in Washington, D.C. that needs very little introduction. Built in honor of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, it commemorates the man who led the country through the Civil War and became a lasting symbol of national unity. Architecturally, the memorial goes full ancient Greece, with a grand Doric temple design that speaks in the language of democracy, dignity, and very large columns...

Inside sits the famous statue of Lincoln, calm, massive, and looking as if he is silently judging the nation from his marble chair. Around him are two of his most important speeches: the Gettysburg Address and the Second Inaugural Address. Both are engraved on the walls, proving that powerful writing does not need five warm-up paragraphs and a dramatic title...

The idea for a Lincoln memorial began soon after his assassination, when the Lincoln Monument Association was formed in 1867. Actual planning, however, moved at a pace best described as historically patient. The memorial bill was finally signed by President William Howard Taft in 1911, and the monument was completed for about two million dollars, which in today's prices might just cover the scaffolding, paperwork, and several very serious meetings...

Over time, the Lincoln Memorial became more than a tribute to one president. It turned into a national stage for speeches, gatherings, and protests, most famously Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963. To find the spot, stand on the steps and look down for the marked stone block. It is a small detail, but a powerful one: the place where one of America’s most famous calls for justice was delivered.

Managed by the National Park Service and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the memorial is open 24 hours a day. For the best experience, come early in the morning before the crowds arrive, or later in the evening when the lights give the whole place a solemn, cinematic glow. Bring water in summer, and maybe a snack too, because the view is excellent, but the refreshment stands are somewhat overpriced and not exactly the capital’s finest culinary achievement...

Before you leave, turn around. The Reflecting Pool, the Washington Monument, and the long sweep of the National Mall unfold before you — one of those rare postcard views that actually deserves the postcard.