Washington may not have the bright lights of New York but it more than makes up for it with historical and political attractions. The United States capital has some of the most recognizable buildings and landmarks in the world. Take a look at a few of the most popular things to do in Washington:

The White House

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial is a beautiful tribute to the man who led the country through World War II. With waterfalls, giant stones and fascinating sculptures, this is one of the most visited attractions in the city. The FDR memorial is even more delightful at night when lights create a stunning atmosphere.

The Smithsonian

The Smithsonian is a huge complex of museums housing over 200 million artifacts from Chinese pottery to dinosaur skeletons. Today, the Smithsonian owns more than 140 million objects. Founded by a British chemist, this incredible collection is one of the largest in the world. Even the most hard to please visitor will find something to their taste.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a shrine to the thousands of young men killed in the controversial war. The memorial's black granite walls are covered with names of the 58,000 American soldiers who lost their lives. This is an incredibly moving attraction (if you can call it that) and one of Washington's most visited sites.