Minigolf pela cidade de Washington: 18 buracos, par 53

Fazer a bola ricochetear no mármore do Supremo Tribunal dos Estados Unidos tem uma sensação diferente de acertar uma barreira padrão. Esta volta completa de 18 buracos acontece nas ruas reais de Washington, onde o mapa é a cidade real. Os buracos são construídos a partir de atrações reais, e a bola percorre 6,8 milhas entre elas, usando ocasionalmente 32 portais para preencher as lacunas. Skip conhece bem essas calçadas e esquinas, o suficiente para guiar o caminho.

Supreme Court of the United States

Look at the white marble of the Supreme Court of the United States. This building houses the highest court in the federal judiciary. Established in 1789, it holds ultimate appellate jurisdiction over state court cases that turn on questions of federal or U.S. constitutional law. I've noticed the crowds always look a bit more formal when walking toward the entrance. The court also has original jurisdiction over cases affecting public Ministers, Consuls, Ambassadors, and those in which a State shall be a Party.

United States Capitol

A construção do Capitólio dos Estados Unidos começou em 1793. Desde então, tornou-se a sede do Congresso dos Estados Unidos e está localizada na extremidade leste do National Mall, no Capitólio. Você pode identificar o estilo arquitetônico neoclássico do edifício, que atinge uma altura de 88 metros. Descobri que a vista da colina circundante é um dos melhores lugares para se orientar na cidade, especialmente quando você está tentando se locomover nos amplos espaços do mall. É uma vista que define o horizonte da capital.

Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building

Let me show you the Thomas Jefferson Building. This Beaux-Arts library building was built between 1890 and 1897 and is a National Historic Landmark. It serves as a building of public administration and reaches a height of 59.4 meters. You can pick out the specific architectural influence from the work of John L. Smithmeyer and Paul J. Pelz. While it was established long ago, the building was named in honor of Thomas Jefferson in 1980. I've seen plenty of fancy ledges here, but the scale of this place is what really stands out.

Washington Union Station

Washington Union Station is a National Treasure designed by architect Daniel Burnham. You can pick out the influence of the City Beautiful movement and classical architecture in its Beaux-Arts style. Beyond its looks, it functions as a central, dead-end railway station. It is one of the busiest railroad stations in North America, ranking 13th. I've noticed the crowds here are always moving, which makes sense given it is the second-busiest station for Amtrak. It opened in 1907, though its inception was in 1908.

Victims of Communism Memorial

The Victims of Communism Memorial is a sculpture located in Washington, D.C. It is positioned at the intersection of Massachusetts and New Jersey Avenues and G Street, NW. The memorial is dedicated to more than one hundred million victims of communism. President George W. Bush opened the site on June 12, 2007. This opening took place on the 20th anniversary of President Ronald Reagan's "tear down this wall" speech. The memorial serves as a permanent place of remembrance for those lost under communist regimes, situated in the heart of the nation's capital.

National Museum of Women in the Arts

The National Museum of Women in the Arts is an art museum in Washington, D.C. It holds a collection of more than 6,000 works by more than 1,000 artists, with pieces ranging from the 16th century to today. You can find the only painting by Frida Kahlo in Washington, D.C. here, which is titled Self-Portrait Dedicated to Leon Trotsky. I've seen plenty of art from the air while flying over the city, but this collection is a special one to see up close. It is a wonderful spot to spend an afternoon.

Saint John's Episcopal Church

Located at Sixteenth Street and H Street NW, Saint John's Episcopal Church is a Protestant church building in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1816, the structure was designed by architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe in the Greek Revival style. The site is designated as a National Historic Landmark. To understand the current scale of the congregation, the church reported 1,527 members in 2023. Additionally, the average Sunday attendance in 2024 was 351 persons.

National Museum of American History

O Museu Nacional de História Americana é um museu de história localizado em Washington, D.C. Faz parte da Instituição Smithsonian e foi criado em 1964. Você pode encontrar a bandeira original Star-Spangled Banner entre os itens em exibição aqui. O edifício do museu foi projetado pelos arquitetos Walker O. Cain e McKim, Mead & White. É um destino popular que recebe 4.100.000 visitantes anuais. Notei que as multidões podem ser bastante grandes, mas as exposições valem a pena.

U.S. National Archives

Located in the heart of the capital, the U.S. National Archives is a national archives established in 1934. It is run by the National Archives and Records Administration, an independent agency of the United States federal government within the executive branch. NARA is charged with the preservation and documentation of government and historical records while increasing public access to these documents. They are also responsible for maintaining and publishing authoritative copies of federal regulations, presidential directives, and acts of Congress. I've seen a few tourists look a bit overwhelmed by the sheer amount of paperwork kept here.

National Air and Space Museum

The National Air and Space Museum is an aviation museum in Washington. It is dedicated to human flight and space exploration and has been around since its inception in 1946. As part of the Smithsonian Institution, it is a major draw for the city, welcoming 6,700,000 annual visitors. I have spent many hours watching the skies from the rooftops, but the history preserved inside this building is something you have to see for yourself. It is a massive operation that manages to bring the story of the stars down to earth for everyone to see.

National Museum of Natural History

You can pick out the grand Beaux-Arts style of the National Museum of Natural History as you approach. This natural history museum was founded in 1910 and was designed by architects including Hornblower & Marshall, Charles Follen McKim, and Daniel Burnham. It is a popular spot for visitors, seeing 6,900,000 annual visitors. If you are planning a trip, I should mention that the museum is open 364 days a year. I've noticed the crowds are always humming with excitement here.

National Gallery of Art

Andrew W. Mellon donated a substantial art collection and funds for construction to create the National Gallery of Art. This art museum in Washington, D.C. was privately established in 1937 for the American people by a joint resolution of the United States Congress. You can find it on the National Mall, situated between 3rd and 9th Streets at Constitution Avenue NW. It is a popular destination that sees 4,200,000 annual visitors. I've noticed the crowds are always buzzing around the entrance.

Andrew W Mellon Auditorium

Let me show you the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium. This public building had its inception in 1934 and was designed by architect Arthur Brown, Jr. You can pick out the Greek Revival architecture style as you approach the site at 1301 Constitution Avenue NW. It stands 25.4 meters high and functions as an event venue. It is a National Register of Historic Places contributing property. I've noticed the government owns the place, which makes it a steady landmark in the city.

National Theatre

You can find the National Theatre in downtown Washington, D.C., situated just east of the White House. This theatre building first began in 1835 and now functions as a venue for live stage productions. If you look inside, you can pick out a seating capacity of 1,676. While the name might suggest otherwise, it is not a government-funded national theatre; instead, it operates as a private, non-profit organization. I've noticed the crowds here always seem eager for the curtain to rise.

Franklin Square

Benjamin Franklin is the namesake for this garden square in downtown Washington, D.C. Known also as Franklin Park, it provides a green space for the city center. The square is bounded by K Street NW to the north, 13th Street NW on the east, I Street NW on the south, and 14th Street NW on the west. If you are arriving by train, the McPherson Square station of the Washington Metro serves the area. I usually find the street corners here a great spot to watch the downtown crowds move by.