Faire rebondir une balle sur le marbre de la Cour suprême des États-Unis procure une sensation différente de celle que l'on ressent en frappant un rail standard. Ce parcours complet de 18 trous se déroule dans les rues réelles de Washington, où le plan correspond à la ville elle-même. Les trous sont aménagés à partir de sites touristiques réels, et la balle parcourt 6,8 mi entre eux, en utilisant parfois 32 portails pour combler les lacunes. Skip connaît si bien ces trottoirs et ces coins qu'il peut guider le chemin.
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.
La construction du United States Capitol a commencé en 1793. Depuis lors, il est devenu le siège du Congrès des États-Unis et est situé à l'extrémité est du National Mall, sur Capitol Hill. Vous pouvez reconnaître le style architectural néoclassique du bâtiment, qui atteint une hauteur de 88 mètres. J'ai constaté que la vue depuis la colline environnante est l'un des meilleurs endroits pour s'orienter dans la ville, surtout lorsque vous essayez de vous orienter dans les vastes espaces du mall. C'est un spectacle qui définit l'horizon de la capitale.
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 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.
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.
Le National Museum of Women in the Arts est un musée d'art situé à Washington, D.C. Il abrite une collection de plus de 6 000 œuvres de plus de 1 000 artistes, avec des œuvres allant du XVIe siècle à nos jours. Vous pouvez y trouver la seule peinture de Frida Kahlo à Washington, D.C., intitulée Autoportrait dédié à Léon Trotsky. J'ai vu beaucoup d'œuvres d'art depuis les airs en survolant la ville, mais cette collection est particulièrement intéressante à voir de près. C'est un endroit merveilleux pour passer un après-midi.
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.
The National Museum of American History is a history museum located in Washington, D.C. It is part of the Smithsonian Institution and had its inception in 1964. You can find the original Star-Spangled Banner among the items on display here. The museum building was designed by architects Walker O. Cain and McKim, Mead & White. It is a popular destination that sees 4,100,000 annual visitors. I've noticed the crowds can be quite something, but the exhibits are well worth the walk.
Situées au cœur de la capitale, les Archives nationales des États-Unis sont des archives nationales créées en 1934. Elles sont gérées par les Archives nationales et la direction des archives, une agence indépendante du gouvernement fédéral des États-Unis au sein du pouvoir exécutif. La NARA a pour mission de préserver et de documenter les documents gouvernementaux et historiques tout en facilitant l'accès du public à ces documents. Elle est également chargée de conserver et de publier des copies faisant autorité des réglementations fédérales, des directives présidentielles et des lois du Congrès. J'ai vu quelques touristes qui semblaient un peu dépassés par la quantité de documents conservés ici.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.