Washington DC

At the west end of the National Mall, this Greek-style temple to the 16th president holds Daniel Chester French's 19-foot-tall statue of Lincoln and carved inscriptions of his famous speeches. — Where

Lose yourself in letters. — Not For Tourists

“They say you're judged by the strength of your enemies”—James Bond, Quantum of Solace.  — Atlas Obscura

Officially named the Cathedral Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, the imposing Gothic-style edifice overlooking the city from its 57-acre site on Mount St. — Michelin Guide

Situated at the foot of Capitol Hill, this lush conservatory serves as the nation's living plant museum. — Michelin Guide

Dedicated in 2004, the monument that honours America’s "Greatest Generation" is a grandiose affair on a 7.4-acre plot. — Time Out

The museum also houses a portion of the Berlin Wall, and part of the broadcast tower that once graced the top of the World Trade Center. — Concierge

Among the exhibitions, America on the Move chronicles the changing ways Americans have got around a large country and how different modes of transport have transformed the nation. — Time Out

An estate that encompasses an early-19th-century mansion-museum-research center, an art gallery-pavilion, a library, and nearly 16 acres of gorgeous gardens. — Frommer's

The Phillips Collection is an art museum founded in 1921 by Duncan and Marjorie Phillips. — On the Grid

The 28,000-year-old specimen is remarkably intact.  — Atlas Obscura

This beloved landmark closed after a rare but powerful 2011 earthquake in Virginia sent tremors that rattled the mighty monument, leaving visible cracks and structural damage. — Fodor's

An unmistakable architectural statement on the Mall, this cylindrical building houses one of the finest collections of modern art in the country. — Michelin Guide

The most revered burial ground in the US, this vast military cemetery is one of the capital's most poignant sights. — Michelin Guide

The White House has survived both fire and insults (Jefferson groused that it was 'big enough for two emperors, one Pope and the grand Lama'). — Lonely Planet

The sombre black granite walls of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial have become a shrine, with pilgrims coming to touch the more than 58,000 names. — Time Out

An atomic bomb-proof strongbox protects the U.S. Constitution from terrorists and thieves.  — Atlas Obscura

The two buildings of the National Gallery hold one of the world's foremost art collections, with paintings, sculptures, and graphics that date from the 13th to the 21st centuries. — Fodor's

Since 2000, the giant pandas, Tian Tian and Mei Xiang, have been the zoo's most famous residents. — Fodor's