We hit the road Friday morning from Jackson, Michigan, and arrived in Washington, D.C. that evening. The George Hotel became our home base for a long weekend of exploring, learning, and walking (a lot of walking).
Saturday: Bikes, Fossils, and History Talks
We started the day riding bikes from our hotel to the National Museum of Natural History. The exhibits pulled us in immediately—towering dinosaurs, sparkling gemstones, and deep-sea creatures.
From there, we biked to the Lincoln Memorial, where we paused to take in the view and reflect. Nearby, we joined a Park Ranger talk at the Pablo Benito Juárez Memorial. It was fascinating to hear how Juárez—Mexico’s first indigenous president—intertwines with American democratic ideals. His story added new depth to our understanding of U.S. history.
We wrapped the day at the National Air & Space Museum. Rockets, spacecraft, and flight simulators brought out the wide-eyed kid in all of us.
Sunday: Steps, Statues, and Stories
We laced up our walking shoes and began at the Library of Congress—a beautiful space with murals, arches, and the feel of a living archive. The Supreme Court was right next door, and we took time to talk about justice and decision-making on the steps of the nation’s highest court.
From there, we made our way to Union Station, then set out on a long loop of landmarks:
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Jefferson Memorial Washington Monument The White House The U.S. Capitol Building And the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial, which holds personal meaning—he was my great-great-great-grandfather.
It was moving to trace history across these sites—each one telling a piece of the story.
Monday: One Last Stop
Before heading home, we scheduled a tour of the Capitol Building. Walking through the halls where laws are made felt like a powerful conclusion to the weekend.
Why This Trip Mattered
Washington, D.C. isn’t just a city of monuments. It’s a place where stories, ideals, and history collide. For our family, it was a chance to learn together, ask big questions, and connect with the past in tangible ways.
We returned tired, grateful, and full of new memories.
