An Appreciation of Washington, D.C.

Those riding along on the upper deck of the Hop On-Hop Off tour bus in Washington, D.C. were instructed to watch out for low hanging tree limbs and be prepared to duck.  As explained in the pre-recorded and entertaining narration, many of the trees are federal property, so it takes an act of Congress to allow a tree limb to be cut down. That was just one of the ever-so interesting facts of this ever-so intriguing city.  A city that is really a “district,” so named in 1791 after George Washington choose the land, which borders Maryland and Virginia, to be the home for the nation’s capital. The term “Columbia,” we learned is the term the patriots of the American Revolution used to refer to the United States so not one state would hold dominance. 

One of the most remarkable takeaways from this Big Bus Tour bus was learning that everything the eye could see, or most anyway, was done for a reason. From the placement of monuments to the direction that statues faced, each carefully planned for a symbolic meaning. Take the woman on the Statue of Freedom who faces East because, we’re told, “the sun never sets on the face of freedom.”  The Peace Monument, which features three female forms signifying Victory, Grief and History, stand above two infants representing Mars (god of war) and Neptune (god of the sea.)  It’s meant to depict that peace can triumph over the chaotic elements of the world. We’re told that the statue was specifically placed in front of the Capitol building to remind those who gather there to make laws with “peace,” the ultimate goal. 

The list goes on: there are 26 columns in the Jefferson Memorial to represent the 26 states in the union when he died; at the Lincoln Memorial, 36 columns represent each state of the Union at his death; and 56 pillars surrounding the World War II memorial representing each U.S. state and territory at the time of the war. The ninety-minute tour includes stops at the U.S .Capitol, Washington Monument, Arlington Cemetery, and Natural History Museum and more, with seventeen stops in all, each accompanied by the site’s role and history. 

Guests can, of course, “hop off” at any time to visit the sites (most are free) and hop back on to continue the ride. These bus tours are perfect for families, enabling the kids to get a break from walking; those visiting for the day to enjoy a good look at the city and its magnificence; or, like me, not sure which museum to visit. On this day, I chose to hop off at the National Gallery of Art for lunch. Before hopping back on the bus, I lingered to follow one of the Gallery’s group tours, led by a staffer who lectured on Rembrandt, and the Master’s use of light and shadow.  Back on the bus to finish the ride, I exited at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, to catch the sunset. 

Daytime as well as sunset-night tours are available. Free earphones are available. 

 Bigbustours.com