Meredith Stanton - 48 Hours Washington, DC: Timed Tours for Short Stays

MASTERING THE LANDMARKS

8:00 AM Scrumptious food is always served at La Madeleine. Order cinnamon French toast or a custom-made omelet to get your day moving. Eat up! Theres a lot to see. Walk or take a cab after breakfast to the National Mall. La Madeleine 3000 M St, NW, 202/337-6975, lamadeleine.com. Open ManThurs 6:30 am10:00 pm, FriSat 6:30 am11:30 pm, Sun 7:00 am10:00 pm. GEORGETOWN

9:00 AM Begin your tour at the Lincoln Memorial that honors the 16th president of the United States. New York architect Henry Bacon designed the marble monument to reflect a Greek temple with 38 columns representing the number of states in the Union at the time of Lincolns death in 1865. Leading sculptor David Chester French then created the statue of Lincoln, carved from 28 blocks of white marble, each nearly 20 feet (6m) high. The building was dedicated in 1922, with 50,000 people in attendance, including many Civil War veterans and Lincolns only surviving son, Robert. For an unforgettable view, stand on the memorials steps and gaze out over the Tidal Basin on the National Mall to the Washington Monument and U.S. Capitol. Lincoln Memorial and National Mall 23rd St between Constitution and Independence Aves, 202/426-6841, nps.gov/linc. Open 24 hours a day. Free. DOWNTOWN

9:20 AM More than 58,000 names of dead or missing servicemen and women are inscribed along the Wall or Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which consists of two large black granite slabs built into the landscape and rising toward each other. As a young student at Yale in 1980, Maya Ying Lin designed the monument and its surface to reflect the image of the viewer for a poignant reminder of the human sacrifice in Vietnam. If you visit the memorial, youll likely see grieving families leaving flowers, notes, and tokens for their loved ones or making charcoal etchings of names embedded in the granite. Vietnam Veterans Memorial National Mall near Constitution Ave and 21st St, 202/426-6841, nps.gov/vive. Open 24 hours. Free. DOWNTOWN

9:40 AM The National World War II Memorial was completed and opened in 2004. Fifty-six granite pillars are connected by a bronze, sculpted rope and symbolize the unity between nations during World War II. The Freedom Wall features 4,000 sculpted gold stars, which commemorate the more than 400,000 Americans who died fighting. National World War II Memorial National Mall, 17th St between Constitution and Independence Aves, 202/619-7222, 800/639-4 WW2, wwiimemorial.com. Open 24 hours. Free. DOWNTOWN

10:00 AM Built to honor the first president in 1884, the Washington Monument is the tallest building in DC at 555 square feet (51.6m2). (By law no building can be taller.) Architect Robert Mills constructed the obelisk-shaped masonry structure, widely visible from many points in the city and even Virginia. If you have time, go up to the observation deck, accessible by an interior elevator or, for the brave, a 897-step stairway. Washington Monument National Mall between Constitution and Independence Aves, 202/426-6841, 877/444-6777. nps.gov/wamo. Open daily 94:45. Free. Tickets for the observatory are required and are free at the monument or cost $1.50 if reserved in advance at 877/444-6777 or at reservation.gov. DOWNTOWN

10:20 AM Americas most famous house and home to every president since John and Abigail Adams lived there in 1800 rests squarely in the center of town with the serene Ellipse gardens and grounds surrounding it. The White House has had a storied history, surviving fires and scandals through the years. Despite it all it has remained open to public tours except during wartime since 1805, when President Jefferson initiated the tradition. Tours are available for groups of 10 or more people by submitting a request through your congressperson. The White House and the Ellipse 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 202/456-7041, whitehouse.gov. Tours conducted TuesSat 7:30 am12:30 pm; visitor center open daily 7:30 am4:00 pm. DOWNTOWN

11:00 AM While the National Archives is dedicated mainly to genealogy research and the storage of census statistics, historic records, federal documents, maps, photographs, and even motion picture films, the rotunda is the highlight, housing the three Charters of Freedom: the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights. The documents are sealed behind protective glass cases but are nonetheless impressive. Spring months and holiday weekends can be very busy; reservations for a self-guided tour of the rotunda are encouraged. National Archives 700 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, 866/272-6272, archives.gov. Open daily 10:007:00 in spring and summer, 10:005:30 fall and winter. Free. DOWNTOWN

11:30 AM The National Gallery of Art is the premier site for some of the best-loved pieces of art in the United States. from old world masters to portraits of modern celebrities. The gallery is divided into two buildings and connected by an underground walkway: The West Building, which opened in 1941, showcases European and American paintings and sculpture from the 13th through the 16th centuries. The I. M. Peidesigned East Building opened in 1978 and exhibits major 20th-century artists such as Alexander Calder, Pablo Picasso, and Jackson Pollock. The National Gallery of Art National Mall between Third and Seventh Sts at Constitution Ave, NW, 202/737-4215, nga.gov. Open MonSat 105 pm, Sun 116. Free. DOWNTOWN

12:30 PM Just steps from the National Gallery, the Pavilion Caf serves everything from sandwiches to pastries in an enclosed garden, surrounded by noteworthy contemporary sculpture. Pavilion Caf National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, National Mall between Third and Seventh Sts at Constitution Ave, NW, 202/289-3360, nga.gove/ginfo/cafes.htm. Open Novmid-Mar MonThurs 107, FriSat 109, Sun 117; late MarNov MonSat 104, Sun 115. DOWNTOWN

1:00 PM Fire forced the historic Eastern Market building to close in spring 2007. Vendors have reopened their shops in the newly built East Hall, while the South Hall is being renovated. The neighborhood and location make this a place and community worth seeing for its charm, history, and some of the finest meats, seafood, and produce in the city. Peruse the shops and delis, grabbing bites to eat as you go, or try any of the nearby eateries that include Locanda, located in a renovated storefront and offering fresh Mediterranean dishes, or Montmartre, a cozy French bistro with a sidewalk caf that serves up classic Parisian dishes. Eastern Market 306 Seventh St, SE, easternmarket.net. Open TuesSat 76, Sun 94. Free. Locanda 633 Pennsylvania Ave, SE, 202/547-0002, locandadc.com. Open for lunch TuesFri 11:302:30; dinner TuesThurs 6:0010:00, FriSat 6:0011:00. Closed SunMon.