How Washington, D.C., Made Me Fall Back in Love With America

There’s something a little humbling about realizing you may have judged your own country too quickly.

After some of my recent travels through Europe — walking centuries-old streets, standing inside ancient churches, staring up at castles and architecture that predate America itself — I found myself questioning where the United States really stood in comparison. Europe felt rich with history, culture, beauty, and pride. I found myself fascinated not only by the architecture and history, but by the people too — the way they dressed, gathered together, slowed down, and truly seemed to enjoy life around them. Meanwhile, somewhere along the way, I think I had started focusing a little too much on the negativity we constantly hear surrounding our own country.

And then… I visited Washington, D.C…

To my surprise, our nation’s capital completely restored my faith and appreciation for America.

What I learned over just a few days wandering museums, memorials, monuments, and historical landmarks honestly taught me more than years of school ever did. No offense whatsoever to my teachers, I simply don’t think I retained much of it back then because I wasn’t interested yet. Funny how life works like that. Sometimes the best education doesn’t happen inside a classroom. Sometimes it happens while standing where history actually unfolded.

And for me, travel has become the greatest teacher of all.

Arrival in Washington, D.C.

I arrived late on a Delta flight and checked into citizenM Washington DC Capitol, which ended up being one of the coolest boutique-style hotels. The rooms were definitely on the smaller side, but incredibly efficient and high-tech. Nearly everything in the room was controlled from an iPad: lights, blinds, temperature, and television, which honestly made me feel like I was living in the future for a few days and was such a nice place to settle into after long days of touring.

Downstairs, they had a lively bar, breakfast area, snacks, free glass water jugs, and even a business center, which I found very helpful and comfortable while working in the mornings and evenings on my real estate business. Real estate never sleeps, so the show must go on even when I’m trying to slow down a little and do something for myself. 😊

The location also made it incredibly easy to walk or hop on the Metro to nearly everything we wanted to do.

And speaking of the Metro…

Washington DC’s metro system impressed me immediately. Clean, efficient, easy to navigate, and full of people simply going about their day. There’s something oddly comforting about seeing a city functioning well. Sunny days, cool breezes, bustling sidewalks, parks full of people, tour buses everywhere, and history literally around every corner.

DC felt alive.

Learning More About America in 3 Days Than Years of School

Thursday morning, we took the Metro to begin one of our Viator walking tours. We met at Neptune’s Fountain outside the Supreme Court of the United States, where our guide Joe, black shirt, black pants, umbrella in hand, quickly became one of those tour guides who could make history genuinely entertaining.

Inside the Supreme Court, we admired the famous spiral staircases, the roped-off courtroom, and even one of the beautiful old manually operated elevators. It felt surreal standing inside a building where some of the most important legal decisions in our country’s history have taken place.

Also… standing there definitely made me grateful I’ve somehow managed to avoid ever ending up in one of those courtrooms myself because honestly? How terrifying. 😂

From there, we continued to the United States Capitol.

One quick tip for anyone visiting: security is incredibly strict. I accidentally had a lighter in my purse and had to toss it before entering, so definitely double-check your bags beforehand. Our guide informed me I was actually lucky they were fairly gentle with me because, apparently, security can be quite intense at times. But honestly… considering the Capitol has literally been burned and attacked multiple times throughout history, I suppose they’re a little sensitive about things like lighters. Makes sense. 😂 

Standing beneath the dome of the United States Capitol was honestly one of those moments where you just stop and look up for a while.

The dome today is constructed of cast iron after much of the original wooden portions were destroyed during fires and attacks years ago. And let me tell you… This building was absolutely designed to impress. From the massive staircases to the soaring ceilings and intricate detailing, you can feel the importance of the space the second you walk inside.

I learned that the Capitol Rotunda is sometimes used for funerals and ceremonial honorings of major public figures, though currently it mainly contains statues and artwork. Looking up into the dome, the artwork depicts many moments throughout American history, innovation, and technology, with George Washington painted prominently in the center.

Originally, Washington was actually intended to be buried beneath the Capitol itself. However, that was not what he wanted. Martha Washington ultimately fought for his wishes to be honored, leading to his burial at Mount Vernon instead… which honestly made visiting Mount Vernon later feel even more meaningful.

One thing I found fascinating was learning that Washington DC itself was intentionally designed around the Capitol. The city is divided into four quadrants, all stemming outward from the Capitol building, while the famous National Mall stretches outward, containing many of the nation’s most important museums, memorials, and historic landmarks.

If it’s your first visit to DC, the National Mall is absolutely a must-see.

One thing I found fascinating was learning that when both the House and Senate are in session, the flags on both sides of the Capitol are fully raised. Small details like that suddenly made the government feel less like abstract textbook material and more like a living, breathing system.

Standing beneath the Capitol dome while hearing stories about fires, rebuilding, and the evolution of the building itself was unexpectedly emotional. Parts of the structure were originally wood before the British burned portions of Washington during the War of 1812. Much of it was later rebuilt using cast iron.

I also loved seeing Oklahoma represented inside the Capitol. Each state is allowed two statues, and ours are of Sequoyah and Will Rogers.

The Library That Stopped Me in My Tracks

Our next stop was the breathtaking Library of Congress.

If there was one place during the trip that truly left me speechless, it was this.

The architecture alone is stunning, but what fascinated me most was learning about Thomas Jefferson selling his personal collection of over 6,000 books to the government after much of the original library was destroyed by fire.

Can you imagine valuing knowledge and education so deeply that your own personal collection would help rebuild a nation’s library?

One of my favorite moments was reading the inscriptions carved throughout the building. The phrase that stayed with me most referenced the idea that “the temple is the body of man…” and it sparked one of those moments where you stop walking and simply think for a minute.

The exact phrase at the Library of Congress that stopped me in my tracks was:

“There is but one temple in the universe, and that is the body of man.”

There was something about standing inside one of the most beautiful libraries in the world while reading those words that just hit differently.

Travel has a way of slowing you down long enough to actually think.

Travel has a funny way of doing that to you.

The Memorials at Night Hit Different

That evening, we took a small nighttime bus tour through many of DC’s memorials and monuments. We visited the:

• World War II Memorial
• Vietnam Veterans Memorial
• Korean War Veterans Memorial
• Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
• Washington Monument
• Jefferson Memorial
• Lincoln Memorial

And let me just say… apparently every middle school and high school student in America was also touring DC that same evening. 😂 There had to be at least 15 million tour buses driving around the city.

As our guide drove us from memorial to memorial, telling stories throughout the night, one of the most fascinating stories to me was about John Wilkes Booth.

I found it especially eerie learning that Booth had actually been spotted in photographs standing within the crowd listening to one of Abraham Lincoln’s speeches shortly before the assassination.

Our guide explained how after Booth snuck into the theater and shot Lincoln, he jumped from the balcony onto the stage below, but in the process broke his leg. Turns out, trying to escape quickly on horseback with a broken leg is not exactly ideal. He spent weeks hiding in various locations before eventually being cornered inside a barn on a farm. While his companion surrendered, Booth refused, and ultimately a single bullet struck his spinal cord, leaving him paralyzed before he died just a few hours later.

Hearing these stories while physically standing in the city where they unfolded made history feel far more real than it ever did in school.

My favorite memorial of the evening was probably the Jefferson Memorial.

After recently visiting the Pantheon, it was fascinating seeing similarities between ancient Roman-inspired architecture and one of America’s most treasured memorials. Minus the massive hole in the ceiling, of course. 😊

Inside the memorial were several quotes from Thomas Jefferson that genuinely moved me. One in particular discussed freedom of the mind, and it made me reflect on how important independent thought and education were to many of our founding fathers.

One quote especially stood out to me:

“I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.”

After recently reading books like The Power of Now and reflecting more deeply on consciousness, freedom, and independent thought, that quote hit me in a completely different way than it probably would have years ago.

It was fascinating seeing how strongly many of our founding fathers valued freedom not just physically, but mentally as well.

It’s strange how places can suddenly make historical figures feel human instead of just distant names in textbooks.

Another memorial that deeply impacted me was the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Visitors can actually search books and directories there to locate family members whose names appear on the memorial wall, which made the experience feel incredibly personal and emotional for many people visiting.

One fascinating detail I learned was that the memorial was designed by a 21-year-old college student named Maya Lin, whose design was selected from thousands of submissions.

Because the memorial could not rise too tall and obstruct views of surrounding monuments, the design instead begins only slightly above ground level before the walkway gradually descends downward. As you continue walking toward the center, the walls slowly rise above you, making the memorial feel far larger and more immersive than it initially appears.

Simple… but incredibly powerful.

Nearby sits the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, another incredibly moving stop of the evening.

The Lincoln Memorial was by far the busiest memorial we visited at night.

What I found interesting, though, was comparing the atmosphere there to my recent travels in Florence.

At sunset near Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence, there was live music, dancing, singing, laughter, and crowds gathered overlooking the city. Young people sat together sharing wine and simply enjoying the moment.

Meanwhile, in Washington DC at the Lincoln Memorial, it was groups of middle school and high school students climbing the steps, taking photos, laughing, learning, and wandering around together.

Both beautiful. Both memorable. Both completely unique reflections of their countries and cultures.

And honestly… I loved experiencing both. ✨

Old Ebbitt Grill Lived Up to the Hype

After our tour, we headed to Old Ebbitt Grill and WOW.

The atmosphere alone was worth visiting. Historic, warm, bustling, timeless. We ordered the famous crab cakes along with pretzels and other appetizers, and they absolutely lived up to the hype.

There’s something about old-school American restaurants with dark wood interiors and decades of stories inside the walls that just feels comforting.

Visiting George Washington’s Home at Mount Vernon

The next morning, we boarded another tour headed toward George Washington’s Mount Vernon and Alexandria.

After grabbing coffee and pastries at Compass Coffee near our meeting point on New Jersey Avenue, we loaded into a van for the roughly 30-minute drive to Mount Vernon.

This ended up being one of my favorite experiences of the entire trip.

Walking the grounds where George Washington and Martha Washington lived for over 45 years felt surreal. The gardens, stables, farmland, views of the Potomac River, and home itself gave such a deeper understanding of who Washington actually was beyond simply “the first president.”

Honestly, this was true pride of ownership if I had ever seen it.

I learned the original home Washington inherited from his late brother was only around 1,200 square feet before he slowly expanded it over the years into the nearly 11,000-square-foot estate visitors see today. Over 300 workers, enslaved people, family members, and guests lived and worked on the property at different times. It was constantly full of activity, entertaining, farming, innovation, and daily operations.

One thing that really stood out to me was learning that Washington often said he would rather be at Mount Vernon than surrounded by the most distinguished war generals and politicians of his time. And honestly… standing there, I could understand why.

The property is peaceful, beautiful, intentional, and incredibly well thought out.

Visiting Mount Vernon was fascinating because it isn’t just preserved history sitting frozen in time…it is still actively functioning in many ways today. The gardens are still maintained and working. The beehives remain active. Farming demonstrations, educational tours, preservation projects, blacksmith work, and ongoing research still take place throughout the estate.

As someone who has become massively interested in gardening, land ownership, hosting, and creating meaningful spaces at home, I honestly found there was a great deal I could learn from Washington.

Not just from the beauty of the estate itself, but from the thought process behind it all.

I loved learning how the gardens were intentionally layered with flowers and beauty on the outer edges while vegetables and practical crops filled the inner sections. Washington seemed deeply focused not only on visual beauty but also on functionality, sustainability, hospitality, and creating a memorable experience for guests.

And if you know me at all… You know, I notice those details. 😊

From the pathways and landscaping to the placement of rooms and views overlooking the water, everything felt intentional. First impressions clearly mattered to him. The estate reflected warmth, order, elegance, and pride without feeling overly flashy.

Inside the home, visitors can still see many original finishes, dishes, décor, paint colors, and personal belongings. Apparently, Washington’s favorite color was green, which explains the vivid green paint tones found throughout parts of the estate.

One especially fascinating artifact displayed there is the ornate key to the Bastille prison in France, gifted to Washington by the Marquis de Lafayette after the French Revolution. The key symbolized freedom and victory over tyranny and remains one of Mount Vernon’s most famous historical objects today.

And yes… George Washington’s famous teeth are also discussed there, which I made a point to rush to during our short 3 hours touring Mt. Vernon. This can not be missed! 

Fun fact: by around age 21, Washington reportedly had only one natural tooth remaining. Contrary to popular belief, his dentures were not wooden. Instead, they were crafted from a combination of human and horse teeth, cow teeth, ivory, and metal components. Because they were uncomfortable and unstable, he often had to keep his jaw tightly clenched while speaking so they would not shift or fall out.

Honestly, learning random little human details like that somehow makes these historical figures feel much more real rather than stiff portraits in history books.

There is also a restaurant and gift shop on-site, and the restaurant looked absolutely beautiful and classic. Women gathered around elegant three-tier trays of scones and tea while soft harp music played in the background. It felt straight out of another era.

One thing I walked away realizing is that Washington was far more than simply a military leader or president. He seemed to deeply value innovation, agriculture, hospitality, education, entertaining guests well, and building something meaningful that would outlast him.

And honestly… I think there’s something we can still learn from that today. ✨

Alexandria: One of America’s Most Charming Towns

After Mount Vernon, we spent time wandering Alexandria’s waterfront area.

Honestly? It felt like one of the most classic and beautiful American towns I’ve ever visited.

Historic brick buildings, waterfront views, ice cream shops, charming storefronts, tree-lined streets… it almost felt like stepping into a movie set.

We grabbed homemade ice cream and strolled along the wharf. We vowed to come back and specifically stay in this quaint town on another visit. It’s just that cute. Later, we ended up at a Boardwalk Arcade and Bar, where we enjoyed pizza, games, and laughs with the wedding party we had traveled there to celebrate.

This waterfront boardwalk district is an area we unfortunately did not get nearly enough time to explore. Some of the wedding guests stayed nearby at Canopy by Hilton Washington DC The Wharf. Between the restaurants, waterfront atmosphere, hotels, rooftop areas, nightlife, and activities, it definitely seemed like an area I would love to spend more time in during a future trip. If you visit DC and have extra time, I could absolutely see staying down there or at least dedicating an evening to exploring it more fully.

Doughnuts, Weddings & One Very Random Unicorn Mask 🦄

The following morning, we wandered through a lovely neighborhood walk before the wedding festivities began.

We stopped for cappuccinos and sourdough glazed doughnuts at Good Doughnuts & Cafe, and somewhere along the walk, I found a random free box sitting on the street containing a unicorn mask… which naturally came home with me because apparently that is the type of person I am now.

Before the wedding, we grabbed lunch and appetizers near The St. Regis Washington, D.C., at PJ’s with boiled shrimp, oysters, pretzels with cheese, and other snacks before heading to St. Patrick Catholic Church for the ceremony.

A Vegan Fine Dining Experience That Shocked Me

That evening, we experienced one of the most memorable meals of the trip at Elizabeth’s Gone Raw.

This beautiful old home, converted into a fine dining restaurant, was absolutely stunning. Peonies overflowing from brass vases, an elegant onyx bar top, beautiful cutlery and serving ware, candlelight everywhere…every detail felt intentional and full of love.

And somehow…they made vegan food taste incredible.

We enjoyed six courses, including sweet potato ice cream, hearts of palm, cucumber grapefruit salad, mushroom dishes, beet bites, and some of the most creative flavors I’ve ever experienced.

They even offered an optional non-alcoholic beverage pairing, which was especially meaningful and enjoyable for my newly sober partner.

Who knew no meat could taste THAT good?

Washington, D.C., Restored My Faith in America

Washington, D.C., impressed me.

Actually… it wowed me.

The city felt clean, thriving, educated, active, patriotic, and alive. Children learning about the nation’s capital. Young professionals hustling to work. Parks full of people enjoying the sunshine. History was preserved everywhere you looked.

Traveling internationally helped me appreciate the beauty of other cultures and countries. But Washington DC reminded me that America has beauty too, not just in its buildings and monuments, but in the ideas it was founded upon.

And maybe that’s part of getting older.

You begin to realize history matters. Sacrifice matters. Freedom matters.

One thing that also surprised me about Washington, D.C. was how active and healthy everyone seemed.

Unfortunately, many parts of the United States are often stereotyped as unhealthy, overweight, inactive, or poorly educated. But Washington, D.C., showcased an entirely different side of America.

And perhaps the greatest lesson of all is this:

Sometimes the best way to truly learn something…is to go experience it for yourself.

Coming soon will be my upcoming blog series, all about Italy and how this Oklahoma girl packed her bags and took a 22-day solo adventure across the country, touring everything Italy had to offer.

From lake towns and train rides to historic cities, hidden gems, emotional moments, incredible food, beautiful people, and a whole lot of figuring life out along the way… I truly cannot wait to tell you all about it. 🇮🇹✨

Trust me, stories are coming and plenty of lessons learned in the in-between while seeking to refresh and reset myself. It was exactly what I needed before pushing ahead. 😊

With love and peace,
Tiffany ✨