One of the perks of staying at Cherry Hill Park was the variety of guided tours they offered into Washington, D.C. Since we had already spent our first day exploring the city on our own, we thought a nighttime tour would give us a completely different perspective.

And in many ways, it did.

That being said, it also taught us an important lesson.

If you’re considering a guided tour, take a few extra minutes to research exactly what it includes. Every tour is different, and knowing the itinerary, how much walking is involved, how long you’ll spend at each stop, and what you’ll actually see can make a big difference in your overall experience. Looking back, we would have asked a lot more questions before booking.

Even though the tour wasn’t exactly what we expected, it did take us somewhere we hadn’t visited during our first trip into the city—the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial.

Located along the beautiful Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park, this memorial is spread across several outdoor rooms that tell the story of Roosevelt’s four presidential terms. Walking through it at dusk gave the entire memorial a peaceful, reflective atmosphere that photographs simply can’t capture. Like so many places in Washington, this is one of those locations you really have to experience in person.

The highlight of the evening, however, was seeing some of Washington’s most iconic landmarks illuminated after dark.

We had already visited both the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial during the day, but seeing them lit against the night sky was something entirely different. The soft lighting, the reflections, and the quiet atmosphere created a completely new experience. It was one of those moments where you find yourself standing still, taking it all in, and realizing that no camera can truly recreate what your eyes are seeing.

If you’re planning a trip to Washington, D.C., I’d absolutely recommend seeing the monuments both during the day and after sunset. They each have their own personality, and experiencing both is well worth the time.

Until next time...

Keep adding memories to your wall.

— Greg & Anna
SeasonedRVers 🚐🐾