Washington D.C in Depth

We began this morning with a ride on the Washington D.C "metrorail", its efficient & easy-to-use subway system.  The train to us for our visit to the U.S Capitol Building where we experienced the full process of Washington D.C security in action as we were screened for entry into the building.
Unfortunately, due to a very late departure from the hotel, we were unable to take a tour of the inside of the building, though we did get to see a close-up of the plaster cast for the famous figure of "Freedom" that sits atop the dome.

From the Capital we walked, past the Supreme Court & Senate office buildings, to Union Station.  Here we boarded the metro again for the short ride to Ford's Theater where President Lincoln was assassinated.  We enjoyed a short play retelling the events of that fateful night, then had free time for souvenir shopping & lunch.

A short walk past the FBI Building took us to the National Archives where, after a long wait in line, we se saw the "Charters of Freedom":  the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, & the Bill of Rights.  

Our last sightseeing of the day was to spend the rest of the afternoon visiting the Smithsonian Institution museums:  everyone spent time in the National Museum of American History, then the students were able to choose from the National Air & Space Museum or the Natural History Museum.

Dinner this evening was in the heart of D.C's Chinatown.  It proved a popular meal with everyone, with plenty of good food.
A shorter metro ride took us back to our hotel, an easy end to a long but packed day during which we walked approximately 8 MILES!  On top of the 6 miles yesterday & 4 miles on Monday!