Inner Harbor is a sightseeing hub, home to Maryland Science Center with a planetarium and observatory, and the National Aquarium, featuring giant turtles, dolphins and electric eels. The Top of the World Observation Level offers sweeping views of the city, while a collection of historic warships is docked below. Power Plant Live! is a complex of bars, eateries and music venues in a former power station.
The long, grassy National Mall is home to iconic monuments including the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. At the eastern end is the domed U.S. Capitol, and the White House is to the north. It's also flanked by Smithsonian museums, and its lawns and pathways are often crowded with school groups, joggers and softball teams. Nearby, the Tidal Basin reservoir is known for its blossoming cherry trees.