Visiting the nation's capital can be an overwhelming experience, but the things on this list should be at the top of any visitor's "to do" list.

National Archives: Records kept here include the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution. Large historical photo collections can also be viewed by the public in this building.

National Zoo: Founded in 1899, this zoo is one of the only zoos in the country to house Giant Pandas.

White House: Though few of the many rooms are accessible to the public on this tour, one of the nation's best-known homes historical structures cannot be skipped.

International Spy Museum: Each visitor assumes an identity upon entering, and can choose to complete an assigned "mission" throughout the course of their visit, as well as test themselves on the details of their new life via workstations and museum employees.

Capitol City Brewing: Washington DC's first brewery since prohibition, there are three locations for guests to enjoy handcrafted brews with others.

DC by Foot tour: A variety of tours are offered by this company, depending on the sights desired. The Lincoln's Assassination tour and the More Than Just Monuments tour are two of the most popular.

Great Falls Park: This 800 acre area houses not only a beautiful park with fifteen miles of hiking trails and a large picnic area, but also the remains of the nation's first canal and the Potomac River's Great Falls.

Lucky Bar: Open seven days a week, this sports bar offers an extensive beer list, as well as a full menu and great place to dance. Opening early on game days, this location shows many different sporting events and offers daily food and drink specials in an always-electric atmosphere.

Politics and Prose Bookstore: This bookstore that doubles as a coffeehouse and hosts live events like debates, readings, and panel discussions as well as classes on various topics from poetry to photography.

Good Stuff Eatery: Owned and operated by Top Chef Spike Mendelsohn and his family, this new restaurant specializes in delicious burgers, fries, milkshakes and salads.

Although this is not a comprehensive list by any means, these activities and locations showcase just how much variety the Washington DC area has to offer the millions of people that visit each year.