What are the best places to see in Washington DC over a long weekend?

Here are some best bets: White House, Smithsonian, Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, National Gallery of Art, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Library of Congress, National Children's Museum, U.S. Capitol, Georgetown Ford's Theater This is a great resource for things to do in D.C. : http://washington.org/visiting/browse-dc/attractions/100-free-things-to-do.

In addition to those already posted, I would recommend The Holocaust Museum (heavy), and the FDR memorial (uplifting).

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.