Washington, D.C., is a beautiful city, whose famous landmarks -- the stunning Capitol, the patiently waiting Lincoln in his memorial -- are living, breathing monuments to the American ideals of freedom and equality. If you're like most people, you want to do more than catch sight of these edifices; you're in D.C. for the closer look -- the full experience. The following three itineraries will help guide you to it. But first, some practical advice: Read through all three itineraries to see which one most appeals and also to help you gauge the amount of time you'll want to allow at each site. Call ahead and make sure the places on your desired itinerary are open. Be calm and flexible: Lines are ever longer to enter public buildings, thanks to security clearance procedures and the capital's continuous popularity. Most important, don't be afraid to ask questions: the police on Capitol Hill, the National Park Service rangers on duty at the memorials, and the staff at all the museums know an awful lot -- take advantage of their expertise.