Introduction

Washington DC, the nation's capital, is a beautifully structured city of unforgettable memorials and buildings. The city was established in 1790 by the United States Congress, as a federal city exclusively under the control of the federal government. The city was subsequently named for George Washington, who selected the city's location on the Potomac River. It is a planned city, designed specifically to house the federal government, and is not part of any state. Designed by architect Pierre Charles L'Enfant, Washington was built to have wide avenues radiating from traffic circles, providing for maximum open space and landscaping. Laws to building heights provide Washington with a low skyline devoid of skyscrapers present in other cities.

Washington is packed with famous sights and monuments such as Arlington Cemetery, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Kennedy Center and of course the White House - home to the President of the United States of America.

Beyond Washington's most familiar sites are world-class theatres, manicured parks and gardens and the world-renowned Smithsonian Institute. The federal city has a lively cosmopolitan center where cafes and upscale bistros line the trendy streets of Georgetown, while the downtown district hosts many restaurants and bars.

Travel to Washington

Washington, D.C. is served by three major airports.

Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)

is located at Dulles Virginia, 26 miles west of downtown D.C.

To get into the city:

Washington Flyer coach operates every half hour to and from the West Falls Church Metro (Orange Line). It takes 20-25 minutes and costs $10 one way. The Metro rail service from West Falls Church to downtown D.C. takes another 20-25 minutes.

Metrobus 5A is the cheapest option. This express bus which makes stops at Herndon, Tysons Corner, Rosslyn (Blue and Orange Lines) and downtown L'Enfant Plaza (Green, Yellow, Blue, and Orange Lines) takes 50-60 minutes to the city and the fare is $3 one-way.

SuperShuttle door-to-door mini-van service is available at the Airport. Shuttles operate on a shared ride on-demand basis. The SuperShuttle ticket counters are located in the Terminal or there will be a company representative standing outside selling tickets and organizing vans. No reservations are needed for outbound service from the Airport. To travel to the airport book a SuperShuttle to pick you up at your hotel (book at least 3-4 hours ahead).

Taxis are available outside the arrival hall. A trip to downtown costs about US$50-60.

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

is located in Arlington, Virginia on the west bank of the Potomac River just south of the city and is the closest and most convenient airport.

Metrorail - The Washington, DC Metrorail system has an elevated Metrorail station connected to the concourse level of terminals B and C. For terminal A, exit the terminal to the streetside curb, and board any “Airport Shuttle” bus. At the stops for Parking Garages B and C (bus shelter #3 and bus shelter #5) you may access an enclosed bridge which connects to the Metrorail station. Or walk from the A terminal to the metro takes 5 to 10 minutes. To get downtown (10 minutes), take the Yellow Line toward Mt Vernon Square/UDC. For destinations to the west, take the Blue Line toward Largo Town Center. Metrorail fare cards may be purchased at machines locates at all entrances to the Airport Metrorail station.

Taxi trip to downtown costs about US$15-20.

SuperShuttle door-to-door mini-van service is available at the Airport. Shuttles operate on a shared ride on-demand basis. The SuperShuttle ticket counters are located in the Terminal or there will be a company representative standing outside selling tickets and organizing vans. No reservations are needed for outbound service from the Airport. To travel to the airport book a SuperShuttle to pick you up at your hotel (book at least 3-4 hours ahead).

Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)

is 30 miles north-east of Washington D.C. and 10 miles south of downtown Baltimore.

Metrobus B30 operates hourly to the Greenbelt Metro Station (Green Line) departing from the lower level outside the International terminal taking about 30 minutes. The Metro rail service from Greenbelt to downtown Washington takes another 25 minutes approximately.

Taxi to downtown Washington costs about $60-70.

Amtrak train services arrive from all over the country into Washington. All trains arrive at downtown Union Station, 50 Massachusetts Ave NE, on Metro's Red Line near the U.S. Capitol Building.

Coaches to/from Washington

Apex Bus operates coach services from all around the north east to Washington. New York to Washington one-way cost $20.

GotoBus operates coach services from all around the USA to Washington..

Greyhound operates coach services from all around the USA to Washington. The stop for Washington, D.C. is at 1005 1st St NE, which is a few blocks north of Union Station (where you can catch the Red Line Metrorail).

Vamoose Bus runs from Penn Station in New York to Bethesda MD / Arlington VA.

Megabus operates coach services from all around the north east to Washington.

Local Transport

Metro underground railway has five subway lines enabling passengers to reach most parts of the city. The metro is easy too use and often the cheapest and fastest way to get around Washington.

Metrobus system connects the metro railway with other parts of the city and is an inexpensive travel option.

DC Circulator buses provide the cheapest way to travel crosstown along D.C.'s major axis roads eg East-West from Union Station past the Convention Center to Georgetown, North-South from the Convention Center through the National Mall to the Southwest Waterfront.

Taxis in Washington are clean, safe, reasonably priced and always use the meter.

Tourmobile Trolley Tour allows visitors to view the sights of Washington by motorized trolley car. The full circuit takes about 2.5 hours but passengers can get on and off wherever they wish—creating their own tour. The tour is fully narrated in English and stops include Union Station, US Capitol, US Navy Memorial, White House, Lincoln, Vietnam and Korean Memorials, Arlington National Cemetery, Embassy Row and more.

Car rental is popular in USA. Most of the car hire companies are located at the airport and city areas. Downtown Washington's roads are well-signed and organized on a relatively predictable grid, but driving in the District is a challenge even for native Washingtonians as parking can be challenging and congestion can be expected on roads from 6:30am to 9:30am and 4pm to 6:30pm. Diplomatic and presidential motorcades can disrupt traffic any time of the day. Travel on the historic Pennsylvania Avenue in the morning hours between 6:30 am and 9:00 am is notoriously bad, as that is usually the route taken to bring the Vice President and others in to the White House and other downtown office buildings in the morning. Tourists will not need a car as Washington has one of the best public transportation systems in the country

Washington Attractions

Smithsonian Institution is a number of government supported museums and galleries lining the Capital Mall and in other locations across Washington.

In 1826, James Smithson, a British scientist, drew up his last will and testament, naming his nephew as beneficiary. Smithson stipulated that, should the nephew die without heirs (as he would in 1835), the estate should go “to the United States of America, to found at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men.” In 1846, an Act of Congress signed by President James K. Polk established the Smithsonian Institution as a trust to be administered by a Board of Regents and a Secretary of the Smithsonian.

The most popular museums are:

Museum of Air and Space

Albert Einstein Planetarium

IMAX theatres

Museum of Natural History

Museum of the American Indian

Museum of American History

[Museums open daily 10am-5.30pm]

National Air and Space Museum (Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center) is located near Dulles International Airport and houses many aircraft and spacecraft, including the SR-71 "Blackbird" spy plane, the Concorde supersonic jetliner and the space shuttle "Enterprise".

The National Mall is America's front yard and the center of almost any visit to Washington, DC. It is filled with monuments, memorials, museums, and government buildings internationally recognizable. The White House, the US Capitol Building, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, the Vietnam War Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, the National Gallery of Art, the Air and Space Museum, the National Natural History Museum, the Holocaust Museum, the International Spy Museum, the National Portrait Gallery and more. The mall is defined by the Capital Building on one end, and the Lincoln Memorial on the other, with the Smithsonian museums on both sides. Walking the mall is the best way to see the sights especially at night is popular as it is cooler and all the monuments are lit up.

Washington Monument is located in the center of the National Mall. Visitors can take the elevator up to the top for a great view and photos of Washington.

White House and Capital Building are difficult to visit these days because of increased security, however, visitors can still take photos.

Washington After Dark Tour is a great way to view the national monuments and federal buildings flooded in lights. View the US Capitol, Library of Congress, Supreme Court, Pennsylvania Avenue, White House, Capitol Reflecting Pool, Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Kennedy Center, Vietnam and Korean Memorials.

Embassy Row is an impressive stretch of over 50 foreign-owned historic and modernist mansions along Massachusetts Avenue in Dupont Circle and Woodley Park.

A Capitol Fourth is Independence Day on 4th July when communities across the nation mark this major midsummer holiday with parades, events, picnics and fireworks. In 1776, the colonies' Second Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia formed a committee with the express purpose of drafting a document that would formally sever their ties with Great Britain. The final version was officially adopted by the Continental Congress on 4th July. The Declaration of Independence has since become the nation's most cherished symbol of liberty.

Arlington National Cemetery is a national military cemetery, located adjacent to the Pentagon, that includes John F. Kennedy's tomb, the house of General Robert E. Lee, casualties of war, honorary war veterans, astronauts, explorers and many historical figures. Arlington Mansion and 200 acres of ground immediately surrounding it were designated officially as a military cemetery June 15, 1864, by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. More than 300,000 people are buried at Arlington Cemetery. The Visitors Center is located by the cemetery entrance where maps, guidebooks, exhibits, information services (to include grave locations), a bookstore and restrooms are available to visitors. Visitors can watch the changing of the guard ceremony in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. [Open daily 8am to dusk, Accessible by Metro and ample paid parking is available to visitors]

Madame Tussauds is Washington's branch of the famous London wax museum. There's so much to do and see at Madame Tussauds! With over 200 life-life wax creations where you can interact, take pictures and get close with some of the greatest celebrities, musicians, sports, political and historical figures and more! [Open daily 10am-10pm, Adults $20, child $15, 1025 F Street (Corner of 10th and F Street) Washington D.C. 20004]

National Zoo in Woodley Park is one of the nation's most prestigious animal parks and is a popular with all visitors.

Manassas National Battlefield Park near the outlying suburb of Manassas, preserves two major battlefields of the US Civil War. In July 1861, two armies of a divided nation clashed for the first time on the fields overlooking Bull Run. In August 1862, Union and Confederate armies converged for a second time on the plains of Manassas. Start your visit at the Henry Hill Visitors Center. Explore historic sites, check out the bookstore and museum. Visitors can take a self-guided hike on one of the many interpretive loop trails, join a Park Ranger for a guided hike or buy an audio CD and follow the Second Manassas driving tour. [Visitor center open daily 8.30am-5pm, entrance fee $3]

Nightlife and Entertainment

Adams Morgan around 18th Street, Dupont Circle and Logan Circle are very popular with many restaurants, bars and clubs. U Street and 14th Street in Shaw cater to an older, more sophisticated crowd. Shaw is also well known as the place for live jazz.

Georgetown is another major nightlife destination. Whether your preference is upscale urban lounges, vibrant bars, quaint low-key hangouts, or sophisticated jazz clubs – Georgetown has the perfect venue to mix and mingle with travelers from around the world and local residents from around the corner.

Barracks Row, Woodley Park, and Chevy Chase are also popular night time areas.

Dining

Penn Quarter, Georgetown, and Dupont Circle are very popular for up-market dining experiences.

The Hotel Washington's Sky Terrace Restaurant provides good food with an amazing view of Washington and the White House.

L'Enfant Plaza provides not only metro access to the Air & Space Museum, but also a small array of restaurants, such as Au Bon Pain.

Annandale is Washington's Korea town and has excellent Korean BBQ restaurants.

The American Indian museum has a cafe serving food inspired by Native American cuisine such as tacos, buffalo burgers and smoked turkey.

The Reagan Center across the street from the American History museum (on 14th St and Constitution) has a food court in the basement.

Shopping

Chevy Chase shopping district is Washington's up-market fashion district hosting many stores such as Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue, Gucci, Dior, and Versace. There are the Mazza Gallerie and Chevy Chase Pavilion shopping centers located near the Friendship Heights Metro stop.

Tyson's Corner Center in McLean has two large shopping malls Tysons I & Tysons II.

Smithsonian Museums have many shops selling souvenirs that are higher quality than those sold by street vendors and tourist shops.

Fashion Centre - Pentagon City is a large shopping mall located at 1100 South Hayes St., Arlington. The mall is easliy accessible by the Pentagon City Metro station.

Georgetown is known for its great variety of mid-range to high-end retail shops that line M Street and Wisconsin Avenue.

Union Station has a variety of retail shopping outlets.

Beyond Washington DC

Gettysburg Tour takes visitors through the picturesque countryside to Gettysburg, a town steeped in historic interest. Tour the town and the historic battlefield and view Cemetery Ridge where Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous Gettysburg Address.

Williamsburg Tour takes visitors through the picturesque countryside to Williamsburg to view some of the finest examples of Georgian architecture, gardens and 18th century furnishings. Visit the Capitol, Palace, Goal, Raleigh Tavern and the home of George Wythe.