Washington DC, founded in 1790 on the north bank of the Potomac River and often referred to as the District, is the capital of the United States. Unlike many other larger US cities, skyscrapers do not dominate Washington. It is a 61 square mile city that showcases art and architecture, history, literature, political prowess and fauna and flora. Washington DC has an open, airy feel as nothing is built taller than the Capitol building. Loads of shops, galleries, museums, parks and splendid gardens are ideal wind-down attractions after a fascinating historic sightseeing tour.
The transformation of Washington from a dull Southern capital to a stronghold of culture and style is well underway and the hotels are reflecting this welcome change. Dignified lodgings that are fit for royalty and presidents can be found alongside small boutique hotels. This wave of renewal means that there is a diversity of lodging options suitable for a wide range of travellers.
Top Washington DC Attractions
There is so much to see and learn in Washington DC you simply can't be bored. Just walking the streets is intriguing and absorbing. A cultural day will end in a vibrant night strolling around colourful outdoor markets around Georgetown, Dupont Circle or Adams Morgan and enjoying great night life full of hip restaurants, bars and a fantastic Jazz scene in U-Street.
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue or the White House is by far the most famous icon of Washington DC. A tour of the White House, where historic leaders made historic decisions, is a remarkable trip through the State Dining Room, the Gold & White East room where presidential receptions and weddings take place and the Red Room where you can see portraits of the former presidents of the US.
Impressive monuments such as the Lincoln Memorial, the Roosevelt Memorial, the Capitol and the Washington Monument - an Egyptian obelisk and at 555 ft the tallest monument of its type in the world - are all reminders of a fascinating and turbulent political past. The Washington Monument is
More interactive is the National Air and Space Museum and the International Spy Museum where you receive your own top secret identity on arrival.
The Smithsonian Institution comprises 19 museums, a zoo and nine research centres. There are over 130 million specimens, works of art, displays and artefacts in the Smithsonian.
The Arlington National Cemetery covers 612 acres and over 340,000 American soldiers and other notable US citizens are interred there. On average, 27 funerals take place in the cemetery every day.
The Pentagon Memorial, also known as the 9/11 Memorial is the newest in the city. It is a tribute to the people who died when American Airline Flight 77 was hijacked and crashed into the Pentagon. The names of the victims are engraved on benches, which are arranged in the order of birth dates. The names of the victims on the plane face skyward, while the names of the Pentagon victims face the Pentagon.
Washington DC Accommodation
Washington accommodation offers numerous options, especially in places visitors might not otherwise consider. For an authentic Washington stay, there are numerous hotels in Logan or Dupont Circles or in Capitol Hill. These neighbourhoods offer upscale nightlife scenes and dining. Georgetown has the smaller, more expensive hotels, but no Metro stops. Cheap hotels in Washington DC can be found in suburbs that are still close to the city centre.