Washington DC. USA.
A City Guide To Washington DC.
Tourist Information: www.washington.org
Washington DC. The Nations Capital. Washington is a beautiful city steeped in tradition and culture. Although dominated by massive government institutions, this mighty city still finds the space for a fantastic range of fine artistic and historical attractions.
Washington is a fantastic underrated city that has so much to offer, from grand political buildings to trendy hip hop Georgetown. Washington owes its original design to a Frenchman who incorporated many elegant tree-lined boulevards into the planning of the city. With minimal high rise buildings the city has a surprisingly familiar European feel.
Accommodation in Washington: Washington is a very accommodating city! Whether you're planning a trip for business or fun, travelling with the whole family, or looking for a romantic getaway, you'll find a remarkable range of hotel options all within reach of the many fascinating sights and attractions this great city has to offer. Start by searching Hotel2.co.uk for your next visit to Washington DC, you will find great discount hotel deals for many grades of hotel, ranging from tourist grades through to 3 and 4 star and luxury accommodation.
Sightseeing tips for Washington DC: By day the city is easy to explore on foot or on the ultra-modern metro system. You will find navigating Washington quite easy with its streets designed on a rectangular grid, cut by long diagonals radiating from important sites such as the Capitol and the White House.
The best place to start is the world famous White House home to every American President with the exception of George Washington. From here stroll down National Mall to admire the Washington Monument, the Lincoln, Jefferson and War Veterans Memorials.
Visit the Pentagon and take a walk through the many corridors containing historical exhibits from the US forces. Constitution Gardens with more than 50 acres of trees and Lawns and the J Edgar Hoover Building (the FBI's headquarters) are all worth a visit.
(Public tours to the FBI headquarters have been suspended). Washington has an abundance of museums, including the most visited museum in the U.S. - The National Air and Space Museum. Almost all major tourist attractions have free entry.
Tips and Tours: Old Town Trolley Tour - A fantastic way to see the city in a day with this hop on hop off tour. Spirit of Washington Tour - A dinner cruise with great views of the city's greatest monuments drifting past as you dine.
The White House. Located on the edge of the National Mall and the private residence and headquarters of every president of the USA since 1800. Tours of the Whitehouse include several rooms on the ground and state floors including the Oval Office and the state dining room. The custom of free public tours of the Whitehouse is only stopped during wartime. The Whitehouse visitor centre is open daily from 7.30am to 4pm. Tours must be booked in advance. For further information on public visit's to the Whitehouse go to the website at:
www.whitehouse.gov
Public Transport in Washington: Most of Washington's attractions can be accessed on foot as most of them are within walking distance of each other. The Metrorail is the best mode of public transport and there are stations at most tourist attractions. Taxis are readily available and are very reasonably prices.
Nightlife in Washington: Washington DC has a renowned selection of excellent restaurants and almost every national cuisine can be found. Take a walk around Georgetown at Wisconsin & M streets for lively bars, restaurants and blues clubs all of which offer a big city buzz with a refreshing difference. Georgetown with its cobblestone streets,
elegant colonial houses,
restaurants and a lively nightlife
was once a thriving Colonial port. Georgetown has a beautiful 'riverside walk' which provides a relaxing escape and is a pleasant contrast to the fast pace of the city.
Shopping in Washington: Great for chic designer labels, try the boutiques on Connecticut Avenue and Georgetown. Potomac Mills is great for designer and named brand outlets.
Events in Washington: National Independence Day Celebrations. For the Nations Birthday there is no better place to be. Washington puts on a great display with parades, concerts, the country's largest firework display and an evening performance by the National Symphony Orchestra on the steps of the Capitol Building. For further details go:
www.july4thparade.com
National Cherry Blossom Festival (March-April). This annual festival celebrates the arrival of spring, visitors flock to the Capitol to admire the beautiful pink and white blossoms as well as the many festival celebrations ranging from music, dance, parades and firework displays to marching bands and giant helium balloons. For more information on the festival go to:
www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org
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