Introducing Washington D.C:

Washington D.C. can be a very affordable vacation treat, thanks to the Smithsonian institute and the Federal government, the areas surrounding the Mall (from Capitol hill to Pennsylvania avenue and beyond) are chock full of the most exiting museums and monuments in the nation, and they are all free! Children will learn while having fun and adults will have a great time too, as the monuments and museums will satisfy any age. Here is a rundown of the most popular:

The Air and Space Museum: Considered the jewel in the Smithsonian crown, it contains most of America’s aerospace achievements, including a model of the Wright Brothers’ plane and several original relics: Lindberg’s “The Spirit of St Lois” and the Enola Gay. A new wing of the Air and Space museum opened next to Washington Dulles Airport, with a ‘Control Tower’ that overlooks the Dulles runway and a display that includes the Space Shuttle Enterprise.

The Natural History Museum: Plenty of Dinosaur Bones and retro nature dioramas

The National Art Gallery: Portraits of all the Presidents and modern American Art

The National Museum of American History: Impressive collection of American historical artifacts, focusing on everyday items and uncommon lives, including Dorothy’s slippers from the Wizard of Oz

The Holocaust Museum: An eye opening testament of the Holocaust presented in a didactic way and a lesson for the future

Washington has many more museums and monuments, please visit the Smithsonian website for a complete list, including the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial and National Zoo.

Washington D.C. is a planned town, and some were unhappy with George Washington’s selection of this swampy piece of land on the banks of the Potomac, as the Nation’s Capital. The Location was primarily chosen due to its proximity to Mount Vernon, George Washington’s estate, rather than its suitability as a real village. With hot and humid summers and bitter cold and snowy winters, the weather in Washington can appear to be less stable than in New York or Boston, with sudden swings from warm and sunny days to driving snow, but don’t let Washington’s wild moods of weather deter you from a visit to this unique American city of wide open boulevards, beautiful neoclassical architecture and with no with no building taller than the Washington monument, Washington DC is a celebration of American democracy in action.

Getting Around:

Washington D.C. is served by 3 airports; the main international gateway is Washington Dulles, located in suburban Virginia. Washington National Airport is located inside the District of Columbia and it offers mostly domestic flights and is the airport most used by members of Congress. Baltimore Airport, located in the town of Baltimore, is just 40 minutes north of Washington, offers domestic flights. Washington DC’s Metro is one of the cleanest in the nation; it covers all the main sites within the District of Columbia and also across the Potomac River to Virginia, including the Pentagon city and Arlington National Cemetery. Washington’s Union Station offers Amtrak rail service and the Acela speed train to Boston, Philadelphia and New York City. Greyhound Bus also serves the city.

Things To Do:

Most of the attractions in Washington D.C are free. Start your trip with a tour of the White House, the FBI Building (Including a machine gun firing demonstration), Capitol Hill (amazing rotunda), The Washington Monument (monumental views), The Lincoln Memorial (of ‘I have a dream fame’), Pentagon City, Arlington Cemetery (The eternal flame, JFK’s tomb) the plethora of Smithsonian museums around the mall (You need 2 weeks to see them all), The Library of Congress, and much more. Cap your day in the Adams Morgan or DuPont Circle area for its many ethnic eateries and trendy lounges, including Thievery Corporation’s “18th Street lounge”.

The city is best explored easily by foot, but trekking around the streets may be exhausting. You can either opt for a public transport or rent a car. These car rental services take you to the most exclusive tourist destinations.

Washington D.C Climate:

Washington D.C has a humid subtropical climate and has four distinct seasons. Summers in Washington D.C are very hot and humid and can be unbearable. The city experiences heavy snowfall during winters and sudden arctic blasts or frozen rainstorms can occur during this period. The best time to visit Washington D.C is during the spring/fall when the weather is pleasant and perfect.

Hotel Accommodation:

Accommodation of all price range can be found in Washington D.C – from luxury stay to budget stay. Regardless of what area you are headed to, you are bound to find great hotels with shops and restaurants around the corner.

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