Washington, DC is established by the Constitution of the United States to serve as the nation’s capital. Named after the first American President, George Washington, the capital is steeped in history, which is captured in its monuments, museums and memorials.

For over 200 years, the White House has been the home of the President and their families and is often referred to as the most famous address in the country. Now home to the first African-American President, Barak Obama, power and politics continue to be an exhilarating mix.

The city was designed by Pierre Charles L’Enfant, inspired by chic Paris, who created grand boulevards and ceremonial spaces. It has since transformed into a vibrant and fascinating capital renowned for its urban spaces, extensive memorials and grand neoclassical architecture.

The city’s most famous landmarks are in and around the National Mall, spanning from the Lincoln Memorial to the U.S. Capitol. The city hosts many festivals, gatherings and performances. On summer evenings, the Mall is a great place to catch an open air concert, movie screening or jazz performance. In the winter, the popular outdoor ice skating rink opens at the National Gallery of Art, overlooking the numerous art sculptures and gardens.

Getting around DC

Washington’s location makes it easy to get to via car, train, bus and plane. Once in DC, navigating around the city is simple, due to its compact nature and grid-patterned layout.

Driving around the crowded streets of DC can be a strain and parking can be even worse. Luckily the city has a great public transportation system. The Metro is an efficient and comfortable system, consisting of rail and buses, which operates throughout the city. The fare you pay depends on the zone(s) you travel in and a flat fee is in operation on the bus system.

The DC Circulator is a new and convenient way to get around town; US$1 takes you from Union Station to Georgetown or to the National Mall.

Taxis are abundant and the capital has one of the highest ratios of taxis per person. Currently, taxis work in a zone system, whereby customers pay depending on the zones they use. Don’t miss…

Tour the three houses of Government

Explore the U.S. Capitol Building, the White House and the U.S. Supreme Court to gain an appreciation of the division of power within the country’s democratic government. Plan ahead and note that some tours must be scheduled in advance.

Tour the national monuments and memorials

The national monuments are magnificent. The best time to see them is by night when they are illuminated and the area is less crowded. If you are visiting by day, you can take the ‘Hop on – Hop off’ bus tour or join a walking tour.

Visit the Smithsonian

Pick up a map and information on all the museums at the Smithsonian Institution Building, the world’s largest museum complex. There are 19 museums to choose from, ranging from art to space exploration.

Take a walk through Georgetown

Georgetown is the capital’s historic waterfront, always bustling with activity. The area is a shopper’s delight and the streets are lined with restaurants of every nationality.

Enjoy nature on a bike trail

There are wonderful bike trails to be found amongst expanses of greenery. Hiring a bicycle is easy and a great way to explore the historic C & O Canal and the famous Rock Creek Park; a welcome relief from hectic city life.

Shopping

Find time to add a little shopping to your DC agenda. In addition to quaint neighborhood boutiques, you’ll find some of the top shopping centers and outlet malls in the country.

Georgetown Park is the premier shopping area in Washington, DC. The mall has a wide selection of stores including women and men’s fashion, children’s fashion and toys, jewelry, accessories, books and cards, electronics, music, etc.

Old Post Office Pavilion is a popular attraction; built in 1899 and restored as a shopping destination in 1978.

Here you will find a variety of retail stores, a large food court, a discount-ticket broker, and government offices.

Tysons Corner Center is largest shopping mall in the area, located just minutes from downtown DC. With more than 290 stores, the mall offers an extensive selection of merchandise including everything from high fashion apparel to home furnishings.

Union Station is the most visited destination in Washington, DC with over 25 million visitors a year. Union Station, Washington’s train station and premier shopping mall, also serves as a venue for world-class exhibitions and international cultural events. Where to eat:

Washington is a culinary adventure with just about every type of cuisine imaginable, from Burmese to Ethiopian to American. Here are some of the most popular eateries:

Citronelles

3000 M St. NW

Tel: 202-625-2150

Website:http://www.citronelledc.com

An elegant (and very expensive) restaurant that is one of DC’s most acclaimed. French Chef Michel Richard creates a gastronomic dining experience, with an inventive menu. Favorite dishes include: Abalone served sashimi style; sablefish with miso glaze; short ribs for two, the meat de-boned and cooked sous-vide for 72 hours, then finished in a searing-hot pan and presented medium rare.

Meskerem

2434 18th St NW

Tel: (202) 462-4100

There are numerous budget Ethiopian eateries along the streets of Adams Morgan, but none as pleasing as this one. Diners can sit at messobs (basket tables) on low, carved Ethiopian chairs and tear off little pieces of injera (sour-dough pancakes) with which they can sample a wide range of chicken, lamb and vegetable stews. Don’t forget to taste the homemade honey wine.

Ben’s Chili Bowl

1213 U Street, NW

Tel: (202) 667 0909

Website: http://www.benschilibowl.com

‘Home of the Famous Chili Dog’, give’s a clue as to what to order at this eatery, which has been around since 1958. The chili half-smoke was voted Washington’s signature dish. Ben’s Chili Bowl has a diner style décor, with Formica counters lined with red vinyl barstools. The diner is known to be frequented by celebrities such as comedian Bill Cosby and has even been recently sampled by President Obama.

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