Washington D.C. (the D.C. stands for District of Columbia) is unique in the US for it was planned and designed as the national capital. Therefore, it’s status is also different than any other state in the US. Its residents are not represented in the two houses of the US Government. It’s also unique in the sense that it’s about representation and you find many of the national monuments and national museums here. To cut it short there is plenty to see and to learn about the history of the USA.

Travelling to Washington D.C.

The most convenient way to get into town is by train. You will arrive at Union Station which serves the highspeed trains, the regular East Coast trains and other long-distance trains to the south and west. Coming from Boston, New York City or Philadelphia your best option is the Acela or its slower cousin the Northeastern Regional.

If you come from further away or you have no time, you’ll probably opt for the plane. For foreign travellers the main entry point will be Dulles International Airport (IAD). It serves the major full-service carriers for long-haul or regional flights. Travelling between the terminals you use some strange buses looking like elevated monster trucks. They’re called “mobile lounges” and they ferry passengers across the airport since the 1960’s.

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is the most convenient and closest airport to downtown Washington. It serves only domestic regional flights. It seems now airlines are also allowed to serve longer routes to the West Coast. If you can I would try to arrive to that airport.

The Airport mostly served by low-cost airlines and technically not in the District of Columbia is Baltimore- Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). It serves international and domestic routes but is the most inconvenient and furthest away from downtown.

Dulles International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport are connected to the metro system, Silver line for Dulles and Blue line for Reagan Airport. To Baltimore airport you have to take a regional train and then change to a bus (free of charge), so plan enough time.

Obviously, buses and cars are an option too, but not very convenient.

What to do

**Abraham Lincoln statue in the Lincoln Memorial**

The most famous and iconic building in Washington D.C. is the White House, the home and residence of the President of the United States of America. Without invitation it’s difficult to get in, but you can still get fairly close for some good photos. During nights it’s nicely light up and perfect for some night shots. In front of the White House, you have Lafayette Square with some large historic statues. Close by you also have the American Red Cross National Headquarters, which is quite impressive.

Walking south along the Ellipse across Constitution Avenue you hit the National Mall of Monuments and Memorials. In this area you have all the major sights that made Washington D.C. famous: the U.S. Capitol, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the World War II Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, the Martin Luther King J. Memorial, and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. My favourites are: the Lincoln Memorial with the statue of Abraham Lincoln and the reflecting pool; the World War II memorial with its massive fountain and columns; and the Washington monument which is a huge Obelisk you can go up for a great view over the city. The architecture of the Jefferson Memorial is unique and offers a great retreat from the crowds of the other memorials.

And at the end of the National Mall, you have the U.S. Capitol which is definitely one of the most beautiful parliament buildings in the world. You get some great photos from any ankle. Around the Capitol you find some other interesting sights, like the Library of Congress, the Supreme Court and the Folger Shakespeare Library. Walking distance is as well the Union Station.

Besides Memorials you have some interesting museums: all are free of charge and almost all of them belong to the Smithsonian Museums. Here a short list of the museums: the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of African American History, the Smithsonian Castle, and the National Museum Asian Art. If you want to visit the National Air and Space Museum you need to reserve a time slot, but it’s absolutely worth it. You can spend hours here and explore the history of airplanes and the missions to the moon. For kids I highly recommend the National Museum of Natural History, with dinosaur skeletons and a huge collection of crystals. If you like fine art and paintings don’t miss the National Gallery of Art. Keep in mind though it’s not part of the Smithsonian museums, hence the opening hours are different.

One of the most iconic streets in Washington D.C. is Pennsylvania Avenue. Besides the National Archive Museum, it also houses the infamous FBI Headquarter. You also have some unique photo opportunities for the U.S. Capitol.

As in every important capital in the world you have a cemetery for significant figures of the country’s history. For the U.S. this is the Arlington Cemetery. You get there with the Blue metro line. It’s a very serene and sombre place, so act respectful and avoid any disturbance to the graves. Walking up to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the James Tanner Amphitheatre, you’ll pass the Kennedy Burial site (President John F. Kennedy Memorial and his families graves). From the Lincoln Memorial you can cross the Arlington Memorial Bridge for a nice stroll but be prepared for quite a long walk.

Another part of town to visit while in Washington D.C. is Georgetown. The most famous place here is Georgetown University. Definitely a fun place to visit if you like Ivy League college lawns. As a fairly old settlement in the US, it also has one of the first stone buildings called the Old Stone House. For the cinephile of you, walk down M Street past Georgetown Cupcakes to the staircase from the Exorcist. For some more of historic colonial-style buildings walk along Prospect Street and Wisconsin Avenue with its colourful houses.

Some more interesting places and sights to visit while in Washington D.C. are the United States Naval Observatory, the Washington National Cathedral and Chinatown.

**The reflective pool of the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument**

Where to stay

As the capital of the USA there are plenty of hotels catering to foreign dignitaries (Washington D.C. has an Embassy from almost every country in the world), consultants and business representatives. Therefore, it should not be difficult to find a great hotel for your stay.

I recommend the triangle made up of Downtown, Dupont Circle and Logan Circle. There you find some mid-range and high-end hotels. If you look for some more inexpensive business hotels check out Arlington and Crystal City. From there it’s quite easy to get to other areas in town by metro.

Food & Drinks

It should not be a surprise with all the Embassies in the city to find also ethnic restaurants from all corners of the world. A good area for this is Dupont Circle.

In 14 St Northwest you find an amazing Ramen bar Jinya Ramen Bar and Indian Restaurant Pappe. Definitely worth a visit.

If you like or even love cupcakes, Georgetown Cupcakes in M Street is a must. There are more shops, but this is the original one.

Some of the best burgers also enjoyed by politicians and their staff you’ll find at Good Stuff Eatery. It’s a burger joint on Capitol Hill on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Travelling around Washington D.C.

Unfortunately, not every significant site in Washington D.C. can be reached by metro. So, you will need to change to buses every now and then. There’s also no metro to Georgetown and you must take the bus. You can also opt for bikes or cars. Walking is also an option, but distances can be intimidating.

Best Photography Spots in Washington D.C.

For good photo opportunities the National Mall with its monuments and memorials are an easy choice. Don’t skip the Lincoln Memorial with its reflecting pool. From the Capitol Hill you have some incredible views on the National Mall from another ankle. For some great views on the U.S. Capitol walk along Pennsylvania Avenue, especially from the FBI Headquarter to the north.

If you’re an AvGeek or simple love to see planes take off, check out the tip of Hains Point. From there you have perfect view on Reagan Airport.

I hope with all the above, I could help you planning your next trip to Washington D.C.

Here a link to my Washington D.C. site which hopefully gives you some ideas what to expect.

Washington D.C. - the Federal City