When
to travel Washington DC:
Best: April-July, September.
Worst: Nov-Feb, rainy or cold.
OK: August, but hot.
Length
of stay not incl. flights:
Minimum: 1 day for the White House
plus Capitol Hill sights.
Recommended: 3-5 days for above and
selective museum visits.
Main
Festivals and Celebrations:
Mar-Apr,
Cherry Blossom Festival.
June, Folklife Festival, Smithsonian
Institute.
4th July, Independence Day.
Culture:
Monuments
and Memorials - the Washington Monument, a huge obelisk;
the Lincoln Memorial, a Greek style temple; the Jefferson Memorial,
with dome; FDR Memorial, president Roosevelt carved in stone; Vietnam
Veterans Memorial, Korean War Memorial, World War II Memorial.
Museums - dozens, see National Mall etc in
the right column.
Classical Music -
the National and Chamber Symphony Orchestras and Opera at the Kennedy
Centre.
Nightlife
and Entertainment:
Live Music
- excellent Jazz and Blues venues, especially in Adams-Morgan and
Shaw districts.
Short
Trips:
Mt Vernon National Historic Site, Virginia**
the 18th C estate of George Washington, with house, gardens, farm
and his tomb.
Arlington, Virginia* Arlington National Cemetery
around Lee's Arlington House has thousands of military graves, as
well as monuments including the Iwo Jima marines raising the stars
and stripes and the grave of J F Kennedy and his family.
The Pentagon* military HQ. |
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Why
travel to Washington DC?
Washington offers
the much-filmed home of the President, several of the best museums
in the country, some excellent architecture and famous nearby sights.
USA
Tours
More
tour operators offering tours to the USA can be found in our listings
here:
USA
Tours
Downside:
Washington
has earned itself a reputation as one of the most dangerous cities
in the USA, though if you stick to the tourist areas, you'll be
in elite company with few criminal concerns.
Sights:
White House*** one of the most famous buildings
in the world, home to many presidents, and yet you can take a tour.
Nearby are the Old Executive Office Building [White House staff],Treasury
Building, Octagon House, and Daughters of the American Revolution
Museum amongst others.
Capitol Hill** Washington's landmark
Capitol overlooks the splendid Supreme Court and massive Library
of Congress. Union Station is impressive and nearby.
National Mall** this grassy enclave
stretches from Capitol Hill to the river and is full of museums
run by the internationally renowned Smithsonian Institute.
Federal Triangle** the FBI headquarters
which you can tour, the National Archives, the Old Post Office for
top floor views across the city and Ford's Theater.
Dupont Circle* for old mansions, the
Phillips Collection [20th C art], National Geographic Society Explorer's
Hall, Textile Museum, and the Scottish Rite Masonic Temple, amongst
other attractions.
Also: National Zoological Park; Washington
Cathedral; Rock Creek Park for biking and hiking; Georgetown University,
historic buildings; Dumbarton Oaks estate and ancient art gallery;
National Academy of Sciences; Watergate for political buffs. |
