Washington Overview

Welcome to the center of American democracy: a place of politics, scandals, and historic demonstrations. The city is designed to impress, and does, with the Smithsonian, the Pentagon, the monuments on the Mall, and even the cathedral-like Metro stations.

Districts

With its impressive monuments and museums, its stately government buildings and mansions, Washington is easily recognizable as a capital city. Government is the city's economic engine and government buildings—everything from museums to mansions—bring millions of tourists each year.

Washington is the second most visited city in the United States (after New York) and among the top travel destinations in the world. While the city underwent a period of high security following the terrorist attacks in September of 2001, Washington is, for the most part, back to business as usual and welcoming visitors to its hotels, monuments, public spaces and historic buildings. It remains a dynamic city with charming and vibrant neighborhoods where you'll find lively nightlife, fabulous shopping and wonderful restaurants.

Districts in and around Washington, DC include: Adams-Morgan, Anacostia, Capitol Hill (a.k.a. “The Hill”), Chinatown, Dupont Circle, Foggy Bottom, Georgetown, Southwest/Waterfront, Alexandria and Arlington.

Entertainment

During the day Washington appears to be a city of gray suits and serious politics, but after dark, it has plenty to offer in the way of nightlife and culture. Locals and visitors flock to first-rate theaters and concerts or to dance the night away in the many clubs and ballrooms. In the summer, a constant schedule of outdoor events, many of which are free, brings people out to watch a Shakespeare play or to listen to the U.S. Navy Band. Politics aside, Washingtonians enjoy their evenings in a truly nonpartisan manner.

Washington is home to several fine theaters presenting everything from big Broadway hits to smaller productions featuring local playwrights and covering topical issues. Movie theaters throughout the metropolitan area show the latest offerings from Hollywood and international studios.

Washington’s international makeup provides a variety of music from around the world. Outdoor concerts are popular in the warmer months when Washingtonians and visitors bring picnics and listen to free music on the National Mall, in Rock Creek Park or at the National Zoo.

Contemporary dance clubs are numerous in the Metro area, many staying open until the wee hours of the morning. Whether it’s salsa, swing, ballroom or the latest hip-hop, Washington has many great clubs in which to dance the night away.

Dining and Drinking

From Embassy Row to Capitol Hill, Washington is a city of people with tastes as varied as the opinions of Congress. At Washington's restaurants, diners will find everything from regional American specialties to varied ethnic food.

Washington's suburbs have their unique contributions to the dining scene. Maryland crab cakes are legendary, but if you don't mind working a bit, roll up your sleeves and order steamed crabs. Crack the shells open with a mallet and pull out the succulent meat yourself. In Virginia, you can sample colonial fare including peanut soup, oyster stew and famous Virginia ham.

Much as the United States is a "melting pot" of nationalities, Washington is a melting pot of international cuisine and what delights this pot holds. From upscale to casual, continental, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern, restaurants are abundant. Additionally, some of the nation's best Thai, Vietnamese, Indian and Ethiopian restaurants are found here. If you want to stretch your taste buds a bit further, try Burmese, Jamaican or Egyptian. Whether you're looking for a great meal to make you feel at home, or far away from home, Washington is the place to find it.

Where To Stay

The nation's capital offers an array of hotels to fit the varied needs of the tourist, businessperson, conventioneer and government visitor. Behind all the complex images, Washington DC is a very manageable city, easily navigable by foot, Metro or taxi. The major neighborhoods overlap so it is not essential to select a hotel directly opposite the government agency, business or tourist attraction that brings you to town.

Within the city, hotels cluster into five general areas: Dupont Circle and points north of the circle; Georgetown and Foggy Bottom; two downtown areas north and east of the White House and the Capitol Hill-Union Station area. The last category includes a few hotels in the Southeast-Waterfront neighborhood. If none of these choices suit your needs, you might consider the hotel districts in suburban Maryland or Northern Virginia.

Did You Know?

The Cherry Blossoms are so beautiful in this city that there is a National Cherry Blossom Festival that coincides with their bloom.

Orientation/Geography

Located midway along the eastern seaboard of the United States, south of Maryland, north of Virginia and 233 miles south of New York City, the Washington, DC metropolitan area refers to the District of Columbia, plus 7 Maryland counties (Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Frederick, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George's), 5 Virginia counties (Arlington, Fairfax, Loudon, Prince William and Stafford) and 6 Virginia cities (Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax City, Falls Church, Manassas and Manassas Park).


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