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Washington DC
Trip Planning & Itineraries
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To some, Washington DC means white marble, verdant lawns, and the colorful, ritualistic pageantry of American politics: the Capitol dome; limousine processions on Inauguration Day; the mournful, somber, stately changing of the guard at Arlington National Cemetery.
If civic politics is the American religion, then Washington DC is the nation's holy city - a patriotic combination of history and histrionics: BYO wiretap.
Best of Washington DC: Top 3 Things To Do
Best of Washington DC: Suggested Itineraries
Washington is plonked down in the District of Columbia, a little enclave chopped from the state of Maryland. It is bounded on one side by the Potomac River (on the other side of the river you'll find Arlington and Alexandria, Virginia) and on the other sides by the state of Maryland. Read a summary of our suggested DC itineraries below, or click here for more ideas of what to do while in Washington DC. With a city this full of history, we recommend you consider taking some guided tours of Washington DC. And check out the Washington DC vacation guide from SmarterTravel.com.
Day 1: Cultural & Heritage Sites
There are so many sites in Washington DC - where do you begin? Take the metro or a taxi cab to the Holocaust Museum or National Air & Space Museum. If you are feeling daring I would try and squeeze in both. Next hit the National Archives for a look at the Declaration of Independence and other important historical documents. Take in lunch at Pot Belly. Their sandwiches, sweets and shakes can satisfy any appetite. Wind the day down with some outside exploration on a Monuments Biking Tour. Some downtime and happy hour in the hotel bar. Dinner in Georgetown at Old Glory BBQ. Think corn bread, fried pickles, tasty ribs, chili quite a gastronomical overload. End the evening by bar hopping in Georgetown.
Up early again to head down to Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington. The tour also takes you through Old Town Alexandria and past the Pentagon. Lunch at Rosemary's Thyme Bistro. Enjoy the afternoon shopping in Georgetown. A breather at the hotel to relax and change. Hop on the Odyssey III for the Washington D.C. Dinner Cruise.
Sleep in, you've earned it. Or go for a run/walk along the beautiful Potomac river, one of many popular Washington DC activities. Brunch in Georgetown at News Cafe. Mediterranean decor and Italian flare are the best. Head over to the Iwo Jima Marines War Memorial that was fashioned after news-photographer Joe Rosenthal Pulitzer Prize winning photograph. End the trip on the Hop on Hop off Bus with a visit to Arlington National Cemetery, the National Zoo or any other monuments and sights you haven't yet seen.
Best of Washington DC: Restaurants
Delivering the city from bureaucratic blandness, Jackie K kick-started a trend towards diversity. Today, Washington is a smorgasbord of ethnically varied food. Each community - Vietnamese, Salvadoran, East African, Caribbean or Middle Eastern - brings something tantalizing to the table. Read below for a few suggestions from Viator on where to eat in Washington D.C.
Nora is the queen of the Washington food scene. She offers organic and environmentally conscious cuisine.
One of DC's most acclaimed restaurants, anything wrapped in pastry is phenomenal. A favorite with DC's most acclaimed celebrities.
This all-American saloon has been a venerable favorite with Washington's good ol' boys since it opened its doors around 1846.
Best of Washington DC: Top 3 Hotels
In addition to these options, browse hotels in Washington DC at Uptake.com.
This restored 1920s building has been taken back to its classic, elegant roots. Enter through the arched glass entrance and enjoy the lobby's grandeur, which confirms that you have arrived. Rooms are of top-end business standard and well-equipped for getting stuff done. Should clients call, the cafe has bucolic views of tree-shaded K St and Franklin Square.
Guests looking for a place more comfy than the usual one-night stand hotel are the target of the Beacon Hotel. Rooms are large studios and come fully equipped with conveniences for working and cooking in the room. It's all a bit flash, in a very modernistic sort of way.
From the crystal chandeliers hanging from the coffered ceilings to the Oriental rugs on the marble floor, the St Regis embodies the grandeur its dignified limestone facade suggests. And there's attitude to boot: this high-end outpost of the Starwood lodging empire makes certain that you never mistake it for the Sheraton. Opened as the Carlton in 1926, the St Regis is one of a handful of top-end dowagers from the era that continue to serve the moneyed set.
Traveling within the next 48 hours? Call us for last-minute Washington DC availability toll-free at 1-866-753-4923!
When the sun goes down, Washington turns into a different city. Join a professional tour guide for entertaining anecdotes & historical information along with ghost stories of the spirits who haunt the nation's capitol.
Washington DC Guided Day Tour
From USD $49.99
Take the most comprehensive guided tour of Washington DC there is! The best introduction to Washington DC for first-time visitors, the tour combines stops at important sights with a scenic drive across the city. You'll see all the DC monuments and memorials, and learn the history and trivia surrounding the capitol.
Museum of Crime & Punishment
From USD $20.99
Discover the cast of characters in America's history of crime with interactive exhibits along the way! Test your Wild West shooting skills, learn about the instruments of capital punishment, and discover the everyday heroes of law enforcement.
- Plan Washington DC vacations on Yahoo! Travel
- Washington DC hotels from PlanetWare
- Hotels in Washington DC from HotelsCombined.com
- Washington DC trip planner & travel guide from NileGuide
- Local news from the Washington City Paper
