Washington, DC
From swampland to Indian settlement, to refuge for westward-bound European settlers and bustling urban center, Washington has a long and colorful history. It has hosted countless heads of states and powerful politicos; is a workday destination for thousands of commuters, and a must-visit city for scores of tourists. About 15 million visitors annually wander the beckoning green lawns of the National Mall, tour the city's museums and monuments, enjoy headline-making festivals, and eat at one or many of the metro area's top-flight restaurants. Its transition from sleepy Southern town to a power magnet would probably puzzle the city's founding fathers, who allegedly fled Washington in its soggy summer heat for cooler climes. In fact, Washington as the nation's capital almost didn't occur: The rivalry over where the presidential city would eventually be located was fierce, and only a Congressional decree in the late 1700s secured the District's place in American history. To its many inhabitants and commuters, the city is usually just referred to casually as "The District" or "DC."
Designed in part by French architect and urban planner Pierre L'Enfant, the city is laid out on a complex grid with both lettered, numbered, and named streets that frequently converge and crisscross in one of the city's many traffic circles. Though the layout may prove baffling at first, its underlying logic allows for easy transition from business areas and government centers to local neighborhoods. Even so, newcomers to the District may find a tour bus ride through the city's numerous areas—from its resplendent National Mall lined by museums and filled with monuments to Capitol Hill and the Library of Congress to the charmingly Southern Georgetown with its old-fashioned town homes and bustling shopping streets—a helpful way to find their bearings. But for tourists with minimal time, a street map of DC's highlights is a useful guide. There are numerous hotels in the District, from the ultra-chic and expensive, such as the two The Ritz-Carltons (The Ritz-Carlton, Georgetown and The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City), the Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC and Four Seasons Hotel Washington DC, to the fun and funky like The Tabard Inn. If you want, you can also opt to stay outside the District in Alexandria's quaint Old Town area at the Morrison House, but that means a taxi ride or taking public transportation to get down into the thick of things. DAY 1
Breakfast early in your hotel, for you've got a long day ahead. Tie on your walking shoes, grab your camera and map, and by cab or on foot, head to the United States Capitol on Capitol Hill, the country's seat of power, where if Congress is in session, you may spot your favorite lawmaker. Allow ample time to stroll around the outside of the majestic building, admiring the dome and surrounding grounds. To visit inside, sign up for a guided tour, the only way the public can enter the building post 9/11. The tickets are free and on a first-come, first-served basis at the Capitol Guide Service kiosk on the premises. Afterwards, walk along Independence Avenue behind the Capitol towards the two buildings of the Library of Congress, which holds the nation's largest collection of books and is a major research center. Visitors are welcome to stroll through its various exhibits. Later, take a turn through the streets of the city's Capitol Hill area, where seven blocks behind the Capitol you'll find the Hill's popular and historic Eastern Market, one of the very first farmers markets to operate in the city, and a popular neighborhood meeting and gathering place. Hungry? Pick up a snack or two from the food vendors.
From there, take a short stroll over to Union Station, the hub of the city's railroad travel business. Located on Massachusetts Avenue, NE, Union Station is also an historic site completed in 1908 as a fine example of the Beaux-Arts style of architecture. Not only has it served as a passage to and from Washington, it has also become a popular shopping destination with stores that feature everything from books and CDs to lingerie, women's wear, shoes and toys. It also houses several casual and fine-dining restaurants, such as B. Smith's for good Southern food. Rested up? Stroll back from Union Station towards The National Mall, about one mile away between Constitution and Independence Avenues. On the way, stop for lunch at Charlie Palmer Steak or Bistro Bis, both popular places for glimpsing celebrities. Or for more casual eating, go to nearby Johnny's Half Shell. Dominating the city's landscape, the Mall is flanked by the city's major museums and at mid-section at 15th Street and Constitution Avenue it features the famous landmark, the Washington Monument, a dizzying 555-feet high spire with an observation tower at its peak. From that vantage point, take in the dazzling 360-degree view of Washington and its metro area. The Washington Monument is open daily and is accessible with timed free tickets. Advance tickets are available through the National Park Service Reservation System. Exiting the monument, walk west towards its farthest end along the lawn towards the Lincoln Memorial. As you stroll along, be sure to look towards the right to get a glimpse of the White House with its columns gleaming in the sun. Further on, pause at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, where on clear days you can see reflections of the Washington Monument. The majestic Lincoln Memorial, an impressive Greek-style monument to the country's 16th president, is always a tourist favorite: Under its portico, a massive marble statue of a seated Lincoln looks out over the Mall in silent meditation. On the side chambers, visitors can read carved inscriptions of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and one of his inaugural speeches.
Facing back towards the Mall and Capitol Hill, veer left along the pathway to the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial in Constitution Gardens. Situated partially below ground and perhaps one of the most-visited sites in the capital, the Memorial is separated into three different sections: the Three Soldiers statue, the Vietnam Women's Memorial, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, where the names of all the combatants are inscribed. On any given day, friends and relatives of a fallen soldier stand in silent prayer in front of their loved one's name. The last stop of the day lies on the southern perimeter of the Mall, where you'll see both the imposing circular domed Thomas Jefferson Memorial fronted by its famed Tidal Basin, where many tourists pause to enjoy its cherry blossom trees when in spring bloom. At the western edge of the Tidal Basin is the sprawling Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. In a series of outdoor spaces, the memorial reflects the traces the twelve-year presidency of FDR during one of the country's most tumultuous years. At day's end, take a breather before heading over to Georgetown. Plan on having dinner at the popular Clyde's of Georgetown, always abuzz with revelers. Centrally located on M Street, NW, the restaurant is a convenient point for wandering this old and charming part of the city.
* Images courtesy of Washington, DC Convention & Tourism Corporation (WCTC)
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