Introduction
The US capital teems with historic monuments and some of the country's most famous buildings, not least the White House, a grand architectural icon right at the heart of world politics.
If museums are your thing, you'll be hard pressed to find anywhere better with the National Air & Space Museum, National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of African American History & Culture and the Reynolds Center for American Art & Portraiture all within a stone's throw of each other. And all offering free entry, too. Then, the likes of the Lincoln Memorial and the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial provide stark and poignant reminders of conflict and revolution, both at home and overseas.
Beyond Washington, DC’s most familiar sites such as the Capitol Building, Jefferson Memorial and the White House as well, the capital city unwinds into a lively urban centre. Casual cafes and upscale bistros line the trendy streets of Georgetown, while the downtown district sizzles with a host of exciting restaurants.
If shopping's on your mind, you won't be disappointed either. The city abounds with upscale boutiques, antique shops and outdoor markets, while bargain-filled outlet malls can be easily reached from downtown.