What to see in Washington, DC

Washington D.C. is known as the capital of the United States and a city with impressive old building and architecture. Washington has something for everyone – historic monuments, government buildings, interesting museums, beautiful parks, and excellent hotels and restaurants.

Washington is an excellent place for sightseeing: local museums and monuments are really spectacular. For history lovers, Washington D.C. offers about 300 memorials and statues. The most important and most interesting are The Jefferson Memorial, The Lincoln Memorial, The Washington Monument. You would better visit them at night when they are illuminated. For travelers interested in art and famous paintings is The National Gallery of Art. It contains one of the world’s best collections of European and American painting and sculpture.

You should also see The White House, which is the official home of the president and the most famous building in the city. The original building was burned by the British in the War of 1812, and was rebuilt in 1818. It was at that time when they first painted it in white. Group tours are scheduled one month in advance. Nevertheless, you can visit the White House Visitor Center without planning beforehand. One more important government buildings is the U.S. Capitol, which is the home of legislative branch of government. Tours of the U.S. Capitol building are free, however require tickets which are distributed on a first-come basis. You also could book it in advance.

It is also spectacular to visit Georgetown, the oldest neighbourhood in Washington D.C., which is now a vibrant community with upscale shops, bars and restaurants. Here you will explore a great variety of fine restaurants offering a wide range of cuisine. Georgetown is popular as a destination for shopping, eating and movies. There are a lot of places to go to from romantic bars to tavern clubs. This is why Georgetown is the best place to enjoy the nightlife.

Besides historic monuments and nightlife activities, Washington D.C. also offers vibrant shopping opportunity at boutiques, antique shops, outdoor markets, and outlet malls. The numerous districts provide a shoppers' paradise. The best shopping centers are Eastern Market, Arundel Mills Shopping Mall, here you will see dozens of shops like Victoria’s Secret, The Body Shop, Ann Taylor as well as countless designer-label boutiques, such as Jimmy Choo, Max Mara, Gucci and Tiffany.

Despite this wealth of man-made sights, Washington D.C. is known for its natural beauty. Discover the city's most important recreation areas: Constitution Gardens, Anacostia Park, Rock Creek Park and so on. Hundreds of acres are suitable for roller skating, picnicking, basketball and tennis, providing recreational facilities through three seasons. Enjoy walking in these green spaces and relax to get away from the problems and rush of the big city. The best season in Washington is spring, when you can see the flowers on hundreds of cherry trees, and this is one of the most popular seasons with tourists. These trees were given to the United States in 1912 as a gift of friendship from Japan.

All in all, Washington D.C. is a city of cosmopolitan energy and culture, shopping and nightlife that has something to offer everyone. Whether you want to spend your time shopping and seeing the sights, or simply relaxing, Washington D.C. is an ideal choice for a person who comes to the U.S.