Think big in Washington–as soon as you arrive in D.C., you’ll be knocked over by the scale of the place. America’s capital wants you to know where you are, and the city goes all out to impress in terms of grandeur and size. Drama and scandal bubble under the surface, while the streets are abuzz with hip and happening events, museums, restaurants, and clubs around every corner. The principles of Equality, Justice, Life, and Liberty are still upheld, but D.C. is, above all, a trendy and international town.
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The Washington Post — www.washingtonpost.com
The Washington City Paper — washingtoncitypaper.com
General opening hours for shops are 10am–7/9pm Monday to Saturday and noon–5/6pm on Sunday. Some shops are closed on Sundays.
670,050 Washingtonians (2021 estimate)
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Washington is a city of contrasts. While it might be best recognized in its political role, D.C. wants the world to know that it has much more to offer than governmental gossip and diplomatic deals. Divided into districts, each neighborhood represents another distinct feature that adds to the diverse characteristics of breathing life into the city.
While isolated Georgetown is bustling with new, trendy boutiques and restaurants, Shaw, once the site of racial tension and riot, is undergoing a revitalization program to make it a hot destination for African-American heritage tours. Downtown might offer theaters, galleries, and the best Chinese food in the Chinatown restaurants while the New U district, where Duke Ellington once played, is the in vogue neighborhood for hearing live music. And amid all this, let’s not forget the political and military monuments and memorials along the National Mall. It is in this area that you’ll also find the wonderful Smithsonian complex of museums.
The city is a melting pot of cultures and communities, which have a fantastic influence on restaurants in particular. Whatever your culinary preferences, D.C. can cater to them, be it French, American or Ethiopian. Spread out across the city, all the choices are on offer. One of the key aspects of Washington, D.C. is that, despite being crammed with different tastes, smells, sights, and sounds, it is not claustrophobic. D.C.’s neighborhoods are spread out over an expanse that is broken up by generous oases of green space, giving the city that sense of liberation and harmony which it strives to promote.
Washington, D.C. is the capital of patriotic monuments and symbols of political power. Home to influential institutions including Congress and the White House, the city also boasts some of the best museums and art galleries in the world.
The White House
United States Capitol
Georgetown
National Air and Space Museum
The National Gallery of Art
National Museum of American History
Arlington National Cemetery
Library of Congress
Supreme Court
Jefferson Memorial
The U.S. National Archives
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Smithsonian National Zoological Park
Regarded as one of the culinary capitals of the world, Washington, D.C. offers a fantastic variety of cuisines and dining experiences. Washington’s eclectic mix of nationalities demands an array of tastes to suit all backgrounds.
Neighborhoods and districts boast their own signature fare. Head to Georgetown for trendy hot spots, Adams-Morgan to sample East African ’wat’ (simmered veg or meat in sauce), or Downtown for great seafood (soft-shell crab is a specialty).
Dinner service stretches from 6 pm to 11 pm and tips of at least 15% are expected. It’s advisable to book ahead for popular places, especially on weekends.
Pizzeria Paradiso
Bistrot Lepic
Café Milano
Full Kee
Blue Duck Tavern
Pearl Dive Oyster Palace
Minibar by José Andrés
Call Your Mother Deli
Cafe Lombardy
Lafayette Restaurant
Founding Farmers
Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab
Old Europe Restaurant
Zaytinya
Fiola
1789 Restaurant
Jaleo
Ted's Bulletin 14th Street
The Red Hen DC
Rasika
We, The Pizza
For a quick hot dog or something more substantial, Washington’s deluge of cafés will more than cater to the requirements of its visitors. The city’s student population promotes a cafe culture, ensuring there is something for everyone.
Ben’s Chili Bowl
The Market Lunch
Filter Coffee House & Espresso Bar
Compass Café
Saxbys
Pâtisserie Poupon
Bread Furst
Baked & Wired
Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe
Student life and an established city Happy Hour make DC’s bar scene a happening affair. Cocktails flow freely, particularly in the two main drinking areas Georgetown and Adams-Morgan. Washington lights up after dark. Rave until the early hours or sip exciting cocktails in cozy surroundings.
HEIST
Blues Alley
Barcode
Barrel
McClellan’s Retreat
Clyde's of Georgetown
Simple Bar & Grill
Union Pub
All Souls Bar
The Tombs
9:30 Club
For a serious shopping spree, Georgetown is probably the most famous area for retail therapy but many neighborhoods have enough boutiques, markets and designer stores to make the city a shopper’s paradise. Malls are in more suburban areas but still easily accessible thanks to their notoriety.
Downtown and Chinatown
Friendship Heights
The New U District
Eastern Market
The Fashion Center at Pentagon City
Potomac Mills Mall
Union Station
White House Gifts
Georgetown
Captain White’s Seafood
Mazza Gallerie
Chevy Chase Pavilion
Union Market
Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe
Tiny Jewel Box
Eastern Market Pottery
Miss Pixie's
Georgetown Flea Market
Capitol Hill Books
Quadrants of Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. is divided into four quadrants, which are used for addressing purposes. The quadrants are Northwest (NW), Northeast (NE), Southwest (SW) and Southeast (SE), and they are formed by dividing the city into two halves along its north-south axis (North Capitol Street and South Capitol Street) and its east-west axis (East Capitol Street and West Capitol Street). The point of division is the star-shaped medallion located in the Crypt under the Rotunda of the Capitol. Each quadrant has its own unique character, with different neighborhoods, attractions, and amenities.
The NW quadrant is home to many of the city's most affluent neighborhoods and is the location of many of its museums and cultural institutions.
The NE quadrant is home to many of the city's residential neighborhoods and is also the location of the U.S. Capitol and other government buildings.
The SW quadrant is home to many of the city's lower-income communities, as well as a number of landmarks and tourist attractions.
The SE quadrant is home to a number of residential neighborhoods, as well as the historic Anacostia area and the Navy Yard.
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Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
The National Airport is accessible by Metro (Yellow/Blue Line). The Washington DC Metrorail system has an important Metrorail station connected to Terminals B and C at Reagan National Airport. The Metrorail system offers easy and affordable access to different locations throughout Washington, Virginia, and Maryland. You can buy your ticket from the vending machines located at all entrances to the Airport Metrorail station.
SuperShuttle offers door-to-door service. Frequency is based on demand.
To get in touch with shared ride services, go to the outside curb or contact a SuperShuttle representative.
Another way is to rent a car. Rental car counters are located on the first floor in Terminal Garage A.
You will find the taxi stands outside the terminals. A taxi to National Airport from the National Mall takes approximately 15 minutes.
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Phone: +1 703 417 8000
Website: www.flyreagan.com
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Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Washington Dulles International Airport is an international airport in Loudoun and Fairfax counties in Virginia, 26 miles (42 km) west of downtown Washington, D.C. The airport is served by Metrorail, taxi, and rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft. The metro’s silver line takes you directly to the Washington Dulles International Airport Metrorail Station. For information on fares and operating hours, visit the Metrorail's official website.
Address: Dulles International Airport
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Phone: +1 703 572 2700
Website: www.flydulles.com
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Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Baltimore/Washington International is a major airport serving the Baltimore–Washington Metropolitan Area in the United States. Situated next to the CDP Linthicum in northern unincorporated Anne Arundel County, Maryland, the airport is about 32 miles (51 km) northeast of Washington, D.C.
Here are some options on how to travel to and from the airport:
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
Metro now offers BWI Express Metro bus service between BWI and the Greenbelt metro station. The service offers a direct connection between BWI and the Greenbelt Metro Station. The BWI Express/B30 service runs every 40 minutes, 7 days a week to the Greenbelt Metro Station, which is situated on the Green Line of the Washington Metro System.
Amtrak
You can also take Amtrak Train to BWI from Washington's Union Station.
MARC Train
Take MARC Trains at Washington's Union Station situated at 50 Massachusetts Avenue NE. Here you will find hours and information. The BWI Marshall Rail Station is on MARC's Penn Line.
Taxis
The taxi stand is placed just outside of the baggage claim area of the Lower Level of the BWI Marshall terminal. BWI Marshall taxicabs are forbidden to charge flat rates.
Address: Baltimore-Washington International Airport
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Phone: +1 410 859 7111
Website: www.bwiairport.com
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Passport/Visa
Citizens of the Schengen countries, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and the Kingdom of Brunei can visit the United States for up to 90 days without applying for a visa (as well as citizens of Andorra, Lichtenstein, Monaco and San Marino). Citizens of these countries must obtain an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) before traveling. All other travelers must obtain a visa before visiting the United States. International travelers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the country.
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Time Zone
UTC/GMT -4 hours
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Best Time to Visit
If you're planning a trip to Washington, D.C. these tips will be useful for a no-bad-surprises journey. Fall offers comfortable weather, fewer crowds, and a plethora of activities to join. Summer and spring are the peak season, thus expect long queues at the main city landmarks, as well as higher prices on accommodation and airfare. The cold and snowy winter is not for starters, but if you're brave enough, know that winter is also the quietest and least crowded season.
Whatever the period is, Washington, D.C. boasts a variety of events and festivals throughout the year.
Here are some of the most representative ones:
January
- Commemorative events for Martin Luther King Jr. birthday
February
- Celebrations of the Chinese New Year
March
-National Cherry Blossom Festival
May
-Memorial Day Weekend
August
-DC Beer Week
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Public Transport
Public transport in Washington consists of the super-efficient Metrorail and bus services. Computerized fare cards are available from self-service machines at the stations. One-day passes and weekly ones are available.
The bus service in DC provides services throughout the city and to outlying suburbs. Stops are marked by red, white, and blue signposts. Kids travel free. Be sure to have exact change ready for the automatic fare machines.
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Website: www.wmata.com
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Taxi
Taxis are everywhere in the city, just hail one down. DC is based around eight geographical zones, and a cab fare is determined by how many of these you cross during your ride, as well as the time of day you travel and the number of passengers.
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Phone: +1 202 398 0500
Website: dctaxionline.com
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Post
Blue postal drop boxes are located across DC. Stamps can be bought at many hotels, museums, grocery stores, and post offices. You can find your nearest branch on the Postal Service website.
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Website: www.usps.com
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Pharmacy
DC’s major pharmacy chain is CVS. The CVS Dupont Circle is open 24 hours.
Address: 6 Dupont Circle NW, Washington, D.C.
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Phone: +1 202 785 1466
Website: cvshealth.com/about/our-offerings/cvs-pharmacy
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Telephone
Country code: +1
Area code: 202
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Electricity
US standard voltage is 110-115V and the standard frequency is 60Hz. Sockets and the power plugs are of type A and B.
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