Washington, DC is the land of monuments, a city of symbols, and a place of power. The country’s capital is home to the President of the United States, the Senate, the House of Representatives and hundreds of memorials paying homage to the country’s vibrant, and often turbulent, past. It’s no wonder millions of travellers book Washington, DC flights every year. From inspiring speeches to larger-than-life replicas of past presidents and colourful neighbourhoods waiting to be explored, it’s hard not be inspired on a trip to Washington, DC.
There’s more than politics to this city, however. Entertainment gurus will awe at the sight of Dorothy’s ruby slippers and Fonzie’s leather jacket at the Smithsonian American History Museum. Pick up some moon rocks at the Natural Air and Space Museum, or take a walk through the Hall of the First Lady’s and admire the inaugural gowns of Lady Bird Johnson, Jackie Kennedy and more. The National Mall – a green park stretching from the US Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial – is a common ground for protests and demonstrations. Find a cheap flight to Washington and spend your money in DuPont Circle’s shopping district or Capitol Hill’s exquisite restaurants. Walk through Georgetown or head down to the Potomac River for a picnic in the park. Whether you fly to Washington, DC, for political or personal reasons, you’ll find yourself fascinated with our nation’s powerful capital.
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The busiest seasons for tourist activities are spring and summer, in particular during the time when the cherry blossoms bloom and when schools are out for spring break and then summer holiday. In addition, when Congress is in session and from mid-January through June, hotels and restaurants are full of lobbyists, and the streets are often full of demonstrations. Spring and fall have the most pleasant weather. Summers in Washington are hot, sometimes exceeding 37 degrees Celsius, and very humid. Winter weather is unpredictable, ranging from mild to very cold.
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Peak Season:
The very busiest time for flights to Washington DC is from about mid-March through June, with school tours and holidaying families everywhere. Airfare and hotel rates are at their highest, and there are long lines for popular attractions.
Off Season:
The quietest times are late August into early September and the period between Thanksgiving (end of November) and mid-January.
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Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
Distance: four miles south of Washington
Drive time: a few minutes
Ronald Reagan Washington National, known as National, is just across the river from Washington, a few minutes by car and 15-20 by Metro.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Distance: 42km (26 miles) west of Washington
Drive time: 25-35 minutes
Dulles airport offers a limited choice but excellent service. Washington Flyer Coach Service makes frequent non-stop trips to the Metro Station in Falls Church, VA, from where you can take the Metrorail (subway). Washington Flyer Taxicabs are the only taxi company, providing 24/7 service. SuperShuttle is a shared-ride shuttle that goes door to door.
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall (BWI)
Distance: 50km (31 miles) north of Washington
Drive time: 45 mins
BWI is the farthest from Washington. You can get to Washington most economically by the Metro.
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Washington is easy to navigate, being laid out in a grid with streets in numerical order in one direction and in alphabetical order in the other. Note that the city is in four quadrants (which meet at the Capitol building), so you need to pay attention to the compass designations, such as NW. Most major attractions are in easy walking distance of each other, and the Metrobus and Metrorail (subway) system is quite good if you need to go further afield.
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- White House tours must be scheduled in advance through your member of Congress. Tours may be cancelled, so check before going. The White House website is as up-to-date as possible, and it lists the phone number for a last-minute check on your tour. It also lists items that you may not bring with you (almost everything); there are no storage facilities.
- In addition to experiencing the beauty of the Capitol building and landscaping, many visitors want to sit in on Congressional debates. To do this, you must obtain gallery passes from your senator or representative's office; the passes are free. As with the White House, call ahead to check the status of tours, access, and what you may bring.
- Washington is full of historic sites (see the National Register of History Places Travel Itinerary for an extensive list). One unexpected site is the white neo-Federal Embassy Gulf Service Station, built in 1936 to fit in with the elegance of Washington architecture.
- The Washington National Cathedral is a beautiful building located on one of the highest points in the city. Construction began in 1907 and was not completed until 1980. Though a cathedral of the Episcopal Church, it was built for the entire nation, and has been used for services from Jewish to Serbian Orthodox. The grounds are as lovely as the building, with gardens and a lawn where you can picnic. In addition to religious services, the cathedral offers guided and audio tours, recitals and concerts. Music lovers can visit the Cathedral for the twice-weekly lunchtime recitals on the magnificent Aeolian-Skinner organ, or attend one of their concerts (classical, jazz, folk) throughout the year.
- There is always something to attend at the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts. This extensive complex of theatres and concert halls, home to the National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington National Opera, hosts distinguished visiting performers and provides some free concerts. In addition to classical music and ballet, concerts include jazz, pops, and other types of music and dance.
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