The capital of the United States and seat of the federal government, Washington is a city located on the country’s East Coast in the District of Columbia. A cosmopolitan city that is home to many diverse cultures, Washington is widely known by its many iconic landmarks like the White House, Capitol Building, the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. Many of these monuments, along with others like the Vietnam War Memorial and the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial, are all located within the beautifully landscaped parkland known as the National Mall, one of the city’s most visited sites.

 

Washington boasts a large number of important museums, many of which are comprised within the Smithsonian Institute, the world’s largest research and museum compound. Additionally, the city is home to many theaters and cultural venues. A number of parks and gardens offer natural scenery and outdoor recreation. The National Zoo, historic churches and the colonial architecture of the Georgetown neighborhood are other popular things to see while visiting Washington. A good way to experience the main attractions of Washington is to take the hop-on hop-off trolley. A popular day trip from Washington is an excursion to the nearby Civil War battlefield of Gettysburg.

 

With professional sports teams like the Washington Redskins, Capitals, Wizards and Nationals, tourists can watch games of football, basketball and ice hockey. When the sun goes down, the city lets loose with its vibrant nightlife of bars, nightclubs, dance halls and jazz clubs.