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Profile

Located midway along the eastern seaboard of the United States, south of Maryland, north of Virginia, Washington's District of Columbia encompasses 67 square miles and is divided into four quadrants: Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, and Southeast. The U.S. Capitol building marks the center where the quadrants meet.

Washington D.C.'s history began to take shape in 1791 when Congress decided to build a capital city on the Potomac, chosen as a natural midpoint that would satisfy both northern and southern states and its close proximity to George Washington's home in Mount Vernon. At this time, it was already being referred to as "the city of Washington." Maryland and Virginia agreed to cede land to create the District of Columbia (named for Christopher Columbus). Construction began two years later on the U.S. Capitol in 1793.

Washington, D.C. is a city of approximately 600,000 people, which combines the core elements of the nation's history through its many renowned government buildings, monuments, memorials, and museums, while also possessing an abundance of colorful neighborhoods, art, theater, music, and contemporary culture. It welcomes millions of tourists every year, packing its famous sights and free attractions.

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Weather

Washington D.C. embodies all four of the seasonal extremes, experiencing warm weather usually from April until as late as October when temperatures reach into the mid to upper 60s F, and drop to just below 50. The summer weather peaks in June through August with high temperatures to the upper 80s, while winter remains relatively short with temperatures from December through February ranging from just below 30 degrees to the upper 40s, with a usual result of more rain than snow.

Current Weather

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Attractions

Beyond the inspiring monuments and political public figures, Washington D.C. is a city filled with historic homes and hip boutiques, small museums and spectacular gardens. Its many neighborhoods are ideal for walking tours.

Spend a few hours in the nation's capital and earn a lifetime's worth of memorable images with an All Day Interior of Public Buildings Tour. This tour offers visitors a first-hand view into such places as The White House Visitor's Center, Ford's Theatre, American History Museum, U.S. Capitol, and the National Air and Space Museum. There are approximately eight to ten stops of at least 45 minutes allocated for each location. A number of other famous buildings can also be viewed from the coach. Ticket prices start at $45 for adults, $22 for children. For a more leisurely and slightly less expensive alternative, Old Town Trolley Tours offer the ability to travel at your own pace with a hop-on, hop-off route that will navigate through many famous sites and offer professional tour narration. Ticket prices are $27 for adults and $14 for children. Visit www.thingstodo-washingtondc.com to learn more.

Constitution Gardens (202-426-6841; www.nps.gov/coga/index2.htm), located at The Mall, near 19th Street, are a testament to the founding of the republic as well as a 50-acre oasis in the middle of a busy city. The gardens were dedicated in May of 1976 as a living legacy American Revolution Bicentennial tribute. On September 17, 1986, in honor of the Bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution, President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation making Constitution Gardens a living legacy tribute to the Constitution. As a means of interpreting and celebrating the Constitution, the National Park Service hosts an annual naturalization ceremony for new citizens. Constitution Gardens is open dawn to dusk year round and is home to a wide variety of urban wildlife.

The largest building in Washington D.C. may not immediately come to mind to most people, nor may it be on the top of everyone's "must-see" list of monuments at first glance. But at 3.1 million square feet and housing a multitude of politically significant events and visitor friendly attractions, the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center (1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW; 202-312-1300; www.itcdc.com) is worthy of both. The center brings together the country's best public and private resources to create a national forum for the advancement of trade. Weekly tours are available where magnificent architectural design and major works of art can be viewed. Open-air dining and entertainment can be found in the nearby Woodrow Wilson Plaza. In the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, students of international trade are welcome to peruse a variety of onsite learning resources.

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Family Fun

Explore interactive exhibits about disguise, surveillance, threat analysis, and more at the International Spy Museum (800 F Street, NW; 202-393-7798; www.spymuseum.org), where the world's largest collection of international espionage artifacts appear for public display. The museum's programs chronicle the history of spying up to the present through a variety of lectures, symposiums, screenings, and family-friendly events. Learn about agent recruitment and living undercover, decipher top-secret codes, test your skill with the essential spy gadgets, and more. Museum operating hours vary; visit the website for more details.

The Discovery Theater (1100 Jefferson Dr., SW, S. Dillon Ripley Center; 202-633-8700; www.discoverytheater.org), located in the Ripley Center on the National Mall, specializes in live performing arts for young people. More than 300 performances of 30 different programs are produced annually in a variety of forms and topics that include music, storytelling, puppets, dancers, actors, musicians, and mimes all presenting classic stories for children. All shows take place Monday through Friday at 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Single ticket prices are $6 for adults and $4 for children, and patrons should check-in at the box office 15 minutes prior to show time.

A relaxing change of pace can be found slightly below sea level in the basement of the U.S. Department of Commerce Building. The National Aquarium (14th St. between Pennsylvania Ave. and Constitution Ave., NW; 202-482-2825; www.nationalaquarium.com) is the oldest aquarium in the country, having first arrived in 1889. The aquarium contains 50 tanks displaying more than 200 species of salt and fresh water fish. Daily events include animal keeper talks and animal feedings. Special events such as Shark Day and Reptile Day take place throughout the year. The National Aquarium is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. General admission is $5, or $4 for seniors and military personnel, $2 for children (ages two to ten), and children under the age of two are admitted free.

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Cultural Arts

The nation's capital is more than just a mass of marble. There is an active cultural community in D.C. with special exhibits spanning the arts, history and science, plus a performing arts segment that rivals that of New York City in number of theater seats.

The Smithsonian Institution (202-357-2700; www.si.edu), located on the National Mall, is the world's largest museum and research complex, featuring 18 museums and galleries and the National Zoological Park. The total number of objects, works of art and specimens at the Smithsonian is estimated at 143.7 million. The Smithsonian Institution Building, commonly known as the "Castle," is the symbolic standout of the Smithsonian's first home and the oldest of the museums. It is a Norman-style red sandstone building which houses the administration offices of the Institution as well as a visitor's center, an orientation theater, scale models of Washington's monumental core, interactive touch-screen programs and electronic wall maps, plus multilingual information and assistance. Open daily 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. except December 25, admission to all Smithsonian museums in Washington D.C. is free. Walk-in tours and group tours are also available. Call (202) 633-1000 for more information.

A block away from the U.S. Capitol lays a striking Art Deco building that houses the world's largest collection of early Shakespeare plays. Opened in 1932, the Folger Shakespeare Library (201 E. Capitol St., SE; 202-544-4600; www.folger.edu) features a collection of more than 275,000 items including rare Renaissance books, paintings, musical instruments, costumes, and films. It is a center for scholars as well as public activities. The Shakespeare Gallery welcomes visitors with a 17-minute video wrought with Shakespearian film scenes. Nearby, exhibitions are presented in the Great Hall where material from the library's vast collections is continually displayed. The 250-seat Elizabethan Theater is the site for numerous plays, concerts, poetry readings, and family programs. The Library and Great Hall are open Monday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and free tours are available at select times.

Presenting plays and musicals that highlight family values and celebrate the character of America's cultural heritage, Ford's Theatre (511 10th St., NW; 202-347-4833; www.fordstheatre.org) stands proudly as a living tribute to Abraham Lincoln's love of the performing arts. On the fateful evening of April 14, 1865, President Lincoln was in attendance for Our American Cousin when John Wilkes Booth fired a shot that shocked the nation and shut down a landmark. Nearly a hundred years later, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a Congressional act to restore the theater, which reopened in 1968. With productions taking place from September through June, Ford's is both a working theater and a historical monument open to the public. Free self-guided tours are available from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, but visitors are advised to check the schedule in advance by calling (202) 426-6924.

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Sports/Recreation

Every year millions of visitors come to hike or bike the C&O Canal (1850 Dual Hgwy., #100; Hagerstown, MD; 301-739-4200; www.nps.gov/choh) to enjoy the natural, cultural and recreational opportunities. The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal stretches 184.5 miles from Georgetown to Cumberland, Maryland. Ranger-led programs and Canal boat trips are available April through October, and wide towpaths that run alongside local towns with scenic views of the Potomac are open to bikers, joggers and hikers. Serving as a primary transport route for coal in the early stages of the nation's history up to the early 20th century, hundreds of the canal's original structures serve as reminders of its initial significance. A variety of special events take place throughout the year. Admission is $5 per car, or $3 for walk-ups and cyclists. Additional fees may apply depending on group size and/or vehicle type.

Known locally as the "Best Drive off I-95," the Cross Creek Golf Club (12800 Bay Hill Dr., Beltsville, MD; 301-595-8901; www.crosscreekgolfclub.net) offers 18-hole championship golfing in the heart of the Baltimore/Washington corridor amidst a naturally forested and challenging landscape. Located in a quiet residential community, the course is carefully laid out to provide a balance with the area's environmental beauty among its numerous creeks, ponds and elevation changes, with a unique design that's more akin to the spirit of the Southwest than the lowlands of Maryland. The Clubhouse offers an outdoor patio for dining or cocktails along with a scenic view of the course.

Enjoy a family outing and soak up some sun in your own pedal boat from Tidal Basin Pedal Boats (Ohio Dr. & Tidal Basin, NW; 202-479-2426; www.tidalbasinpeddleboats.com). View magnificent landmarks and scenic landscapes like the Jefferson Memorial and Washington Monument or the beautiful Japanese Cherry Trees right from the water. Hours of operation are weekly from February through mid-October from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Prices are $8 per hour for a two-passenger boat and $16 for a four-passenger boat. At least one passenger has to be at least 16 years of age.

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Accommodations

From historic luxury hotels and charming inns to family-friendly hotels from national brands, Washington, D.C.'s ever growing hotel inventory is certain to meet the needs of every traveler.

Located in the heart of Washington, D.C.'s most fashionable district, The Georgetown Inn (1310 Wisconsin Ave., NW; 202-333-8900; www.georgetowncollection.com) is within easy reach of world-class shopping, dining and entertainment, This European boutique-styled property offers easy access to all of the city's monuments, museums, theaters, and main transportation arteries. A relaxing stroll along the historic C&O Canal is only moments away. Since 1961, The Georgetown Inn has been recognized among the finest in Georgetown, providing accommodations to guests such as the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. It features 96 guest rooms and ten deluxe suites with per night prices starting at $119 and $219, respectively.

The Jefferson - Washington, D.C. (1200 16th St., NW; 202-347-2200; www.thejeffersonwashingtondc.com) is an intimate, eight-story, 100-room luxury hotel centrally located in the heart of the nation's capital, just four blocks from the White house. Rich in old-world accents and historic details, the hotel's interior design features elegant antiques that meld a stately setting with timeless comfort. The Jefferson is also home to an exceptional collection of American art and rare documents signed by Jefferson on display. The AAA-rated Four-Diamond award winning property also features the Zagat-rated Jefferson Restaurant and presidential style lounge suitably attired for a 17th-century Founding Father. Standard room rates begin at $209 per night and $419 for suites.

Known as the "Crown Jewel of Pennsylvania Avenue" as characterized by its majestic columns and artful mosaics, the Willard InterContinental Washington (1401 Pennsylvania Ave., NW; 202-628-9100; http://washington.intercontinental.com) combines heritage and luxury with modern comfort. The AAA-rated Four-Diamond hotel offers 334 guest rooms, including 40 suites, nearly 20,000 square feet of function space, the elegant Willard Room restaurant, the European-flavored Café 1401 and the historic Round Robin Bar, where Henry Clay first introduced the city to the mint julep. The hotel is within walking distance to several Washington theater districts and sightseeing attractions. Room rates begin at $349 per night for standard, $700 for deluxe and $850 for suites.

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Shopping

Upscale boutiques, cozy antiques shops and vibrant outdoor markets abound in Washington, D.C.'s neighborhoods. From great malls in Georgetown to Bohemian shopping in Adams Morgan and world-famous outlet complexes, Washington, D.C. is truly a shopper's paradise.

The Shops at Georgetown Park (3222 M Street, NW; 202-298-5577) is a Victorian-style shopping center housing more than 100 shops and boutiques. Built in the 1800s, this historic site once held horse-drawn omnibuses and was later used for servicing electric streetcars and trolleys. Today, shoppers will find a number of unique specialty stores that include Eurasia Imports, Clyde's of Georgetown, Chesapeake Knife and Tool, and the White House/Black Market, which specializes in women's fashions. Visitors can also explore the Georgetown Park History Museum to get a further glimpse into the past of this once thriving colonial port's charming heritage.

Looking beyond the intersection of Wisconsin Ave and M St., NW, shoppers will find block after block of clothing boutiques, antiques dealers, galleries, gourmet-food shops, bookstores, and salons. Although the neighborhood is swank, many stores are moderately priced to attract tourists and Georgetown University students.

The National Mall is as much a shopping destination as a sightseeing one. All the museums here-even the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum-operate gift and souvenir shops. Federal agencies on the Mall's fringes also have shops, which sell publications and souvenirs related to their functions. Don't miss the vendor carts that set up on the Mall's fringes along Constitution and Independence avenues, especially if you are looking for any D.C.-related articles.

The main drag of the Adams-Morgan area, on 18th St., NW, is lined with old townhouses where shoppers will find vintage and modern clothing boutiques, music stores, and funky thrift shops full of retro treasures. Ethnic markets and omnibus discount stores yield votive candles, frilly dresses, housewares, Latin food items, and even CDs and videos. The New U area, around U and 14th streets, NW, has a much smaller but similar collection of shops, several of which specialize in African items such as masks and wooden carvings.

Arundel Mills (7000 Arundel Mills Cir., Hanover, MD; 410-540-5100; www.arundelmills.com) is the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. area's ultimate shopping, dining and entertainment destination, featuring more than 225 specialty retailers, a variety of theme and casual dining restaurants, and cutting-edge entertainment venues including the Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament. Operating hours are Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

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Nightlife

Although the capital has plenty of classical music, D.C.'s music scene really thrives in bars and clubs. Washingtonians have long had a love affair with jazz and blues, but in this most international of American cities, you'll also find abundant places to groove to reggae, salsa, African beats, and world-music fusion.

Two downtown bars offer elegant settings in which to relax for a drink and some evening entertainment. 701 Pennsylvania Avenue Restaurant & Bar (701 Pennsylvania Ave., NW; 202-393-0701; www.701restaurant.com), is a caviar and champagne lounge that features arabesque banquettes within a plush yet subtle room lent to fine dining and a soothing atmosphere set to live piano music every day of the week. Butlers (1000 H Street, NW; 202-582-1234; http://grandwashington.hyatt.com), in the Grand Hyatt, mixes liveliness with sophistication. Replicas of 1920s memorabilia set the scene while jazz concerts are played on the plasma screen TVs and a selection of more than 100 designer martinis are available. Open until 1:00 a.m. Monday to Friday, call in advance for Saturday schedule.

John Harvard's Brew House (Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Metro Federal Triangle; 202-783-2739; www.johnharvards.com), just south of the Warner Theatre entrance, features stained-glass pictures of JFK and Teddy Roosevelt crowned as saints to greet visitors at the entrance. Downstairs, the low-ceilinged room draws a mixture of tourist families, sports fans and the pre-theater crowd. It's a cheerful place conveniently close to the Mall-stop for a cooling homebrew in summer or Irish coffee in winter. Open Monday to Thursday until 11:00 p.m., midnight on Friday and Saturday and 10:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Georgetown's preeminent jazz and blues club, Blues Alley (1073 Rear Wisconsin Ave., NW; 202-337-4141; www.bluesalley.com) sits in a modest brick building in an alley off Wisconsin. This elegant, candlelit supper club has attracted such artists as Ahmad Jamal, Nancy Wilson, Wynton Marsalis, and the late Dizzy Gillespie. A $10 minimum per person purchase from Blues Alley's New Orleans and Creole-influenced menu is required. That, coupled with a $25 to $35 range in ticket prices, can make Blues Alley an expensive evening out, but the food and music makes it worthwhile. Open until 12.30 a.m. daily.

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Travel Info

Metrorail and Metrobus provide the safest and most efficient way of getting around Washington, D.C. and the metropolitan area. Five rail lines and an extensive bus system connect the District with the Maryland and Virginia suburbs. Route maps are posted at each station and inside each subway car. For the Metrobus, a Regional One Day Pass is $3 and a weekly is $11. For Metrorail, a one-day pass is $6.50 or $22 for the 7-Day Short Trip Pass. For more information including schedules for connecting Metrobus service, locations of Metro sales offices and other public transportation call Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority at (202) 637-7000 or visit www.metroopensdoors.com.

A service of the Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington in partnership with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the TICKETplace (407 Seventh St., NW, between D and E streets; 202-TIC-KETS; http://ticketplace.tranguard.com) is Washington's only authorized discounted ticket outlet for arts organizations. TICKETplace is open Tuesday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Online sales are available Tuesday through Friday from noon to 4:00 p.m. Service charges do apply varying from point of purchase, and tickets for events are sold on a first come first served basis.

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Fast Facts

The Smithsonian Institution is often referred to as "The Nation's Attic," with exhibits ranging from a 3.5 billion-year-old fossil to the ruby slippers actress Judy Garland wore in The Wizard of Oz.

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Links

Explore D.C.

Things to Do in Washington D.C.

Official Tourism Guide of Washington D.C.

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A "Photographer's Life" on Display at the Corcoran

The Corcoran Gallery of Art is now featuring an international touring exhibition of works by celebrated photographer Annie Leibovitz. This special exhibition, Annie Leibovitz: A Photographer's Life, 1990-2005 includes more than 200 photographs featuring well-known work made on editorial assignment, as well as personal photographs of her family and close friends. Highlights include many of Leibovitz's best-known portraits of public figures, including actors such as Jamie Foxx, Nicole Kidman and Brad Pitt; athletes preparing for the 1996 Olympic Games; and George W. Bush with members of his Cabinet at the White House.

In addition, the artist has photographed landscpaes from the American West, the Jordanian desert and the wilds of upstate New York, which are also prominently displayed. Annie Leibovitz: A Photographer's Life, 1990-2005 will be on view through January 13, 2008. Tickets to the exhibition are $14 for adults, $12 for seniors/military and $10 for students. Exhibition ticket prices include Annie Leibovitz, Ansel Adams and general admission. Additional information can be obtained at www.corcoran.org.

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