Washington D.C.

Proudly patriotic, America's historic capital and political centre is a beautiful city of tree-lined avenues, 19th-century buildings, museums and galleries.

Getting around

You will find most major attractions are within easy walking distance of one another. The public transport system is impressive, with a clean and efficient Metro service. Greyhound routes cover most of the city, making travel by bus a good alternative option, and taxis are not too expensive.

Must sees

• Capitol Hill
• Smithsonian Institution
• The White House
• Lincoln Memorial
• FBI Headquarters

Must buys

Shopping is fun in Washington as there are lots of speciality shops (you could even buy authentic FBI memorabilia) as well as a good choice of malls. There are also plenty of quaint boutiques where you should be able to find personal gifts. The Air and Space Museum is good for children's toys, and if you want traditional American-themed bits and pieces, the Museum of American History is ideal. The mall of Georgetown Park sells everything you could possibly want and the Eastern Market is great for fresh produce, flowers and crafts.

Must tries

Look for regional specialities such as Atlantic flounder and Chesapeake Bay blue crabs. Seventh Street and Dupont Circle are known for their quality food, while the sushi happy hour at Café Asia offers good value. For those who enjoy a good beer, the Brickseller at Dupont Circle is a must with over 800 brews. If you're looking for evening entertainment, the city's concert and theatre life is very impressive and the National Symphony Orchestra's season runs from September to May. You'll find the hottest nightlife in Georgetown and Adams Morgan - these busy neighbourhoods have all the best pubs and clubs.

*Please note
If you are travelling to the USA on or after 12^th January 2009, we have very important information from US passport control regarding new entry requirements that you MUST read.  See our USA - Electronic System for Travel Authorisation web page for more details.