Think BIG in Washington – as soon as you arrive in DC, 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 DC is, above all, a trendy and international town.
US Dollar $1 = 100 cents
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Publications:
The Washington Post
The Washington City Paper
On Tap (free)
Georgetown Independent
General opening hours for shops are 10am - 7pm/9pm Monday-Saturday. Noon - 5pm/6pm Sunday. Some shops are closed on Sundays.
601,800
DC Chamber of Commerce Information Center
Address: 506 9th Street
NW Washington, DC 20004
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8.30am-5.30pm, closed on Saturday and Sunday.
The City
Washington is a city of contrasts. While it might be best recognized in its political role, DC wants the world to know that it has much more to offer than governmental gossip and diplomatic deals. Divided into districts, each neighbourhood represents another distinct feature that adds to the diverse characteristics 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, DC can cater to them, be it French, American or Ethiopian. Spread out across the city, all the choices are on offer. Additionally, one of the key aspects of Washington, DC is that, despite being crammed with different tastes, smells, sights and sounds, it is not claustrophobic. DC’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.
Do & See
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
National Air and Space Museum
National Gallery of Art
The Mall/Monuments
National Museum of American History
United States Capitol
Arlington National Cemetery
Library of Congress
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
United States Botanic Garden
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Washington National Cathedral
Georgetown
Supreme Court
Jefferson Memorial
Washington Monument
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
The U.S. National Archives
Rock Creek Park
National Zoological Park
Lincoln Memorial & Reflecting Pool
Dining
Regarded as one of the culinary capitals of the world, Washington 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 6pm-11pm and tips of at least 15 percent are expected. It’s advisable to book ahead for popular places, especially on weekends.
Pizzeria Paradiso
Bistrot Lepic
Komi
Blue Duck Tavern
Pearl Dive Oyster Palace
Minibar by José Andrés
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
Cafes
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 café culture ensuring there is something for everyone.
Ben’s Chili Bowl
Cascade Café
Café Milano
Market Lunch
Full Kee
Bars & Nightlife
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.
Eden
HEIST
Blues Alley
Barcode
The Loft at 600 F
U Street Music Hall
Barrel
701
McClellan’s Retreat
Kabin Lounge
Clyde's of Georgetown
Simple Bar & Grill
Union Pub
All Souls Bar
Tombs
9:30 Club
Shopping
For a serious shopping spree, Georgetown is probably the most famous area for a bit of retail therapy but many DC neighborhoods have enough boutiques, markets and designer stores to make the city a shopper’s paradise. Malls are generally located in more suburban areas, but their popularity ensures they are easily accessible.
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
Essential Information
Ronald Reagan National Airport
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 machines located at all entrances to the Airport Metrorail station.
SuperShuttle offers door-to-door service and based on demand. For information or to schedule service, call 1-800-BLUEVAN or go to supershuttle.com.
To get in touch with shared ride services, go to the outside curb or contact a SuperShuttle representative. After hours, call 1-800-258-3826 and press 1 for dispatch or 2 for reservations.
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.
Address: Ronald Reagan National Airport
Website: www.metwashairports.com
Washington Dulles International Airport
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.
Travelling to Dulles is easy with Silver Line Express bus service, connecting Dulles International to downtown Washington, D.C. and beyond. You can buy your tickets for the Dulles International Airport Silver Line Express at the ticket counter located inside the vestibule of Door 4 on the Arrivals Level of the Main Terminal.
www.washfly.com
Metrobus Route 5A to and from Washington, D.C. and Rosslyn, VA
Bus operates to and from L'Enfant Plaza, Rosslyn, Herndon-Monroe Park & Ride and Dulles Airport Ground Transportation Curb location 2E.
www.wmata.com
Washington Flyer Shared-Ride Service
You can also choose shared van service to and from points all around the metropolitan region. No reservations required. Go to the Dulles Airport Ground Transportation Centers down the ramps from Arrivals Door no 2 or no 7 or call 1-800-258-3826 (SuperShuttle) / 1-800-590-0000 (Supreme Airport Shuttle).
Washington Flyer Taxi
There is also Taxi service from the airport. No reservations required. Visit the Washington Flyer Taxi counter at the Dulles Airport Ground Transportation Centers down the ramps from Arrivals Door no. 2 or no 7 or call 703-572-TAXI.
Address: Washington Dulles International Airport
Website: www.metwashairports.com
Baltimore-Washington International Airport
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 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.
For more information call 202-637-7000 or go to www.wmata.com.
Amtrak
From Washington, DC:
You can also take Amtrak Train to BWI from Washington's Union Station. You can contact Amtrak Passenger Services at Union Station by calling 202-906-3260 or go to their website www.amtrak.com.
MARC Train
From Washington, DC:
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.
To contact the Union Station ticket office, please call 202-906-3104. MARC Train service operates seven days a week.
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 from charging flat rates. For more information, call 410-859-1100 or visit www.bwiairporttaxi.com.
Address: Baltimore-Washington International Airport
Website: www.bwiairport.com
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.
Website: www.wmata.com
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. Three major taxi companies are:
Diamond
+1 202 387 6200
Yellow
+1 202 544 1212
Capitol
+1 202 636 1600
Phone: +1 202 387 6200
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.
Phone: +1 800 275 8777
Website: www.usps.com
Pharmacy
DC’s major pharmacy chain is CVS. The CVS Dupont Circle is open 24 hours.
Address: 6-7 Dupont Circle, Washington, D.C.
Phone: +1 202 785 1466
Telephone
Country code: +1
Area code: 202
Electricity
US current is 110-115V, 60Hz AC. Outlets accept flat 2-prong or 3-prong grounded plugs.