Washington DC – an urban adventure

What do you need to know about Washington DC

Washington DC, also known as District of Columbia, was founded in 1790 and is the capital of Washington State and of the United States of America. With a population estimated at 617 996 in 2011, Washington DC is one of the most populous cities of the United States attracting approximately 15 million visitors each year, generating income for local companies of around 5.5 billion dollars yearly. Travelling by plane, you can choose between the 3 airports located in DC area: Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). If you choose train as your mean of transportation then you will use Amtrak, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation. In case you travel by car, use interstate highway 495 and other fast expressways or parkways. Public transportation is very well organized and reliable. You can use DC Circulator busses, or Metrorail and Metrobus or you can take a taxi (taxi fares begin at 3 dollars).

Washington DC by day

There are so many things to be seen and done in Washington. You can eat international cuisine plates or local specialties at the over 100 restaurants opened in Washington. You can go shopping to the Union Station Mall in DC or just go downtown using the public transportation and enjoy famous brands and names at Pentagon City Fashion District (metro station Pentagon City), Georgetown Park Mall (metro station Foggy Bottom) or Springfield Mall (metro station Springfield-Franconia). Apart from visiting the White House, you can make a cultural tour at National Air & Space Museum, Smithsonian’s: National Museum of Natural History or National Museum of American History. You can take a walk in Benjamin Banneker Park enjoying the beautiful view of the Potomac River or you can admire the beautiful fountain from Bartholdi Park. If you feel like taking a breath of fresh air and at the same time to have a quick snack, you can go for a picnic in the Constitution Gardens. You will never forget the calmness of the landscape offered by the lake, the island and the green trees guarding the surroundings.

Washington DC by night

In the evening you can go to see a film at the cinema. There are dozens of cinema complexes in Washington DC; here you have some options: Regal Gallery Place Stadium 14, AMC Loews Georgetown 14 or Regal Potomac Yard 16. If you are fond of theatre plays, you can choose between Ford’s Theatre or Olney Theatre Center or Gaithersburg Arts Barn and many others. If you like parties, clubbing is a good idea for you. Have fun at 9:30 Club, Habana Village, Town Danceboutique and many others. If you need to cheer up, go to a comedy club. Laugh is guaranteed at DC Improv – Comedy Club/Restaurant where Jerry Seinfeld, John Leno and Robin Williams have started their career. Capitol Steps is a comedy club where politics and music are excellently combined to create a satiric overview on the current political issues.