Washington D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington,is the capital of the United States.
The capital city named after George Washington was founded in 1791 to the east of a preexisting settlement at Georgetown. In 1871, the City of Washington, Georgetown, and other outlying areas were combined under a single, unified government, which formed Washington D.C. as it exists today. The city shares its name with the U.S. state of Washington located on the country's Pacific coast.
Washington D.C. is located on the north bank of the Potomac River and is bordered by the states of Virginia to the southwest and Maryland to the other sides.
The centers of all three branches of the U.S. federal government are located in the District, as are many of the nation's monuments and museums.
Visit the President - (well, his house anyway)
The most popular attraction in D.C. includes free guided tours of the house. Don’t expect to meet the president himself while you visit but you may be able to catch a glimpse of him at times. Beware that this attraction will likely have a long line, even first thing in the morning. But don’t let that stop you from going, this is definitely one stop you won’t want to pass up.
Arlington National Cemetery
Many war veterans rest here as well as President John F. Kennedy along with his wife Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and their two children, and brother Bobby nearby. JFK’s grave is marked with an eternal flame. Nearby you can find the Tomb of the Unknown soldier and join the other many visitors that watch the guard change at regular intervals throughout the day.
Enjoy a Monumental Vacation
You can sightsee for free and walk around to see the many memorials of DC such as the Washington monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Vietnam Memorial. Most of the monuments are within a short walk of each other and are near the reflecting pool of the Mall.
The Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
These gardens are the last natural marsh in Washington DC. These ponds along the Anacostia River are home to many beautiful blooms among the water and is also home to dozens of species of birds. The Gardens have thousands of water plants and flowers, and it is free of charge to visit.
Stroll in Georgetown
Georgetown is popular, trendy and pricey, but it is also a very beautiful area to stroll down the streets and have lunch at a sidewalk cafe. Window shopping won’t cost you anything but can give you a lot of ideas on the latest of everything from clothing to house wares. If you want to get away from the bustling main street, just turn down one of the side streets for a more quiet stroll among the beautiful old mansions and town homes of the elite and rich.
