Washington, the name itself traces its origin to America’s first the President George Washington in 1776. It is one of the first places to be formed in the United States of America. Owing to its strategic location and historical importance, the place has turned out to become a hub and center of primacy in the years to come. There are very few people who miss out on visiting Washington on their trip to the United States. Even if you are traveling to Washington DC on a budget, this travel guide will help you sort out things properly.
Best Time To Visit Washington Dc
Dates play a very vital role in deciding the quality of your trip. It is better to choose an offbeat time to plan your trip to Washington. The seasons are always flooded with people. Independence Day celebrations reach its epoch on 2 July. A lot of events and activities are conducted for more than two weeks to mark one of the significant events in America’s history. If you want to see Washington in all its glory, then plan your trip around this time.
Ideal Duration Of Vacation
This is one common question that arises on everyone’s mind as to how many days do they need to allot while visiting Washington DC. If you want to cover only the major tourist spots, then one day is more than enough. But, if you want to get into the real jibe and vibe of Washington, then a 2-day tour itinerary would do a lot of justice. In case, you want to cover the length and breadth of Washington, then 6-7 days are needed.
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How To Reach Washington?
Washington Dulles International Airport has flights operating to major cities of the world. It is one of the biggest and busiest airports. Connectivity is never an issue. But you need to book tickets beforehand as flights to Washington are always full.
Best Places To Visit
These are the places which you should never miss out on your trip to Washington.
1. National Monuments, Memorials and Museums
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Washington Memorial is a 555 feet marble structure dedicated to the country’s first president. There is an elevator which takes the visitors to the top of the monument. It offers a bird’s eye view to the visitors. The entire Washington area appears very tiny from this viewpoint.
There are a lot of museums located very close to each other in Washington. You need not to possess an extensive knowledge about American History to enjoy your time at these museums, for they do not need any explanation and speak for themselves. The best part is that most of the museums do not even charge an admission fee. Only the International Spy Museums charge the visitors a small amount. The Washington DC tour guide is incomplete without covering all the museums in Washington.
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2. Georgetown
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Georgetown is a quaint place in Washington, whose major area is occupied by the University premises. A stroll by the pavements of the campus and kayaking through the river gives a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. It is more or less of a different set up within a particular locale.
3. Government offices
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White House occupies the top place in Washington DC visitors guide. Several trips are arranged to tour around the place, but certain areas’ access is restricted.
Doesn’t the very idea of exploring the world’s top institutions excite you? Pentagon and FBI allow visitors to enter and tour the place to get an image of the big level functioning of the globe’s important activities. You can find this only in Washington and not in any other place in the USA. After Whitehouse, Pentagon and FBI tour should be your priority.
Suggested Read: 10 Museums In Washington DC For An Insight Into The American History
Best Things To Do
Never fail to try out these at this marvelous place. A Washington DC travel guide map will give you a clear picture of the distance between the various places. You can get these maps online, at the airports and even in any decent stationery store in Washington.
1. Metro Hopping And History Rewind
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Metro is one of the viable options to get around. Washington DC travel guide shows that main tourist attractions have a metro station in the vicinity. The roads are always traffic-laden. Moreover, getting your own car and driving around in Washington if you are not accustomed to the place is not an easy task. Before hopping on to any metro, have a look at the map and plan your agenda. Also, buy a metro card and charge some amount of money on it. Look for the nearest station from your place of stay.
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2. Night walks and tours
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Washington appears more gorgeous in the nights than during the day. But it is a bit haunting too. It would definitely prove to be an experience of a lifetime.
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3. Try out the local food
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To tour around with all energy and enthusiasm, try out the lip-smacking local cuisine. Some of the world’s famous food joints have their outlets spread across the major points in the city. Boost your appetite for the best tasting pizzas and burgers at pocket-friendly prices.
Suggested Read: 15 Best Places To Visit In Washington DC In 2022 That Will Take You Back In Time
Best Places To Stay In Washington
A place for stay plays a vital role in making your trip better. This is a handpicked list of 3 best hotels to stay in Washington.
1. Hyatt Place, Washington DC
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This hotel is located close to all important national monuments. Thus, making travel easier. Known for its large rooms and a great view.
Location: 33 New York Avenue NE Washington, D.C., United States
2. Washington Hilton
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This hotel is the top priority for business people. The business etiquettes, banquet halls are the USPs’ of this lavish hotel. Its splendid interior and superb housekeeping service makes this place one of the best to stay in Washington DC.
Location: 1919 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA
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3. Holiday Inn, Washington Capitol
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Visiting Washington with family? Then this is the hotel you need to book. Located near all the major tourist attractions, Holiday Inn is indeed a hotspot.
Location: 550 C St SW, Washington, DC 20024, USA
Currency
Being the capital place, the currency used is USD. So, you need not worry about exchanging your national currency for USD. Both government and private forex are reliable in Washington.
What To Pack For Washington DC?
Remember these while packing for your trip.
- Summers and Winters are not too harsh in Washington. So, you need not to pack heavy clothes to keep yourself warm.
- Carry a handbag with you to keep the essentials like passport, visa, a major chunk of cash, credit and debit cards and other valuables.
- It is never advised to carry a lot of cash. Well, known bank credit cards are accepted in Washington. In case, your card is not valid, then the ATMs’ come to the rescue.
Further Read: Nightlife In Washington DC: 9 Best Places To Go Crazy & Wild Like Never Before!
So after having this guide in hand, are you ready to go and explore the best sights of this USA capital? If you cannot wait and hold your excitement, then pack your bags and customize your USA holiday with TravelTriangle to enjoy the best of this much-waited getaway!
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Exploring new places and trying out new food cuisines are two things that bring Seema all the happiness. Travel freak and a die-hard foodie are the synonyms that define her the best. Popular on social media by the name of ‘PandaReviewz’, lazing around the beaches, exploiting the sunset points, visiting the farthermost villages, exploring the renowned cities, trying out new food cuisines, and blogging about them are few things that keep Seema occupied, and happy!
