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Welcome to Washington DC

Washington, DC - the District of Columbia

The capital of the United States, Washington, DC – or DC as the locals call it – is not a state at all but rather the District of Columbia. Monuments and memorials, eclectic neighborhoods, true local flavor – Washington, DC is a place unlike any other. It’s your home away from home with free museums and America’s front yard.

Let’s face it. Many people think DC starts and ends with the federal government, but this city has so much more – and it’s at the top of its game. Michelin-starred masterpieces. Pre-Broadway premieres. Hands-on history. Find out what the District is really all about.

The capital of the United States, Washington, DC – or DC as the locals call it - is not a State at all but rather the District of Columbia.
It is located on the East Coast of the country, with New York City only a 3-hour journey away by train – city center to city center - and only 1.5 hours away from Philadelphia, making it a perfect East Coast USA multi city trip.
The city is only 15 x 15 Km and is shaped like a diamond, surrounded by the States of Virginia and Maryland. The proximity of these states allows for visitors to plan day trips to experience everything from the Shenandoah Mountains or wineries of Virginia to the beaches and blue crabs of Maryland.
Close to 800k people reside in DC. Most of these residents are between the ages of 25 and 40 and an increasing number are starting families. The city is truly vibrant and energetic every day of the week.

Neighborhoods of DC

Locals know the difference between Washington and DC. The latter is a city made up of neighborhoods, where people live and visit, where restaurants and pubs buzz, where cabs are hailed, hotels are busy and friends laugh. No politics. No power plays. No problem. There’s so much to love about each one of DC’s neighborhoods.

A few worth mentioning are in coming slides:

Georgetown

This is the oldest area of the city and was once an independent town before Washington DC was established.

Georgetown is a beautiful area with stately homes and picturesque cobblestone streets. Visitors should spend some time wandering the area for a glimpse of life during the revolutionary and civil war eras.

M Street in the center of Georgetown is famous for shopping, with everything from high-street name brands to small boutiques and independent fine art galleries.

Sweet lovers can’t miss one of the areas cupcake stores, the most famous being Georgetown Cupcakes, but be prepared for a queue.

Located on the Potomac River, Georgetown is also a beautiful place for waterfront dining, as well as water sports like kayaking and paddleboarding.

The Georgetown pier is also a stopping point for the Water Taxi, which transports passengers to the Wharf.

The Wharf DC/Southwest Waterfront

This is the newest as well as one of the most popular areas in DC.

As its name suggests, the Wharf sits on the water of the Potomac River. It is just 4 blocks from the National Mall and can be reached by the Southwest Shuttle, which runs between the two, stopping along the way at the International Spy Museum. The shuttle is free and takes just about 10 minutes.

The Wharf is home to the Maine Avenue Fish Market, which is the longest continuously running seafood market in the United States. Visitors can buy from there directly to eat outside or stop into one of the high-end restaurants lining the Wharf. Fresh crabs and crab cakes are the most popular choices, but you can find a range of delicious seafood options.

The water taxi runs from one of the Wharf’s 4 public piers, heading both up north to Georgetown and down south to Old Town Alexandria and Mount Vernon in Virginia and to National Harbor in Maryland.

Adams Morgan

This culturally diverse neighborhood is known for its nightlife and eclectic dining scene.

One of the most popular nightspots is Madam’s Organ, which is unique to say the least. This blue’s bar is a great starting point to discover DC’s diverse nightlife scene.

Walking around Adam’s Morgan (or AdMo as its known by locals), you’ll find historic row houses, some painted bright colors or covered in murals, as well as a variety of independently owned stores.

On AdMo’s Eastern border is Meridian Hill Park, known for its drum circle each warm-weathered weekend.

To the west is Rock Creek Park and the National Zoo, which are both free to enter and explore

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