The City

Washington D.C. is a city filled with green parks and open space; well designed by the French architect, Pierre L’Enfant. The city is also home to many grand buildings, historic landmarks, marbled monuments and museums, such as the White House, Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument. Washington also has very interesting neighbourhoods like the Adams-Morgan district with its funky shops and cultural stores. Washington truly is a romantic city, although not all the politician would admit it.

Tourism

Airport

Coordinates: 38°56’45”N 77°27’42”W

The nearest international airport to Washington D.C. is the Washington Dulles International Airport. The airport is situated 40 km west of the central business district of Washington D.C. This airport is served by almost a dozen U.S. carriers and around 24 international carriers. The airlines that serves Dulles Airport offers non-stop services to more than 80 domestic destinations and over 40 international destinations.

Airlines:

The following airlines have regular flights to Washington Dulles International Airport:

• South African Airways (SAA) (form Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban)
• Delta Air Lines (from Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban)

What to see

• U.S. Holocaust Memorial
• National Mall
• Ford’s Theatre
  
• Petersen House
• Library of Congress
• Arlington National Cemetery
• The Pentagon
• Paddleboat Rides at the Tidal Basin
• International Spy Museum
• National Zoo

What to do

• Capital Pride – The 4th largest gay event in the US
• Filmfest DC – The Washington, DC International Film Festival offering more than 100 features, documentaries, short films & special programs
• National Book Festival – An annual book festival held by the Library of Congress with more than 70 authors participating
• Kids Euro Festival – Festival of international performances, music, storytelling, arts and more to the delight of children of all ages
• National Cherry Blossom Festival – Festival celebrating Spring and commemorates the 3 000 cherry trees given to the US by Yukio Ozaki, Tokyo Mayor in 1912
• Washington Auto Show – Auto show featuring more than 700 domestic and imported new cars, trucks, mini-vans and sport utility vehicles

Accommodation

Search over 250 hotels in Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Find a Hotel in Washington, District of Columbia

General Information

Washington is on U.S. Eastern Standard Time and the currency used is the U.S. dollar. Getting around in Washington is fairly easy because the city has an extensive underground metro train system and a bus system. When traveling by car, be sure to have a good map of the city and allow extra time for finding parking and keep a few coins in you pocket for the parking meter. For this reason it is recommended you wear comfortable flat shoes for walking around the city. The city of Washington has heightened security measures after the events of September 11, so allow extra time to pass through metal detectors and bag searches. Don’t carry anything that security might confuse with a weapon such a scissors, pocket knives or pepper spray. Keep a bottle of water with you during the hot summer months, as you can quickly dehydrate while wondering about the city.

Weather

Washington has a pleasant climate. Summers (June to August) are hot and sometimes humid with maximum temperatures in the 30s°C. Autumn (September to November) and spring(March to May) are the best times to visit when the days are nice and calm.