Facts About Washington DC

Washington DC has an earlier acronym, i.e. the District of Columbia. It lies on the Potomac River near Virginia and Maryland. Congress held its first ever session in 1800 here. The city is named after the iconic George Washington, the United States’ First President and Founding Father. Columbia, the nation’s female personification, lends its name to the federal district. Washington DC is the seat for the federal government in the U.S. and several global organizations. 

Here are some facts about Washington DC:

• The Capitol Building owes its design to William Thornton, the British doctor and architect. 
• Irish architect James Hoban designed the White House. 
• Residents of D.C. were only able to vote in Presidential elections from 1961. 
• The Smithsonian gets its name from James Smithson, an Englishman. 
• John Quincy Adams and Herbert Hoover had pet alligators at the White House. 
• D.C. is rainier than even Seattle. 
• Residents here consume more wine (per capita) than people in any of the other States. 
• Darth Vader finds pride of place in the National Cathedral. 
• Several national museums are based in D.C. including the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum. 
• The D.C. Metro is the country’s second-busiest subway network.
• While streets in D.C. are suitably lettered, J Street is absent. 
• The Capitol Building has an empty crypt beneath it where George Washington was supposed to be buried. 

Washington has a diversified and fast-growing economy. The gross product stood at $435 billion for the year 2014, covering the Washington Metropolitan Area. In 2016, GDP per capita touched $160,472. 

Washington D.C. offers access to the Ronald Reagan Washington Airport for domestic flights. International flights access the Dulles International Airport in Fairfax and Loudoun Counties, Virginia. Baltimore/Washington International Airport lies in Anne Arundel County at Maryland. 

Cost of Living in Washington DC 

An average restaurant meal costs anywhere around $15-23 while a mid-range restaurant will charge upwards of $80. A one-way local transportation ticket comes for $2-5 while monthly passes cost $100 approximately. Utilities cost $152.52 every month while monthly rentals hover between $1400-6000. 

Tips for Visiting Washington DC

Here are some tips for visiting Washington DC: 

• Washington DC has a good public transit system including the bus and metro lines. Access them for getting around. 
• The National Mall is slightly longer than you may originally think. Enjoy walking around. 
• The U.S. Capitol Building tours should be booked in advance. Make sure you have passes for viewing the Senate and Congress galleries alike. 
• Do not miss checking out the Library of Congress, housing the biggest book collection in the world. 
• Free tours are available for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Take a free shuttle from the metro station in Foggy Bottom to access the same. 

Things to Do in Washington DC 

Washington DC offers a plethora of things to do for travelers. Here’s taking a look at the same. 

1. What are the most popular things to do in Washington DC? 

The most popular things to do in Washington DC include visiting the Lincoln Memorial, Tidal Basin, Vietnam and Korean war veterans’ memorials and also the Smithsonian National Air and Space museum.

2. What are some free things to do in Washington DC? 

Some free activities include touring the White House and Smithsonian museum along with the cultural arts arena in DC. You can take guided tours on foot while exploring the biggest library in the world and also the U.S. Capitol Building.

3. Does Washington DC have many romantic attractions? 

Romantic attractions for travelers include the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and U.S. Capitol along with the National Gallery of Art, Lincoln Memorial and Library of Congress.

4. What are the most family-friendly things to do in Washington DC? 

Family-friendly attractions in Washington DC include the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. You can also check out the Glen Echo Park and Mount Vernon Trail along with the Rock Creek Park. 

5. What are the more unusual things to do in Washington DC?

Some unusual things to do in Washington DC include viewing live music performances and festivals along with uncovering the artwork scene. Union Market has lovely food stalls while you can check out the Great Falls and the charming trails. There are breweries and beer gardens galore as well.

Places to Visit in Washington DC 

The best places to visit include the following:

• United States Capitol and Capitol Hill - The Capitol houses the Senate and House of Representatives. The massive dome is based upon Rome’s St. Peter’s and the central structure came up between 1793-1812. There is an underground passage going to the Library of Congress, the biggest library in the world. 

• The White House - The White House serves as official residence to the U.S. President. It was built in 1792 by James Hoban and post being destroyed in 1814, was rebuilt once again in the year 1818. Check out the State Dining Room along with the Green, Blue, East and Red Rooms. 

• Lincoln Memorial - The Lincoln Memorial lies along the Mall and next to the Reflecting Pool. The 19-foot statue in marble showcases President Abraham Lincoln and 36 columns. 

• The Washington Monument - The Washington Monument is a spectacular sight. The tower was completed only in 1885. The separate building stages can be viewed through color changes on the stones. An elevator goes till the top for gorgeous views over the city. The circle of 50 American Flags surrounds its base. 

Places to Eat in Washington DC

There are several places to eat in Washington DC for travelers. Try Latin American flavors at Seven Reasons or the tantalizing Bolognese cuisine at Modena. Thamee offers vibrant Burmese picks while CUT by Wolfgang Puck offers high-end dining. Stellina Pizzeria is one of the best pizza joints while Estuary is good for seafood. 

Street Food in Washington DC

There are several street food options in Washington DC. You can try pizza with veggies and calamari, fish in paper cones and even Burmese street food cuisine. Try street food from Trinidad at Cane including hops bread rolls and smoked brisket. You can also enjoy street food at evens like Smorgasburg. Some top joints include Momo Yakitori, Mezcalero Cocina Mexicana, Kuya Ja’s Lechon Belly and Bombay Street Food. 

Shopping in Washington DC 

Shopping is a delightful affair in Washington DC. Georgetown is a great place to shop for its accessories and iconic establishments. Downtown DC is another great shopping spot for its retail choices like Kate Spade, Dior, Hermes, Burberry and a lot more. U Street/14th Street comes with several top stores while Dupont Circle offers joints like Tiny Jewel Box and Proper Topper among others. Chevy Chase and Friendship Heights are two other locations for shopping. 

Transportation in Washington DC

Washington DC has its WMATA metro rapid transit system and Metrobus networks. There is also the DC Circulator bus system linking commercial hubs in central Washington DC. Union Station is the key train station and the second-busiest Amtrak station. There are the Metrorail Red Line and Maryland MARC and Virginia VRE commuter networks. Leading airports include Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Baltimore/Washington International Airport and nearby Dulles International Airport. 

Weather in Washington DC

Washington DC offers pleasant fall and spring seasons which are great times to visit. Summers are hot while winters may be mild with frequent blizzards as well. Visit in spring during the cherry blossom season for a magical experience.