Washington DC at a glance
Known for the White House, the Capitol, and the Washington Monument, Washington, the capital of the United States located in the District of Columbia, sits along the banks of the Potomac River. With its wide avenues, imposing white neoclassical buildings, and numerous parks, it is a highly accessible city that welcomes thousands of visitors every year. The climate is humid subtropical, with temperatures that fluctuate significantly throughout the seasons.
Free museums everywhere!
Have you heard of the Smithsonian Institution? It is a giant research and educational organization with a massive budget. Its dozen museums and galleries are treasure troves of knowledge, featuring majestic buildings and deep, well-documented collections. Most are located on the Mall, a 2.2-mile stretch of green space separating the Capitol from the Potomac river.
If you have your head in the clouds and dream of space exploration, head to the National Air and Space Museum (L'Enfant Plaza metro). With 6 million visitors per year, it is a favorite for many travelers.
Fascinated by history and culture? You will find a wealth of information at the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) (Smithsonian or Federal Triangle metro). Inaugurated in 2016, make sure to book your free Timed pass online.
If you prefer contemplating art, the National Gallery of Art (Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter metro) will delight fans of Italian Renaissance paintings and European masters like Leonardo da Vinci, Monet, Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Vermeer, Matisse, Picasso, and Warhol.
Interested in American art? Head to the Smithsonian American Art Museum (Gallery Place metro). The gallery dedicated to American Presidents is also worth a visit.
Looking to enjoy some sun? Take a walk through the zoo (Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan metro). You will find giant pandas, tigers, and an area dedicated to aquatic animals, including otters and sea lions.
The symbol of the world's leading power
From the Washington Monument, plan for a good half-day to complete the circuit of memorials (World War II Memorial, Albert Einstein Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, US Holocaust Memorial Museum). Do not miss the famous 19-foot-tall marble statue inside the Lincoln Memorial.
Want to get a firsthand look at the inner workings of power?
Visit the Capitol (15-minute guided tours only, register at the Visitor Center under the Capitol). Open daily from 8:50 AM to 3:20 PM. A passport is required to pick up your ticket.
You can also experience the Pentagon from the inside, provided you book at least 14 days in advance.
When to go?
Fall and spring are the ideal seasons to visit Washington. If you are on a tight budget, January and February are the least expensive and least crowded months of the year.
How to get there?
Air France, Delta Airlines, and American Airlines offer daily direct flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Washington Dulles. To reach the city center, you can use Super Shuttle or Supreme Shuttle (about $30 for a drop-off where you want) or the Washington Flyer Silver Line Express Bus (about $5 one-way or $8 round-trip, dropping off at the Wiehle-Reston East station on the Silver Line).
Getting around
Walking and the metro are the best ways to get around and see the city. Purchase a SmarTrip card (about $2) and reload it at Passes/Farecards machines. The average price of a trip is about $2.50. Fares are higher during peak hours (5:00 AM to 9:30 AM and 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM). Otherwise, an unlimited daily Metrorail pass costs $14.50, and a weekly pass is $36.
I hurried to visit the American capital before Trump returns to power. Big open spaces, tons of monuments, and seeing the "white house" in person, it really hits you.