District of Columbia Vacations

The District of Columbia and Washington D.C. are literally one and the same. The District of Columbia is a self-contained territory bordered by Maryland and Virginia.

Initially, Washington was a city within the boundaries of the District of Columbia. It later merged into District of Columbia in the year 1871. The area is still referred to as Washington D.C. and serves as the capital of the United States. The United States government shifted their headquarters to Washington D.C. in 1800.

There are many things to do in the District of Columbia and most of them are either free or quite inexpensive. The National Museum of the American Indian offers free dance and storytelling festivals. The National Zoo and the National Museum of Natural History are popular cultural hangouts for families and sightseers. Equally interesting are the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and the National Museum of American History.

The District of Columbia offers fine dining at budget prices, with popular spots like Ben's Chili Bowl, a favorite of Bill Cosby and offers meals for less than $5. The city is fairly large in size and hence, if you are visiting Washington D.C., it is advisable that you choose your accommodation close to the attractions you want to visit.

Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. is a wonderful, exciting and memorable place to visit. Almost all parts of the city reflect the culture and tradition of the place and help the tourist to get a sense of the history of the nation. You can embark on tours to the White House, the Capitol Hill, where Congress is located, or even to the Pentagon. There are a large number of national monuments found in Washington D.C., and the Smithsonian museums, in particular, catch the attention of visitors to the place.

If you have a fascination for books, drop into the Library of Congress, which is in fact a transformation of Thomas Jefferson's original library. A visit to the WWII Memorial is a great choice as you get to see the impressive Lincoln Memorial, the towering Washington Monument, and the crystal clear pool. There are many other historic sites which sprawl over the Washington D.C. area. They include the National Mall, a fine-looking parkland, stretching out for miles and strewn with museums and monuments, the Potomac Park, and the National Arboretum.

To get in touch with history and also pay a tribute to the veterans, visit the Arlington National Cemetery. If you are lucky enough you may get to watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns. The Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Wall is another must-visit.

The Busch Gardens Williamsburg located in the nearby area of Virginia is an ideal place for visitors to while away their day. It costs $59.95 a day for adults to enjoy this popular theme park. The nearby golf center is a recreation centre for golf fans.

Washington D.C. itself is more than interesting and so are its neighborhoods including Downtown, North Central, and West, comprising the area of Georgetown and Upper Northwest and East, comprising Capitol Hill, Brookland-Takoma-Petworth, and Anacostia.

Washington D.C. has one of the best Metrorail subway systems in the country that can easily take you from one attraction to another. However, the most ideal way to experience the history of the city, which is dotted with large monuments, parks, and sites, is on foot. You can always avail the services of the Metrobus system to places the Metrorail system cannot access. Shuttles from the Baltimore/Washington International Airport can take you into D.C. or other nearby destinations at a fare of $3 to $45, depending on the distance.