Washington D.C.

Any foreign tourist visiting the United States should certainly make Washington, D.C. part of their trip. The nation's capital is home to both the major federal government buildings and some of the finest and most unusual museums in the country. Having grown from what was once a slow, dull city, Washington has become one of the leading cultural and artistic centers in America.

The heart of D.C. is the Capitol Building. It sits at the geographic center of the city. The more commercial downtown area unfolds north of Capitol Hill and is home to the many lobbyists who make the city hum. The U.S. Congress convenes there, and the building's tall white dome is a worldwide symbol of America's democracy and freedom.

A long, open park called the Mall stretches west of Capitol Hill, all the way to the Potomac River. Memorials to soldiers killed in combat and to the great American presidents Washington and Lincoln stand on its grounds. Along its borders are the museums of the Smithsonian Institute, some of the finest in the world.

After visiting the sights around Capitol Hill and the Mall during the day, tourists will want to head to the neighborhoods northwest of the Mall when they look for fun at night. Adams Morgan has a bohemian, international feel, filled with an eclectic mix of bars and restaurants. Dupont Circle has many expensive shops and residences, and while Georgetown has historic houses, a major university campus, and a large shopping area.