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That the marshy swamp where WASHINGTON DC now stands was chosen as the site of the capital of the newly independent United States of America says a lot about then-prevalent attitudes toward government. Washington, District of Columbia (the boundaries of the two are identical) - also known as " DC " and " The District " - can be unbearably hot and humid in summer, and bitterly cold in winter. Such an unpleasant climate, it was hoped, would discourage elected leaders from making government a full-time job. This disdain for politics is still apparent: DC is run as a virtual colony of Congress, where residents have just one, nonvoting representative and couldn't vote in presidential elections until the 23rd Amendment was passed in 1961.
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| Summers can be uncomfortably hot and humid. Winter weather can be blustery and cold, with a few snowstorms per season that somehow bring this Southern city to a standstill. Again, the weather is at its best during the spring and fall seasons. |
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| Washington, D.C. is beautiful all year long, but the best times to visit are during the spring and fall season. In spring, the city's ornamental cherry blossoms are budding, and its many gardens are in bloom. By autumn, most of the summer crowds have left and you can enjoy the sights in peace. If it's the government you want to check out, you might opt for a visit when Congress is in session. |
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Hop the train to Alexandria, one of the oldest cities in America. This historic town (Old Town) is loaded with great shopping, restaurants and eighteenth-century buildings.
Washington, D.C. is just a hop, skip and a jump from Baltimore. You can do some major shopping at Harborplace, visit the Maryland Science Center or Baltimore Aquarium and kick back and enjoy the nightlife along the water. |
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Bottom line: Driving is a nightmare in this capital city. Take the Metro if you can. Parking costs an arm and a leg, assuming you find a place to park, and rush-hour traffic is enough to make you pull your hairs out one by one.
Washington's best-known sights are a short walk--or a short Metro ride--from one another, so you don't need a car if you're here on a sight-seeing excursion.
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) provides Metrorail and Metrobus service in D.C. and the Maryland and Virginia suburbs. The base rail fare is $1.10. The final fare depends on the time of day and the distance you travel. All bus rides within D.C. are $1.10; a $5 Metro Tourist Pass entitles you to one day of unlimited subway travel weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to midnight or all day any weekend or holiday (except July 4).
If you're thinking of taking a cab, just be cautious. Because the cab fares aren't regulated in certain areas, it makes sense to ask what the total fare will be before you jump in. |
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