Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as „Washington“, „the District“, or simply „D.C.“, is the capital of the United States. It’s easy to ride the Metro or hop on a bike and explore all that DC has to offer. Walk the halls of free Smithsonian museums, paddle on the Potomac River or sit back on a double-decker tour bus and soak up some history. Local shops, funky marketplaces and people-watching hot spots beckon by midday, as nighttime gives way to multi-course dinners and drinks from local breweries. However you spend your time here, make it count.
The District of Columbia—identical with the city of Washington—is the capital of the United States. It is located between Virginia and Maryland on the Potomac River. The district is named after Columbus.
The federal government and tourism are the mainstays of the city’s economy, and many unions, business, professional, and nonprofit organizations are headquartered there. Among the city’s many educational institutions are the Catholic University of America, Georgetown University, Howard University, and Gallaudet University. Cultural attractions include the National Gallery of Art, the Smithsonian Institution, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and the Folger Shakespeare Library.
With its neoclassical government buildings and broad avenues, Washington, D.C., looks its part as America’s capital. Majestic monuments and memorials pay tribute to notable leaders and great achievements, and merit a visit. But D.C. also lives firmly in the present, and not just politically; new restaurants and bars continually emerge, upping the hipness factor in neighborhoods from Capitol Hill to U Street. Fun museums and tree-shaded parks make it a terrific place for families.