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Politics, culture, history and family attractions combine to form a perfect vacation package in Washington D.C., so why not book a getaway to America's capital for your next trip? On one hand, Washington is a place to get in touch with history and the roots of democracy. Spend a few days on the Mall visiting Washington's huge array of memorials and shrines to political giants like Abraham Lincoln, inspirational heroes like Martin Luther King Jr and those who sacrificed their lives during the Vietnam War. Plan in advance, and you can even enjoy a magical tour around the White House - a once in a lifetime experience. On the other hand, Washington D.C. offers plenty for thrill seekers and entertainment lovers. Watch NFL, Major League, NBA or NHL matches. Catch a music performance at the Kennedy Center. Visit the fantastic zoo or hop between gourmet restaurants from every part of the world. Such a unique blend of history, politics and vacation attractions makes Washington D.C. a superb destination for families, couples and solo travelers, so if you haven't visited, now's the time to do so.
Washington D.C. is one of the most important cities on the planet for one single reason: it's the seat of the U.S. Federal Government. If you want to see how politics is done, tours of the White House or Capitol Hill are a must.
Since its founding in 1801, Washington D.C. has seen a lot of history - from the savagery of the Civil War to the Great Depression and the Civil Rights era. You can get a great sense of how America has developed by touring attractions like the Lincoln Memorial, Ford's Theater and the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial. If history is your passion, a visit to Washington D.C. will be utterly fascinating.
Modern Washington isn't just a political center. It's also a major hub for arts and culture, mainly due to the vast Smithsonian Institution. You could spend days touring its 19 museums, which include the superb National Air and Space Museum, but don't neglect other institutions, like the quirky and fun Spy Museum or the Newseum, dedicated to the business of newspapers.
One of the benefits of hosting visitors from all over the world has been that Washington has developed a wonderfully cosmopolitan food culture. Dine at high-class Ethiopian restaurants like Dukem, try the Brazilian dishes at Texas de Brazil, enjoy authentic curries at Rasika or go for down-home country cooking at Southern Efficiency. Whatever you want, you'll find it in D.C.
Sports fans can also find something to love when they visit Washington D.C. There's NFL action when the Redskins are in town, while the Nationals compete in Major League Baseball, the Wizards play in the NBA and the Capitals in the NHL - so every major sport is covered.
Public transportation in Washington is provided by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, and options include MetroRail, MetroBuses and circulator buses which serve the major attractions (and cost just $1 for a single ride). The Metro is usually the best way to get around. Tickets cost $1.75 during off-peak periods and $2.15 at peak times, but day and week passes are also available and offer major savings. Visitors need to know that all Metro riders need to purchase a SmartTrip Card, which can be obtained from stations in the D.C. Metro area.
If you don't have a vehicle of your own, taxis are a good way to avoid long walks between attractions. Taxi rates in Washington D.C. start with a basic charge of $3 and then charge $2.16 for every subsequent mile. However, getting around Washington is even cheaper with Uber, who charge a meter drop of $1.15, then around $1 per mile, with a minimum fare of $6.35.
Renting a car isn't usually the best option in Washington D.C. (unless you are staying in an outlying suburb). That's because the major attractions are all located in the same neighborhood and parking at different locations isn't generally practical. The city also tends to experience heavy rush hour traffic, making Washington an awkward city to navigate by car.
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