Washington, DC

The heart of Capital Region USA, Washington, DC is compact but packs a big punch.

Washington, DC is a favourite of visitors sightseeing in the Capital Region. It’s known for being the capital of the USA, but that’s only the beginning: Attractions in DC include famous monuments, captivating museums (many of them free!) and the National Mall, a two-mile-long national park flanked by the U.S. Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial.

The nation’s capital has a booming restaurant scene, diverse neighbourhoods home to people and cultures from around the world, festive annual events and vibrant nightlife. Oh, and a little presidential residence called the White House.

Getting Around

Get a feel for Washington, DC by viewing the map below, and visit this map for a deeper dive into its neighbourhoods.

The best bet for getting around is aboard one of the six Metro lines; you can even reach Virginia and Maryland cities like Alexandria and Silver Spring using the subway system. And after a 50-year hiatus, streetcar service has returned to DC. The route starts behind Union Station and runs along the H Street NE corridor, a newly revitalised area.

Annual Events

Each spring, the National Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the 1912 gift of Japanese cherry trees from Tokyo’s mayor with a parade and other festivities.

In June, the DC Jazz Festival features more than 100 performances at venues across the city.

Throughout the month of May, Passport DC showcases the international diplomatic community via a series of programmes, including two embassy open houses: Around the World Embassy Tour and EU Open House.

Held in Rock Creek Park, the Citi Open Tennis Tournament brings the world’s best men’s and women’s players to town in July/August for nine days of world-class tennis.

And thousands make their way to the H Street Festival, a massive block party featuring live music on multiple stages, art exhibits, local food trucks and more.

What’s New in DC

The Museum of the Bible began recently welcoming visitors, using cutting-edge technology to bring its texts to life.

In 2019, the International Spy Museum relocates eight blocks south to its new and expanded home on L’Enfant Plaza.

Starting with the 2018 season, DC United football team (or soccer as it’s locally known) began hosting fans at its new facility, Audi Field at Buzzard Point.

After nearly half a century, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is undergoing its first-ever major expansion. The end result will see the addition of three pavilions, a reflecting pool and a sloping lawn for outdoor screenings.

In 2020, the anticipated completion of the Metrorail Silver Line extension project will add six new rail stations and provide direct transportation between Washington Dulles International Airport and downtown.