Washington, District of Columbia City Guide

Nothing beats a Washington DC vacation. With its vibrant neighborhoods, historic landmarks and tourist attractions, exquisite parks, and terrific Washington DC restaurants, a visit to our nation’s capital is a life-changing experience.

Introduction & History
Called “The District,” Washington DC is an exciting town fueled by politics and tourism. The pulsating city center revolves around the Capitol and then spreads out into a variety of distinctive neighborhoods including Adams-Morgan (bohemian and international), Downtown (monuments and business), Dupont Circle (upscale business and residential), Shaw (historically elite residential areas and ghettos) and Georgetown (pristine historic houses, a university and trendy bars). Capitol Hill and the National Mall are where you’ll find the movers and shakers in the political world. Presidential monuments and most branches of the world-famous Smithsonian Institution are located here. For history-lovers and culture fans, Washington DC is filled with world-class museums (the Smithsonian alone includes 15 distinct museums with vast collections of art and artifacts, including the Air and Space Museum and the Museum of American History). Art venues, live music, neighborhood boutiques, fine dining and so much more await you in our Nation’s Capitol.

The history of Washington, D.C. is tied intrinsically to its role as the capital of the United States. The site along the Potomac River was chosen for the capital city by George Washington, and approved by the United States Congress in the 1790 Residence Act.

Slavery was abolished throughout the District on April 16, 1862, though the city remained segregated until the 1950s. The Washington Metro opened in 1976, and gentrification in the late 1990s and 2000s allowed many neighborhoods to revitalize.
Because it is not a state, the District of Columbia still lacks voting rights in Congress.
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