When planning Washington, DC travel some monuments and museums are "must see" attractions, but to get the most out of your Washington, DC travel experience you also have to step off the monument and museum tour and get to know the city itself.
Check out some of the neighborhoods, parks and other places listed below where the people who [i[live in Washington, DC, often go when they have an evening or weekend free.
DuPont Circle
One of the trendiest residential neighborhoods in Washington, DC is also one of the most interesting for travelers. As you stroll the tree-lined streets and take in the historic architecture, stop by the Phillips Collection, one of the best art collections in the Washington, DC, or browse for an hour at Kramerbooks & Afterwords Café, a satisfying combination of literary and culinary delights that will enhance your Washington, DC travel plans.
Georgetown
Established on the banks of the Potomac River in 1751 and named for King George II, Georgetown was later annexed and became part of Washington City in 1871. Home to Washington, DC’s Georgetown University and some of the city's most elegant residences and trendiest shops, clubs and restaurants, Georgetown also straddles the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal and Towpath, a scenic park that features more than 180 miles of hiking and biking trails.
Rock Creek Park
Most people who plan Washington, DC travel drive right through Rock Creek Park without ever really seeing it. Often seen as the inspiration for America’s national parks, Rock Creek Park is a gemlike blend of nature and history in the heart of the nation’s capital. The park covers more than 1,700 acres and includes trails for hiking, bicycling and horseback riding, plus many historic sites, such as the Old Stone House and Pierce Mill.
Eastern Market
For more than a century, Eastern Market has been a neighborhood public market and a gathering place for Capitol Hill residents. From early spring through late fall, the market and surrounding streets are filled with farmers, artisans and artists selling their wares as Washington, DC residents and visitory soak up the ambience of the weekly street festival that Eastern Market has become. Nearby shops add to the fun for Washington, DC travelers.
Thomas Jefferson Building, Library of Congress
One of the most beautiful buildings in Washington, DC, and part of one of the greatest repositories of human knowledge in the world, the Library of Congress Jefferson Building should be on your “must see” list for Washington, DC travel. Just across the street from the U.S. Capitol, and just down the block from the U.S. Supreme Court, the Jefferson also has other neighbors worth a visit during your travels on Capitol Hill, such as the Folger Shakespeare Library, which has great family programs to delight your children or grandchildren, and Washington, DC’s Union Station, the beautifully restored and remodeled train station and retail center.
When to Plan Washington, DC Travel
Spring and autumn are the best times of year to visit Washington, DC. Summers can be unbearably hot and humid, and winters are often too cold for sightseeing, but September and October usually can be counted on for good weather.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is held for two weeks every spring in Washington, DC, between late March and mid-April. If you can catch the flowering trees during the three days when they are at their peak, it is a lovely time to to plan Washington, DC travel.
See the the previous page for Washington, DC travel tips about the museums and monuments you should see in our nation's capitol.
