See what the experts are saying about Washington. Get expert advice on how to get there what to see and more.
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The best websites
www.bnbaccom.com: For those who prefer to stay in a private home, guesthouse, inn, or furnished apartment, this service offers more than 30 for you to consider. www.bwiairport.com: Ground transport, terminal maps, flight status, and airpor... Continue reading »
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Planning a trip
Sure, the devil's in the details, but so is delight. Read this guide to confirm that you've thought of everything as you prepare for your trip, and to allow anticipation to take hold. As you find yourself thinking about attending an event tha... Continue reading »
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Fast facts
American Express -- There's an American Express Travel Service office at 1501 K St. NW, entrance on 15th St. (tel. 202/457-1300). Area Codes -- Within the District of Columbia, it's 202. In suburban Virginia, it's 703. In suburban Maryland... Continue reading »
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Visitor information
Before you leave, contact the Washington, D.C. Convention and Tourism Corporation (WCTC), 901 7th St. NW, 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20001-3719 (tel. 800/422-8644 or 202/789-7000; www.washington.org), and ask for a free copy of the Washington,... Continue reading »
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When to go
The city's peak seasons generally coincide with two activities: the sessions of Congress and springtime -- starting with the appearance of the cherry blossoms along the Potomac. Specifically, from about the second week in September until Than... Continue reading »
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Calendar of events
Washington's most popular annual events are the Cherry Blossom Festival in spring, the Fourth of July celebration in summer, and the lighting of the National Christmas Tree in winter. But some sort of special event occurs almost daily. For th... Continue reading »
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Getting there
By Plane Domestic Airlines -- Domestic airlines with scheduled flights into all three of Washington, D.C.'s airports -- Washington Dulles International (IAD), Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA), and Baltimore-Washington International... Continue reading »
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Getting into town
Each of the three airports offers similar options for getting into the city. Follow the signs to "ground transportation" and look for the banners or a staff representative of the service you desire. All three airports could really use better... Continue reading »
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Escorted & package tours
Packages for the Independent Traveler Package tours are simply a way to buy the airfare, accommodations, and other elements of your trip (such as car rentals, airport transfers, and sometimes even activities) at the same time and often at... Continue reading »
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Health & insurance
Travel Insurance The cost of travel insurance varies widely, depending on the cost and length of your trip, your age and health, and the type of trip you're taking, but expect to pay between 5% and 8% of the vacation itself. You can get es... Continue reading »
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Money
Anyone who travels to the nation's capital expecting bargains is in for a rude awakening, especially when it comes to lodging. Less expensive than New York and London, Washington, D.C.'s hotel rates, nevertheless, average a hefty $186 per roo... Continue reading »
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Entry requirements
Passports For an up-to-date, country-by-country listing of passport requirements around the world, go to the "Foreign Entry Requirement" website of the U.S. State Department at http://travel.state.gov. International visitors can obtain a v... Continue reading »
Washington Travel Experiences
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Washington DC
We arrived in Washington DC at 7am after a 9 hour train journey. We both managed to get about 5 hours sleep each which was a bit surprisi... Continue reading »
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A Crazy Finish To Go With My Crazy Start!!
Anyone who read my first two entries knows I didn't have the easiest time getting over to Europe well the return was even worse!I, of cou... Continue reading »
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The Smithsonian and other museums etc.
Today we went our separate ways to take in the museums which interested us personally.Jane - I started with the Native American Museum.&n... Continue reading »
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Inauguration
It takes more than one day to put together all the impressions from the Inauguration Day. My impressions of the magnitude of the very imp... Continue reading »
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Washington DC - A Scrooge's paradise!
What a town! We haven’t had this many free things to do since we lived in Canberra! Actually Washington reminded me a lot of the ACT in m... Continue reading »
Popular Washington Hotels
- The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C.
- Willard InterContinental Washington
- Sofitel Lafayette Square Washington DC
- Embassy Suites Washington D.C. - at the Chevy Chase Pavilion
- The Fairmont Washington DC
- The St. Regis Washington, D.C.
- Homewood Washington DC Downtown
- Embassy Suites Washington D.C. - Convention Center
- Hampton Inn Washington, Dc
- The Hotel George - a Kimpton Hotel
