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Weekly Travel Review

Washington DC - the Capitol

by Contributed - Story: 78471
Jul 30, 2012 / 5:00 am

This year the United States capitol is offering deals galore for tourists thinking of hitting up the historic and monumental city. Check out their official tourism website for seasonal savings and deals:  http://washington.org/


 
Whole you're visiting, check out these top spots:
 
The Smithsonian Museums - The Smithsonian Museums in Washington, DC are world class with a variety of exhibits ranging from insects and meteorites to locomotives and spacecraft. Admission to all of the Smithsonian museums is FREE. Visitors can enjoy examining more than 137 million objects, works of art and specimens as well as participating in guided tours, hands-on-activities and special programs. With 19 museums and galleries, there truly is something for everyone of all ages.
 
Washington Monuments and Memorials - Washington, DC is a city of monuments and memorials. They honour the generals, politicians, poets and statesmen who helped shape their nation. Although the most famous monuments and memorials are on the National Mall, you will find statues and plaques on many street corners around the city. The best way to see all the monuments is to take a sightseeing tour. Many of the monuments are open late at night and their illumination makes night time a memorable time to visit them.
 
The Three Houses of Government - The White House, the Capitol and the Supreme Court are impressive buildings and visiting them will help you understand more about the U.S. government and its history. Plan ahead and talk with your Travel Agent about taking a tour of the three houses of government. The White House is the home and office of the President. At the east end of the National Mall stands the  Capitol Building, the home of the legislative branch of government. Because of increased security, the Capitol is open to the public for guided tours only. The Supreme Court is in session Monday through Wednesday and you can watch a case being argued, tour the building or attend a free lecture about court proceedings and the building’s architecture.
 
Georgetown - Georgetown is a vibrant community with upscale shops, bars and restaurants along its cobblestone streets. Many of the homes along the tree-lined streets are 200 year-old restored row houses with beautiful gardens. Georgetown has many fine restaurants offering a wide range of cuisine from contemporary American to Mediterranean, to French or Latin. The historic neighborhood has a variety of bars and is known as one of Washington DC’s best destinations for dining and nightlife. You’ll find everything from singles hotspots to romantic wine bars to lively gathering places.
 
Mount Vernon - Explore the state of the art galleries and theaters, visit the 500-acre estate of George Washington and his family, tour the 14-room mansion that is beautifully restored and furnished with original objects dating back to the 1740's. Be sure to plan enough time to tour the outbuildings, including the kitchen, slave quarters, smokehouse, coach house and stables. All this located just minutes outside the city. For a unique excursion, take a round trip cruise to Mount Vernon on the Spirit of Washington river cruise boat and enjoy the spectacular scenery along the Potomac River.
 
Old Town Alexandria - Visit colonial houses, public parks, churches, museums, a marina, unique shops, and restaurants. This quaint historic town is located just over the Potomac River from Washington, DC.  Dating back to 1749, Old Town Alexandria is a revitalized waterfront with cobblestone streets. This is a busy tourist area, so start out early and plan to spend several hours exploring, shopping and enjoying a meal.



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About the Author

Laura has been a successful Certified Travel Counsellor since February 1999. She has worked in both Corporate and Vacation travel departments and has extensive experience as an avid traveller. She currently works as a Senior Consultant at one of the Okanagan's most popular agencies.

To reach her for inquiries you can email: laura@rainbowtravelwinfield.ca

 

"If you look like your passport photo - you probably need the vacation!"

Your Travel Agent

Laura-Beth Konschuh-Penney






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The views expressed are strictly those of the author and not necessarily those of Castanet. Castanet presents its columns "as is" and does not warrant the contents.


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