Holidays in Washington D.C. - U.S.A.
When it comes to cultural diversity, Washington D.C. invites its visitors to delve into its vastly important history and natural beauty in equal measures.
Why not view the political power base of the world and home to the President of the United States, the magnificent White House, and other influential and world famous sites such as Capitol Hill and the commanding Washington Monument?
Alternatively, bask in the beauty of the annual Cherry Blossom Festival, as over 3,000 cherry trees come to fruition, whilst you celebrate with a meal of traditional fried green tomatoes and melt in your mouth fried chicken.
For the shopaholics of you, visit the grand Union Station shopping mall, where friendly staff will welcome you and treat you equally as importantly as the many Presidents that have ventured here for their exclusive needs in the past.
To conclude, a holiday visiting Washington D.C. will enliven you with its power and grandeur, with every step you make feeling historically important in some odd way!
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Where Is Washington D.C.?
The power centre and capital of America, and some would say, therefore, of the free world, Washington D.C. was allocated capital by President George Washington in 1791 and became so nine years later in 1800.
It may come as a surprise to you to know that for a state of such importance on a worldwide scale, only around 600,000 people occupy it 69 square miles, meaning that only Vermont of all of Americas states is less populous. None-the-less, Washington is the hub of a surprisingly large hinterland reaching deep into the neighbouring states of Maryland and Virginia.
Washington D.C. Local History
Washington as the power base of America became apparent in the early and mid 18 th Century, when US congress wanted to establish a permanent place to discuss politics that would satisfy both the northern and southern states of America. The Potomac of Washington D.C. emerged as a natural midpoint that would satisfy both sides, and had the added benefit of being across the river from George Washington's home in Mount Vernon.
The name ‘Washington City' begun to stick with locals around 1791, and later on, Maryland and Virginia agreed to lend land to the newly developing state to create the District of Columbia (named in recognition of Christopher Columbus).
Work started on the ornate Capitol in 1793, which was torched by British troops in the War of 1812. Although eventually rebuilt, the city entered a slump from which it wouldn't recover for decades.
President Lincoln oversaw Washington during the time of the Civil war, and was assassinated in Ford's Theatre soon afterwards. This lead to a shift in the role of Washington as a capital; from state-led administration to centralised leadership.
As it was felt a building process was needed to fully establish Washington as a Capital, a ‘beautification' plan was put into place at the start of the 20th century to add much of the landscaping, parks, and monuments for which Washington is now well known. The Kennedy Centre, established as a 'living memorial' to the assassinated President John.F.Kennedy, did much to bring cosmopolitan culture to the place.
Besides politics, Washington was notorious too for the divisions in its society – where there was crime, poverty and racial segregation there was also contrasting monuments proclaiming 'equality for all'. This was embarrassing the would-be capital of America, which wanted to dispel these factors and create a fabulous ideology, but instead became a microcosm of American reality.
The nineties saw Washington spiral into gang-warfare, but thankfully, Mayor Williams, elected in 1999, began to turn thing around. Much of his good work, however, was destroyed when on September 11, 2001, terrorists attacked Washington (and of course, New York), flying a hijacked United Airlines aircraft into the Pentagon, causing significant damage and loss of life, and consequently becoming the worst terrorist attacks on mainland American soil in history.
However, the resolve of the Washington people has seen a remarkable turn around in the past few years; despite high security in place that some felt would damage tourism to the state, hotels are now regularly full and attractions visited in high volumes.
Washington D.C. Attractions & Sightseeing
What's the first thing you think of when you think of Washington? Why the White House, of course!
Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, America's most famous address is a testimony to power and politics; just thinking of the Presidents and Foreign diplomats that walked these halls and the laws and constitutions that have been passed here should give you an idea as to how historically important this venue is.
Home to every President of the United States since John Adams, the White House was originally constructed between 1792-1800. After it was burnt down by the British army in 1812, it lay dormant for a while before being entirely renovated under the Truman administration, which used historical plans to completely restore it to it's former glory.
If fabulous views are what you are looking for, travel to the Washington Monument - For a top-notch view of the Potomac Basin, make your way up to the top of this 166metre exhibition. This huge white behemoth in the centre of the Mall was begun in 1848, but not completed for 37 years, such was the detail and scope of the project, as well as infringing Civil war.
However, Washington is not all power and politics! In an attempt to move away from this mindset and allow visitors a different perspective of the city, Washington will be hosting the 2005 Cherry Blossom Festival.
Spring heralds the blossoming of over 3,000 Cherry trees in Washington, with fabulous colours to be witnessed at the Jefferson Memorial, which hosts the extravagant National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade and the annual Sakura Matsuri Street Festival. The festival brings two full weeks of family-oriented fun, music, entertainment and more, and due to its popularity, will attract large crowds to join you in the festivities.
Washington D.C. Shopping
For grandeur and sophistication to match the importance of one of the world's most influential cities, look no further than Union Station. This marvellous and bold complex is lined with marble flooring, which echoes your every footstep, almost as if you are shaking the earth. The shopping destination of choice for the last 17 U.S. Presidents, a multitude of diplomats and dignitaries and over 25 million people a year, this is, believe it or not, the most visited destination in Washington D.C.
Union Station's two level concourse offers a wide range of shops, ranging from picturesque boutiques to elegant fashion and gift stores, to souvenirs shops offering Washington memorabilia. No doubt after trekking throughout this large complex you will want to rest your feet, so why not take a tasteful break from shopping, and enjoy a meal at one of the fine restaurants offering an array of cuisine, or perhaps make a day of things and watch a movie at the 9 screen multiplex cinema.
Alternatively, while away the time at the Georgetown Park shopping centre, with over 100 stores set in an excessive Victorian style building.
Washington D.C. Restaurants
Have you ever tried Ethiopian cuisine? Short of going to Ethiopia, you will probably not come across too many establishments offering such unusual gastronomy. Indeed, situated in the Adams Morgan area of DC, you will find such restaurants as Addis Ababa, Meskerem and Red Sea all serving traditional Ethiopian dishes – odd to think, isn't it!
In a more traditional sense, look out for eateries serving the geographically appropriate Chesapeake crab, as well as fresh seafood from the nearby Potomac and Anacostia Rivers.
Look out for the classy Kinkead's Restaurant, the snazzy Oceanaire Seafood Room and Johnny's Half Shell, all of which specialise in regional fish dishes and culinary delights.
If you are on a budget, head over to the atmospheric Ben's Chilli Bowl or Kramerbooks Afterwords Café, both of which you will find are welcoming establishments.
Of course, though, it would be nice to experience the power lunches of the powerful, rich and famous that inhabit this region. If this is your demand, drop in at the Old Ebbitt Grill or Capitol Hill's Hawk and Dove, where you will be surrounded by extravagant paintings whilst you dine at large, commanding tables whilst being served by willing staff.
Washington D.C. Cuisine
For a taste of authentic cooking from the soul of America straight from Grandmas oven, try savouring traditional fried green tomatoes accompanied by crisp fried chicken cooked Charleston style. For that traditional soft southern service, try Washington's Georgia Brown Restaurant, where you can try the aforementioned dishes surrounded by panes of regional oak, as well as their speciality; hand made ice-creams produced from only the freshest ingredients.
Washington D.C. Bars & Clubs
Musically, Washington's musical history is a mixed bag of cultures; do not be surprised to see jazz, bluegrass and punk rock venues shoulder-to-shoulder, whilst the city's rock-oriented nightclubs 930 and Black Cat dominate the scene.
For the more cultured crowd, a visit to the Blues Alley Club in Wisconsin will give you your fix of blues, bluegrass and jazz. However, for a truly authentic performance, visit the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage, with live stage acts from 6pm every night.
Washington D.C. Weather
Washington D.C. has quite an array of temperatures, ranging from –2 ° c in December to highs of 31 ° c in July. There is only minimum daylight in December, when 4 hours a day is the norm, whilst things get sunnier in July, with an average of 9 hours per day.
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