What to visit in Washington. Washington is the center of US political life. Smithsonian Institution building

Washington is the capital of the United States of America, while being a separate city that is not part of any state. District of Columbia (DC) is the official name of the capital, named after the country's first president, George Washington. In this article, I invite you to admire the most interesting and famous sights of the city, as well as learn about some interesting facts.

The capital of the United States was founded in 1791, and in 1871 Washington, along with a number of other neighboring territories, was united into a single District of Columbia. Interestingly, the USA also has a state of the same name, which is why the Americans themselves call the capital nothing more than DC (DC).

The population of Washington is 601,723 people, but people come here to work every day a large number of people from the suburbs, as well as many tourists. As a result, the population increases to 1 million people and even higher.

All US power is concentrated in Washington. The White House houses the office of the country's president; DC also houses the representative offices and headquarters of the World Bank, the IMF and many other organizations, as well as more than 150 embassies of various states.

The US Congress has supreme power over Washington. Due to special subordination, city residents have less freedom of self-government than residents of the states.

The city's motto is the Latin Justitia Omnibus, which translates as Justice for All.

During the research, scientists found that 4,000 years ago, Native Americans lived on the territory of modern Washington; there were several small settlements here.

The largest number of inhabitants in the city was registered in 1950 - 802,178 people. After the Great Depression of the 1930s, people began to arrive here to work in the government apparatus.

Among the memorable events in the history of Washington are the riots of 1968, which broke out after the assassination of Martin Luther King. Over the course of several days, many buildings were destroyed, and 13,000 soldiers were brought in to pacify the raging masses. It took more than thirty years to restore, the damage was so severe to the city.

Infamous event - terrorist attack September 11, 2001, when a passenger plane crashed into the Pentagon at full speed. On the same day, terrorist attacks took place in New York, when the famous twin towers collapsed. You can learn more about this from the selection A new look at
9/11 terrorist attack

Let's move on to geographical location a city that is located on three rivers - the Potomac, as well as its tributaries, Rock Creek and Anacostia. Washington is famous for its many parks; one fifth of the entire city territory is occupied by all kinds of green spaces. average temperature The air here is 14-15 degrees Celsius.

Surprisingly, in the 1990s, Washington was considered one of the most dangerous cities in the United States due to the highest crime rate in the country. Since then, the crime rate in the country has almost halved, so now the city is quite safe to live in, although certain problems still remain.

The city has one of the busiest subway systems in the country, second only to the New York City Subway. On weekdays, passenger traffic here exceeds 1 million people per day.

In addition to the main airport in Washington, Dulles Airport, there are two more airports here. Reagan Airport is used for domestic flights within the United States and is famous for its metro station.

When reading newspapers or watching news about the United States on TV, we often hear about Washington, DC. In addition to its political significance, it is also a huge cultural and educational center, home to some of the country's best museums, galleries, universities and listed buildings. This article focuses on the main attractions. On English language it is written as Washington DC(District of Columbia), and most people briefly call it just DC (DC), so as not to be confused with the name of the state of Washington, which is located in the northwest of the country.

I’ll tell you my personal opinion right away - Washington is one of the most beloved cities in the USA, I love its unique spirit, not like somewhere in New York or Chicago, where people are constantly running somewhere, where there is a smell of money in the air, where the streets are similar to each other, with two walls stretching somewhere into the horizon. There is something completely different in Washington, there is a smell of power here. The real political power is people everywhere, constantly entering and leaving the doors of endless ministries, departments and departments.

People who work in the government apparatus of the most powerful state in the world, almost all of them go to work by public transport; pushing and even pushing each other when entering the subway; standing in the morning for Starbucks coffee, creating lines for half a block, just to grab a glass of coffee and run to work; they all wear business suits, so when you come to the station you may even be surprised whether it is a train station or, say, an airport.

The central part of the city is National Mall, a wide park lined with two of the most protected buildings in the country, the White House and the Capitol, as well as many museums and monuments. It’s worth saying that when I went to Washington for the first time, I thought that the name Mall meant a huge shopping center))) Perhaps I’m not the only one, that’s why I’m writing about it.

Since the city is full of attractions, if not world-wide, then at least national, and tourists come here for a maximum of two incomplete days, I would like to do this - first I will write about the so-called Must see sights that are a must see when you are here. And then I’ll tell you about other interesting places and objects, familiarity with which will undoubtedly enrich your understanding of Washington.

All you have to do is take a map of Washington and put on it all the places that will be discussed below. After that, you will see that everything is very, very close to each other and, depending on how much free time you have, you can see all these attractions on your own or during the many excursions that are offered in the city.

National Mall. When the city was originally planned, instead of a park there should have been a huge street more than 2 kilometers long and about 120 meters wide. However, it was never possible to build the street; instead, a huge open park appeared, around which many government institutions were later built.

I can't say that this is somehow unique a nice place, like Central Park in New York or Millennium Park in Chicago. Not at all, it’s just an open square, with, by the way, not very well-kept lawns, walking paths, places for outdoor games and so on.

The mall is bordered by the Capitol on one side and the Abraham Lincoln Memorial on the other. The distance from one attraction to another is 3 kilometers, which is quite enough for a leisurely walk for half a day. Moreover, between them there will be several more museums, a memorial to George Washington and the White House.

Since the mall is located right in front of the Capitol, this is where up to 3 million people gather to listen to the president's inaugural speech after the election.

United States Capitol

Address: East Capitol St NE & First St SE, Washington, DC 20004

The construction of this iconic building in the Empire style for the United States, with huge columns, porticoes and a huge dome, was initiated by George Washington himself in 1793. However, construction dragged on for several decades, during which the building was rebuilt, burned and restored, reconstructed and expanded.

It was the Capitol that was the basis for the planning of the District of Columbia, its geographical center, and it is it that divides the city into four quadrants. Conventionally, the Capitol consists of two parts - southern and northern. The District of Columbia has a law that prohibits the construction of buildings taller than the Capitol within the District. That's why there are no skyscrapers in Washington. All of them are already outside the county line, on the other side of the Potomac River, on which the city stands, in suburban Arlington, Roslyn and Alexandria.

The US Congress meets in both parts that make up the building. In the southern part of the building, the lower house of parliament sits - the House of Representatives of the US Congress (it has a total of 435 seats and congressmen from each are elected depending on its population).

The upper house, the Senate, is located in the northern part of the building. The Senate provides equal representation of all states (2 people per state), so there are 100 people (senators) sitting in the Senate. All laws must be approved by both houses of parliament, and since the process of adopting a law is preceded by long approvals, all multi-page laws go from one wing of the building to another.

White House

Address: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20500

Opened: 1800 Start of construction: 1792

Official residence of all US presidents. Construction was completed in 1800, and already in 1801, the then current President John Adams became its owner.

The building has 6 floors - 2 basements, two for public receptions and two for the president and his family. Tourists have the opportunity to visit the White House, but they need to sign up for a tour almost six months in advance.

The White House is not something completely secret; through the fence you can quite see how helicopters with top officials of the state fly in and fly away to the area in front of the building. However, note that there are always snipers on the building itself. Despite the openness of this facility, the security of the president and his family has not been canceled.

Washington Monument

Address: 2 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20007

Opened: 1888 Start of construction: 1848

The monument is the tallest in the world stone structure and at the same time the tallest obelisk in the world, which rises above the city to a height of almost 170 meters.

Construction of the monument began in 1848, and the official opening took place only in 1888. Such a long construction period is due to the lack of funding for the monument caused by the American Civil War.

At approximately 46 meters, a change in the color of the marble from which the monument is built can be discerned. This is due to the fact that after construction resumed, marble was delivered from other mines in Maryland, the color of which was different from the original. Whole year from opening to completion of construction Eiffel Tower, the obelisk in downtown Washington remained the tallest structure in the world.

Not many people know, but tourists have the opportunity to climb to the top of the obelisk on observation deck. To do this, you need to reserve time and stand in a fairly long line. However, after the earthquake on August 23, 2011, cracks were discovered in the obelisk and it was closed to the public for the duration of reconstruction.

National World War II Memorial

Address: 1750 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20006

Opened: 2004 Start of construction: 1995

One of the youngest memorials in Washington, it was built by order of Bill Clinton, opened by George W. Bush on May 29, 2004, and is dedicated to the veterans and soldiers who died during World War II. An interesting fact is that it was built with donations from both ordinary citizens and many veteran organizations.

The memorial is an oval composition in the center of which there is a 75x45 meter pool framed by granite slabs with the names of all the states and territories that took part in that war. Also at the north and south ends of the memorial are two arches engraved with "Atlantic" and "Pacific".

The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

Opened: 1923 Start of construction: 1922

It is part of the Lincoln Memorial and at the same time the largest reflecting pool in Washington. Measuring 618 meters long, 51 meters wide and 46 to 76 centimeters deep, it was built in 1922-1923 and is one of the most beloved photo spots for the more than 25 million tourists who visit Washington every year.

It is also notable for the fact that it was near this pool in 1963 that thousands of black Americans stood and listened to Martin Luther King deliver his historic speech “I have a dream.”

Lincoln Memorial

Address: 2 Lincoln Memorial Cir NW, Washington, DC 20024

Opened: 1922 Start of construction: 1914

The memorial was built in honor of the 16th and one of the most beloved US presidents, Abraham Lincoln. Now this is one of the most favorite holiday destinations local residents, and tourists. From its steps one can see, as Americans say, an iconic view of the National Mall, the Washington Monument, the reflecting pool and the Capitol, especially since access to the memorial is open 24 hours a day.

The building measures 58x36x30 meters and is built in the classical Doric style, taken from ancient Greek architecture. The roof is supported by 36 Doric columns, symbolizing the 36 states that were part of the United States at the time of Lincoln's death. At the top are the names of all 50 modern states with the dates of their annexation to the United States.

Inside is a huge marble statue of Lincoln sitting on a pedestal. Engraved on the walls are two of his most famous speeches—the first, the Gettysburg Address, and the second, his inaugural address during his second term.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Opened: 1982 Start of construction: 1982

The memorial consists of three parts - the Three Soldiers Statue, the Vietnam Women's Memorial and the most famous - the Vietnam Veterans Wall.

The memorial, located just north of the Lincoln Memorial, was completed in 1982 and now attracts more than 3 million visitors a year. The above-mentioned wall, consisting of two parts 75 meters long each, contains 59,195 names. It was built with money from a non-governmental organization of Vietnam veterans that raises funds and donations.

Korean War Veterans Memorial

Opened: 1995 Start of construction: 1992

The memorial was unveiled on July 27, 1995, on the 42nd anniversary of the end of the Korean War, by the presidents of the United States and Korea who personally participated in that war, Bill Clinton and Kim Young Sam.

The memorial is a huge triangle intersecting with a circle. The walls, made of Californian granite, are engraved with more than 2,500 photographs of battles in the air, on water and on land. Inside the triangle, surrounded by a wall, are 19 statues of soldiers patrolling the area in full uniform. The soldiers are made to be slightly larger than their natural height.

The circle into which the triangle rests is the Pool of Memory. This is a shallow pond lined with black granite, next to which is written the number of killed, wounded, missing and captured soldiers.

Jefferson Memorial

Opened: 1943 Start of construction: 1938

The memorial is dedicated to the third President of the United States and was opened to the public in 1947. According to the architects, the memorial was supposed to be located on the same line as the White House and the George Washington Monument, but due to the marshy area, the monument had to be moved to the east.

The building is designed in the form of an ancient Roman pantheon; it is an open marble rotunda, surrounded on all sides by steps. Inside the memorial is a statue of Thomas Jefferson and a passage from the Declaration of Independence.

The memorial is surrounded by a huge number of cherry trees, which were given to Washington by the people of Japan in 1912. It is here that the famous Cherry blossom festival— The cherry blossom festival, when, just like in Japan, thousands of cherry trees are covered with flowers for just a few days.

The Pentagon

Address: 1400 Defense Pentagon, Arlington, VA

Opened: 1943 Start of construction: 1941

The main building of the US Department of Defense is located in Arlington, just a ten-minute drive from downtown Washington. Built in 1942, the building is the world's largest office building by floor area. Approximately 23,000 military and 3,000 non-defense professionals work in this building.

The Pentagon, as its name suggests, has five sides. This seven-story building (five above ground and two basement floors) is pierced inside by five circular corridors, which together have a length of almost 29 kilometers.

In the center there is open area, with an area of ​​20,000 square meters, called Ground Zero. The name comes from the Cold War and suggests that in the event of a nuclear war, the USSR would send at least one of its missiles to this location.

You can get to the Pentagon by metro, because there is a huge transfer hub with metro and bus station. However, you should keep in mind that taking photographs of the building is prohibited and, of course, no one will let you inside.

These were the top must-see attractions when planning a trip to Washington DC. Moreover, most of them are included in the List of American Architecture - a list of the most famous and beloved buildings and structures by Americans. The following will be an expanded list of attractions and interesting places in Washington.

Smithsonian Institution

A trip to one of its museums should be a must when visiting Washington. Firstly, these museums are truly world class, and secondly, they are free. And all this thanks to a scientific organization that is funded primarily by the state budget - the Smithsonian Institution.

The organization unites 19 museums, 11 of which are located on the National Mall between the Capitol and the Washington Monument, National Zoo and 9 research centers. This largest in the world museum complex , which brings together a variety of architectural monuments, along with the latest exhibition halls, its collection contains more than 136 million artifacts, and also publishes two popular science magazines - Smithsonian and Air & Space.

Here are just a few museums I would recommend visiting if you have time:

— Air and Space Museum(Museum of Cosmonautics and Aeronautics);

— Natural History Museum(National Museum of Natural History);

— National Zoo(Zoo);

— National American Indian Museum(Museum of the American Indian);

— NationalAmerican Art Museum(Museum of American Art);

— The National Portrait Gallery(Portrait Gallery) and many others.

Arlington National Cemetery. The military cemetery is located directly across from the Lincoln Memorial across the Potomac River in Arlington, Virginia. It was founded during Civil War and since then, heroes of all wars in which the United States participates are buried there. However, what makes it most interesting for tourists is that John and Jacqueline Kennedy are buried there.

The cemetery is quite large and is divided into 70 sections to make it easier to navigate inside. There is also a huge Amphitheater ( Arlington Memorial Amphitheater), where ceremonies are held on Memorial and Veterans Days, as well as on Easter. Every day there are changes of the guard of honor at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier ( Tomb of the Unknowns).

Union Station. Train Station, which is located in the very center of Washington, just a few minutes walk from the Capitol and which is visited by more than 32 million people a year (of which almost 5 million are direct passengers).

This is the most southern point The Northeast Corridor, an electrified rail line that connects major American cities such as Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, NY and Boston. Amtrak's headquarters are also located here.

Because of huge amount For civil servants working in the city, when you get to the station, it seems that you are at least at the airport. People in suits are constantly rushing somewhere, grabbing coffee and fresh pastries on the go, and shoe shiners also have plenty of work to do. In general, Union Station is not only a transport hub; it also houses a large number of cafes and restaurants, shops and tourist offices. Plus the building itself is a kind of work of architectural art.

National Cathedral. Official name of this religious building - Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Built in the neo-Gothic style, it is the sixth tallest cathedral in the world and the second in the United States. Over the course of a year, more than 400 thousand tourists visit this cathedral.

Construction began in 1907, but ended 83 years later, only in 1990. When planning the city back at the end of the 18th century, the building was to be built in the very center of the city, on the site where the Portrait Gallery is now located. However, construction was delayed and began more than a hundred years after the plan was developed. Tourists are given the opportunity to climb the bell tower, from where a very good view to Washington.

Library of Congress. Formally, this is the main library of the country, as well as the largest library in the world in terms of shelf space. It occupies four buildings, the main one of which is located immediately behind the Capitol.

The library was founded in 1800, but the main building was not built until 1897. It houses more than 32 million books in 470 languages, unique exhibits such as a draft of the Declaration of Independence, one of the four surviving Guttenberg Bibles, millions of audio recordings, photographs, government documents and more. The library is open for free visits by tourists, and with a library card, also for access to funds.

In the end, I would just like to list a few additional interesting places that you can see while in Washington:

Downtown Alexandria) (can be reached in 20 minutes by subway from downtown Washington);

— US Navy Memorial(US Navy Memorial);

— Kennedy Center for Performing Arts (concert hall Kennedy);

— George Washington University(George Washington University campus) and Georgetown University;

— Dupont Circle;

— FBI building(FBI Building);

— Botanic Garden (Botanical Garden);

— Chinatown DC;

—Federal Triangle;

Washington is one of the most popular cities in the world. It was founded at the end of the eighteenth century on East Coast. The future capital of the United States of America is named after one of the presidents - George Washington.

Initially, the city was a square territory divided into two parts. On one side was Washington, and on the other was Alexandria. The Potamak River flowed between them. But in the mid-nineteenth century they separated, and Alexandria became part of Virginia.

An interesting fact is that in the territory of the capital the slave trade was prohibited, but in the territory of Alexandria it was not prohibited, but still the laws were not respected. The last slaves in Washington were freed in 1862.

Now Washington is not part of the states of the country, it is a separate territory. This territory is called the District of Columbia. The city should not be confused with the state of the same name.

The sights of Washington are the most interesting in the whole country. That is why the area attracts millions of tourists from all over the world. The capital of the United States of America is considered one of the richest in historical monuments. There are many architectural structures, museums, theaters and more.

Most of the monuments are made of white marble. Thanks to this, the city stands out from all others. We will talk about all this in more detail in the next part of the article.

Washington DC Attractions

As already mentioned, the district is rich in architectural monuments. There are many of them in this area, and we could talk about it for hours. We will tell you about the most notable of them.

Indeed, most of Washington's landmarks are made of white marble. This is a kind of distinctive feature of the city. In addition, there are many picturesque parks, beautiful fountains and ponds, as well entertainment centers and expensive hotels.

The text will name the sights of Washington in English with translation.

The White House

The White House is the residence of the President this moment he is one of the most famous entrepreneurs and showmen in the country, Donald Trump. This place is the main symbol of the power of the state.

By the way, this is the most famous monument in the whole world, made of white sandstone. Around the building there is a picturesque park and many flower beds.

Most people don't know why the presidential residence - one of the landmarks of Washington, DC - is called the White House. In fact, there are several versions of the origin of this name. Basically, everyone is inclined towards the option with white cladding. By the way, the name of the building was given by one of the presidents, Theodore Roosevelt. But this happened only a hundred years after the completion of construction.

It is also worth talking about the main events in the history of the presidential residence.

The first stone was laid in 1792. The architect of the building is James Hoben. Construction was completed by the beginning of the nineteenth century. In 1901, the building was renamed the White House. In 1942, the building was reconstructed and acquired a modern appearance.

The Capitol Building

This is the second most important landmark in Washington (photo above). The city is extremely proud of her. Most likely, every person from anywhere in the world has seen an image of this majestic structure at least once. It is located on Capitol Hill. The idea to erect this monument came to George Washington, and construction began in 1793. The name of the architect of the Capitol is unknown to this day. The external image of Washington's landmark was the Roman Cathedral.

In the middle of the second decade of the nineteenth century, England could not accept the fact that America was independent and decided to burn the Capitol building. The building was destroyed to the ground. It took the United States more than five years to restore it.

Near the building there are monuments to American presidents - George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

As for subsequent external changes, they were made only a few times. In the early sixties of the last century, the Statue of Liberty was erected on the dome of the building. After some time, heating was installed and elevators were built. Later the eastern façade was added.

More than five million tourists visit this place every year. Today there are about five hundred and fifty rooms inside the building, but only two of them can be seen by travelers. Tours to this Washington landmark are free. You only need to show your passport at the entrance and receive a ticket.

The Lincoln Memorial

It is believed that Abraham Lincoln is the most revered president of the United States of America, since most natives associate him with integrity and reliability.

The government of the country considered it necessary to erect opposite National Gallery A landmark in Washington State commemorating Lincoln. This happened after the assassination of the president. For many, this place has become almost sacred. It is believed that the monument is a symbol of equality between people all over the planet, no matter what religion or race they are.

Before the construction of the monument, a large-scale competition was announced in the country for better job. Many participants from different parts of the country and the world decided to take part in this. The best option a drawing by two American sculptors, Daniel French and Henry Bacon, was recognized.

Construction lasted more than five years and was completed by the beginning of the second decade of the twentieth century. More than fifty thousand people attended the opening of the monument. It was truly massive. The main guest of the celebration was Abraham Lincoln's son Robert. Having paid worthy honors to the sixteenth President of the United States, the government breathed a sigh of relief.

Several interesting legends are associated with this memorial. It is said that the name of the owner of the mansion in which the sculpture is located was carved on the back of the monument. According to another legend, it is believed that President Lincoln shows his initials in sign language.

Washington National Cathedral

Public Library

The public library consists of twenty-seven branches. The head office is located in an eleven-story building, which is made of glass and steel. This place is considered to be one of the most attractive in the entire Seattle area.

The collection of books in the library began in 1890. At the moment, the fund contains more than three million different publications.

Pike Place Market (Public Market Center)

The store began its work in the first decade of the twentieth century. This is a very popular market among city residents. Here you can buy old antiques and various used goods. In addition, it is possible to find seafood, as well as various farm products.

This place often hosts performances by street clowns and musicians on an improvised stage. In addition, on the territory of the market there are inexpensive restaurants where you can always have a tasty snack.

Safeco Field

The famous baseball stadium of incredible proportions, built in 1999 in the Art Nouveau style. Its interesting feature is the retractable roof. Of course, many arenas have it, but in America it is special.

The stadium's capacity is 48,000 people. The stadium is not just for baseball games. Sometimes American football matches take place here.

Museum of Flight

The museum does not belong to the state. It is non-profit but private. Most tourists from all over the world are delighted with it.

It was built in 1965. As exhibits inside the building you can see real airplanes, most of which are very unusual.

Here are the air vehicles Russia, Japan, Germany and more. Among the attractions you can see aircraft that took part in the First and Second World Wars. In addition, photographs from the history of the Boeing Corporation hang on the walls of the building. After all, this is where the main office was located some time ago. Now in this architectural structure Many students of aviation universities and colleges undergo internships, gaining new interesting knowledge.

I would also like to note the presence of a large-scale library in one of the premises.

Every year the museum is visited by about five hundred thousand tourists, and it is possible that after some time about this wonderful place will be recognized by even more travelers from different parts of the world.

Conclusion

Washington is one of the greatest cities in American history. The architecture of the capital of the United States is different from others settlements country, and this is what makes it different from other places. We hope that the sights of Washington in English helped you get acquainted and understand the original names of architectural structures.

The majestic city of Washington, which is the capital of the United States, is not part of any of the states of the country, but is a separate administrative unit called the “District of Columbia” (District of Columbia or simply D.C.).

The city was founded in 1791 and named after George Washington, the first President of the United States. Tourists, of course, primarily associate it with the famous White House, which is open to the public. However, he is by no means the only one interesting place Washington.

This city of white marble has many majestic monuments, various museums, beautiful parks and picturesque reservoirs, as well as entertainment centers, fashionable restaurants and luxury hotels. Moreover, by American standards, Washington is a relatively small city, but at the same time it is distinguished by its monumental grandeur, calm atmosphere and unshakable stability.

Region	Columbia region
Population
Population density	3771 people/km²
	USD (American dollar)
Timezone	UTC-4 in summer
Postal code	20001-20098, 20201-20599
International dialing code

Climate and weather

In Washington weather forms a humid subtropical climate. In summer, the average air temperature here is about +25 °C, and in winter - 0...+5 °C. Rains occur quite often, and in winter sometimes snow falls, which quickly melts. IN summer season the combination of high humidity and temperature causes thunderstorms, some of which result in tornadoes.

The most favorable time to travel to Washington is from April to November.

Nature

Washington lies in the northeastern part of the country, 53 km from the Atlantic coast. It is located in the state Maryland, however, is an independent administrative unit. Approximately 20% of the city's area is occupied by parkland, and about 10% by water. The city's water area includes a river Potomac and its tributaries (Rock and Anacostia Creeks), as well as the Washington Canal. Another tributary of the Potomac flows directly underground. There are several islands within the city, the largest of which are:

• Theodore Roosevelt Island;
• Kingman Island;
• Columbia Island;
• Islands of the Three Sisters.

Attractions

Without a doubt, the main attraction of Washington is the famous The White house, which performs the function official residence US President. Moreover, on certain days it is completely accessible for visits and excursions. No less popular Capitol Hill, on which a massive building is located US Congress, consisting of a central part (Rotunda) and two wings intended for meetings of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Another important building of the city and the whole country is the Pentagon (Department of Defense), which is a set of pentagons built into each other, which are connected by passages.

Next, you should pay attention to the numerous monuments, which are headed by the majestic George Washington Memorial. Among others, the most famous are the Lincoln and Roosevelt Memorials, as well as the Naval Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Arlington Memorial Cemetery with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. In addition, the following are widely popular:

• Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul;
• St Matthew's Cathedral;
• Basilica of the Immaculate Conception;
• Franciscan monastery;
• Ford's Theater Historic Site;
• Supreme Court building;
• Rock Creek Park, which is home to the historic Old Stone House complex.

In addition to architectural attractions, Washington is famous for its abundance of various museums and galleries, which are simply impossible to count:

• Washington City Museum;
• National Air and Space Museum;
• Hirshborn Museum with sculpture garden;
• International Spy Museum;
• National Museum of Women in the Arts;
• National Gallery of Art and many others.

Nutrition

Washington's restaurants and cafes are famous for their diversity and unsurpassed service. And here you can try how national cuisine USA, and any other, for example, Mexican, Chinese, Russian, Cuban, Moroccan, etc. It is worth noting that in Washington, compared to other American cities Expensive and chic establishments predominate. This is explained by the fact that very influential and wealthy people who can easily pay $100 for dinner constantly arrive here. The best of these restaurants are considered Les Halles, Filomena Ristorante, Gabriel, Galileo And The Palm where they have dinner famous people Washington.

If you want to save money, it is recommended to go to one of the establishments that are organized according to the “ buffet", where, having paid the entrance, you can choose any dishes without any restrictions. Also quite affordable prices in fast food establishments ( McDonald's, Burger King etc.), offering all kinds of hamburgers and sandwiches. In addition, establishments are very widespread in Washington Take-out. In this case, you can first order food by phone and then pick it up yourself. This is very convenient if there are no free tables in the restaurant.

If we talk specifically about American cuisine, it is worth noting that it is quite varied and very high in calories. The most typical national dishes that you can try here in almost any establishment include rare steak, stuffed turkey, grilled chicken, beef steak, pumpkin soup and a variety of salads. As for drinks, in addition to the notorious Coca-Cola, Americans love coffee and iced tea. Among alcohol, it is worth highlighting wonderful Californian wines and whiskeys.

Accommodation

In terms of cost of living, Washington hotels are among the five most expensive in the country. Moreover, most of them were built specifically to receive foreign delegations and high-ranking guests. There are also practically no high-rise buildings here, as the local leadership tries to maintain the established architectural style of the city. Thanks to this, almost all hotels in Washington are located in small, cozy mansions.

Tourists are advised to look for a hotel in the East End area, where there are many budget options, for example, DC Lofty (from $20) or Motel 6 Washington DC (FROM $60). Well, the most luxurious and expensive establishments are located mainly near city attractions, as well as in the West End, Dupont Circle and Logan Circle areas: The Ritz-Carlton, The Jefferson Hotel, Mandarin Oriental, etc.

Entertainment and relaxation

First of all, Washington will appeal to lovers of cultural pastimes, since in addition to all kinds of memorials and architectural attractions, there are a great many museums. For example, in the very center of the city there is an open space called the National Mall, on the territory of which there are various museums and memorials, including the famous monument to George Washington. Opera and classical music are also very popular in the city. You can listen to them at performances of the Symphony Orchestra and at the Washington Opera House.

Washington is no less attractive for fans nightlife, which is very rich here. Moreover, the local bars and clubs are distinguished by their special chic and variety: from dance to jazz. In addition, almost all hotels in the city have their own bars, offering their guests something special.

For adherents active rest and sports Washington offers the widest selection sports activities, from golf or rowing to tennis or ice skating. In addition, the most famous sports teams in the country regularly perform in the city (the Washington Wizards basketball club, the Washington Capitals hockey team, etc.), whose exciting games can be seen by anyone.

In addition to all of the above, Washington boasts a variety of colorful festivals and celebrations, with the most popular being Independence Day (July 4th), the Smithsonian Folk Festival and the Cherry Blossom Festival.

Purchases

Washington has a truly great variety of shops, on the shelves of which you can find anything you want: from musical instruments and souvenirs to antiques and branded clothing. The main shopping places of the city, where the bulk of luxury stores are located, are the central streets M Street And Wisconsin Avenue. And on the street Dupont Circle There are more democratic and affordable establishments: discount centers, stockists and second-hand stores. For antiques, it is recommended to go to King Street, and for original souvenirs - to the Adams-Morgan Street area. In general, a variety of boutiques, shopping centers, antique shops and markets are located in literally all areas of the city. Of these, the most famous are shopping centers Virginia`s Alexandria, Arlington, Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets And Tysons Corner Center. Well, among hunters for souvenirs with national themes, as well as all kinds of memorabilia, the most popular shops are America! And Smithsonian which are located in the very center of the city.

Transport

In Washington the fastest and most convenient way public transport is metro(Metrorail), which consists of seven major lines, some of which extend beyond the District of Columbia. Subway fares depend on the time of day and day of the week and range from $1.85 during the day or late evening to $5.25 during rush hours.

Bus service is provided by Metrobus, whose stops are located near all metro stations. These buses are distinguished by increased comfort, and therefore the cost of a trip on this type of transport is quite impressive - $6. Also in the central part of the city, transportation is carried out by DC Circulator buses, which are similar to minibuses. In this case, the fare is only $1.

In addition, a bicycle sharing system has been created in Washington. SmartBike DC. Therefore, there are many special stations where anyone can quickly rent a bicycle.

Connection

In Washington literally on all the streets, as well as in the lobby public organizations, V shopping centers and at gas stations there are telephone booths with access to international lines. Moreover, each has its own number, which can be seen directly on the telephone. This is very convenient, since if necessary, you can call back directly to this device.

Mobile communications are of excellent quality and are gradually replacing landline phones. It is worth keeping in mind that in the US, a tri-band phone is required for full roaming functionality.

Internet access is provided in almost all hotels, and is also often included in the list of restaurant services. In addition, there are many Wi-Fi hotspots in the city, some of which are free.

Safety

After September 11, 2001, security in Washington can claim the status of a true national brand. In this regard, provided that all prescribed norms and rules of conduct are observed, tourists are in virtually no danger here. It is worth keeping in mind that in Washington, a large bag may arouse suspicion among subway security personnel.

If we talk about the criminal situation, here it is at a fairly acceptable level. However, you should never let your guard down, as there is still a chance of bumping into a pickpocket or night robber.

Business climate

As the capital of the United States, Washington DC is the main center political life of this country. The business and economic life of the city is based directly on the sphere of management. The headquarters of many international organizations are located here ( International Bank, International Monetary Fund etc.), the most important government institutions ( Congress, State Department, Supreme Court, Pentagon) and branches of a variety of companies, non-profit organizations and trade unions. In addition, not so long ago, in terms of the most favorable business conditions and business environment, Washington was rated as best city in the country.

Real estate

In Washington, almost all real estate properties are in demand, and the demand for them is stable and even gradually increasing. This is not surprising, because Washington is the main city of the United States, as well as the seat of government and cultural center countries. If we talk about prices, they depend on the location and quality of the objects (from 150 thousand to 1 million $ and above). For example, a house with four bedrooms and a garage, which is located in a prestigious area, will cost at least $800 thousand.

Upon arrival in Washington, your luggage may be subject to extensive searches. Also, arrivals are asked about the purpose of their visit to the United States, and sometimes even asked if they have any connection with terrorist groups. In this case, there is no need to joke at all, since Americans take the problem of terrorism very seriously. Moreover, if an employee does not like something in the answers, the newcomer is invited to the security office, which carries the risk of going home without even setting foot on American soil.