09 Jun 2016
- Smithsonian Museums
National Geographic magazine recently ranked the Smithsonian Institution as the top museum facility in the world. Explore any of the 17 museums entirely for free when you visit Washington, DC, including the National Air & Space Museum, the National Portrait Gallery and the newest museum opening Sept. 24, 2016, the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
- More Than a Family of Four Giant Pandas
While the pandas may be the National Zoo's most popular creatures, there is so much more to see. The National Zoo, part of the Smithsonian Institution, has more than 1,800 animals from 300 different species.
- Solo Travel Friendly
If you're on a business trip or looking to learn more about the nation's capital, exploring DC solo is one of the most relaxing experiences. FlipKey named Washington, DC as one of the top 10 U.S. destinations for solo travel.
- The Layout of the City
Paris-born architect and civil engineer Pierre L'Enfant designed the layout of Washington, DC. The city is structured in quadrants with numbered streets running north and south, lettered streets running east and west and streets named after U.S. states running diagonal.
- In the Neighborhood
Washington, DC has dozens of neighborhoods, each with their own distinct personality. Capitol Hill is really on a hill. There is a neighborhood known as Foggy Bottom. The Georgetown neighborhood predates the city of Washington, DC.
- America's Fittest City
Great public transportation, walking trails and biking lanes make for an always active city population in Washington, DC. The city is also filled with parks like the National Mall, where locals and visitors regularly work out, jog and bike. In addition, many residents partake in new boutique workouts, such as spin cycle class SoulCycle, which first lady Michelle Obama enjoys. Experience why DC was named America's Fittest City in 2016 by the American Fitness Index the next time you visit.
- A Foodie's Paradise (Bring Your Fork and Michelin Guide to Washington, DC)
Washington, DC has one of the most exciting restaurant scenes in the globe. World-renowned chefs call the nation's capital home. And now the Michelin Guide, best known for its 0-3 star rankings of dining experiences, has expanded to Washington, DC, validating what many diners already know. Enjoy everything from molecular gastronomy-style dishes and modern takes on Indian cuisine to New American and classic French-inspired cooking.
- DC Loves to Read
Want to fit in like a local in Washington, DC? Bring a book when you come to visit. The U.S. capital city is regularly voted among the most literate cities in the country, which is fitting since it also hosts the world's largest library, the Library of Congress.
- LGBT-Friendly (America's Gayest City)
The Advocate magazine named Washington, DC “America's Gayest City” in 2014. The city is well-known for its openness and acceptance of people of all colors, races, ethnicities and sexual orientations. There is a thriving LGBT community in DC, which also hosts one of the country's most popular celebrations, Capital Pride.
- The Washington, DC Flag
The iconic flag of Washington, DC features three stars above two bars. It was inspired by the coat of arms for George Washington's family.
- Lincoln's Plans for the “Euture”
Instead of chiseling the "F" in "future," the letter "E" was mistakenly carved into Lincoln's second inaugural address on the north wall of the Lincoln Memorial. It has been touched up, but if you look closely you can still see the typo.
- Number 1….Literally
The original phone number for the White House in 1878 was simply the number 1. A phone wasn't installed on the President's desk in the Oval Office until 1929.
- Major Professional Sports
Washington, DC hosts athletic teams from all five major sports in the U.S.: NBA basketball's Washington Wizards, NHL hockey's Washington Capitals, MLB baseball's Washington Nationals, NFL football's Washington Redskins and MLS soccer's DC United.
- Lonely Planet's Top City to Visit in the World in 2015
Washington, DC was named the Top City to Visit in the World in 2015 by travel guide publisher Lonely Planet. The monuments and memorials and all the free things to do in Washington, DC were just some of the reasons. The others: game-changing developments like CityCenterDC and The Yards Park in Capitol Riverfront.
- Not Just Cool, but DC Cool (America's Coolest City)
People know of Washington, DC as the center of the political world. But the city offers so much more. Explore various neighborhoods in Washington, DC and you might stumble upon free museums, beautiful parks and public spaces, exciting restaurants, shops and hotels. See why Forbes magazine named Washington, DC America's Coolest City in 2014.
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