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| Home > City Guide - Washington, DC - Sightseeing | ||
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Sightseeing Sightseeing Overview The grand formal vista of the National Mall contains many of Washington, DC’s most important monuments and institutions. The Mall is particularly striking during the spring blossoming of the Japanese cherry trees and in the winter, with the Christmas trees and lights. Smart townhouses, cobblestone streets, cafés, shops and lovely riverside walks, plus a lively nightlife, make the elegant neighbourhood of Georgetown quite attractive. Washington’s elite occupies many of the homes. Across town, Chinatown, with its colourful Friendship Arch, is the centre for oriental speciality shops and restaurants. A favoured recreation ground for city dwellers is Rock Creek Park, situated in the northwest of the city. The creek itself passes through the heart of the park, which also has bicycle, bridle and jogging paths. Since the attacks of 11 September 2001, the Pentagon – the country’s heart of national and international security – is no longer open for public tours. Nevertheless, the newly opened International the Spy Museum chronicles the history and intrigue of spies and espionage. The Smithsonian Institution (website: www.si.edu) encompasses many museum and research centres around the city. The museums include: National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of African Art, National Museum of American History, National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of the American Indian (scheduled to open in 2004), National Portrait Gallery, National Postal Museum, National Zoological Park and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Some key ones are detailed below. The Smithsonian is implementing an extensive programme of redevelopment, so some museums are closed, such as the National Portrait Gallery, which is closed until 2004. Visitors should check the general website for information. Tourist Information Washington, DC Chamber of Commerce Visitor Information Center Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Tel: (202) 328 4748. E-mail: dcvisit.info@guestservices.com Website: www.dcvisit.com Opening hours: Mon-Sat 0800-1800. White House Visitor Information Center US Department of Commerce Building, 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue Tel: (202) 208 1631 or (800) 717 1450, toll free in the USA and Canada. Opening hours: Daily 0730-1600. Washington, DC Convention and Tourism Corporation 1212 New York Avenue, NW 600 Tel: (202) 789 7000. Fax: (202) 789 7037 Website: www.washington.org Information is not available in person. Visitors might also see SAMs, safety and maintenance personnel (website: www.downtowndc.org), who are specially trained hospitality workers dressed in red uniforms. They operate throughout the Downtown area, to provide a service to visitors by giving directions and helping to find area attractions, restaurants, hotels and shops. Passes There are no tourist passes available. |
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