Washington Travel Guide

General

It is difficult to believe, when looking along the elegant National Mall framed by stately buildings, that the land on which Washington, DC was built was originally marshy swamp. Chosen by George Washington for its strategic location between the South and the North, as well as its accessibility to the sea along the Potomac River, the capital is situated in a specially created district, which avoided the problem of establishing the capital city in any one state. Originally designed by the French architect, Pierre L’Enfant, in 1791, Washington is a city of green parks, wide tree-lined streets and very few skyscrapers, all of which give it a European air. It is very much a purpose-built capital, a city of grand buildings, such as the White House, the US Capitol and impressive monuments, such as the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial.

Congress and the second President, John Adams, moved to Washington, DC in 1800, although it was a further six decades before the city began to look like a capital. In the interim period, foreign ambassadors considered it a hardship posting. Now, this political centre stage and capital of the most powerful nation in the world, is the place to be. Washington, DC is always in the international spotlight. Occasionally this attention is not welcome, for example, the world’s largest concentration of spies lurks around the city. Washington, DC has also had its share of political scandal, such as the Watergate affair, Mayor Marion Barry’s imprisonment for drug offences, the Monica Lewinsky affair and the painful struggle of the 2000 presidential elections. The nation’s capital was once again in the spotlight on 11 September, however, this time for tragic reasons, when a hijacked plane crashed into the Pentagon. Since that time, barricades, blocked-off streets, police and security checks have given parts of the city a different façade.

Washington, DC (Washington to visitors and DC, or the District, to locals) is divided into four quadrants – northwest (NW), northeast (NE), southeast (SE) and southwest (SW). It is a city of neighbourhoods, each with its own diverse culture. Capitol Hill, beyond the Capitol, is a blend of government buildings, townhouses and speciality shops and restaurants. Foggy Bottom, also home to several government buildings, is now a charming, quiet neighbourhood. Perhaps the most famous is Georgetown, an historic district with elegant 18th- and 19th-century townhouses, home to many influential residents, as well as chic restaurants and shops. One of the most colourful neighbourhoods is Adams Morgan, with an eclectic mix of international restaurants, sidewalk cafés, ethnic stores and late-night entertainment.

After the federal government, tourism is the capital’s primary industry. Over 20 million visitors explore the city each year, preferring to see the sites during the hot and humid summer rather than in the bitterly cold and wet winter, when hotel rates drop. They are drawn by the wealth of impressive monuments and museums, many of which offer free entry.

Other important industries located in Washington include trade associations, law, higher education and publishing. The city is also the headquarters for the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

However, Washington, DC has a downside that visitors to the capital rarely see as they tour the safe Downtown area with its open spaces, museums and landmarks. Although wealthy on the surface, the city has the dubious distinction of having one of the highest crime rates in America, coupled with high unemployment, illiteracy and drug abuse. All of this has driven middle-class families out of the city centre into the suburbs and neighbouring states. However, Mayor Williams is now trying to clean up the city and revitalise Downtown and some progress with this has already been made. Housing, office space, eclectic art galleries, numerous restaurants and engaging attractions, such as the new International Spy Museum, located in the restored Penn Quarter neighbourhood, just northwest of Downtown, are a prime example of this revitalisation process.

Despite the city’s problems, the power and the politics are a heady mix. So much American history is crammed into the city, with its wealth of monuments, public buildings, museums and memorials to past heroes, that visitors cannot fail to be impressed.

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