MAIN Travel North America USA Washington DC

Moving from Philadelphia, New York to Princeton, the nation's capital later found a permanent home (by congressional decree in 1790) on the Potomac River, midway between northern and southern states.

As with most political decisions, the land on which the capital city was built was dank and swampy in summer, and bitterly cold in winter - and in the end satisfied no one!

French engineer Pierre Charles L'Enfant was hired to design the city, with Maryland and Virginia agreeing to cede land to create the ten-mile square District of Columbia, named for Christopher Columbus. The plan called for government buildings, in the classic style, built along spacious avenues all leading up to the Capitol building - which was almost completed when the British set it afire in the War of 1812.

Today, as the founding fathers intended, Washington, D.C. is a national showcase of attractions and exhibits offering free admission to the now 20 million tourists from around the world who visit each year. In addition to historical places of interest, the city's political culture also affords some of the nation's top restaurants, bars, day spas & beauty salons.

Along with general guides, below, check out more information with a list of individual links to Washington D.C.'s major attractions.

Official Tourism Site of Washington, DC - Travel news & updates, what's on, online travel bookings, kids' fun pages, maps, pictures & travel videos.

Washington DC City Pages - One-stop browsing for dozens of city attractions, events & festivals including maps, tour operators, guides, and don't miss the virtua tour of the National Mall.

See Washington, DC - Pictures, decriptions, Metro stops and opening hours for all of the Washington D.C.'s historic & cultural attractions with related links to official sites.

Washington DC Major Tourist Attractions

Washington DC Summer Vacation Calendar:

also see in Holidays -> July 4th see in Travel -> Cherry Blossom Time

Goddard Space Flight Center a Real Blast for Kids

Christmas in Washington, DC | Move to Washington DC

Inauguration Day Events