Insight Guides - Insight Guides Explore Washington (Travel Guide eBook)

How To Use This E-Book

This Explore Guide has been produced by the editors of Insight Guides, whose books have set the standard for visual travel guides since 1970. With top-quality photography and authoritative recommendations, these guidebooks bring you the very best routes and itineraries in the worlds most exciting destinations.

Best Routes

The routes in this book provide something to suit all budgets, tastes and trip lengths. As well as covering the destinations many classic attractions, the itineraries track lesser-known sights, and there are also excursions for those who want to extend their visit outside the city. The routes embrace a range of interests, so whether you are an art fan, a gourmet, a history buff or have kids to entertain, you will find an option to suit.

We recommend reading the whole of a route before setting out. This should help you to familiarise yourself with it and enable you to plan where to stop for refreshments options are shown in the Food and Drink box at the end of each tour.

Introduction

The routes are set in context by this introductory section, giving an overview of the destination to set the scene, plus background information on food and drink, shopping and more, while a succinct history timeline highlights the key events over the centuries.

Directory

Also supporting the routes is a Directory chapter, with a clearly organised AZ of practical information, our pick of where to stay while you are there and select restaurant listings; these eateries complement the more low-key cafs and restaurants that feature within the routes and are intended to offer a wider choice for evening dining. Also included here are some nightlife listings, and our recommendations for books and films about the destination.

Getting around the e-book

In the Table of Contents and throughout this e-book you will see hyperlinked references. Just tap a hyperlink once to skip to the section you would like to read. Practical information and listings are also hyperlinked, so as long as you have an external connection to the internet, you can tap a link to go directly to the website for more information.

Maps

All key attractions and sights mentioned in the text are numbered and cross-referenced to high-quality maps. Wherever you see the reference [map] just tap this to go straight to the related map. You can also double-tap any map for a zoom view.

Images

Youll find hundreds of beautiful high-resolution images that capture the essence of the destination. Simply double-tap on an image to see it full-screen.

2018 Apa Digital (CH) AG and Apa Publications (UK) Ltd

Table of Contents

Recommended Routes For...

Accessibility

Smithsonian museums and the National Gallery of Art offer audio, tactile, and ASL tours. Most require arrangements in advance; two weeks is suggested. The National Archives has copies of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence in Braille and services for deaf visitors (routes ).

Washington.org

Architectural interest

Take tours that highlight the beauty and symbolism of the Capitol, Library of Congress ().

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Art museums

The National Gallery of Art holds collections by the Masters ().

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Families

After you finish at the Smithsonian museums on the Mall (routes ).

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Gardens

Dont miss Bartholdi Park and the US Botanic Garden ().

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History buffs

The three major documents of American Democracy are at the National Archives ().

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Literary types

See a Shakespeare First Folio at the Folger Shakespeare Library and exhibits from the overwhelming collections at the Library of Congress ().

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Shopping

Union Station has upscale and specialty shops in the beautifully restored travel terminal ().

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Explore Washington DC

Originally a quiet town that was merely a footnote to world politics, Washington, DC is now arguably the center of global and national power and a magnet for world culture, education, arts, and entertainment.

Washington was created with one purpose as the seat of government for the fledging United States of America. It was designed to reflect the dignity and importance of its mission with broad boulevards and grand vistas, stately buildings, and impressive monuments all of this at a time when the country was viewed with curiosity and amusement, more than respect, by European powers.

The Lincoln Memorial

Washington.org

Its ambiance is the pursuit of power by elected officials, lobbyists, activists, policy wonks, pundits, analysts, and consultants. But it is also a city that, in many other ways, reflects the country it represents. The problems of economic and racial inequality, urban poverty and neglect, crime, education, and infrastructure mar the psyche of much of the citys population. Because it is the focus of so much national and international attention, the ways in which DC addresses those problems are closely watched by the rest of the country and the world.

As the center of the military-industrial-political world, it was targeted in the 9-11 terrorist attack and the security measures enforced throughout the city are constant reminders that DC is still an attractive mark. Meanwhile, the temper of the government since the 2017 inauguration of President Donald Trump means a constant, chaotic display of democracy, with demonstrations, protests, and political action.