Sightseeing in Washington DC - what to see. Complete travel guide

Washington has been the capital of the United States for more than 200 years. Founded in 1791, it was named after the first president - George Washington. It is important to know that the city is an independent administrative unit and is not part of any state. There are many interesting nuances with the name of the city: since Washington is located in the northern part of the US, the capital was given another official name - District of Columbia . Local residents do not trouble themselves with the pronunciation of long and complex names, so they call the capital simply "DC".

This city is the main political and economic center of the country accommodating government agencies, large companies' headquarters, and the White House - one of the main symbols of the United States. Washington is of great tourist interest as well - every year hundreds of thousands of tourists come to admire its historical monuments; there is a huge number of museums and cultural centers in the city.

One of Washington's main features worth noting is its unique architectural appearance. The fact is that the construction of the city was planned, and one of the first creators of its appearance was Pierre Charles L'Enfant, the world-famous engineer, city planner, and architect from France. The result of a long and controversial planning is priceless architectural monuments of national importance, which can be seen in different parts of Washington. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Its outstanding architectural monuments include the White House and the United States Capitol , as well as the beautiful Washington National Cathedral and the Lincoln Memorial . Fans of excursions and architecture experts will undoubtedly note the fact that the city has monuments of various styles. One of the capital's main symbols is the National Mall - an incredibly beautiful landscaped park where the most significant architectural monuments and cultural centers are located.

Washington is a multinational city that introduces you to the culture and traditions of the peoples of different countries of the world. One of the most colorful and attractive areas is Chinatown - the concentration of the best Chinese restaurants, shops, and other themed establishments. It is worth noting that Eastern traditions have become an integral part of Washington: the incredibly beautiful and romantic National Cherry Blossom Festival is held here every year.

It is dedicated to the significant event that occurred in 1912. The mayor of Tokyo decided to present the city a few sakura trees as a gift. It was decided to plant them next to an artificial lake near the Washington City Canal. Since then, the trees delight locals and guests of the capital with their unique look every spring. The festival is held in early April - interesting exhibitions dedicated to the culture of Japan are organized as part of the holiday. Another part of the large-scale festival is the traditional Smithsonian Kite Festival, and the National Mall remains a permanent venue for its holding. Amazing architecture and historical heritage, a rich cultural program and an abundance of entertainment facilities are just a few attractive features that make Washington irresistible in the eyes of modern tourists.

Washington is one of the best cities for shopping in the world. It is home to dozens of shopping centers and hundreds of boutiques. In the district of Georgetown, vacationers have an opportunity to visit a truly unique shopping quarter - Shops At Georgetown Park. It is an excellent place to purchase items by famous American brands. The shopping quarter is particularly popular with budget travelers because it is also possible to find quality replicas of branded items at very affordable prices. Of course, there are branded shops by the leading American brands and department stores like Macys and Bloomingdales. These two department stores often have various promotions and sales.

Many go to Washington to purchase recently released electronics. Indeed, items by Apple Inc. are significantly cheaper than in many European countries. The most popular shopping centers of Washington are located not far from the White House and Pentagon. As a rule, they offer items by upscale and luxury brands. Only upscale travelers will be able to shop at such venues because the prices are really high. There is also a quality shopping center in the building of the railway station. It is a great place to purchase inexpensive items and quality souvenirs.