Things to Do in Washington

Washington, D.C. was purpose-built as the nation's capital in 1790 and is the only U.S. state capital not named after a person.

The cherry blossom trees lining the Tidal Basin were a gift from Japan in 1912 and now attract nearly 2 million visitors each spring.

Washington has no voting representation in Congress despite a population of over 700,000, making it larger than Vermont or Wyoming.

The Washington Monument takes 70 seconds to ride to the top via elevator, offering 360-degree views of the entire city.

Georgetown, one of D.C.'s oldest neighborhoods, was founded in 1751—before the city itself existed—and retains 18th-century architecture along M Street.

The Smithsonian Institution operates 19 world-class museums and the National Zoo, all with free admission.