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As the capital of the USA historic Washington is home to varied, iconic American buildings and monuments including the White House and differing, magnificent memorials; the world’s largest museum complex containing some of the country’s finest museums [almost all free]; plenty of classic US urban life action with vibrant arts and culture scenes both day and night; and a mass of outdoor activities such as hikes, river cruises, or just strolling the city’s airy parks and gardens.
The city offers excellent public transportation, especially the subway system, but the centre is compact enough to walk almost everywhere and the sights are well marked as a walking tour. In fact Washington was recently voted the US’s most pedestrian-friendly city by the Brookings Institute.
see Washington DC time zone /current local time
Once in the city, stop at the DC Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center , Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW (Mon-Sat 8am-6pm, Sun noon-5pm; tel 202/328-4748), which can help with maps, tours, bookings and citywide information.
Look for visitor information desks at the airports and Union Station. The White House Visitor Information Center , 1450 Pennsylvania Ave NW (daily 7.30am-4pm; tel 202/208-1631), supplies free maps and handy guides to museums and attractions; the most useful is the free Washington DC Visitors Guide.
Washington has earned itself a reputation as one of the most dangerous cities in the USA, though if you stick to the tourist areas and hours, you’ll be in elite company with few criminal concerns.
