From the Washington Monument to Capitol Hill, from the White House to Georgtown, here is the list of must-see things in the US capital.
Washingtonit was born to be the fulcrum of the world. When in 1790 the congress of theUnited Statesapproved the creation of a national capital on thePotomac River, it was then-President George Washington who established that portion of land that is now theDistrict of Columbia it would become the most powerful city in the world.A land of embassies and diplomacy, the main institutions of the United States government, many ministries, federal bodies and even some international organizations are based in Washington.
If you think you'll arrive in Washington and find the real America, however, you will be very disappointed. First of all, you will not see any skyscrapers here, nor will you find yourself submerged in the "melting pot" ofNew York City, nor can you ever say that you have landed in the city that never sleeps. On the contrary. Washington is a capital, pure and simple, made up of beautiful embassies and quiet neighborhoods, supervised by the police, beautiful to look at but difficult to live. The history oflack of skyscrapersit is certainly singular and refers to a 1910 town planning law which effectively forbade the construction of buildings that exceed the width of the road on which they rest by more than six meters.
Beyond these little curiosities, if you have organized a trip to this part of America, you certainly cannot fail to stop for a couple of days in this city and take at least one selfie in front of the White House. So I leave you a list of the main attractions to enjoy and admire.
WHAT SEE
The city is divided into zones, some of which are "off limits" for tourists, visitors but also citizens. However, all the main attractions are concentrated in the North West part, the armored and super-controlled part of the Police Forces. To get around you can easily use the subway or the buses, fully functional and on time. Your tour can begin with a visit to the area of theWashington Monument, between Downtown and Capitol Hill.
Coming off the metro stationFerragut Square, you will find yourself a few steps to the rear of theresidence of the President of the United States: theWhite House. Bypassing it you will arrive on Constitution Avenue, the street of the Museums. From there you can admire theWashington Monument, the Smithsonian Castle, theLincoln Memorial, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial and, on the opposite side, theCapitol.
In this area are the main museums of the city, some of which are really worth a visit, such as theSmithsonian Museum(Museum of American History), the National Gallery of Art, theNational Air and Space Museum and the newseum. Continuing east you will finally reach the Capitol Hill area, with the majestic Capitol, the botanical gardens, theLibrary of Congress.
In addition to the "must" there are so many other things to see in Washington. If you love animals, I recommend a visit to the Zoo (Smithsonian National Zoological Park), while if you are passionate about cafes and aperitifs, do not hesitate to spend a few evenings between the areas ofdupon circle and Georgetown. The latter is a very active area, above all due to its proximity to the University. Along the main road, the M St. NW, you will find many shops, restaurants and clubs for every taste. Just south of Georgetown it is locatedTheodore Roosevelt Island, the beautiful islet that rises in the waters of the Potomac River. Other areas to visit are then Chinatown and Massachusetts Avenue, the main street of the Embassies where the Italian one is also located.
AROUND
If you have a few more days, I absolutely recommend a visit around Washington.First you can program a "jump" to thePentagon, just to "touch" the true power of the United States. But, beyond this, the areas surrounding the capital really deserve to be experienced. I refer toarlingtonwith its famous and distinctive National Cemetery (approximately 15-20 minutes from Washington) andBaltimore, Maryland, which is about40 minutes.
Finally, if you are planning a road trip, remember that the beautifulPhiladelphiais only 2 hours away (there are many low cost bus companies, I advise against the really expensive train) and thatManhattanit is also easily reachable in about 4 hours!
4 comments
Questa mancanza di grattacieli devo dire che mi piace, grazie, non lo sapevo!