About Washington DC

Washington, situated between the southern North and the northern South, is a city of paradoxes dating back to when magnolias and hemlocks first found themselves living together around the banks of Rock Creek. Washington’s formal and informal halves – government and its people, federal and local, global and provincial, rich and poor – are each engaged in a perennial effort to reckon with the other, a struggle that engenders nearly all of the city’s controversies. Though Washington is ostensibly a creature of the Enlightenment, as embodied in its street grid shot through with radial avenues, it has also seen its fair share of furore and fights - emotions run high where ideals clash.

When Pierre Charles L'Enfant gazed northward along the banks of the Potomac River in 1791, he envisioned a "pedestal waiting for a monument." Since that day, Washington, DC has evolved into a fascinating, lively city combining grand, neoclassical government buildings, monuments, memorials, museums and the National Mall with colourful neighbourhoods, art, theatre, music and culture.

During your stay in the nation's capital city one must discover Washington, DC as more than just a tourist. Marvel at the Lincoln Memorial. Show children the Star-Spangled Banner. Stop in at Eastern Market, an amazing European-style gathering of food vendors and artisans. Explore Jacqueline Kennedy's Washington through a Citywide Celebration and discover how her love of the arts and this city transformed the nation's capital.

Beyond the inspiring monuments and news-making public figures, Washington, DC is a city of colorful, diverse neighborhoods, filled with hip boutiques and galleries, historic homes and small museums, urban parks and spectacular gardens. Neighborhoods are comfortable for walking and almost all are accessible by Metro rail or Metro bus.

Neighborhoods

Adams Morgan
Centered on 18th Street and Columbia Road, NW, Adams Morgan is synonymous with entertainment, especially late night. Ethnic restaurants, nightclubs and bars line the two streets and fill with diverse and excitable crowds most nights of the week. During the day activities are more subdued as shoppers browse independent bookshops, music stores and boutiques while gazing at murals that adorn many of the buildings’ facades. The recent history of Adams Morgan is one of immigration, and vibrant Latino and African communities lend and international flavor to the eclectic neighborhood.

Capitol Hill
East of the Capital is the District’s largest residential historic community. Wash street contains a variety of row house designs and styles beginning with modest duplexes of the mid-1800s and ending the with press brick manor houses of the early 1900s. Lincoln Park, the East Capital Street Carbarn and Eastern Market (which is the oldest operation public market in the city) make the neighborhood feel alive even when Congress is not in session. The U.S Capital, the Supreme Court, and the Library of Congress create the typical impression of the neighborhood. Beyond the federal superstructures, Capitol hill is home to the Folger Shakespeare Library, union station, Capital Children’s Museum and the National Postal Museum.

Chinatown
Colorful signs, potent aromas from restaurants and lively Asian grocery stores all stand in the shadow of the world’s largest single span Chinese arch. The "Friendship Arch" was built cooperatively between the Washington city government and its sister city, Beijing. The neighborhood begins at 9th street and stretches just past the MCI center.

Downtown
The Downtown district is the crossroads of new and old in Washington DC. This neighborhood east of the White House is seeing a renaissance best symbolized by the new $834 million Washington Convention Center. What was once the center of social and political life is now the center for dining and entertainment. Not all of its classic flair has been pushed out, though. Downtown is still home to the Old Post Office Pavilion, Warner Theatre, National Theatre, Ford’s Theatre, the City Museum of Washington, the National Museum of Woman in the Arts and National Building Museum.

Dupont Circle
In its beginnings, Dupont Circle was the neighborhood where Washington’s elite lived and played. Today it’s the hub of cosmopolitan Washington. Victorian row houses and Beaux-Arts mansions have been restored to house embassies, international restaurants, art galleries and museums. Some of these museums include Phillips Museum, the Woodrow Wilson House, the Textile Museum, the Heurich House, and the National Geographic Society’s Explores Hall. Culture and Entertainment collide at the many cafes and bars in the area where patrons discuss the latest happenings in politics and art alike. Also, the circle itself is a fabulous place to people watch or play a pick up game of chess.

Embassy Row
Just west of Dupont Circle lies the biggest concentration of the city’s 150 international embassies. Many of them are housed along Massachusetts Avenue in grand Beaux-Arts mansions of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The terminus of Embassy Row is at the US Navel Observatory whose grounds include the Vice President’s residence and the atomic clock, which keeps the official time for the country.

Georgetown
Once a thriving colonial port, Georgetown retains its historical appeal with brick-paved sidewalks, elegant Victorian row house’s, and beautiful gardens. Centered on Wisconsin and M Street, NW the community is most renowned for shopping, dining and nightlife as well as the university that shares its name. Dumbarton House, Tudor Place Historic House and Garden, the C&O canal with 180 miles of biking and hiking trails, Old Stone House and Dumbarton Oaks represent the area’s history beyond the boutiques and bars. Incorporated in 1751, the town was not actually named for George Washington, but in honor of King George II.

Washington DC Climate

Warm weather usually prevails from April until as late as October. Winters are short here, with more rain than snow. Monthly highs and low average temperatures follow:

Transportation

Airports

Baltimore/Washington International Airport
Just 30 minutes from Washington, DC with over 670 domestic and international flights. Multiple ground transportation options to Washington DC including train, taxi and super shuttle. See "Transport" and "Useful Links" pages for further information.

Ronald Reagan National Airport
Located South of the city along the Potomac River and offering a full range of domestic flights on major, regional and commuter carriers. Also accessible on Metro rail’s Yellow and Blue lines. See "Transport" and "Useful Links" pages for further information.

Washington Dulles International Airport
Located 26 miles west of Washington DC and offering a full range of domestic and international flights. Washington Flyer provides bus service to West Falls Church Metro station with departures every 45 minutes and Super Shuttle offers door-to-door service. See "Transport" and "Useful Links" pages for further information.

Directions

Prices are for your information as a guide only and are not guaranteed.

From Ronald Reagan National Airport:

Super Shuttle - No advance reservations required. Shuttles are located at ground transportation. Proceed to the outside curb and contact the Super Shuttle representative. After hours, call 1-800-258-3826 and press 1 for dispatch or 2 for reservations, which will transfer you to dispatch. Cost: $10 one-way per person.

Metro - Take the Blue Line to Metro Center station. Follow 11th Street exit to the lobby of the Grand Hyatt. Cost: $1.65 per person one way (rates may change).

Taxi - Taxicabs are available at the exits of each terminal. The hotel is approximately 15 minutes from the airport, depending upon traffic conditions. Cost: $12 to $15, one-way.

From Dulles International Airport:

Super Shuttle - No advance reservations are needed. Super Shuttle stops are clearly identified on the Ground Transportation Level roadway outside the Main Terminal at Dulles. Shuttles operate on an on-demand basis. Cost: $38 one- way per person.

Taxi - No reservation required. Proceed to the "Taxi Passengers" area on the lower level of the Main Terminal. A Dispatcher is on duty 24 hours a day. Wheelchair-accessible minibuses available for 1 person in his/her wheelchair plus 3 additional passengers. Smoking and non-smoking vehicles are available by request. Cost is approximately $50 to $60. The hotel is approximately 40 minutes from the airport, depending upon traffic.

Private luxury car service – is available. Please call our Concierge and they will be delighted to make your arrangements.

From Baltimore Washington International Airport

Super Shuttle – Shuttles are located at ground transportation. No advance reservations are needed. Cost: $45 one-way per person.

Taxi - The BWI taxi stand is located just outside of the baggage claim area of the Lower Level of the BWI Airport Terminal. Cost: approximately $65. The hotel is 50 minutes from the airport, depending upon traffic.

Private luxury car service – is available. Please call our Concierge and they will be delighted to make your arrangements.

From West Falls Church Metro Station:

Take the Orange Line - in the direction of New Carrolton – to the Metro Center station. Follow underground access from the Metro to the 11th Street exit, to the lobby of the hotel.

From Amtrak / Union Station:

Union Station is approximately five minutes from the hotel via taxi, or three metro stops from the hotel. Cost: Taxi is approximately $5, metro is approximately $1.25.

Activities in Washington

There's plenty to keep you busy while visiting the nation's Capital. Whether you're an exercise enthusiast, a shop-a-holic, a performing arts fanatic or a relaxation buff, we've got just the right activity for you.

Please select an Off-Site activity below for more information. If your interests include an activity that is not listed below, our Concierge staff will gladly assist you.

For a flavour of what Washington DC has to offer you, please visit:
http://www.washington.org/visiting/browse-dc

SCHEDULED TOURS IN DC

All About Town
Full-service sightseeing and Transportation Company certified for local and long-distance charters, conventions shuttles, group tours and sightseeing in and around Washington, DC. Featuring a fleet of late model motor coaches with reclining seats, tinted windows and the only glass-topped sightseeing coaches in Washington DC. Free pick up at most hotels. All drivers and guides have at least 15 years of experience. Family operated since 1937. Brochures available in any quantity on request.

Capital River Cruises
Discover the most spectacular views of Washington aboard Nightingale II Georgetown’s only hourly sightseeing cruise. The 50-minute narrated tours depart daily from Georgetown harbor.

Old Town Trolley Tours
Daily 2-hour narrated tours every 30 minutes starting at 9am. Free re-boarding from 19 sites around the city. Best conductors in the city. Pick up from area hotels for private charters.
Washintours and Events
Washingtours and Events offers multilingual tour guides services in French, Spanish, Italian, and German. We manage and provide on site services during special events. Certified tour guides trainer and special event planner.

Tours of the White House
Tours of the White House have been expanded from school, youth, military and veterans' groups to include any groups of ten. Groups of ten should submit a request through their member of Congress at least one month and up to six months in advance. The tours are self-guided and will run from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, call the White House Visitors Centre at 202-456-7041 or visit www.whitehouse.gov

Restaurants

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Useful links

Washington Convention and Visitors Bureau:

Washington Airports:
Baltimore/Washington International Airport
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
Washington Dulles International Airport

Public Transportation:
Bus: www.greyhound.com
Metro: metroopensdoors.com
Train: www.amtrak.com

Weather:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/weather/

Exchange rates:
http://www.x-rates.com/

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