Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C., attractions include some of the world's most famous monuments, memorials, museums and landmarks.

The U.S. Capitol, the Washington Monument, the White House and the Smithsonian Institution are among a plethora of historic sites, buildings and other tourist attractions along the National Mall and the cherry-tree-lined Tidal Basin with its annual spring display of Cherry Blossoms. Washington D.C., the capital of the United States, sits at the center of a region, which is traversed by the Potomac River. Many of the capital area’s most famous attractions are found in Northern Virginia, which is located just across the Potomac to the west of the District. These attractions span the time from the colonial period to the emergence of America as the preeminent national power in the 20th century.

Surrounding Washington D.C., to the north, east and south are the Maryland suburbs offering a multitude of attractions (as well as nearby Baltimore and Annapolis).

Today, the Washington, D.C. area is a high-technology center spawned by military, medical and other governmental research. This growth has transformed a rolling-tree-covered rural farming area into a region that is home to more than 6 million people who live and work in the metro area, which maintains its links to its historic past.

National Harbor:

White House Tours
http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/tours-and-events
Public tours of the White House are available. Requests must be submitted through one’s Member of Congress. Requests can be submitted up to six months in advance and no less than 21 days in advance. You are encouraged to submit your request as early as possible as a limited number of spaces are available. All White House tours are free of charge. If you wish to visit the White House and are a citizen of a foreign country, please contact your embassy in Washington, D.C., for assistance in submitting a tour request.

Tour of the Capitol
http://www.visitthecapitol.gov/visit/book_a_tour/
U.S. residents can go directly through the offices of the Representative or Senators. Tours can also be arranged directly through the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center using an online reservation system.

The Smithsonian Institute
http://www.si.edu/Museums
The Smithsonian Institution—the world's largest museum and research complex—includes 19 museums and galleries and the National Zoological Park.

Tour calendar
http://www.si.edu/Events/Calendar/?trumbaEmbed=filter1%3D_16652_%26filterfield1%3D11153%26-index

Old Town Trolley Tours
http://www.trolleytours.com/washington-dc/

Washington D.C., Guided Tour
http://www.allwashingtondctours.com/Body.asp?tour=WAS-B0017&Page=TourDetails

Washington D.C., Monuments at Moonlight
http://www.allwashingtondctours.com/Body.asp?tour=WAS-T0002&Page=TourDetails

Odyssey Washington D.C., Dinner Cruise
http://www.allwashingtondctours.com/Body.asp?tour=WAS-W0005&Page=TourDetails

Washington D.C., Capital Sights Guided Segway Day Tour (Segway)
http://www.allwashingtondctours.com/Body.asp?tour=WAS-SEG01&Page=TourDetails

D.C. by Twilight Double-Decker Bus Tour in Washington
http://www.dctours.us/?event=offer.detail&offerId=2164&startDate=08/01/2011&endDate=08/31/2011

Hop-On-Hop-Off Double-Decker Bus Tour in Washington D.C.
http://www.dctours.us/?event=offer.detail&offerId=2162