Washington, DC

The Area
Capitol Hill is the main sightseeing area. Downtown includes the monuments dotting the Mall but is otherwise strictly business. Dupont Circle is an upscale business and residential address with a funky fringe; Adams-Morgan is bohemian, funky and international; Shaw has historically elite residential areas and ghettos; and Georgetown has pristine historic houses, a university and lively bars.

Best Time To Visit
The most comfortable times to visit Washington are in spring (March to May) and fall (September to November). The official tourist season runs from April through September. It's a good idea to buy advance tickets to popular attractions during this period because the queues can be monstrous. Summers are hot and humid, especially in July and August. If you can bear the heat, this can be a good time to visit, as business travel to DC slumps and accommodation rates fall accordingly. Snowman aficionados may get a kick out of winter.

Getting Around
Washington's modern, efficient Metrorail subway system is excellent. It provides services throughout the city and outlying communities. The municipal bus service fills in the gaps, but it can be slow-going in Washington's traffic. Taxis are a viable option for short trips (especially if you share cabs), and they're a good way to avoid city parking hassles. If you want to drive, all the usual car rental operators are downtown or at the airports.