Washington Monument in Washington, D.C.
The heart of Capital Region USA, Washington, DC is compact but packs a big punch.
Washington, DC is a favourite of visitors sightseeing in the Capital Region. It’s known for being the capital of the USA, but that’s only the beginning: Attractions in DC include famous monuments, captivating museums (many of them free!) and the National Mall, a two-mile-long national park flanked by the US Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial.
The nation’s capital has a booming restaurant scene, diverse neighbourhoods home to people and cultures from around the world, festive annual events and vibrant nightlife. Oh, and a little presidential residence called the White House.
Claim to Fame
It may be compact, but the influence of Washington, DC looms large as the nation’s capital. In addition to the White House residence and US Capitol, top-notch museums like those of the Smithsonian Institution and famous monuments such as the Lincoln Memorial offer plenty of opportunities for cultural and historical exploration.
From The Wharf — a lively development along the Southwest Waterfront — to the hip 14th Street corridor near Logan Circle, DC also boasts an assortment of eclectic neighbourhoods, ideal for experiencing the city’s vibrant nightlife, booming restaurant scene and diverse entertainment.
Mark Your Calendar
Arguably the most popular spring festival in the region, visitors from around the world flock to the nation’s capital during the three-week-long National Cherry Blossom Festival (20 March–13 April).
May brings Passport DC, a full month of festivities, during which DC’s embassies open free to the public, honouring the city’s many diverse cultures with street festivals, performances and more.
Capital Pride (31 May–9 June) celebrates the LGBTQ+ community with a free parade and multiple live-music events. Join the party in 2025 as the city hosts the international celebration of WorldPride (23 May–8 June).
End summer on a high note with the smooth sounds of DC JazzFest at live performances at various venues across the city (Aug.–Sept.).
The Latest & Greatest
In 2022, the National Air and Space Museum reopened its planetarium, museum store and eight renovated galleries, which offer digital and interactive displays and never-before-seen artefacts, including the WR-3 air racer.
The National Museum of Women in the Arts reopened in 2023 with larger gallery spaces, a hands-on education studio and innovative technology.
You can now learn about (and meet!) the horses that protect the National Mall at The Horse Stables and the Wells Fargo Education Center located near the Korean War Veterans Memorial.
New shops and restaurants, including Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen, await at the expanded waterfront Wharf.
At The Rubell Museum, marvel at a growing collection of contemporary art and its inaugural exhibition What’s Going On — 190-plus social- and political-driven pieces.
Rest and refresh steps from Union Station at The Royal Sonesta Capitol Hill hotel — a great option for those who love to explore on foot.