Frequently Asked Questions
What's the food like in Washington DC?
Washington DC is home a whole host of delicious eateries, catering to almost every palette you can think of.
A very popular local dish is half smokes – half pork, half beef sausages, and every day since 1903, Senate Bean Soup has been served – at the Senate. Many local establishments pride themselves on their pupusas – a type of melt in your mouth corn pancake, delicious with cheese.
Is Washington DC easy to navigate?
The city covers just 68 square miles (and eight of those are water), compared to New York’s 302 square miles. There’s also a hop-on, hop-off trolley bus that’s easy to find and takes visitors to most places of interest.
When's the best time to visit Washington DC?
The mild weather and sunshine from March to May and September to November makes these the best time of year to visit. In summer, temperatures can rise to around 31°C, while in winter they can plummet to as low as -4°C, with snow expected during these cold months.
If you enjoy cityscapes and history, Washington DC is a perfect choice for you. If you really like to get to know a place, you’ll find excellent transport links and a relatively small city, by American standards, which is easy to wander around by foot.
Why you’ll love Washington DC…
• Getting close to probably the most powerful building in the world – The White House
• Witnessing America’s springtime awakening, abundant with beauty and aroma of flowers and blossom
• Tasting delicious food from all over the world, with an American twist
• Visiting the International Spy Museum for fascinating gadgets and a taste of cold war history
• Roaming the captivating streets of Georgetown
• Watching a Shakespeare play at the Folger Shakespeare Library, modelled on an Elizabethan inn
• Taking in the aroma and beauty of fascinating plants at the US Botanical Garden
• Watching congress in session at the US Capitol
• Feeling like you’re walking through the political history of America
• Absorbing the sights, sounds and smells of the Saturday Eastern Market as you meander through the aisles
Did you know?
• Ordered from London in 1752, The Liberty Bell is a symbol of American freedom. It hasn’t been rung since 1846 when it was used to celebrate George Washington’s birthday. Nobody knows why or when it cracked.
• Apart from presidents, there have been three very unlikely occupants at The White House – one alligator owned by John Quincy Adams and two by Herbert Hoover’s son.
• John Adams was the first president of the USA to live in The White House.
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