State · Washington e o Meio-Atlântico

Washington (D.C.)

The capital of the United States brings together on the National Mall the Capitol, the White House, the major memorials and the Smithsonian museums, most of them with free admission.

In the photo: National Cathedral of Washington

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

The state

Get to know Washington (D.C.)

Washington (D.C.) is the capital of the United States and does not belong to any state: it occupies the District of Columbia, created to host the federal government, on the banks of the Potomac River between Maryland and Virginia. The wide avenues and squares follow the plan drawn at the end of the 18th century by Pierre Charles L'Enfant.

The focal point for visitors is the National Mall, the large lawn that runs from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial. Along it are the Washington Monument, the World War II Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and, on the edge of the Tidal Basin, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. The White House is a few blocks to the north.

Smithsonian museums, such as the National Museum of Natural History, the National Air and Space Museum and the National Museum of African American History and Culture, do not charge admission, as does the National Gallery of Art. The Library of Congress and the Capitol offer guided tours, which require reservations.

Outside the Mall, Georgetown features 18th-century brick houses, shops and the C&O Canal; Dupont Circle and U Street concentrate restaurants and live music. On the plate, the city's signature dish is the half-smoke, a smoked sausage served in bread with chili.

On the other side of the Potomac, in Virginia, are Arlington, with the National Cemetery, and Alexandria, with the historic Old Town; Charlottesville, with Monticello, is about 190 km away. The cherry trees around the Tidal Basin typically bloom between late March and early April, during the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

Destinations

1 destination in Washington (D.C.)

1 city

Washington

Cities

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Washington (D.C.) Capital

Washington (D.C.)

Washington (D.C.) brings together the Smithsonian museums and the memorials of the National Mall, with broad avenues and gardens among public buildings. The Capitol and the White House help explain the layout of the capital; the subway shortens routes that on foot feel like a single long walk.

When to go

From March to June and from September to November temperatures are usually pleasant for walking the Mall, and the cherry blossom season typically occurs around the turn of March to April. Summer is generally hot and humid, with afternoon downpours. Winter, from December to February, is cold and sometimes snowy. The seasons are the opposite of those in Brazil.

Getting there

Three airports serve the capital: Dulles (IAD), in Virginia, which handles most international flights and has the Metro Silver Line; Reagan National (DCA), on the Potomac, a few stops from downtown; and Baltimore-Washington (BWI), in Maryland. Connections with Brazil may be direct or via a connection, depending on the season and the airline. Confirm before booking. Amtrak trains arrive at Union Station from New York, Philadelphia and Boston. Within the city, the metro and walking suffice.

Your questions

Frequently asked questions about Washington (D.C.)

Is Washington (D.C.) a state?

No. Washington is the federal capital and occupies the District of Columbia, its own area that does not belong to any state. That's why Dulles and Reagan National airports are on the Virginia side, and Baltimore's is in Maryland.

How many days should I set aside for Washington?

Three days are usually enough for the National Mall, the memorials, two or three Smithsonian museums and Georgetown. With four or five days you can add Arlington, Old Town Alexandria and a trip to Mount Vernon, George Washington's home.

Do Washington museums charge admission?

Smithsonian museums and the National Gallery of Art do not charge admission, but some require timed-entry passes during peak periods. Temporary exhibitions and private museums charge separately: check before you go.

Can you visit the Capitol and the White House?

The Capitol offers guided tours that start at the visitor center, with advance reservation. A visit to the White House is rare for foreigners: requests usually go through the visitor's country's embassy months in advance. The façade can be seen from Lafayette Square and the Ellipse.

How to get around Washington?

The Metrorail connects downtown, the Mall, Arlington, Alexandria and Reagan National Airport, and is paid for with a SmarTrip card or by mobile phone. Between the monuments on the Mall you can walk or use shared bikes.

Tap a state to see its destinations. Limites: U.S. Census Bureau / geoBoundaries (domínio público). Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.