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Washington, DC

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Capital getaways: the best day trips from Washington, DC

DC residents may be intent on making the world go round, but even politicos need a break. And the region around the USA's capital delivers day trips for every mood. Have a hankering for wine-tasting? You got it. How about exploring a super cool new-old neighborhood? Check. National park vistas, Civil War history, sampling oysters? Yep, yep and yep. Mountains, lakes, an ocean and countryside are within easy reach. Adorable small towns and bustling cities are filled with fascinating history...

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Offbeat DC: 20 unusual things to do in Washington DC

Lincoln Memorial? Done. Smithsonian troves? Seen 'em...

Lincoln Memorial? Done. Smithsonian troves? Seen 'em. But have you popped your eyes on the giant hairball or hugged your state tree? Did you see Helen Keller's ashes or smell the 'corpse flower'? After you've checked off the top sights, here are 20 beyond-the-norm things to do in Washington DC. 1. Seek out Lincoln's Summer Cottage Abe diehards can make the trek to Lincoln’s Cottage in northern DC...

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Visiting ghosts of the past in these 6 US cemeteries

The best way to get to know a city is to meet some longtime residents, the folks who have been there for a really long time – like a couple centuries or so...

The best way to get to know a city is to meet some longtime residents, the folks who have been there for a really long time – like a couple centuries or so. Haunting graveyards while still on this side of the afterlife is a great way to connect with characters from the past, and the rich histories of many great American cities can be found in their cemeteries. Here’s six we recommend, some livelier than you might expect...

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48 hours in Washington, DC

There’s so much capital, so little time…but with a weekend to spare you can wander the National Mall, see the best museums and monuments, snap a photo of the White House and even spend an evening in U St, Shaw, Georgetown or Columbia Heights to see how the city ticks. This itinerary demands a fast pace, but rewards you with sensory explosions and a peek into the political heart of America...

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Washington, DC with kids: what to eat, see & do

Visiting DC with the kids? You’ve come to the right place! The US capital offer up valuable history lessons everywhere you look, plus plenty of hands-on fun for the wee ones, including interactive museum exhibits, exciting outdoor activities, fun shops and child-friendly eateries. The best part? Most of these kid-tested-and-approved attractions are free – unless, of course, you decide to buy yourself a souvenir...

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Undercover DC: secret spots in the nation's capital

The US capital has plenty of big-time attractions that lure visitors from far and wide...

The US capital has plenty of big-time attractions that lure visitors from far and wide. But to get a glimpse of the real DC, seek out some of the many quirky, unexpected sights tucked among the city’s stately buildings and flowery parks. It's easy if you know where to look. Here are nine of the best...

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Dine, shop, stroll: the best of DC's new District Wharf

Washington DC’s District Wharf is the US capital’s latest foray into trendiness...

Washington DC’s District Wharf is the US capital’s latest foray into trendiness. This thriving, mile-long stretch of restaurants, bars, entertainment venues and outdoor activities, right along the Washington Channel on the city's Southwest Waterfront, was once an industrial pier. Today, it's a place where Washingtonians come to relax, shop and play. Looking to visit? Here’s a plan of attack...

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Where to celebrate Pride in the US

Rainbow paint and feather boas at the ready – it’s time to prep for Pride season. From queer capital San Francisco to non-stop party town NOLA, 2018’s stateside festivities are set to be bigger and bolder than ever. Celebrate Pride in style in these LGBTIQ-friendly cities, as recommended by our Lonely Planet Locals...

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Surprising statues to see in Washington, DC

Washington, DC is best known for its monuments to the nation’s founders and forebears, those grand marble memorials along the National Mall...

Washington, DC is best known for its monuments to the nation’s founders and forebears, those grand marble memorials along the National Mall. But there are other statues worth your attention sprinkled in and around the nation’s capital – many more unexpected than you might think...

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How to live like a Local in Washington, DC

Lonely Planet Local Barbara Noe Kennedy has been living in Washington, DC, for more than 20 years...

Lonely Planet Local Barbara Noe Kennedy has been living in Washington, DC, for more than 20 years. She’s watched the cityscape transform from a staid affair into a buzzing global destination with an outstanding foodie scene, rejuvenated neighborhoods, thrilling theater, amazing music and more. The short of it? It’s an exciting time to be in DC. The Martin Luther King Jr monument on the National Mall is extra impressive at night © Barbara Noe Kennedy / Lonely Planet When I have friends in town...

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Special teams: six American football experiences worth the trip

All due respect to baseball's boys of summer, but football might just be America’s pastime...

All due respect to baseball's boys of summer, but football might just be America’s pastime. Whether it's a town turning out to support a high school or college team, or the nation gathering to watch the Super Bowl, no sport is more popular in the US. While the games themselves are the main event, the exhilarating fan culture and rich traditions of the game offer can’t-miss experiences in and of themselves. Game days have their own music, their own food, their own language...

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Exit through the gift shop: DC's best museum stores

Washington DC’s world-class museums showcase everything from art to history to space to espionage. So it’s no surprise the shops in those museums hold a panoply of unusual gifts as well...

Washington DC’s world-class museums showcase everything from art to history to space to espionage. So it’s no surprise the shops in those museums hold a panoply of unusual gifts as well. At these 10 museums, we promise you won’t mind exiting through the gift shop (and if you’re not local, most offer online shopping as well)...

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23 free things to do in Washington, DC

Accommodation aside, Washington, DC, is one of the most, er, capital-friendly cities in the world...

Accommodation aside, Washington, DC, is one of the most, er, capital-friendly cities in the world. From performances in the Kennedy Center to tours of the White House, and the Smithsonian's free museums and galleries (and zoo!), you can spend weeks having fun without spending a dime. Tick off our 23 picks for going free in DC...

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Hunting for the Smithsonian's top treasures

They call it the nation's attic: the Smithsonian Institution, founded in 1846, comprises 19 museums, most of which are found in Washington, DC...

They call it the nation's attic: the Smithsonian Institution, founded in 1846, comprises 19 museums, most of which are found in Washington, DC. Inside, you’ll find roughly 156 million pieces in total, each one connected to the American experience. With so many one-of-a-kind items on display, where to begin? If you don't have a week to rummage through the attic, start with our guide to the top 10 treasures on the National Mall...

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Hot ‘hoods in the US: 10 neighborhoods you need to visit

America is a dynamic country, and its most oft-visited cities are always different every time you stop by...

America is a dynamic country, and its most oft-visited cities are always different every time you stop by. It can be hard to keep your finger on the pulse of a city, especially when whole neighborhoods go and reinvent themselves while you aren’t looking...

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A world of wine near Washington, DC

It’s a well-known fact that even Mr. Renaissance Man himself, Thomas Jefferson, failed at wine-making in Virginia. Oh, how times have changed...

It’s a well-known fact that even Mr. Renaissance Man himself, Thomas Jefferson, failed at wine-making in Virginia. Oh, how times have changed. Within 55 miles of Washington, DC, in the rolling green countryside of Virginia and Maryland, eight award-winning wineries are making strides in the national wine scene. Take an afternoon, or a weekend, and see for yourself. The rolling hills outside of Washington, DC just might be paradise for wine lovers © Jason Rosenberg / CC BY-NC 2...

Washington, DC travel tips & articles

Capital getaways: the best day trips from Washington, DC

Offbeat DC: 20 unusual things to do in Washington DC

Visiting ghosts of the past in these 6 US cemeteries

48 hours in Washington, DC

Washington, DC with kids: what to eat, see & do

Undercover DC: secret spots in the nation's capital

Dine, shop, stroll: the best of DC's new District Wharf

Where to celebrate Pride in the US

Surprising statues to see in Washington, DC

How to live like a Local in Washington, DC

Special teams: six American football experiences worth the trip

Exit through the gift shop: DC's best museum stores

23 free things to do in Washington, DC

Hunting for the Smithsonian's top treasures

Hot ‘hoods in the US: 10 neighborhoods you need to visit

A world of wine near Washington, DC

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