Washington DC, the Capital city of the United States is located on the East Coast between Virginia and Maryland. This place besides being the political center of the most powerful nation is one of the top tourist destinations in the world.
The highly planned city boasts of many historically significant monuments and museums which reflect varied architectural styles like the no-classical, gothic as well as modern architecture.
With top-notch facilities to offer to the visitors, Washington is a compulsory stop for anyone planning a trip to the US.
Here are are some worthy points to remember when preparing to go to Washington:
1. White House Tour Requires You To Apply for It in Advance
A detailed tour of the White House (US President’s Residence) is an absolute must.
Because every single soul that comes to the city wants to checkmark this most important thing to do on their list, there is no way to get an entry just by knocking at the gates.
Applications are received from 6 months to 21 days in advance. So, if you happen to not have that much time to apply before the trip, you’ll have to be content with the White House Visitor Center only. So book in advance and you can even score the best price flight tickets.
2. The White House is not the only place there!
Apart from the White House, the other 2 more Federal government buildings too are worth a visit -the Capitol and the Supreme Court. There is a host of other places that you should consider –
(i) The Library of Congress
(ii) The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
(iii) The National Portrait Gallery
(iv) The National Zoo
(v) The Vietnam Veterans Memorial
(vi) The Kennedy Center
3. Security Checks are a Routine
The majority of the places (monuments or museums) you will visit will have security checks just like the airports.
So be prepared, do consider including the wait timings too in your schedule to plan your day’s itinerary.
Do not carry unnecessary objects that may be objected to metal detection. And make a memory note of all the articles you are carrying with yourself.
4. There will be a lot of Walking to Do
First and foremost, secure good air travel deals and get familiar with the conventional Metro and the Metro-bus, for a hassle-free commute.
But even that would not suffice as no matter how efficient the transit systems are, you cannot avoid walking down to the destinations.
Also, the monuments and museums cover a large chunk of the area in and around the grand structures.
So pack along your comfortable sports shoes as you book the greatest flight deals. However, you may work out a solution in the name of bike-riding. Bike-share stations are spread all across the city, so renting one would not be a problem.
5. Eating Joints and Hotels are Pricey
This is true for all tourist destinations. It is especially important to note because finding some affordable alternatives needs some idea of what works in the place you are about to visit.
In Washington DC, food trucks are very popular. However, finding small budget food shacks or cafes is a daunting task.
Vacation Rentals are the best to meet the accommodation issue. You may find a 1 room apartment with a living room, bath and other facilities for the price of a hotel room In D.C.
So for a family, this would be more independent as well as an affordable option. Hence, an added advantage is living alongside the local neighborhood. Also, book affordable and exclusive Washington to Ahmedabad flight deals.