Washington, D.C. formally the District of Columbia is the capital of the United States, founded on July 16, 1790. The city is located on the north bank of the Potomac River and is bordered by the states of Virginia to the southwest and Maryland to the other side. Washington D.C. is the center of politics, power and influence in the U.S. and once you visit the National Mall area you realize why it is so. New York take a back seat please. The White House, the U.S. Capitol, the security surrounding it, the fenced lawns, the numerous flags, the secret service patrols, and the feeling that you can only look and not touch is omnipresent.

The architecture of Washington varies greatly. Six of the top 10 buildings in the American Institute of Architects' 2007 ranking of "America's Favorite Architecture" are located in the District of Columbia, including: the White House; the Washington National Cathedral; the Thomas Jefferson Memorial; the United States Capitol; the Lincoln Memorial; and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. While I might not agree with all of them, Washington does have a lot to offer. The walk from the U.S. Capitol, through the White House, past the memorials near the Washington Monument and to the monuments around the Tidal Basin are all worth visiting. The museums by themselves will take many weeks to visit, especially the Smithsonian galleries. The Air and Space Museum is a must do.

To do D.C. justice you need a few weeks but don't be deterred, it is a great city for a weekend getaway. If you can make it the weekend of the Cherry Blossom Festival, even better. Usually the blossoms bloom at the end of March, early April and there is no time like that in D.C.