Chosen by George Washington for its tactical location between the South and the North, and for its accessibility to the sea via the Potomac River, the capital of the United States is situated in a district specifically created to avoid the establishment of the capital city in any one state. Washington, DC (District of Columbia) with its low-profile skyline, is a city of green parks and open spaces, grand buildings, historic landmarks, marbled monuments and impressive museums, with character-filled neighbourhoods that support a thriving cultural scene with scores of top-notch restaurants, shops and night time entertainment.

This thriving cosmopolitan city is an international hub of power and diplomacy, commanding the political centre stage for one of the most powerful nations in the world, and representing all the democratic ideals that the country takes pride in. Washington, DC was one of the targets of the terrorist attack on the USA on 11 September 2001, when a hijacked plane crashed into the Pentagon, the heart of national and international security. Since then security has remained high around Washington's key monuments and police checks at top city attractions have lent a sober air to this pleasant city.

After politics, tourism is the capital's main industry. The city plays host to millions of people annually who come to explore famous sights such as the domed US Capitol, the stately White House, Lincoln Memorial and the soaring Washington Monument. The most well-known sights are located along the National Mall, a green park stretching from the US Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial on the Potomac River, and include several memorials to great US presidents of the past, as well as the outstanding museums of the Smithsonian Institute. Almost all major attractions are free.

Besides political sights, Washington is also a city of interesting neighbourhoods, each with its own character and culture. The most famous of these is historic Georgetown, with elegant colonial houses, boutiques, fancy restaurants, and a lively nightlife. One of the most colourful neighbourhoods is the bohemian district of Adams-Morgan with an assortment of funky shops and ethnic stores, while the arty suburb of Dupont Circle is an affluent business and residential area, with excellent restaurants, art galleries and shops that makes up the centre of DC's gay community.

National Mall

Address: Washington DC

Admission: Free The park is open 24 hours daily.

Telephone: (202) 426 6841 (Visitor information)

US Capitol

Address: Capitol Hill Washington DC

Admission: Free. Monday to Saturday 8:30am to 4:30pm. Closed Christmas Day and Thanksgiving. Access is by guided tour only, every 30 minutes and tickets are on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to increased security it is advised that all visitors phone ahead for up to date information regarding tours.

Telephone: (202) 224 3121 (general information), (202) 225 6827 (tour information)

White House

Address: 1600 Pennsylvania Ave Washington DC

Admission: Free Open for self-guided tours Tuesday to Saturday mornings from 7:30am. At present tours are only available to groups of 10 or more people due to increased security and all visitors are advised to phone ahead for up to date information regarding tours. Requests must be submitted through a Member of Congress and are accepted up to six months in advance. The White House Visitor Center is open daily from 7:30am to 4pm.

Telephone: (202) 208 1631 (White House Visitor Center), or (202) 456 7041 (for up to date, 24-hr tour information)

Washington Monument

Address: 15th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW Washington DC

Admission: Although admission is free, a ticket is required to enter the monument and ascend to the top. Advance ticket reservations are subject to a $1.50 fee per ticket and a handling charge of $0.50 per order. Note: The monument is currently closed indefinately due to safety concerns in the aftermath of the October 2011 earthquake. Ordinarily the monument is open daily 9am to 5pm. The ticket kiosk in the grounds is open daily 8:30am to 4:30pm, but as a limited number of first-come, first-serve tickets are obtainable daily, it is advisable to queue early.

Telephone: (202) 426 6841 (park information), or to book advance tickets (877) 444 6777

Lincoln Memorial

Address: 23rd Street Washington DC

Admission: Free Open daily 24 hours.

Telephone: (202) 426 6841 (park information)

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Address: 935 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington DC

Telephone: (202) 324 3447

International Spy Museum

Address: 800 F Street Washington DC

Admission: $18 (adults), $15 (children 5-11). Operation Spy: $14 (12 and older). Advance Tickets recommended especially for weekends and holidays. Note that ticket prices are not inclusive of tax. Open daily from 9am or 10am, but times vary within the month, so visitors are advised to consult the Museum's website or phone for more information.

Telephone: (202) 393 7798

Smithsonian Institution

Address: Smithsonian Castle Visitor Center, 1000 Jefferson Drive Washington DC

Admission: All museums are free. The Smithsonian Castle Visitor Center is open daily from 8:30am to 5:30pm. The museums are open daily from 10am to 5:30pm. Closed 25 December.

Telephone: (202) 633 1000

National Gallery of Art

Address: National Mall, Constitution Avenue Washington DC

Admission: Free. Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 11am to 6pm. Closed 25 December and 1 January.

Telephone: (202) 737 4215

US Holocaust Memorial Museum

Address: 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place Washington DC

Admission: Free. A ticket is necessary for the permanent exhibition. Advance Tickets are recommended and can be purchased from TicketMaster online (www.tickets.com) or by phone, but a service fee is charged Daily 10am to 5:30pm

Telephone: (202) 488 0400; and (800) 400 9373 (Advance Tickets)

Ford's Theatre

Address: 10th Street NW Washington DC

Admission: A limited number of free tickets are available daily, advance tickets are $2.50. Open 9am-4:30pm. The theatre may be excluded from tours when rehearsals are in progress.

Telephone: (202) 426-6924

National Archives

Address: 700 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington DC

Admission: Free March 15 to Labor Day 10am-7pm; Day after Labor Day to March 14 10am-5:30pm.

Washington National Cathedral

Address: 3101 Wisconsin Avenue NW Washington DC

Admission: $5 Visiting hours: Monday to Friday 10am-5pm; Saturday 10am-4:30pm; Sunday 1pm-4pm.

Telephone: (202) 537-6200

Kennedy Center

Address: 2700 F Street NW Washington DC

Admission: Tours are free, admission to performances varies. Tours are conducted Monday to Friday 10am-5pm, and weekens 10am-1pm.

Telephone: (202) 416-8340

National Zoo

Address: Rock Creek Park, 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW Washington DC

Admission: Admission is free. Parking fees are $15, and $20 for more than 3 hours. April to October 10am-6pm; November to March 10am-4:30pm.

Telephone: (202) 633-4800

Mount Vernon

Address: 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, Virginia Washington DC

Admission: General admission $15 adults, $7 children 6-17. Other concessions available. Distillery $4 adults, $2 children 6-17. Special tours charge separate fees. Open daily April to August 8am-5pm; March, September and October 9am-5pm; November to February 9am-4pm.

National Cherry Blossom Festival

Where: Tidal Basin,Washington DC

When: 20 March to 27 April 2012

Smithsonian Folklife Festival

Where: National Mall,Washington DC

When: 30 June to 11 July 2011

National Independence Day Celebration

Where: National Mall,Washington DC

When: 4 July 2011

Chinese New Year Parade

Where: Chinatown,Washington DC

When: 29 January 2012

St Patrick's Day Parade

Where: Constitution Avenue,Washington DC

When: 11 March 2011

Blossom Kite Festival

Where: Washington Monument,Washington DC

When: 31 March 2012

1789 Restaurant

Address: 1226 36th Street NW Washington DC

Food Type: American

Vidalia

Address: 1990 M Street NW, Dupont Circle (Downtown) Washington DC

Food Type: American

Zaytinya

Address: 701 Ninth Street NW, Edison Place Washington DC

Food Type: Greek

Sushi-Ko

Address: 2309 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Glover Park Washington DC

Food Type: Japanese

Belga Café

Address: 514, 8th Street, SE Washington DC

Food Type: Belgian

Bombay Club

Address: 815 Connecticut Avenue NW (Downtown) Washington DC

Food Type: Indian

Michel Richard Citronelle

Address: Latham Hotel, 3000 M Street NW, Georgetown Washington DC

Food Type: French

Capital Grille

Address: 601 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington DC

Food Type: Steakhouse

Fogo de Chao

Address: 1101 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington DC

Food Type: Brazilian

Birch and Barley

Address: 1337 14th Street NW Washington DC

Food Type: American