Washington DC.

Within its city limits (67 square miles), Washington teems with the country's history, past, present, and future; with a rich culture of the arts and the diverse cultures of an international population; with beautiful parks and gardens and architecture that celebrates Washington's place as a world hub of power and diplomacy.

There are two excellent tourist information centers in town, and though each focuses on a specific attraction, they can also provide information about other popular Washington sights, The White House Visitor Center, on the first floor of the Herbert Hoover Building, Department of Commerce, 1450 Pennsylvania Ave. NW (between 14th and 15th streets), is open daily from 7:30am to 4pm (call tel. 202/208-1631, or 202/456-7041 for recorded information).

Getting Around.

The Smithsonian Information Center, in the "Castle," 1000 Jefferson Dr. SW (tel. 202/357-2700 or TTY 202/357-1729; www.si.edu), Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) lies about 30 miles north of Washington along a route (the busy I-95) that will take you a good 45 minutes to travel into downtown. Expect a trip by taxi (tel. 410/859-1100 for information) to cost $45 and take 45 minutes. Super Shuttle (tel. 800/258-3826; www.supershuttle.com) operates seven-passenger blue vans that provide shared-ride, door-to-door service between the airport and downtown and suburban locations; expect to pay $19 to $30 one-way ($5 for each additional passenger in your part Pierre Charles L'Enfant designed Washington's great sweeping avenues crossed by numbered and lettered streets. At key intersections he placed spacious circles. The U.S. Capitol marks the center of the city, which is divided into quadrants: northwest (NW), northeast (NE), southwest (SW), and southeast (SE). Almost all the areas of interest to tourists are in the northwest, another good idea would be to buy a map with all of the attractions marked out for you.

So much to do, so much to see. In 1978 when I first visited I stayed at KOA just outside Washington DC, as I was camping and the campsites offered by this national company where first class. Then in 1980 I returned to stay at The Ramada Inn at Alexandria, then in 1992 I stayed at The Quality Inn at Alexandria, I returned again in 1999, staying at The Latham in Georgetown. There are lots of beautiful hotels in Washington DC. Most hotels can arrange for baby sitters. If your hotel does not offer a baby-sitting service, you can contact White House Nannies (tel. 301/652-8088) yourself. In business since 1985, this company checks their sitters' qualifications, child-care references, and personal histories, including driving and social security records. Each care giver has been trained in CPR and first aid training. Rates are $10 to $12 per hour (4-hour minimum), Safety--In Washington, you're quite safe throughout the day in all the major tourist areas described in this book, and you can also safely visit the Lincoln Memorial after dark. Riding the Metro is quite safe. U Street Corridor, Adams-Morgan, and Capitol Hill are the least safe neighborhoods, but it's really at nighttime that you should be especially careful. In fact, you should be alert at nighttime regardless of where you go in Washington, So big and beautiful I found Washington DC, the Capitol of the United States Of America from the states Capitol all the way down to the majestic Lincoln Memorial, beautiful white buildings and monuments and memorials.

I first headed off to The Smithsonian Center where I spent possibly the best part of a day just browsing I remember looking at the Spirit of St Louis and looking at Moon Rock back in 1978 this was just great as it had only been 9 years since first man landed on the moon. The Smithsonian's collection of nearly 141 million objects spans the entire world and all of its history, its peoples and animals (past and present), It all began with a $500,000 bequest from James Smithson, an English scientist who had never visited the United States. I have always found time to browse this magnificent museum on my visits. Really want to get hip to Washington? Hop on the Metro. Spend an afternoon at a sidewalk cafe near the White House in springtime, eavesdropping and watching the passersby. Climb to the top of a high landmark--the Washington Monument, the Washington National Cathedral--and gaze at the city laid out before you.

The White House.

All the times I have been back here as yet I have never as yet got into The White House, the last time we tried was in 1999 and we caught the tail end of a Hurricane the rain was coming down like I don't know what, so we said lets jump in a cab and go down to The White House as no one would be there, we could not believe it when we arrived there was a large amount of people waiting to get in soaking thru to the skin, and I was sure I was not going to join them. Pennsylvania Avenue is certainly among the world's most famous streets.

Georgetown.

An architectural feast awaits as you stroll brick sidewalks in this 18th century port town. In 1999 I stayed here at the Latham Hotel and found George town a very up market and nice area to stay on our visit to Washington DC. Georgetown began as a Maryland tobacco port on the banks of the Potomac River in 1751. When Congress created the District of Columbia for the nation's capital in 1791, its 10-mile square boundaries were drawn to include this port town.

The FBI.

I have also been on a very interesting tour of The FBI Building back in 1980, tried for a tour again in 1999 but was told by a Policeman all tours had been canceled for security reasons. More than half a million visitors (many of them kids) come here annually to learn why crime doesn't pay. Tours begin with a short videotape presentation about the priorities of the bureau: organized crime, white-collar crime, terrorism, foreign counter intelligence, illegal drugs, and violent crimes. En route, you'll learn about this organization's history (it was established in 1908) and its activities over the years. You'll see some of the weapons used by big-time gangsters such as Al Capone, John Dillinger, Bonnie and Clyde, and "Pretty Boy" Floyd; and an exhibit on counter intelligence operations. There are photographs of the 10 most-wanted fugitives (2 were recognized at this exhibit by people on the tour, and 10 have been located via the FBI-assisted TV show America's Most Wanted). After the tour walk back to Ford's Theater, on 10th Street, where Lincoln was shot, and the Petersen House, across from Ford's, where he died. Have lunch at one of the many good restaurants in this area:

The Capitol.

The Capitol was also worth a tour this was very interesting inside we had a fantastic tour and also sat in while a debate was going on with Senators. Visit your senator or representative, then hang out in a bar on Capitol Hill, listening to the talk going on around you they have there own language.

Arlington Cemetery.

The land that today comprises Arlington County was originally carved out of Virginia as part of the nation's new capital district. In 1847 The county was named to honor Arlington House, built by George Washington. The Lees lived in Arlington House on and off until the onset of the Civil War in 1861. After the first Battle of Bull Run, at Manassas, several Union soldiers were buried here; the beginnings of Arlington National Cemetery date from that time. The Arlington Memorial Bridge leads directly from the Lincoln Memorial to the Robert E. Lee Memorial at Arlington House. We also went up to Arlington Cemetery to view JFK's eternal flame this was a very touching moment as I thought he was a great President and Man. Apart from all of the interesting places to visit the photography there is outstanding, I have taken some beautiful photo's from my many visits to the States Capitol.