How to visit Washington, DC

The nation's capital is a great place to visit. Here are some tips to enjoy your stay.

Instructions

1. Ride the Metro subway system. It is cheap, safe, and a great way to get around. Plus, the traffic in DC is horrible, so you'll save a lot of time. The rush hour on the Metro is between 8:15 and 9:15 in the morning, and then between 5:30 and 7:00 at night. Try to avoid the Metro during that period because it will be full of cranky commuters. And one last thing-- stand on the right on the escalators. DC natives will be running by on the left side and can get impatient if you block their path.

2. Do the touristy thing. Contact your members of Congress and the Capitol Visitor Center to arrange for a tour of the Capitol, White House, and federal buildings. Also, check out the Smithsonian museums, including the national zoo. They are all free and great learning experiences.

3. Catch a National game. You can get same day tickets at the box office for $5 and the stadium is 2 blocks from the Navy Yard metro station. The stadium has a ton of great food and it is always a fun time.

4. Look outside the district. Arlington and Maryland have great places to visit that are completely unique and exciting. Bethesda, Maryland and Clarendon in Arlington, VA are great to walk around and find great local places.