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Most people know the District of Columbia from “Washington D.C.”, where D.C. indeed means District of Columbia. This district is strictly speaking not an individual state in the USA but has a “status aparte” in the American constitution, it is
the capital of the USA and also domicile of the American government. Washington, D.C. should not be left out from any trip to the USA. Here you’ll find the political center of the country and everybody knows the most famous buildings in town, which were used in many film and television productions. The White House, the Capitol, the Washington Monument and many other landmark are on the “must-do list” for any trip to the USA. Next to these absolute highlights there are many wonderful parks, and the city also has a very active nightlife.
Directly after arriving in Washington, you’ll directly notice that the skyline of this city is different from other cities in the country; the skyscrapers are missing! The reason for this is that no buildings higher than the Capitol are allowed. The only exceptions from this rule are the Washington Monument, the Washington National Cathedral and the Old Post Office. 
To get to the government center you should drive to the city center, which lies east of the Potomac River. The White House is situated on the Pennsylvania Avenue, which runs East-West. This is the place where the American president lives, and therefore, it is obviously well protected. Its impressive sight is a good starting point to look at other sightseeing in the direct surroundings.
The enormous Washington Monument, which looms over the city, is situated directly south of the White House and can easily be reached by taking 15th street, which runs perpendicular to Pennsylvania Avenue. A bit west from here you’ll find the Lincoln Memorial, and to the South the Jefferson Memorial. The whole area is actually a nice widespread park, which invites for a nice stroll.
The three most important museums are situated just east of Washington Monument: the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of Natural History, and the National Gallery of Arts. They are all very impressive and certainly worth a visit.
Even further to the East you’ll find the mighty Capitol, domicile of the American congress. Just behind the Capitol you’ll find the highest court of justice of the USA: the supreme court. Coming from the Washington Monument it is best to take either the Constitutional Avenue or the Independence Avenue, eastbound.
Just northeast of the Capitol lies the wonderful and very impressive Union Station, which was built in the early 20th century. Next to the old architecture and the wonderful shining marbles this building contains a wide range of restaurants and shops that are worth visiting.
After dark the Adams Morgan Quarter is a good tip. This part of town is well known in the whole city and renowned for its exotic delicacies from all over the world. Here you’ll find a cultural melting pot of a wide range of nationalities and cultures from all over the world represented in many shops and restaurants. The small bars, clubs and street cafes are the places where the locals meet in the evening, and where tourists can finish their day that was undoubtedly full of historical impressions.
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