By
Jason Walther There's bad news, good news, and great news
about traveling in D.C. The bad news is that the city can appear to be a maze
of crisscrossing streets organized by some unknown Byzantine system designed to
confuse tourists. The good news is that you can understand
the basics of traveling in D.C. in a few minutes. We provided the basics at the
end of this article. The great news is that D.C has an
excellent public transportation system, the Metro, can take you within walking
distance of most of D.C.'s attractions. Almost all hotels in D.C. are near a Metro
station. Many visitors put the National Mall first on their
itinerary, and with good reason. The National Mall has nothing to do with shopping--it's
a grassy area about a mile end to end where you can find the Smithsonian museums,
the U.S. Capitol building, the Washington Monument , and many more of D.C.'s must-see
attractions. There are 14 museums run by the Smithsonian
Institution. All of the Smithsonian museums are free, as are many of the other
museums in D.C. How's that for a change from most cities? If you are able to visit
the museums during the week, do so as they can get packed over the weekend. The
Air and Space Museum features the history of America 's space program, interactive
displays, and an IMAX theater. Art lovers should visit the National Gallery of
Art and the Hirshhorn museum, which also features a sculpture garden that attracts
residents looking for a peaceful stroll. If you are looking
for dinosaurs, check out the Museum of Natural History . The Holocaust Museum
, at Independence Ave., SW , and 14th Street , offers a powerful experience that
leaves an imprint on everyone who visits it. The National
Mall is located at the Smithsonian Metro stop (blue and orange lines). A map outside
the Smithsonian Metro station provides an easy way to find the museum of your
choice. Hotels within walking distance of the Nation Mall include the Loews L'Enfant
Plaza Hotel and the Holiday Inn Capitol. Some of the other hotels in the area
are the JW Marriott, Hotel Harrington, and the Monaco . Also
located on the National Mall is the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol,
home to the Senate and House of Representatives. You can get tickets for these
two sites at stands nearby their respective areas. Tickets are first-come, first
serve, so we suggest arriving early in the morning and making plans for the next
few hours in case the earlier times are unavailable. It
is surprising to some visitors that the D.C. area offers much in the way of nature.
The U.S. Botanical Gardens are located on the National Mall across from the U.S.
Capitol along First Street, S.W. , between Maryland Avenue and C Street . It features
dozens of varieties of flowers and a cactus garden that will make you think twice
before sitting down. A few hotels near the U.S. Capitol are Capitol Hill Suites,
The Hotel George, And Phoenix Park Hotel. More-->> | 
