#1 The White House: crocs and curiosities

The White House is a must-see on any Washington visit. A tour of the building requires some forward planning. But free views of the president’s home are available from Pennsylvania Avenue NW at Lafayette Square. And if the politics aren’t really your thing, the historic building holds some fun facts, too:

• No George Washington: Although the city was named after him, the first US president never lived in the White House. He initiated its construction; but the official residence of every president since wasn’t completed until 1800. By then, Washington had been succeeded by John Adams, who thus became the first president to take up residence.
• Gator in the bathtub: The White House has had its share of unusual occupants over the years. John Quincy Adams was once gifted an alligator, which he kept in the tub of an unfinished bathroom in the East Room. Legend has it that he would occasionally subject unwitting guests to this unusual sanitary sight. And it’s not just gators that have found refuge on the presidential premises: a parrot and two tiger cubs have also called the White House home.

#2 The Capitol: you’re never lost here

DC is a place where it’s hard to lose your bearings. The product of drawing board planning, the city streets branching out from the Capitol are all named after the direction they run in: NW, SW, SE and NE. Consecutive street numbering is a boon to visitors, too. The Capitol, the seat of the United States Congress, is well worth a visit, and admission is free of charge. If you’d like to join a tour, though, be sure to book in advance via visitthecapitol.gov

#3 The Old Supreme Court Chamber: beware of the cat

Visiting the Capitol Building can be a spooky experience. The place is said to be haunted by a ‘Demon Cat’ – evidenced by a set of paw prints in the cement floor near the Old Supreme Court Chamber. A well-disguised undercover agent? Or a case for Mulder and Scully?  

#4 The cathedral with Darth Vader

Did you know that Darth Vader watches over the imposing Washington National Cathedral? In a children’s design contest back in the 1980s, the infamous fallen Jedi was one of the subjects selected for a new decorative grotesque on the cathedral’s façade. He’s in good company: the façade is further adorned by such quirky figures as a raccoon, a yuppie businessman and a pacifist in a gas mask. The cathedral, which is the sixth-largest in the world, is also the final resting place of Woodrow Wilson, the only US president to be buried in D.C.  cathedral.org

#5 Free museum marathons

The world’s biggest complex of museums is located in… drum roll… Washington D.C.. The Smithsonian Institution extends to 19 museums, galleries and a zoo, admission to all of which is entirely free of charge. So you could spend a whole month here immersing yourself in all the culture, and not pay a single cent.  si.edu

#6 A skyscraper-free capital

One of the most striking features of Washington D.C., which occurs to almost every visitor, is the absence of the kind of skyscraper skyline that is typical of so many US cities. One much-spread myth here has it that the lack of tall buildings is due to a decree that the views of the Washington Monument must always be maintained. In fact, the reason lies in a piece of legislation passed by the US Congress known as the Height of Buildings Act. The Act stipulates that no building in D.C. may be taller than the width of the street it stands on plus 6.1 metres. Excepted from the Act are the aforementioned Washington Monument, the National Cathedral and the Old Post Office and its tower, which were either already in existence when the Act was passed or had already been planned.

#7 Canines welcome

Washington D.C. is proud of its reputation as the dog capital of the world. East Potomac Park along the Potomac River, for instance, is a hugely popular dog walking area. Or how about a trip out to Theodore Roosevelt Island, which is only accessible on foot? They’re both great DC destinations for two-legged visitors, too.

#8 The Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial: complementary tributes

Many of the monuments in D.C. commemorate former presidents and historic past battles. Of particular prominence is the Washington Monument, an almost 170-metre-tall obelisk dedicated to first president George Washington. The structure can be ascended by elevator free of charge, though tickets should be reserved in advance. Sited in the heart of the National Mall, the Washington Monument offers a fabulous view of the illuminated Lincoln Memorial housing its 5.8-metre statue of President Abraham Lincoln.

And from the Lincoln Memorial there’s a wonderful view of both the Washington Monument and its mirror image in the memorial’s Reflecting Pool – a perfect interplay between the two sites. Incidentally, until the Eiffel Tower was completed in 1889, the Washington Monument was the world’s tallest structure. And it’s still the world’s tallest structure made predominantly of stone.

#9 Neighbouring Alexandria: dragon’s blood and fine food

From Washington’s Wharf it’s just a short 25-minute water taxi ride to Alexandria and its historic old town. Stroll the King Street Mile with its brick buildings and cobblestone alleys. Check out the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum with its dragon’s blood, mandrake roots and castor oil to delight any Harry Potter fan. And browse the Old Town Farmers’ Market, which is held every Saturday and is the oldest in the country at over 260 years. For friends of myths and legends, there’s a ghost tour, too.  visitalexandria.com

#10 A gourmet experience for presidents and locals alike

Hot dogs, seafood, pupusas (a stuffed flatbread from El Salvador), and all with a dash of Mumbo Sauce, the ketchup of the local population. D.C. is a place where you’ll find culinary delights from all over the world around every corner, and especially on 14^th Street and at Union Market. Like to visit an eatery that presidents, celebs and local gourmets are also known to frequent? Check out our gallery of recommendations below. 

#11 Rooftop bars and nightlife

Evenings in D.C., when the sun sets over the Potomac River and the city is bathed in a glowing red, exude something of a holiday mood. For the best tips on Cuban rhythms, rooftop terraces and the bar with the most beers, browse our picture gallery below.

#12 Stay where political deals are struck

For an amazing view of the White House and an address where the Obamas themselves stayed before the 44^th president’s inauguration, look no further than the Hay-Adams Hotel. If that’s a little too heavy on the budget, the Fairmont between Georgetown and central D.C. is an excellent alternative.

Tips for your trip

• The city centre is a 40-minute taxi ride (traffic permitting) from Washington’s Dulles International Airport.
• Tips of 15-20% are customary, unless a service charge is already included on the bill.
• D.C. is a cycle-friendly city. The Capital Bikeshare scheme is a particularly practical option. And the districts along the Potomac River are well worth exploring.  capitalbikeshare.com
• Metrorail, the subway for the D.C. region, is a great way to get around the city, and most sights and attractions are directly next to its stations.
• What to wear? The US capital has a distinctly Southern European feel from March to November. So pack those sunglasses and enjoy the Mediterranean temperatures.
• SWISS will be offering daily flights between Zurich and Washington D.C. from spring 2024.