North America: Round-the-World Travel Destinations

Budget Scale: 1-5

1-least expensive; 5-most expensive
4– Washington DC is a large city on the east coast, which means that it isn’t cheap. If you want to see the sites that the city is famous for, it’s going to cost you. You can exert some cost cutting measures while you’re there, but plan on spending as much as you would in most large America cities not named New York or LA.

Indie Travel Scale: 1-5

1-not a good Indie Travel destination; 5-a great Indie Travel destination
3–  DC is riddled with super touristy sites like the White House and Washington Monument, but it also has plenty of treasures that most tourists don’t bother seeing.  If you try hard enough, you can have a truly indie travel experience in Washington DC.
Indie Travel Tips

• Washington DC is a city for walkers and has even been known as one of the fittest cities in the US.  Get out with your own two feet and explore America’s capital.
• Check out the historic neighborhood of Georgetown.
• Check out some parks not called The Mall.
  • Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
  • Meridian Hill Park
  • C&O canal Towpath
• Go running or cycling at Rock Creek Park
• Explore Roosevelt Island and get away from most of the tourists.
• Go see some blues bands play in the Shaw neighborhood.

Why you should add Washington DC to your RTW travel list

• Spend hours wandering the Smithsonian Mall and its 13 museums and galleries
• Visit the halls of power in the Capitol Building and the White House
• Get shushed in the world’s largest library, the Library of Congress
• Take a day trip out to the somber Arlington Cemetery
• Imagine yourself as Mulder or Scully in the J Edgar Hoover FBI Building

Why you should not add Washington DC to your RTW travel list

• It can be pretty pricey, and if you don’t get away from The Mall, you will be surrounded by tourists.
• If you come in the summer, prepare to be hit in the face by a wall of humidity.

Are you heading to Washington DC? What do you need to do?

• Buy an international plane ticket
• Book a Washington, DC hostel
• Book a Washington, DC hotel
• Talk to travelers on the North America message boards
• Check out our Washington, DC Travel Guide

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