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City Guide - Washington, DC - Sightseeing | ||
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Sightseeing The grand formal vista of the National Mall contains many of Washington, DC's most important monuments and institutions. The Mall is particularly attractive during the spring when the blossom on the Japanese cherry trees is out and in the winter with the Christmas trees and lights. The elegant neighbourhood of Georgetown is particularly attractive with smart townhouses, cobblestone streets, cafés, shops and lovely riverside walks. Many of the houses are occupied by Washington's elite and the area has a lively nightlife. Across town, Chinatown, with its colourful Friendship Arch, is the centre for an enormous array of oriental speciality shops and restaurants. A favoured recreation ground for city dwellers is Rock Creek Park in the northwest of the city. The creek itself passes through the heart of the park, which also has bicycle, bridle and jogging paths. Tourist Information Washington, DC Chamber of Commerce Visitor Information Center Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Tel: (202) 328 4748. Opening hours: Mon-Sat 0800-1800. Information can also be obtained, although not in person, from the Washington, DC Convention and Visitors Association, 1212 New York Avenue, NW 600 (tel: (202) 789 7999; fax: (202) 789 7037). Tourist information can also be obtained from the White House Visitor Information Center, US Department of Commerce Building, 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue (tel: (202) 208 1631 or (800) 717 1450, toll free USA and Canada only), which is open daily 0730-1600. Visitors may also see SAMs (safety and maintenance), who are specially trained hospitality workers dressed in red uniforms. They are located throughout the downtown area to provide a service to visitors by providing directions, helping to find area attractions, restaurants, hotels and shops. |