Washington D.C.

You may know Washington D.C. as the capital of the United States, but it’s got loads more than just museums and politics. 

Obviously, when in D.C. you’ll want to tour the White House and the Supreme Court, but you can also sample some beers at the fancy and historic Heurich House Museum—also known as The Brewmaster’s Castle—or stroll through peaceful Montrose Park. Artsy types will be drawn to the numerous galleries and collectives throughout D.C., and there’s plenty to keep the kids busy, too; they’ll love the Air and Space Museum and the Kids’ Farm at National Zoo.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Washington D.C.

What state is Washington D.C. in?

It's a trick question! Washington D.C. does not actually belong to any U.S. state. Yes, it's the capital of the United States, but it falls under the direct control of the U.S. Congress, and does not have state representatives or senators. Washington is the name of the city, which takes up the entire District of Columbia (hence "D.C."). That explains why people use "Washington", "Washington, D.C.", and "D.C." interchangeably.

When is the Washington D.C. Cherry Blossom Festival?

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is held each year to commemorate the mayor of Tokyo's gift of 3,000 cherry trees to the capital of the United States in 1912. The festival takes place over four weekends spanning March and April.

How can I tour the White House?

Touring the White House is on most D.C. tourists' lists, but it's complicated for non-Americans. White House tours must be scheduled in advance by contacting your home country's embassy, however Australian Embassy-sponsored tours have not been facilitated by the United States since 2011. It's a bummer, but you can take still take a virtual tour and snap photos of the building from outside.