Washington is a manageable city with lots to see and its easy to go around. There are just a few attractions which are popular with both visitors and locals.

Tour 1: Monuments, Memorials and Museums
The original plan for Washington was designed to incorporate monuments dedicated to the heroes of American history. The city has quite a few places which honor those who have led the country and those who have given their lives for it. Certainly the best place to start is the National Mall, where the symbol of the city, the Washington Monument, stands. From the monument, you can proceed to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, FDR Memorialand the Thomas Jefferson Memorial for a nice half-day walking tour.

On the eastern side of National Mall is the Smithsonian Institution. Some of the more popular ones are the National Air and Space Museum, National Gallery of Art, National Museum of Natural History and the National Museum of American History. The Freer Gallery of Art contains a large collection of Asian art while the National Museum of African Art showcases unique African works. Nearby, the Holocaust Memorial Museum educates the public on the tragic history of the Holocaust; it is dedicated to the millions of people who lost their lives during the massacre.

Tour 2: History and Government
Begin early at the White House, home and office of the President of the United States. Tickets for the guided tour must be obtained at the Visitor Centre and they are given out on a first come, first served basis. Once you have toured the Executive Mansion, take a short walk through Freedom Plaza to the Federal Bureau of Investigation where tours include a history of the agency, a look into the sophisticated crime lab and a firearms demonstration.

From here, it's another short walk to the National Archives. Stop to see the original copies of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, the foundations of American freedom. Pennsylvania Avenue connects the White House to the U.S. Capitol , symbolically linking these two branches of government. Tours of the Capitol are available or visitors may choose to wander around on their own. When the legislature is in session, balcony seats are open to the public. On the east side of the Capitol, visit the Supreme Court and the Library of Congress. From there, walk up 1st Street to Union Station. Several restaurants and an ethnically diverse food court await hungry sightseers.

Tour 3: Georgetown and the Waterfront
Start at the impressive Kennedy Centre, a living memorial to the 35th president. From the terrace overlooking the Potomac river, there is a nice view of Theodore Roosevelt Island and Memorial. A fitting tribute to this early environmentalist, it is covered with nature trails and local species of trees and flowers. Next to the Kennedy Centre is the infamous Watergate Hotel. Several shops and restaurants are located on the ground level. Walk down to the the river and you'll come to the Watergate Hotel.

Stop for a drink or a tasty bite at Sequoia Restaurant with its beautiful views and relaxed atmosphere. From here it's a short walk up the hill to M Street in the heart of bustling Georgetown. Stroll the main streets and window shop or duck down a few of the side streets and take in the gorgeous 19th-century town homes. Georgetown has plenty of places to eat: Aditi for spicy Indian food and Zed's for exotic Ethiopian among them. Clyde's of Georgetown is a fun place for happy hour and the Sea Catch Restaurant has a great oyster bar and is on the Chesapeake Historical Park.

Tour 4: Nearby Virginia
Directly across the river from the Lincoln Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery has a fascinating history. Its landmark is Arlington House/ Custis-Lee Mansion, once the home of Robert E. Lee. Guided tours of the cemetery offered by Tourmobile Sightseeing make stops at the Kennedy gravesites, Tomb of the Unknowns and Arlington House/ Custis-Lee Mansion. Visitors may also walk unescorted through the grounds, but private cars are not allowed. A scenic drive down George Washington Memorial Parkway leads right into Old Town Alexandria.

Stop at Christ Church and see Washington's personal pew, then head towards Gadsby's Tavern Museum where George spent countless evenings merry making. King Street has wonderful shopping and restaurants at the riverfront. Stop for a drink on the waterfront or wander through the Torpedo Factory Art Centre, now an arts centre. Continuing south, the parkway ends, appropriately, George Washington's home: Mount Vernon.

Several local companies offer guided tours, both traditional and offbeat. Old Town Trolley Tours and Tourmobile Sightseeing sell day or multi-day passes allowing visitors to get on and off at various locations throughout the city. The DC Ducks combine land and water tours in the same vehicle: you don't even have to get out of your seat!

For something different, take a C&O Canal Barge ride or Bike the Sites. For an aerial view of the capital city, contact Capital Helicopters. There is definitely no reason to be bored in Washington D.C.!