You'll know instantly that you're in the capital of the United States when you arrive at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue - that's The White House to you and me! Other historic monuments include the US Capitol, Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument where you can get a bird's-eye view across the city. Across the street, the Supreme Court deliberates over a new caseload. Down the hill from the Capitol, the final Smithsonian museum, the National Museum of the American Indian, is only months old but already a smashing success. Further along on the Mall, the National World War II Memorial, dedicated Memorial Day Weekend 2004, attracts crowds eager to honour all those who served in that Great War. Alongside the Potomac River, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts grows bigger with every breath, as a decade-long expansion makes the nation's theater ever more accessible and inclusive. Welcome to Washington, D.C., in 2007.

But travellers will love the place as much for the fantastic shopping opportunities as for the sights. In town you must pay a visit to Georgetown - not only does it have an eclectic range of one-off shops, but there's also the stylish 'The Shops at Georgetown Park' mall with over 70 shops including Abercrombie & Fitch and Victoria's Secret. You'll also find plenty of trendy eateries, cool coffee shops and vibrant bars if you want to extend your visit into the evening!

Within its city limits (67 sq. miles), Washington teems with history, made and in the making; the arts; cosmopolitan culture; magnificent parks, gardens, and architecture. Put it all together and you have a world hub of power, diplomacy, beauty, and intellect. The Smithsonian Institution has 14 museums - all with FREE entry. So much to do, so much to see.

Evenings kick off in trendy areas like Dupont Circle and Adams Morgan, which offer street-side cafés, cocktail lounges and cosmopolitan nightclubs.

Time difference: -5 hours GMT

WASHINGTON D.C	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Rainfall (mm)	72	67	85	79	102	95	96	97	89	85	82	85
Rainfall (inches)	2.8	2.6	3.3	3.1	4.0	3.7	3.8	3.8	3.5	3.4	3.2	3.3
Min Temp (°C)	-6	-4	0	4	10	15	17	17	13	5	1	-3
Max Temp (°C)	4	6	12	18	23	28	30	29	26	19	13	7
Min Temp (°F)	21	23	32	40	50	59	64	63	55	42	34	26
Max Temp (°F)	40	43	54	64	74	82	86	85	78	67	56	45