Washington, D.C., the nation's capital, is full of things to see and do. As the center of the federal government, you can go to Congress, to see the Senate or the House of Representatives. The White House has guided tours throughout the year, but you should call 202-255-6827 to find out the most current information.

U.S. Capital	Jefferson Memorial	White House

In addition, Washington has an amazing collection of museums, including all of those collectively known as the Smithsonian, which are all free of charge. Here is a map of the mall with a link to each of the museums' homepage. There is also the Holocaust Memorial Museum . To view the permanent exhibition at the Holocaust Museum, you need to obtain timed passes, which are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis the same day, or in advance through tickets.com.

There are also memorials: the Lincoln , Jefferson, Vietnam Veterans, and Washington Monument being the most popular. We also highly recommend the FDR Memorial.

The largets selection of antiquities ever to be loaned by Egypt for exhibition will be at the National Gallery of Art through October 14. The exhibit requires passes, which are obtained either on a first come, first serve basis, or from ticketmaster.com. For details, check out this website.

Please click on the below map if you wish to see the locations of these places.

Washington also has a great zoo, which has pandas, and a new baby tiger cub.

Or, you can take the Ruth & Doron History walking tour.

Begin in historic Georgetown (M Street), where Ruth lived (and Doron visited) during the summer of 1993. Stop for a leisurely breakfast of cafe au lait and chocolate croissants at the gourmet market and outdoor deli Dean & Deluca's. 10 feet behind Dean & Deluca's (away from the street) is the ballet school where Ruth used to take classes. This area is a great place to do some shopping, whether it's upscale Godiva chocolates and top-of-the-line apparel at Georgetown Mall, or trendy Doc Marten shoes at little boutique stores along Wisconsin Avenue. Continue along M Street towards Foggy Bottom. If you'd like to take a detour and visit Washington Harbour (a worthwhile side trip), turn right on Jefferson St. Admire the C&O Canal and continue down to cross underneath the Whitehurst Freeway, which leads to the harbour promenade (and a favorite evening hanging out spot of Ruth & Doron's). Grab a drink at the outdoor bar at Sequoia's (or go inside for a great rare ahi tuna) and admire the views of the water, the Kennedy Center, and the famed Watergate hotel. Then, proceed back up to M Street. About 15 minutes farther east on M Street, turn right on 23rd St and explore the GW University, where Ruth took a night class when she lived in DC. Continue back north on 23rd St. On your right between 23rd and 24th is the building that houses Ruth's old office, National Economic Research Associates. Continue to N St and turn right. On N St, between 22nd and 23rd is a row house which Ruth used to share with 2 roomates in 1999. Turn left onto Connecticut Ave. If it's time for lunch, visit Doron's all-time favorite restaurant, Luna Grill, and try the vegetarian chili with sweet potato fries. Then continue straight up to Dupont Circle, where you can relax and people-watch at the Dupont Circle fountain (an area which often hosts rallies and skateboarders), or sit outside at Xando's and enjoy s'mores at your table. Browse through Doron's favorite independent bookstore, Kramerbooks, and have some coffee at the ajoining Afterwards (where Ruth spotted George Stephanopoulus over brunch back in the 90s). If you're ready for a movie, there are 2 independent theatres surrounding Dupont Circle. Then, continue north up 18th St until you reach Adam's Morgan, a fun ethnic neighborhood which hosts some of the city's best restaurants and bars. This area is best to visit in the evenings, when the reggae bands are playing and people are enjoying fruity drinks and carribean jerk chicken on restaurant patios. Go dancing at Ruth and Doron's favorite latin dance spot, Habana Village (on Columbia Street), or pretend you're 18 again and dance alongside the teeny boppers at Heaven.

Click here for a Map of the DC Metro System