Explore the captivating city of Washington!
Washington, USA, offers a wide range of activities and attractions. Here are some things you can do in Washington:
1. Visit the iconic National Mall, home to famous landmarks such as the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and the U.S. Capitol. Explore the various museums along the mall, including the Smithsonian museums.
2. Explore the world-class Smithsonian museums, such as the National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of Natural History, and National Gallery of Art. Entry to most of these museums is free.
3. Take a tour or view the exterior of the White House, the official residence of the President of the United States. Note that tours require advanced planning and security clearance.
4. Pay your respects at Arlington National Cemetery, a solemn and historic cemetery that honors fallen soldiers. Witness the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
5. Visit the charming neighbourhood of Georgetown, known for its historic architecture, upscale shops, and waterfront dining. Take a walk along the picturesque C&O Canal.
6. Spend a day at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, home to a diverse array of animals, including giant pandas. Admission is free, and it’s a great place for families.
7. Marvel at the beautiful architecture of the Washington National Cathedral, one of the largest cathedrals in the world. Take a guided tour to learn about its history and significance.
8. Explore Embassy Row along Massachusetts Avenue, where you can see the embassies of various countries and admire the stunning architecture.
9. Take a tour of the U.S. Capitol building and learn about the legislative process. Explore the Library of Congress and enjoy the view from the Capitol Hill neighbourhood.
10. Washington, D.C., is a city of diverse neighbourhoods. Discover areas like Adams Morgan, Dupont Circle, U Street, and the Wharf, each offering unique dining, shopping, and entertainment experiences.
Remember to check the opening hours and availability of attractions, as some may have specific entry requirements or limited access. Enjoy your time exploring the captivating city of Washington!
What currency will I need?
The official currency of Washington, like the rest of the United States, is the United States Dollar (USD), which is the widely accepted and used currency for all transactions within the state. It is issued and regulated by the U.S. Federal Reserve System, which is the central bank of the United States.
The U.S. Dollar is subdivided into 100 cents, and it is available in various denominations of banknotes and coins, including $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 bills, as well as coins of 1 cent (penny), 5 cents (nickel), 10 cents (dime), 25 cents (quarter), 50 cents (half-dollar), and 1 dollar.
The U.S. Dollar is widely accepted and used in all types of transactions in Washington, including for buying goods and services, paying bills, conducting financial transactions, and as a unit of account. Most businesses and establishments in Washington, including banks, retailers, hotels, restaurants, and other service providers, accept U.S. Dollars as the standard form of payment.
Should I use travel cash or a card?
According to Mintel, 90% of British travellers take some travel cash with them. It’s perfect for tips, taxis, street-side vendors and locations which do not have card machines (or where they are not working). It’s easy to budget with, and share with other members of your party. It’s also not prone to technical faults, does not require internet access, and you won’t be charged to use it.
Having a debit card is also a great idea as backup – just make sure you know what fees the card issuer charges to make payments in the foreign currency (better still, find one that makes no charges at all). Bigger purchases should be made on a travel-friendly UK-issued credit card to get that additional Section 75 protection (see https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/credit-and-purchases/how-youre-protected-when-you-pay-by-card). Make sure when paying by card that you ALWAYS pay in the foreign currency – do not let the card processor do the conversion to GBP as you will always get a worse rate. That applies even if the foreign currency is already loaded onto a prepaid multi-currency card – the card issuer will decide whether to settle from your foreign currency wallet or not.
Where can I buy currency?
You will typically get a better deal buying your travel cash here in the UK before you travel. Look for the highest possible foreign currency exchange rate to indicate the best deal. For example, a rate of US$1.2312 is better than US$1.2015 when buying United States Dollar (USD). Airports tend to offer the worst rates – especially if you have not pre-ordered – and you may find a bureau de change on your High Street, in a supermarket or department store, in many travel agents, and at major transport hubs.
You can also buy United States Dollar from Travel Money Club for next business day despatch to home via fully insured Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm. Unlike the competition, we don’t hide fees and charges in our exchange rates – you just pay a fair and transparent handling fee based on how much you are exchanging. Get an instant quote now at https://yourtmc.link/quote-usd.
