With so many things to see in the Nation's Capital, it is a great idea to start your DC visit with an orientation on a sightseeing bus or trolley. Check out the Old Town Trolley Company's narrated tours, or climb aboard the DC Ducks, and get an overview of the city's most celebrated sights. Most routes include stops at popular attractions like the National Zoo and Washington National Cathedral.

While in DC, you will want to see all the famous monuments, museums and historic sites. A great place to start your exploration is on the National Mall, an open-area National Park with great views of the many museums of the Smithsonian, the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol building. One of the most popular places for tourists, the mall is also the site of many demonstrations and protests.

Seeing the White House may be tempting, but you will need to make reservations in advance through your Congressional representative. If you want to tour the U.S. Capitol Building, plan on arriving early and waiting in line, or try to arrange for an advance ticket with your Congressman.

Be sure to visit the Washington Monument. Dedicated in 1884 in honor of our nation's first President and designed to resemble an Egyptian obelisk, the monument stands over 555 feet tall and offers splendid views for many miles outside of the city. The Lincoln Memorial, resembling a Greek temple that showcases an enormous marble statue of Abraham Lincoln, educates visitors with the inspiring words of our 16th President.

One could spend several days exploring the museums of the Smithsonian Institution. Begin with the most popular museum, the National Air and Space Museum, which earns high marks with kids of all ages, primarily because of the spacecraft, real moon rocks and flight simulators. The National Museum of Natural History includes dinosaurs, dazzling jewels, and life-like animals shown in their natural habitats.

Art lovers will enjoy the National Gallery of Art, with numerous paintings, and sculptures that date back to the middle Ages, and the Corcoran Gallery of Art with its world renowned collection of works by Claude Monet, Edgar Degas and John Singer Sargent. Also, do not miss the National Portrait Gallery's collection of works that depict distinguished American Presidents, politicians and celebrities.

Another popular stop is the National Archives, where the original U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence are on display, among many other documents that follow the history of our nation.

By evening, DC's theatre scene thrives, with dozens of professional theatres showing over 350 productions each year. Institutions like the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts coexist with lesser known theatres like the Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, satisfying all range of theatrical tastes.

For a taste of downtown DC dining, head over to the new flagship restaurant of culinary genius Michel Richard. His new Georgetown restaurant, Citronelle has been recognized by Gourmet Magazine, and offers the chef's artistic interpretations of classic American cuisine. Or, for a taste of DC 'power-dining' check out the well known hotspots, The Palm and The Occidental.

Whether you are spending a day or a week in Washington DC, chances are you will run out of time before you run out of ways to spend it!