| Washington DC lies in the middle of the eastern | | | | the city. Temperatures are far more agreeable and |
| seaboard of America and is nearly 90 miles from the | | | | there are not as many crowds as during the summer. |
| Atlantic Ocean. It sits on the northern banks of the | | | | Many visitors are stunned by the elegant beauty of |
| Potomac River and the city spreads across the side | | | | the foliage dropping of the trees. |
| of the river up to the hills in the north. | | | | Winter months can be very unpredictable weather |
| Washington DC's highest point is 390 feet above sea | | | | wise. Temperatures can fluctuate from the high 40s |
| level in the Northwest of the city. Rock Creek is a | | | | and then drop well below freezing. However sever |
| tributary of the Potomac and it flows through the | | | | snow storms do not occur very often. |
| middle of the city running from north to south. | | | | The city itself is shaped like a diamond and is |
| Spring is the most popular season for tourists to visit | | | | separated from Virginia by the Potomac. It covers an |
| Washington DC as it has mild temperatures. The | | | | area of 67 square miles and is divided into four areas. |
| cherry trees also blossom at this time of the year and | | | | Most tourists come to Washington DC to visit the |
| many tourists come especially to see this spectacular | | | | White House. It has been home to America's First |
| site. It is estimated that over twenty million visitors a | | | | Families for over two centuries. Every year in the first |
| year visit this world famous city. | | | | week of December, the president carries out the |
| Due to the ever growing number of tourists, there has | | | | lighting of the National Christmas Tree. Tourists flock to |
| been a growth in the number of holiday homes | | | | Washington DC for this event and during the rest of |
| available for rental direct from their owners. Many | | | | the month of December gather on the Ellipse. |
| visitors now find that the concept of renting a holiday | | | | The White House organises a series of public annual |
| home is far more appealing than staying in an | | | | events which draw huge crowds each year. A popular |
| impersonal hotel. These holiday lets are ideal for | | | | event is the annual Easter Egg Roll which is held on |
| families and enable them to sample the true culture of | | | | the Monday after Easter on the White House lawn. |
| the local area. | | | | There are also guided tours of the famous gardens in |
| In the summer it is hot and humid and can be quite | | | | April and October. Probably the most popular event is |
| tiring for the first time visitor who has a long list of | | | | the Christmas candlelight tours that are held over three |
| attractions that they want to visit. In order to help | | | | evenings in late December. All of these events are |
| overcome the hot weather, many attractions now | | | | free and as a result are extremely popular. It is |
| operate for longer hours during the summer months. | | | | advisable to get there well in advance to avoid |
| In recent years Fall has become a popular time to visit | | | | disappointment. |