While the city of Washington DC's weather is highly seasonal with extreme variations between summer and winter; it has been known to be unpredictable too. Summers tend to be very hot and humid, the conditions exacerbated in the heart of the city with its concrete and steel. Fall and spring are the best seasons, when chilly but bright, perfect days are the norm. Sudden rain or snowfalls are possible though. In winter the city is subject to heavy snowfalls, averaging 17 inches (43cm) a year, and sudden arctic blasts or frozen rainstorms.

The city's many politicians and their expense accounts ensure that Washington DC has some fantastic dining options to suit every budget and taste. From glamorous upmarket restaurants dripping with style, to roadside stalls and eateries, this city has all kinds of food.

Fresh seafood, crab, oysters and rock fish are among the most popular on restaurant menus, with special emphasis on dishes focuses around or being created with locally-caught crabs, such as crabcakes, blue crabs, crab legs, crab soup and even Crab Chips, a brand of potato chip unique to Washington DC. A popular spice is Old Bay, which is locally made and used to season just about everything from peaches to popcorn.

Most restaurants are centred round the Midtown, downtown and Penn Quarter areas with the very upmarket eateries close to Capitol Hill and frequented by a largely business crowd. Dupont Circle and the West End are also great areas for restaurants of all nationalities. A tip of 15% is expected in restaurants and it is customary to make reservations before dining out.

Getting around Washington DC is relatively easy as most attractions are within walking distance of each other. The city is laid out in a circle around the White House, with 'spokes' radiating out from it. Washington DC has an excellent public transport system that includes buses and the Metrorail subway, which has stations at or near almost every tourist attraction. The system operates until midnight during the week, and metrorail stations stay open until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays. The efficient Metrorail subway system provides services throughout the city and to the Virginia and Maryland suburbs and is used by means of a computerised fare card.

The extensive Metrobus network fills in the gaps, but is more complex to use and is slower due to heavy traffic; bus transfers are free and valid for two hours from boarding. Both buses and trains charge a standard fare. Bus, train or combined one-day passes are also available. Although most visitors to Washington DC arrive by car, it is often easier to use public transport as traffic is heavy, and parking in the city is difficult and expensive. Taxis are a good way of getting around for short distances and they are cheaper than any other major city in the US; instead of meters they operate on a zone system with flat rates displayed, although several surcharges apply, including ordering one by phone.

Washington DC offers many unforgettable attractions for kids on holiday. Children will love seeing rockets and airplanes at the Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institute, and learning to pass secret messages at the Spy Museum.

On nice days, the National Zoo is a great kids' activity in Washington DC, offering the only opportunity to see Giant Pandas in the US. The city's many parks and gardens are great for running off excess energy and enjoying the beautiful weather in spring and autumn, and children will love the cotton-candy pink Cherry Blossom trees in the Tidal Basin each April.

English is the most common language but Spanish is often spoken in south-western states.

The US Dollar (USD) is the unit of currency and is divided into 100 cents. Only major banks exchange foreign currency. ATMs are widespread and credit cards and travellers cheques are widely accepted. Travellers cheques should be taken in US Dollars to avoid hassles. Banking hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm.

Most people tend to associate the Capital City with politics, the White House and Capitol Hill, but in fact the nightlife in Washington DC will leave any hardcore party animal hard-pressed to find somewhere they don't like.

Atlas District is DC's newest and trendiest bar and club scene while other popular areas include Adams-Morgan; Dupont Circle along Connecticut Avenue, the Penn Quarter and Georgetown. Here is where most of the city's hippest nightlife can be found, with just about everything from dance clubs, jazz bars, rock bars, pubs and gay clubs in Dupont Circle.

Arlington Row is a more laid-back area that attracts a crowd of all ages where excellent live music is the order of the day. If a comedy show is what you're after, check out the Warner Theatre to see who's appearing. If you can't decide what you want, the Boomerang Bus stops at half a dozen venues, giving tourists a chance to sample the best of Washington DC nightlife.

Washington DC also has a first-rate performing arts scene, presided over by the renowned Kennedy Center. On any given night there is a wide variety of local and international performances ranging from Shakespeare, opera and ballet to jazz, rock bands, and Broadway shows. Ticketmaster and InstantSeats.com offer tickets to pretty much any event, while TICKETplace at 407 7th Street offers discounted last-minute tickets to anything that isn't sold out.

Shopping in Washington DC almost competes with politics for attention. The USA's capital also offers everything from trendy boutiques and shopping malls to 24-hour bookshops and renowned farmer's markets. Visitors to Washington DC will walk (or fly) away with their bags full!

The nation's oldest neighbourhood, Georgetown boasts up-scale designer boutiques and The Shops at Georgetown Park, which is home to designer labels like Ann Taylor, Polo and Ralph Lauren. The Georgetown Flea Market is good for antiques, jewellery, books, rugs, toys and linens. The Dupont Circle neighbourhood has a GLBT bookshop, Lambda Books, as well as designer boutiques such as Betsy Fisher and vintage shops like Secondi. There is also the FreshFarm Market to enjoy here.

Adams Morgan, previously dilapidated, now boasts a tredny reputation and a number of eclectic independent shops and boutiques. Penn Quarter is a great place to find antiques, art, home decor and collectibles.

On Pennsylvania, the White House Visitor Center and Political America sell authentic and reproduction campaign buttons, signed photos, letters and other American memorabilia. Weschler's Auction House on E Street holds public auctions each Tuesday. The National Mall has great gift shops and museum stores, and is the best place to find popular Washington DC souvenirs like miniature replicas of the White House and various monuments. The National Archives Gift Shop also offers reproductions of the Declaration of Independence and other famous documents.

Shoppers should keep in mind that a non-refundable sales tax is charged, but not included on the sticker price of items. Tax is added at the register in Washington DC shops, so prices will be higher than first expected.

The bustling and exciting city of Washington DC boasts a number of must-see attractions. Visitors will love the iconic statues, buildings and museums that have become synonymous with Washington DC and have made regular appearances in TV shows and movies.

Visit National Mall, the place where Martin Luther King Jr made his legendary 'I Have a Dream' speech, marvel at the Washington Monument, have your picture taken outside the White House, and see the Capitol Building. The Lincoln Memorial is a must for history buffs, as is the US Holocaust Memorial Museum. Culture lovers will enjoy the National Gallery of Art and kids of all ages will love the International Spy Museum. Another popular attraction on any tour of Washington DC is a drive along Embassy Row.

Visitors should purchase the Washington DC Power Pass, or VisiTicket, which entitles the bearer to admission to many of the top Washington DC attractions and is available in one, two, three or five-day durations. The cost of the pass starts at $27 per day. However many of the best things to see in Washingto DC, including the Smithsonian Museums, the National Archives, and Ford's Theatre, are free to the public, making sightseeing in Washington DC a very affordable activity.