America’s capital has much more to offer than Trump, power and politics

Although steeped in history, Washington, DC skips to a modern beat, says Emilia Harris who found a paradise for culture vultures and foodies

W ashington, DC feels familiar. When you first set eyes on the US Capitol building, which houses the United States Congress with the Statue of Freedom standing triumphantly on top, you feel acquainted.

This close acquaintance is partly down to the big screen; from the Capitol building being flattened in Designated Survivor, to The Lincoln Memorial being blown to smithereens in Transformers: Dark Of The Moon, Hollywood can’t get enough of America’s capital.

But whether your knowledge of Washington, DC comes from the history books or House Of Cards, there’s nothing like seeing it for yourself. The city has often been ignored by overseas visitors, who tend to make a beeline for the bright lights of NYC, but Washington, DC is a destination on the rise. Visitor numbers have risen for the past seven years, with a record 22 million in 2017.

It’s been the home of the US Government since 1790, but DC is much more than white-collar workers and Congress. There are vibrant and diverse neighbourhoods to explore, all buzzing with delicious eateries and lively bars. And the city is heaving with museums and galleries – most free to visit.

HERE’S YOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE... SEGWAY THE SIGHTS

Get your bearings with a guided Segway tour along the grassy National Mall, which stretches for two miles between the Capitol building and the Lincoln Memorial, and is flanked by some of DC’S most impressive museums. Once you’ve mastered the Segway, you’ll be whizzing past iconic monuments, your guide explaining their history along the route. Highlights include rolling past the Capitol building, its white dome towering over you like an over-sized wedding cake. Bike and Roll DC (bikeandrolldc.com) offer a 2.5-hour Sites by Segway tour for $64/£52 per adult.

GET LOST IN A SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM OR GALLERY

Whether it’s art, culture or science that piques your interest, make time to visit at least one Smithsonian museum or gallery. Washington, DC boasts 17 of them, with the majority clustered on the National Mall. They’re also free to enter, which makes seeing multiple museums in a day totally doable. Visit si.edu.

Don’t miss the National Museum of African American History & Culture (nmaahc.si.edu), which provides a vital reminder of how African American history has shaped modern America. The historical exhibitions start in 15th Century Africa and move chronologically through to Barack