When the capital of the United States comes under scrutiny there are standards that must be met above and beyond that of any other city in the country and even the world. It is to be the capital of a country, the flag ship as it were that is supposed to represent the best that the country has to offer. For several years the public education system for Washington was beyond ridiculous. Countless amounts of tax payer's dollars were wasted as the school system just seemed to flounder on the beach like a stranded fish. It is because of this reason that the public charter schools have become so popular there. Steadily increasing each year since the year 2001, due to the standards and scrutiny in which the charter schools are monitored. With the public schools so lacking it is not too much of a surprise that learn that the private schools are actually thriving. Parents seem to have little choice if they wish for the children to receive a decent education of some quality. For even after the newly appointed school Chancellor Michelle Rhee came bursting onto the scene, making dramatic changes, the public schools were still lacking. She was only chancellor for three years before resigning. With the public schools lacking drastically the private schools picked up the much offered slack and can be credited with having some of the top private school in the country. Rather disappointing and disheartening to realize that the capital of the United States lacks so much. This may make people consider moving it to another city. Perhaps one where the public school system is in better condition, though what is truly sad is the fact that the other city would not have to really try too hard to beat the current standard of Washington, would just have to be a bit better than the worst.
Washington, DC is the capital city of United States and was founded in the year 1790. The city offers so many interesting attractions from iconic monuments to buildings and historic places. White House, which is situated in the heart of the city is considered as the most powerful symbol of American history and moreover American politics. Washington, DC is formally named as District of Columbia but also shares its name with the US state of Washington. The approximate total population of Washington, DC is 599,657. There is a lot of historical events associated with this city.
There are various other monuments and historical places related to American history that are situated in Washington, DC like; the Vietnam War Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial and many others. Washington, DC is also famously known for historic museums like; the history of space exploration museum, dinosaurs, international spies and many other interesting categories of museums are situated in this historical city. Besides that, there are various incidents and historic events associated with the capital of US. How it was founded, how it got its name, what is associated historical background of the region, why Washington, DC was considered as a capital city and many others.
Living in city like Washington, DC means enjoying the scenic outdoors and associated activities. The whole state is filled with lakes, beaches, state parks, west coast mountains and beautiful natural scenery. In summers, the beaches are filled with people, lakes are treated as a place for boating, swimming and fishing, the mountains are filled with hikers, campers and people who are interested in watching nature. Whereas in the winter mountains are covered with huge piles of snow which offers a great opportunity to all those who are crazy for skiing. Hence, people of all ages can enjoy the outdoor activities offered by Washington DC. The day to day life of Washington, DC is although very hectic and busy and it gets hard for people to spare out extra time for going out and enjoying themselves but still, this city offers a lot to people who are willing to earn their life here.
And the surrounding scenic view makes everything calm and relaxing no matter how tough your work life is. People of all ages can find an outlet of activity outdoors in Washington. Almost 6-7 million people are living in Washington DC and all are keen on living a greener life as they have option to do so. People living here are very friendly and sophisticated. It is a good place to live as the standard of living is very high as compared to the cost of living in the capital city. The state is considered to be among the top ten in the country when it comes to quality of life, quality of education, cost associated with the standard of living. The day to day life is considered to be very calm and relaxing in Washington DC.
Although the job market of Washington DC was badly affected by the recession during the past few years but now it has stabilized to a greater extent. There are plenty of opportunities for job seekers as well as for individuals who are thinking of starting their own business. Recent years have shown that after reverting back from recession, the employment rate has increased to a higher position than before and the unemployment rate has decreased to a certain extent. If you are currently looking for a job then no doubt, there are plenty of opportunities in Washington, DC that you can avail. Career opportunities are provided by both government and private sectors in order to boost the growth and development of overall economy.
Some of the professional career opportunities that are offered in Washington, DC are; Medical and health care professionals School teachers, lecturers, professors and other professionals Public and private service professionals Food and catering professionals Entertainers Public safety and law professionals Engineers IT professionals
Often people assume that eating out in Washington, DC means long and boring business lunches filled with boring political discussions. But in reality, no other state has got so much exciting variety of restaurants and food. Washington, DC is a mixed city as people from all over the world have come to live here so the eating and drinking options available here reflect that mixed culture of the city. There are plenty of options around; Foggy Bottom, Woodley Park, Capitol Hill, etc. If you are looking forward for a good but cheap meal than Penn Quarter which is considered as city's main attraction has got the Chinatown, a great place for a good meal. Besides that Adams Morgan is considered as the city's ethnic cuisine point for many years. The Latino community has got many popular bars and restaurants around the corner.
Other than these, the rest of the city has plenty of steakhouses, burger shops, fast food restaurants, Chinese restaurants, etc. Georgetown which is situated in the northwest part of the city is famous for good food and restaurants. MacArthur Boulevard is also filled with Indian, Thai, Mexican restaurants and many other styles and type of cuisines are also offered. So, the restaurant industry of Washington, DC is filled with different types of cuisines.
Washington, DC is a place to many historic museums related to all the historic events that took place during the foundation of the city. Other than that the state have a variety of arts and entertainment including; theaters, night clubs, performance arts, concerts, festivals, movies, galleries and many other forms of arts and entertainment. There are many exhibits and special events that are on the offer during the whole year in Washington, DC. Place like Arthur M, Sackler Gallery is an art gallery featuring unique collection of Chinese bronzes, jades paintings and other ornaments, sculptures from Asia and also ancient Eastern ceramics and metal ware. Other famous art galleries include; Corcoran Gallery of Art, National Gallery of Art, Smithsonian Renwick Gallery, National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art museum, Hillwood Museum & Gardens, National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, DC.
Besides art galleries and museums Washington, DC have a list of movie theaters; IMAX Movie Theaters, Washington, DC Movie Theaters, Maryland Movie Theaters, Virginia Movie Theatres, Screen on the Green Free Outdoor Movies at the National Mall, Environmental Film Festival, Academy Award Winning Movies filmed in Washington, DC and many other options are available. Besides theatres, cinemas and art galleries, there are loads of other things that you can do for entertainment purpose in Washington, DC.
The best of Washington, DC's sightseeing options include:
Old Town Trolley: you can enjoy the guided tour of the whole city which covers 100s of sightseeing places like; Lincoln Memorial, Georgetown, Washington National, Cathedral, the White House, the museums of the Smithsonian Institution and Vietnam Veteran's Memorial.
American Heritage Tour of Washington, DC: 25 major sites are covered around the National Mall. Monuments by Moonlight: enjoy the sites of Washington, DC on its 2 ½ hour tour of monuments and memorials at night, the Capitol Building, the White House, Georgetown, FDR memorial, the Iwo Jima Memorial and the Lincoln and Vietnam Veteran's Memorials.
DC By Foot: tour guides will lead you to a free walking tour of Washington, DC's memorials and monuments. It is an enjoyable experience as you can see everything with a still eye while walking.
Ghost Tours in Washington, DC: Lafayette Square Park, Historic Alexandria or downtown Annapolis, etc are famous places for being spooky. Walking tours are conducted while giving information regarding ghost stories associated with these places.
Spy City Tours: this tour is recently launched by the International Spy Museum and Gray Line in which you can see more than 25 Washington's most notable espionage sites used by various nation's spies during the world wars and in the present as well.
Washington, DC is usually associated with politics and grand official avenue site but this is not true at all. The nightlife completely transforms the whole city from political place to a party place. Tourists and visitors who are looking to party do enjoy the nightlife scene of the city to a great extent. The public transport runs through the whole city till 3:00 am time so the nightlife can be easily explored. There are plenty of cool and funky places to hangout. Adam Morgan which is in the northwest part of the city is famous for being a hub of Washington's nightlife. U street and Dupont Circle are also famous for bars and dance clubs.
In areas like Capitol Hill there is a slight oddness in nightlife as inside the bars you would see signs saying No Politics' and other odd signs as well. Georgetown is also a thriving area when it comes to nightlife. The city has reputation regarding nightlife music ranging from blues, jazz and other great American music forms. The activities of night clubs, dance clubs, bars, etc also reaches the peak during the night time. This city never sleeps. There is always something going on whether it is daytime or the night.
Washington, DC is famous for nice fashion stores and there are great areas for shopping as well. You will find various national retail stores almost around every corner. Stores like; Barnes and Nobel, Best Buy, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Gap, Old Navy, etc. If you are a fashion conscious person then you will find plenty of unique stores and shopping venues. One of the famous areas in Washington which is famous for shopping is Georgetown, here you will find plenty of boutiques, fashion houses and antique stores suitable for all age groups. The indoor shopping mall situated door has more than 100 store. Besides this, Dupont is another lively place for shopping. The whole are is filled with fashion boutiques, clothing stores, art galleries, gift shops, coffee shops and many others. You will find modern as well as traditional clothing stores just right here like; Brooks Brothers, Talbots, Burberry's and Gap.
Another area called Penn Quarter near the Verizon center is filled with trendy shops like; H&M, Pottery Barn, Ann Taylor Loft, Urban Outfitters, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Jos, etc. Chevy Chase is also a great area to shop around for those who are excited about new fashion trends. Other areas like; Old Town Alexandria, Mclean and Arlington are equally famous for great shopping and good fashion sense. In Mclean the largest shopping mall of Washington, Dc is situated and in Arlington there are world famous places like; Crystal City Shops and Fashion Center at Pentagon City.
From beauty salons to health spas, gyms to cosmetic surgeons, yoga studios to wellness centers, health clinics to beauty clinics, Washington, DC covers them all. You will enjoy you experience while getting relaxed in beauty spas, hair salon or nail salon. If you are traveling to Washington, and want to enjoy a complete day of relaxation then simply book an appointment with one of the famous beauty spa salon and get pampered whole day long. Places like; Aveda Institute Washington, DC Metro Centre, Balance Gym Kalorama Dupont Circle, Bang Salon & Spa, Beauty 360 and many other places offer services for hair treatment, skin treatment, face lifting, facial services, manicure & pedicure services, nail services, etc.
If you are concerned more about your health and beauty, Washington, DC does have a lot to offer to you. There are various famous gyms, yoga institutes and weight management institutes that will assist you in toning your body. Whether you are living in permanently or traveling to Washington, DC. The city has lot to offer when it comes to health and beauty. There are several workshops and other exhibitions conducted each year to promote different salons, spas and institutes in order to make people aware of the fact that the city is full of beauty salons and spas.
The United States' capital, Washington, DC, is a bustling, vibrant city full of wonderful accommodations for people coming to visit. With politically inspired hotels and upscale hospitality, Washington, DC offers a unique experience for guests. The Hotel George is dedicated in honor of the United States' first president, George Washington. The president's face and legacy line the walls and dιcor adding to its patriotic charm. With its eco-friendly vibe and outstanding hospitality this hotel boutique is ultra-chic and located in the center of Capitol Hill for easy access to local restaurants and attractions. For guests hoping to sneak a glimpse of the president, Sofetil Washington DC Lafayette Square Hotel is near the White House. This luminous hotel lies near The Smithsonian Museum, as well as the Washington Monument. Sofitel's hospitality is top-notch; not only are the guests pampered with fine food and linens, but so are the guests' furry companions. Each four-legged guest receives a welcome gift of silver bowls and goose-down pet beds. Now that is hospitality.
Woodley Park Guest House, a charming bed and breakfast inn, is located in the historic Woodley Park neighborhood of Washington, DC which offers plenty of options for recreation and fun. Guests can enjoy a day at the zoo and spend their nights dining at any one of the many restaurants. This bed and breakfast offers a cozy stay, with personal attention and service. The hotels and inns of Washington, DC are filled with history, culture and a host of educational and entertaining activities to enjoy.
When the capital of the United States comes under scrutiny there are standards that must be met above and beyond that of any other city in the country and even the world. It is to be the capital of a country, the flag ship as it were that is supposed to represent the best that the country has to offer. For several years the public education system for Washington was beyond ridiculous. Countless amounts of tax payer's dollars were wasted as the school system just seemed to flounder on the beach like a stranded fish. It is because of this reason that the public charter schools have become so popular there. Steadily increasing each year since the year 2001, due to the standards and scrutiny in which the charter schools are monitored.
With the public schools so lacking it is not too much of a surprise that learn that the private schools are actually thriving. Parents seem to have little choice if they wish for the children to receive a decent education of some quality. For even after the newly appointed school Chancellor Michelle Rhee came bursting onto the scene, making dramatic changes, the public schools were still lacking. She was only chancellor for three years before resigning. With the public schools lacking drastically the private schools picked up the much offered slack and can be credited with having some of the top private school in the country.
Rather disappointing and disheartening to realize that the capital of the United States lacks so much. This may make people consider moving it to another city. Perhaps one where the public school system is in better condition, though what is truly sad is the fact that the other city would not have to really try too hard to beat the current standard of Washington, would just have to be a bit better than the worst.
If tourists or general vacationers are planning a trip to the capital of the United States then they need to definitely plan to get a rental vehicle. Washington is rated as having the worst traffic and congestion in the entire nation. Only ever being beaten out once by Los Angeles, and that was a close second. Traffic is so bad in the city that almost forty percent of the populace take a form of public transportation, making it the second highest in the nation. Because of the issues with the traffic, commuters having spent about sixty hours in traffic, that's more than two days' worth of lives gone and wasted probably raging behind the wheel of a car. The public metro system is monitored and controlled by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority or the WMATA for short.
The Metrorail is the second largest in the country, only being outdone by the New York City Transit and their subway line. The railway gets a record amount of one million passengers weekly as of the year 2009 with expected projections of making one million passengers daily come the year 2013. With the rising amount of people using the railways and the overall population growth, there is a push for an expansion in the service so that it can better handle the increasing demand. There has also been talk of building more commuter lines and even bringing streetcars into the picture. Because of its importance and location, Washington is also part of the Chinatown bus line service, which offers cheap, like very cheap, fares from it to other major cities along the east coast. These buses leave on a daily basis several times a day so there is always a chance of catching a ride to another city for as little as a dollar one way.
Washington, D.C. is governed by a mayor and a thirteen-member city council. Sometimes the city government can get lost in a town full of politicians and temporary residents all trying to run a whole country. The mayor and council have made a concerted effort to serve everyone; locals, displaced staffers, and VIP visitors. Not part of a state, it's a complicated system that has to stand alone but fit in as well. In addition, unlike any other city in existence, the U.S. Congress has final say on many of the city's decisions. Although the people of the District have the least say in their own city, their local government has tried to provide some autonomy and services to its residents.
The city's 311 service is always available via phone and online, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The city's website is a service request center for anything from finding out particulars about trash and recycling pickup and specifications to reporting a traffic problem. The City's council has a fully accessible online schedule of meetings and events. All hearings the council holds are public and they invite citizen participation. The meetings are available on video or live online. On the council's website anyone can find out who his representative is and find all of their contact information here: http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/findmycouncilmember.
D.C. courts are centered at Judiciary Square, downtown, north of Pennsylvania Avenue and its important residents. Being its own entity, the city has to have its own appellate system as well, and the appellate and supreme courts of Washington, D.C. are all located centrally with the municipal courts, making the system very maneuverable for residents. One of the newest services for citizens is the Capital Bikeshare, which makes bikes a viable option to members (membership is free) all over the metro area, including parts of Maryland and Virginia. With little notice, members can find a designated area and rent a bike within moments. This helps the environment, the economy and traffic while helping citizens get around and stay active. http://www.capitalbikeshare.com/
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