Washington, DC can be an overwhelming destination for visitors. With so many museums, so many historic sights, so many working government buildings to see―not to mention its scintillating foodie and nightlife scenes―just coming up with a plan can be stressful.

That’s where Frommer’s comes in. We’ve hired local journalist Elise Hartman Ford (a noted expert who has written for the Washington Post, Washingtonian Magazine, Ladies Home Journal and countless other publications) to give you the advice and details you need to create the right vacation for you. These include strategies for seeing the iconic sights without fighting the crowds; places that only locals know about; and smart itineraries so you can make the most of your time in the city.

Frommer’s EasyGuide to Washington, D.C.2019 includes:

Dozens of maps, including a handy fold-out map of the city and its underground train system to help you make the most efficient (and fun) use of your time in the Capitol

Exact pricing and public transportation information for every listing in the book, so there’s never any guessing

Opinionated reviews which tell you which attractions are worth your time, and which will only be of interest to some visitors

Star ratings that take value into account, and will help you find the right hotels, restaurants, nightspots and shops for you, in all price ranges

Fun-to-follow, self-guided walking tours of DC’s most intriguing neighborhoods

16-page photo guide with vibrant photographs, at the front of the book, plus black and white photos throughout

About Frommer’s: There’s a reason that Frommer’s has been the most trusted name in travel for more than sixty years. Arthur Frommer created the best-selling guide series in 1957 to help American servicemen fulfill their dreams of travel in Europe, and since then, we have published thousands of titles became a household name helping millions upon millions of people realize their own dreams of seeing our planet. Travel is easy with Frommer’s.

• NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

VanDam's 2020 MallSmart Washington DC maps all top attractions including museums, memorials, monuments, major architecture, hotels, the Smithsonian, government and association buildings, the National Mall and the Metro system for all of Washington DC at an immensely legible super-scale of 1:9,500 complete with 3-D building illustrations. Clear information design allows you to read the map from three feet away and has earned VanDam maps a place in the MoMA Collection. The map is film-laminated, accordion folded and pocket size.

Coverage: Mall Map: 1:9,500 Washington DC Street Map 1:16,000 Beltway Map: 1:238,000 Capital MetroTransit Map. Dimensions: 4 x 9 folded, 9 x 24 unfolded, fits into shirt pocket or purse.

2020 MallSmart Washington DC is so legible you will instantly understand the National Mall and how it connects to other parts of the District and Old Town Alexandria. You get God's perspective on Monument City as well as the minute details. This 18th Century city grid with grand diagonal avenues designed by Pierre L'Enfant is a metaphor for the division of power in the Republic. A right triangle with Pennsylvania Avenue as hypotenuse and grand connector between the Executive (White House) and the Legislature (Congress) with the Judiciary (Supreme Court) backing up to Congress on Capitol Hill. The Washington Monument describes the triangle's Western point and serves as your compass needle to navigate the Capital.

2020 MallSmart Washington DC includes a stunning dimensional Mall detail of the central city from Arlington National Cemetery through Foggy Bottom, Federal Triangle, Judiciary Square, Penn Quarter, Chinatown, Downtown, the East End and Capitol Hill. Restrooms and concessions are clearly marked. Separate Beltway and Metro DC maps insure you have everything you need for a successful trip. While politics in the Capital may be petty and divisive, the riches of art, science and culture offered in its museums almost all of them free are generous, conciliatory and un-equalled anywhere else. The hot ticket in town is the new African American Museum of History and Culture. Its bronze colored corona architecture boldly breaks the mold of the mostly white neo-classicist structures on the Mall and offers an intriguing perspective on American history. On the West Mall history is made manifest in the placement of the MLK Memorial where Dr. King stares down Jefferson with Lincoln's backing.

2020 MallSmart Washington DC map scale of 1:9,500 makes you feel you are there with 3D buildings illustrations as your compass. All Metro stops are marked by their respective line in context right on the main map and on a separate subway overview so you know both the local details and understand the larger system. Stephan Van Dam, the map designer and publisher has mapped the Capital for the Smithsonian, The National Gallery and the National Park Service. We also publish a series of Presidential History Maps Lincoln, Jefferson and Washington as well as WDC Pop up Map.

2020 MallSmart Washington DC maps are updated at least twice a year and are more current than any other map available. Its film lamination is extra durable and will last you for your next trip. A customer recently suggested our maps are too good but we like quality that lasts. Simplicity reigns supreme to make complex cities clear and understandable. Our typography creates character and reveals the true bones of the vertical city. VanDam uses a letter grid to identify locations on maps - no confusing and cluttering K-28 or V-34s - its just the city from A-Z. Our covers map the icons of each city and turn them into collectible graphic art. Each sleek and laminated city map package opens to 24" x 9" and then easily folds down to 4" x 9" to snuggly fit into a shirt pocket.

DK Eyewitness travel guides: award-winning guidebooks

Find your corner of Washington, DC with this essential travel guide to this great city, designed to help you create your own unique trip and to transport you there before you’ve even packed your case – learn about the nation’s history at the Lincoln Memorial, enjoy the view from the Washington Monument, or explore the exhibits at the National Gallery of Art.  The DK Eyewitness Guide to Washington, DC covers the must-see sights and the hidden corners, so you won’t miss a thing.

• Gorgeous, all-new color photography so you can imagine yourself there
• Reasons to love Washington, DC: world-class museums, the magnificent National Mall, watching government in action, cherry trees in bloom – what will yours be?
• See Washington, DC from a different angle - 18 pages of fresh ideas for exploring the city
• A year-long calendar of events in Washington, DC gives a selection of local events and festivals for all seasons
• Sturdy, laminated pull-out city map gives transport information and Metro map
• Expert advice covers the practical stuff: get ready, get around, and stay safe
• Detailed, color maps help you navigate the city with ease
• Expert tips to make memories that last – where to snap and share the perfect photo, take in stunning views, and escape the crowds
• The most authentic places to stay, eat, drink and shop
• Easy-to-follow walks and itineraries take you on a tour of each area, with plenty of eat and drink stops en route.
• Hand-drawn illustrations show the inside of the must-see attractions, including the United States Capitol, the White House, Washington National Cathedral, and Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello
• Covers Capitol Hill, the Mall, South of the Mall, Penn Quarter, the White House and Foggy Bottom, the Northwest, Georgetown, beyond the centre, and sights beyond the city.

DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Washington, DC is a detailed, easy-to-use guide designed to help you create your own unique trip.

DK Eyewitness: winner of the Top Guidebook Series in the Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards 2017.

Planning a shorter break? Try our DK Eyewitness Top 10 Washington, DC guide.

About DK Eyewitness Travel: For 25 years, DK’s beautifully practical Eyewitness guides have been combining inspiring ideas and expert advice with easy-to-read maps and vivid photography to inform and enrich your holiday. This year they have been given a stunning new look that you will love even more.  DK is the world’s leading illustrated reference publisher, producing beautifully designed books for adults and children in over 120 countries.

Fodor's 25 Best Guides offer highlights of major city destinations in a compact package that includes a sturdy, detailed street map you can bring along with you to help you navigate when cell service is not available. By focusing only on top sights―all divided by neighborhood―we make planning your days easy.

Save time and space by having Washington DC's top 25 sights and experiences in one convenient guidebook:

•UPDATED FOR 2018: Fully updated coverage on the information you need to know.

•DISCERNING RECOMMENDATIONS: Best bets from local writers for sightseeing, eating, drinking, sleeping, and shopping, for every budget.

•GORGEOUS PHOTOS AND MAPS: Full-color photos and full-size street maps cover the best Washington DC has to offer, all in one easy-to-use package. A handy, weather-resistant pullout city map will help you quickly orient yourself and plan your day.

•INDISPENSABLE TRIP-PLANNING TOOLS: The “City Tours” section shows off the best of the city with self-guided tour ideas. Plan excursions outside the city with the “More to See” section.

•PRACTICAL TIPS: Travel like a local with our “Need to Know” section, filled with useful travel tips and other essential travel information such as how to best get around.

•COVERS: the Smithsonian, views from the Kennedy Center and the Old Post Office Building Tower, Capitol Hill, the White House, Dupont Circle, Mount Vernon, Alexandria’s Old Town, the local zoo, National Air and Space Museum, and much more!

ABOUT FODOR'S AUTHORS: Each Fodor's Travel Guide is researched and written by local experts. Fodor's guidebooks have been offering expert advice for all tastes and budgets for 80 years.

Planning to visiting other destinations in the area? Check out Fodor’s 25 Best New York City and Fodor's Philadelphia.

Ready to experience Washington, D.C.? The experts at Fodor’s are here to help. Fodor’s Washington, D.C. travel guide is packed with customizable itineraries with top recommendations, detailed maps of Washington, D.C., and exclusive tips from locals. Whether you want to explore the Smithsonian Museums, visit the Lincoln Memorial or the White House, or explore the city's increasingly sophisticated restaurant scene, this up-to-date guidebook will help you plan it all out.

This new edition has been FULLY-REDESIGNED with a new layout and beautiful images for more intuitive travel planning! Fodor’s Washington, D.C. includes:

• AN ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE GUIDE that visually captures the top highlights of Washington, D.C.

• SPECTACULAR COLOR PHOTOS AND FEATURES throughout, including special features on the National Air and Space Museum, the U.S. Capitol building, and Arlington National Cemetery.

• INSPIRATIONAL “BEST OF” LISTS that identify the best things to see, do, eat, drink, and more.

• MULTIPLE ITINERARIES for various trip lengths to help you maximize your time.

• MORE THAN 20 DETAILED MAPS AND A FREE PULLOUT MAP to help you plot your itinerary and navigate confidently.

• EXPERT RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS with options for every taste.

• TRIP PLANNING TOOLS AND PRACTICAL TIPS including: guides to getting around, saving money and time, beating the crowds, and a calendar of festivals and events.

• LOCAL INSIDER ADVICE on where to find under-the-radar gems.

• HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL OVERVIEWS that add perspective and enrich your travels.

• COVERS: The Washington Monument, the White House, the Capitol Building, the National Mall, the Lincoln Memorial, the Smithsonian museums, Arlington National Cemetery, Georgetown's boutiques, U Street's restaurants, Alexandria, Mount Vernon, Annapolis, Baltimore, and more.

• Navigate the Neighborhoods: Follow one of our guided neighborhood walks through Penn Quarter, Dupont Circle, U Street, Adams Morgan, and more
• Explore the City: Snap the perfect photo of the Washington Monument, tour the U.S. Capitol, and explore the incredible Smithsonian museums like the African American History Museum or the Newseum. Catch a whiff of the fragrant cherry blossoms in the spring, rent a boat and paddle along the Potomac, or shop the boutiques in Georgetown
• Get a Taste of the City: Chow down on a late-night half-smoke at Ben's Chili Bowl or grab brunch and a new book from Busboys and Poets. Enjoy Michelin-starred seafood at a waterfront restaurant, order up a Chesapeake crab cake, and enjoy the city's diversity of authentic fare from Ethiopia, Afghanistan, the Philippines, and more
• Bars and Nightlife: Watch a groundbreaking performance at the Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, catch a live band at the 9:30 Club, or dance to a DJ set at the Black Cat. Sip scotch where former presidents once did, try a five-course cocktail tasting menu, or kick back with a beer and fries at a quintessential DC dive bar
• Local Advice: Local journalist Samantha Sault shares her love of the nation's capital
• Strategic, Flexible Itineraries including the three-day best of DC, a weekend with kids, and more, plus day trips to Old Town Alexandria, Annapolis, Easton, and Shenandoah National Park
• Tips for Travelers including where to stay and how to navigate the Metro, plus advice for international visitors, LGBTQ travelers, seniors, travelers with disabilities, and families with children
• Maps and Tools like background information on the history and culture of DC, full-color photos, color-coded neighborhood maps, and an easy-to-read foldout map to use on the go

Lonely Planet: The world’s leading travel guide publisher

Lonely Planet’s Washington DC is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Climb the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to feel the grand sweep of history; explore space, dinosaurs, art and the history of the nation in the Smithsonian museums; and grab a half-smoke at legendary Ben’s Chili Bowl. All with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Washington DC and begin your journey now!

Inside Lonely Planet’s Washington DC:

• Full colour maps and images throughout
• Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests
• Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots
• Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices
• Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss
• Cultural insights provide a richer, more rewarding travel experience - covering history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, cuisine, politics
• Covers National Mall, White House Area, Foggy Bottom, Georgetown, Capitol Hill, Southeast DC, Downtown, Penn Quarter, Dupont Circle, Kalorama, Adams Morgan, U Street, Columbia Heights, Upper Northwest DC, Northern Virginia

The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet’s Washington DC is our most comprehensive guide to Washington DC, and is perfect for discovering both popular and offbeat experiences.

Looking for more extensive coverage? Check out Lonely Planet’s USA for an in-depth look at all the country has to offer.

About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company and the world’s number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveler since 1973. Over the past four decades, we’ve printed over 145 million guidebooks and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travelers. You’ll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, video, 14 languages, nine international magazines, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more.

‘Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.’ – New York Times

‘Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves; it's in every traveler's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.’ – Fairfax Media (Australia)