Special treat: The Willard InterContinental (washington.intercontinental.com) has hosted Abraham Lincoln, Charles Dickens, Martin Luther King and David Lloyd George. Rooms from $259/£172.
Mid-range: The Normandy (doylecollection.com) is known for its warm service and prime location in the Embassy Row of Dupont Circle, a minute’s walk from the Phillips Collection. Rooms from £85.
On a budget: The Tabard Inn (001 202 785 1277; tabardinn.com) is in a quiet corner of the vibrant Dupont Circle area. Its 40 rooms offer DC’s quintessential boutique experience. Rooms from £80.
Hop on the Metro to Farragut West and follow Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House. You may be lucky enough to see the President’s helicopter or the family dog, Bo, being take for his morning walk.
For dinner, call ahead for reservations at Old Ebbitt Grill (001 202 347 4800). It's one of the city’s landmark restaurants and a favourite of former presidents including Theodore Roosevelt.
9am: Start the day with a trip to Old Post Office Pavilion’s 315-ft Clock Tower for an unparalleled 360-degree look at DC and its famous sites, including the Washington Monument and Capitol Building.
The adventurous should take to the Potomac River in a rented kayak or paddleboard at Jack’s Boathouse by the Key Bridge (3500 K Street; 001 202 337 9642; guided tour £29).
3pm: Slow things down with a walk through the United States Botanic Gardens. Free tours last 45 minutes and take visitors through the Conservatory. Nearest Metro stop: Federal Center.
6pm: Get an early dinner at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel’s CityZen restaurant (001 202 787 6148), serving top-notch modern American cuisine with local ingredients. Call for reservations. Best by cab.
7pm: Hop back in a taxi and head to the John F Kennedy Center (kennedy-center.org/index.cfm) for drama, opera or music. Don’t miss the breezy roof deck overlooking the Potomac River.
10pm: Hail a taxi to DC’s diverse Adams Morgan neighbourhood for a drink at the Jack Rose Dining Saloon (18th Street; 001 202 588 7388).
Stroll round the water’s edge taking in the monuments and memorials. The FDR Memorial is a must-see. Alternatively, rent a paddleboat (tidalbasinpaddleboats.com) or do a Potomac River cruise.
The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum (001 202 633 2214) or the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History (001 202 633 1000; free) are children’s favourites.
Or jump on the metro to the Archives stop and see the widely acclaimed Newseum (newseum.org; £14 adult/ £8 child) – a stunning interactive world of news and information.
