A capitol time

"Wow, England's that big?" he said, shaking me firmly by the hand. God Bless Americans.

What the tough-looking Washington downtown cop lacked in geographical knowledge, he more than made up for in friendliness.

America loves the British tourist, and, seemingly, no more so than in its capital, and no more so than now.

Washington may not have the neon of Las Vegas, the glitz of New York or the fun of Florida, but it is a great city to visit.

There is history in abundance, museums to fill you with awe, a vibrant night life and a diversity of restaurants to please the most fussy diner.

This is a working, no frills city, the proud seat of American power.

And a week was barely enough to take in all the sights and experiences it has to offer.

Washington is full of must-sees. The majestic White house, home of the president and the US Capitol, home of the Senate, are two great symbols of all that is America.

The Capitol with its huge domed snow-white roof, rises majestically above the Washington skyline.

A 10 minute walk away is the towering Washington Monument, a 555ft high stone obelisk, and nearby is the White House with its beautifully manicured gardens.

As American cities go, Washington is reasonably compact and getting around is easy. The Metro underground/overground rail system is safe, clean, fast and tourist friendly. There are also excellent bus services and taxis are cheap, a £6 fare will get you across the city.

Another great way of getting around is one of the Old Town Trolley tours, a fully narrated tour featuring 17 optional stops where you can get off and back on again as many times as you want.

Visit the US Capitol and you can watch a debate in the Senate from the public gallery.

Visit the Washington Monument and a lift takes you to the top of the tower affording panoramic views of the city, the wide and meandering Potomac River and the old township of Alexandria in the neighbouring Virginia.

Museums abound, but it is the Smithsonian complex which is the star attraction. The Air and Space Museum is one of the most famous in the world and quite rightly so. It houses the Wright Brothers' 1903 Flyer and Lindbergh's The Spirit of St Louis, the plane which Charles Lindbergh piloted on the world's first solo non-stop trans-Atlantic flight.

Visitors can also see moon rocks and have hands on experience of all kinds of "boys toys" exhibits.

Just down the road is the natural history museum with its fabulous Dinosaur Hall and the priceless Hope Diamond.

And if your feet have not yet given up, there is always the Museum of American History and at least a dozen others to broaden the mind.

You still want more? High on the visiting list is Arlington Cemetery, an oasis of peace and reverence away from the bustle of the city.

Take a bus tour from the visitor centre to save your legs and see President John F Kennedy's grave complete with eternal flame and a whole host of other American heroes including a memorial to the victims of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.

And then, there is always the zoo, set in 163 lush hilly acres a short ride out of the city, and home to giant pandas Mei Xiang and Tian Tian.

All that sightseeing certainly works up a thirst and an appetite. No problem, just head for Georgetown. By day it is where the trendy shoppers head for the latest fashions and antiques in little boutiques nestling along quaint streets built in the late 1700s. At night the restaurants and bars burst into life making it the most vibrant part of the city for after-dark entertainment.

There are restaurants to suit all tastes and all pockets. You can pay £60 a couple for a fabulous steak dinner, or dine Thai style for around £8 a head. And it's all top quality.

The bars have a very English feel, and it pays to scout around to seek out the happy hours. You can even get English draught beer.

Georgetown is also the home of great entertainment. There's a myriad of jazz and blues clubs, folk and rock clubs and other live music lounges. Nearly all are free to get in, or have a small cover charge.

And that is one of the great things about Washington... there is no charge to visit any of its famous monuments, sites and museums.

Accommodation is a doddle to find, and again all budgets are catered for. The city abounds with three and four star hotels, but it pays to do your homework and book before you travel.

Surf the internet and get some great bargains at top hotels. Around £80 a night per couple should see you staying in style and luxury. And many of the hotels are in the heart of the city or close to a Metro station.

If you love the shops however, you could be a little disappointed. The heart of the city has precious few stores, many have moved to giant malls in the city suburbs. But again, with such an efficient transport system, reaching them is not a problem.

One word of warning however, in this safe and friendly city. The legacy of the September 11 terrorist attacks means that every tourist place you visit, and at the entrances of shopping centres, security is extremely tight. You have to walk through detectors and handbags are searched, but don't let this put you off.

If you have the time for just one trip outside the city confines, Mount Vernon is the place to go. Mount Vernon was George Washington's home and here you can surround yourself in 500 acres of history and discover the personality and character of an innovative farmer who led a fledgling nation through its struggle for independence.

As the Americans say, you can see George Washington on the back of a dollar bill, but to know all about his city you really have to visit it.

David Rigby flew to Washington DC in the new economy courtesy of bmi.

The UK's second largest, full service scheduled airline has recently re-launched its direct transatlantic route from Manchester Airport to the American capital.

For further information on up to date prices and flight times please visit www.flybmi.com or contact reservations on 0800 607 0555.

Accommodation is a doddle to find, and again all budgets are catered for. The city abounds with three and four star hotels, but it pays to do your homework and book before you travel.

Surf the internet and get some great bargains at top hotels.

Around £80 a night per couple should see you staying in style and luxury. And many of the hotels are in the heart of the city or close to a Metro station.

If you love the shops however, you could be a little disappointed.

The heart of the city has precious few stores, many have moved to giant malls in the city suburbs. But again, with such an efficient transport system, reaching them is not a problem.

One word of warning however, in this safe and friendly city.

The legacy of the September 11 terrorist attacks means that every tourist place you visit, and at the entrances of shopping centres, security is extremely tight. You have to walk through detectors and handbags are searched, but don't let this put you off as it's all in the interest of public safety.

If you have the time for just one trip outside the city confines, Mount Vernon is the place to go. Mount Vernon was George Washington's home and here you can surround yourself in 500 acres of history and discover the personality and character of an innovative farmer who led a fledgling nation through its struggle for independence.

As the Americans say, you can see George Washington on the back of a dollar bill, but to know all about his city you really have to visit it.