Touring Washington in a Rush

Q: I have a seven-hour stopover in Washington DC in May. I have never been to Washington before, what can I see in that time, and what is the best way to get in from the airport? - Neville Armstrong

A: I assume you are referring to Washington Dulles International Airport, which is 40kms west of Washington's CBD. It is the biggest airport in the area, although the Reagan National Airport offers many regional flights. Although seven hours sounds like a long time to spend between flights, it doesn't really give you that much opportunity to explore Washington DC. Unless you have specific interests, your best bet is to take a guided of the city's attractions. Gray Line's Taste of DC Tour may be perfect for you. It takes you past some of the city's top sights within two hours under the guidance of a tour guide. Among the places you will see are the White House, the US Capitol, the Jefferson Memorial, the Holocaust Memorial and the Smithsonian Castle. Tours depart from the Gray Line office at Union Station at various times during the day (www.graylinedc.com). The best transport to and from the airport is with the Washington Flyer Taxi (www.washfly.com). Taking into account the time it will get you to get to and from Washington and the mandatory check-in times, you are likely to have very little time to spare. If you do, you may want to use this to visit the Smithsonian Institute or the Smithsonian Air and Space Center, which is nearer the airport. (27/2/11)