by E. Tillery

Created on: July 02, 2009   Last Updated: July 08, 2009

Traveling to the nation's capital can be overwhelming at the beginning. From deciding on where to lay your head at night to thinking about what unique or fun restaurant you want to eat, there is so much to see and do and when you have limited time you want to be able to make the best of it. You can take a monument tour, take a stroll down Pennsylvania Avenue and see the White House, visit the many historic homes or view the various memorials and parks the city has to offer. DC is rich in history and culture and there are some key places you will want to get the most out of your trip. All of this can be done on any budget.

There are hotels for every budget and many within walking distance from the activities you may choose to do. A great hotel on the high end would be the St. Regis. Only two blocks from the White House, this luxurious and prestigious hotel will make you feel like royalty. Their kids' club will also make your children feel like they are little princes and princesses. The hotel offers a multilingual staff, butler and concierge services, as well as private dining. With so much in your hotel you may not want to leave your room.

L'Enfant Plaza Hotel will accommodate those who want to spend more money on their activities. This luxurious hotel is within walking distance of some of DC's greatest attractions and conveniently located near the city's main Red Line METRO location. Honestly, who doesn't want a little convenience in their lives? This pet-friendly hotel offers in-room spa treatments as well as a more-than-enticing roof-top pool. If you're one who likes to get a good workout while on vacation, they have that to offer as well.

One of the best and least expensive activities in DC is taking a monument tour. If you want an exciting way to see the monuments and the city, you can take a Segway Tour. While it may be a bit pricey to some at $70 and requires the participant to be at least 16 years old, it's a 3-hour extensive tour of some of the must-see places in DC. You will get to see the White House, US Capitol Building, Ford's Theatre, and the National Air and Space Museum, just to name a few. However, if you're on a budget, a self-guided walking tour will still have you in awe. Combine your free walking tour with a $33 hop-on, hop-off trolley pass and the sky's the limit. DC by Foot is the best free walking tour the city has to offer. All within a 1.5-mile walking distance are these amazingly beautiful and inspiring memorials: Washington

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