The United States celebrates its Independence Day this weekend, and naturally, the main events happen in the nation’s capital. If you’ll be in Washington DC, get ready to watch the fireworks show over the Reflecting Pool, where thousands of people sit every year, picnicking throughout the day, waiting for the show at night. It starts just after 9PM and lasts for about fifteen minutes by the Washington Monument, while before that at 6PM there will be a special concert on the same spot. This year the fireworks will be accompanied by the sound of the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” to celebrate the bicentennial of Lincoln’s birth, and there will also be a tribute to NASA’s astronauts.
If you won’t be in Washington this year, know that the best place to celebrate American culture in the 4th of July is always by the Reflecting Pool and the Washington Monument. From there it is possible to walk to the city’s main landmarks, from the Capitol Building, to the White House. In fact, the 4th of July weekend just may be the best time to visit the American capital, as you won’t have freezing temperatures like in winter, and visitors get a true sense of the spirit of the city and the foundation of America.
Like always, end your day or night in Georgetown, for the city’s most attractive shops, cafes, and restaurants. The recommended hotel: The Quincy, conveniently found downtown at reasonable prices considering that location and its sleek, contemporary style.

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Drop your luggage at the Donovan House or Hotel Rouge where you’ll sleep in style after a day and night out around the city.
After you’ve taken a look at the city’s numerous neoclassical landmarks, visit the Newseum, an interactive museum opened in 2008 presenting the history and influence of the news and media around the world.  From there it’s easy to reach the National Gallery, with its enormous East Building housing modern and contemporary art by Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Picasso, Matisse, Pollock, among other artists.

When it’s time for a break, head to Georgetown for some trendy shopping and a stop at Leopold’s Kafe.  If it’s closer to dinner time, you now have some serious decisions to make.  Renowned chefs have opened restaurants in the American capital, with Wolfgang Puck’s The Source and Michel Richard’s Citronelle being two of the best destinations.

Once you’re done sampling the city’s creative menus, get further proof that it’s time to rethink Washington’s image as a city that doesn’t know how to have fun.  It has high-profile lounges and clubs matching those in New York or L.A., as proven by Lotus, Eighteenth Street Lounge, and Lima Lounge.  Have some drinks or dance the night away before returning to the sleek hotel that you checked into earlier, and sleep with the satisfaction of having found a hipper side of Washington that most tourists don’t experience.

All of the attractions mentioned above, together with numerous other suggestions, are covered in UCityGuides’ complete Washington DC City Guide.