Bureau of Engraving and Printing
If you like money, this is your kind of place. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing is responsible for designing and printing the green stuff as well as stamps and US securities. During the 45-minute tour, visitors see blank sheets of paper being turned into millions of dollars in cash. Sorry, they do not give samples.

14th and C Streets, SW
Tel: (202) 874 2330 or 1 866 874 2330.
Website: www.moneyfactory.com
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1045 and 1230-1400; (May-Aug) evening hours 1700-1900. The visitors centre is open 0800-1500.
Free admission: Tickets are required and can be obtained from the booth on 15th Street on a first-come first-served basis, but they are usually gone by 0900, Sep-Feb. A valid photo ID is required to obtain tickets.

Corcoran Gallery of Art
A visit to the Corcoran Gallery of Art is always a new experience. Housed in a stunning beaux arts building, the museum is known for its interesting and ever-changing exhibitions. They could include Modernism, Ansel Adams or Annie Leibovitz.

500 17th Street, NW
Tel: (202) 639 1700.
Website: www.corcoran.org 
Opening hours: Sun, Mon, Wed 1000-1800; Thurs 1000-2100; Fri-Sat 1000-1700.
Admission charge.

National Archives & Records Administration (NARA)
Although the archives house more than 3 billion records, the ones that visitors flock to see are the Charters of Freedom - the Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights which are encased and displayed in a large marble rotunda. They are difficult to read, but then again they are the 200-plus-year-old originals.

Constitution Avenue between Seventh and Ninth Streets
Tel: 1 866 272 6272.
Website: www.archives.gov
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1900 (15 Mar-Labor Day); 100-1730 (day after Labor Day-14 Mar).
Free admission.

National Geographic Society - Museum at Explorer's Hall
Originally established in 1888 to fund expeditions to undiscovered parts of the world, the National Geographic Society also brought geography to the masses with the publication of its National Geographic Magazine. At the Society's Explorers Hall, the latest scientific developments are featured through interactive props and artefacts. The 72-seat amphitheatre ‘Earth Station One' simulates an orbital flight. Changing exhibits explore culture and science.

1145 17th Street, NW
Tel: (202) 857 7588 or 1 800 647 5463.
Website: www.nationalgeographic.com/museum
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1700; Sun 1000-1700.
Free admission.

Library of Congress
Once housed in the north wing of the US Capitol when Congress first moved there in 1800, the nation's library, the Library of Congress, celebrated its bicentennial in 2000. The world's largest library contains over 40 collections of rare American history materials and nearly 119 million items, including copies of the Gutenberg Bible and a copy of the musical score of the ‘Star Spangled Banner.' Exhibitions change regularly. There are daily guided tours of the 19th-century Thomas Jefferson Building. Public tours of the library are available Mon-Sat (1030, 1130, 1330, 1430 and 1530). On Saturday there is no 1530 tour.

101 Independence Avenue, SE
Tel: (202) 707 8000.
Website: www.loc.gov
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 1000-1700.
Free admission.

National Aquarium in Washington, DC
Small and easy to miss, there are no giant fish or undersea denizens. Instead there is a panorama of what is available in protected US marine sanctuaries, plus a variety of colourful fish. This is a great place to escape the crowds and cool off in the summer heat while watching turtles and piranhas. Animal feedings are at 1400.

14th and D Streets (in the basement of the Department of Commerce Building)
Tel: (202) 482 2825.
Website: www.nationalaquarium.com
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1700.
Admission charge.

Newseum
Reopened at a new location in 2008, the Newseum highlights the media. Visitors can visit more than a dozen galleries to learn the history of news and how the past century's important world events have been reported. A broadcast studio, an interactive newsroom and the largest section of the Berlin Wall outside of Germany along with one of the two surviving ‘Checkpoint Charlie' towers are exhibits worth exploring.

Sixth and Pennsylvania Avenues
Tel: (703) 284 3544 or 1 888 639 7386.
Website: www.newseum.org
Admission charge.