Often overshadowed by the more flashy New York City, Washington DC represents an essential destination of an East Coast tour. In fact, the District of Columbia is a real must-see for those who want to discover and get in touch with the true essence of American history and culture.Not only a political capital but also an important cultural and artistic center, Washington DC is found between the states of Virginia - on its southwest side - and Maryland - on its southeast, northeast, and northwest sides.The ideal tour of Washington starts from the National Mall, a monumental avenue of about 3 km that runs along the east-west from Capitol Hill to the Lincoln Memorial.