To be completely honest and fair, I must admit that I didn't read this book anywhere close to completion. It was one of three books I checked out of the library in preparation for a short trip, and there simply wasn't enough time to read them all from cover to cover. However, if I do return to DC, I would definitely pick up this book again to finish it up, find more things to do while in the city, and have a handy reference available when traveling to Washington.

Like with other Eyewitness Travel books from DK, this travel guide is incredibly compact and contains a number of foldout maps neatly tucked inside its slender binding. This makes this book the perfect size for stowing in a shoulder purse or even a back pocket. The book is organized with the editors' "Top 10" recommendations first and then a number of other sections following that include various informational pieces, such as hotel suggestions. I like how the Top 10 section not only encompasses a number of lists like top 10 restaurants, top 10 nightclubs, etc., but also includes Top 10 highlights within the biggest attractions. For instance, the National Air and Space Museum is featured prominently as a must-see and then the page spread dedicated to it lists the biggest draws (e.g., Spirit of St. Louis, Kitty Hawk, etc.).

In addition to the various recommendations, this travel guide provides a great deal of practical information from addresses to hours to museum maps and much more. Throughout, the book also frequently references historical and cultural context to help the reader understand the significance of why these tourist spots are important. ( )

We're visiting D.C., New York City, and Vermont this year, so of course I had to get the DK Eyewitness Travel guides, as they are my absolute favorites. When I can, I choose the Top 10 books, since they simplify planning for me, and I have had nothing but success with them in the past. The travel guide for D.C. starts with the Top 10 lists; according to this book, the main ten attractions for the Washington, D.C. area are the following: the Capitol, the White House, Washington National Cathedral, Mount Vernon, Arlington Cemetery, National Air and Space Museum, National Gallery of Art, National Museum of American History, the National Zoo, and the Library of Congress. Other attractions are described in various other lists, such as top children's attractions or a list of memorials and monuments and so on. The regional breakdown divides Washington, D.C. into six areas: around Capitol Hill, the Mall and the Federal Triangle, Penn Quarter, Georgetown, the White House and Foggy Bottom, and areas beyond the City Center. This Around Town section features top ten lists according to each section of the capitol, from top ten attractions for that area to lists of places to shop and eat. The final big division of the book is called Streetsmarts, and includes the top ten lists for hotels along with other travel considerations. This format is exactly the same as other books in the Top 10 series, and it works very well for organizing the information and allowing the reader to prioritize, to easily find the details she is seeking, and to pick and choose among options.

We haven't taken our vacation yet, but I am confident, based on past experiences, that this travel guide will be a huge help. It has already made me more excited about the trip, and I have begun planning hotels using their recommendations. I certainly plan on taking the small book with me when we travel. What's more, these guides are full of beautiful photographs that capture an essence of what the pages are describing in words. Not a single page is missing a photograph, and most of the book features an abundance of photographs along with a creative arrangement of text in clear font with bold titles. Only the Streetsmart section resembles a typical travel guide, with small pictures at the top and the rest of the page small print. This book is an especially attractive travel guide with helpful information, and I am excited to try it out later this year. ( )