The bad news is that some Washington neighborhoods, particularly in the Southeast quadrant, have serious crime problems, largely because of illegal drugs. The good news is that the areas frequented by tourists (the National Mall, downtown, Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan and Georgetown) are no more dangerous than fashionable neighborhoods in other U.S. cities. The central part of D.C. is staffed with red-jacketed police aides, clean-up crews and tourist helpers, who have reduced crime rates considerably.
That said, extra caution should be exercised late at night in areas like Adams Morgan, Dupont Circle, U Street and even Georgetown. It's not a bad idea to depart an hour before bar-closing times. Otherwise, the usual cautions apply: Never walk alone at night, avoid dark streets, and don't leave valuables in your car. Ask the front-desk staff at your hotel for advice before venturing into unfamiliar territory. Do not get into unlicensed cabs. In addition, the Metropolitan Police Department has a Web site that offers a lot of good safety information, as well as any security alerts or updates. http://mpdc.dc.gov.
The Department of Homeland Security has devised a Homeland Security Advisory System. This color-coded system is designed to advise people of the current threat level from terrorism or other potential attack. Should the Advisory reach the red level, expect many buildings, including museums and other attractions, to be closed. More information is available online at http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?theme=29.
Dos & Don'ts
Do educate yourself about current events. Conversation in D.C. tends to revolve around hot political topics.
Do refer to the city as The District if you want to sound like a local.
Don't pick any cherry blossoms from the trees surrounding the Tidal Basin. Doing so is considered an act of destroying government property and could result in a fine or even arrest.
Do embrace the diverse culture of the city. A walk down Embassy Row is a quick reminder of the many nations represented there.
Don't stop in front of the White House during a protest. Peaceful objection is legal as long as demonstrators continue to march; however, stopping and standing still in front of the President's residence during a protest is against the law.
