WASHINGTON DC

I was here: 2 days in February 2011.
Number of days needed: for those who do not go to museums 1, for those who like museums, maybe a week.
My score: 3/5.

Common questions about the capital of the United States:

Which state does it belong to? To none; is an independent district called Columbia (hence the surname “DC”), between the states of Maryland and Virginia.
Can you visit it as a day trip from New York? Yes, but it’s 4 hours by bus or train.
What is there? Basically politicians, museums and monuments.

This last question generates another more interesting one, how do these politicians, museums and memorials contribute to our interests?:

The White House and the Capitol, two of the most famous government buildings in the world. For those interested in recent American history, both can be visited through official tours.
Several of the best museums in the country, most belonging to the Smithsonian Institution, whose objective is to promote non-profit culture, so they are free. Some are certainly magnificent, and there are so many and so varied that a museums lover has a true Mecca worldwide in this city.
The National Mall. Perhaps the most extensive collection of war memorials, monuments to politicians and the like that can be found, an ode to patriotism that nevertheless can end up boring foreigners. It does not seem normal how many wars and illustrious people have to remember a country with less than 250 years of history. Luckily they are located in this pleasant (except in winter, while is exposed to cold and wind) and wide wooded promenade with ponds, where you can also find some of the main museums.

In any case, Washington DC is a city that deserves to be visited, since it radiates history and culture. How much time we decide to dedicate, will depend on how much we care about them.