Sightsee D.C.

If ever there was a "do it yourself" city, it's D.C. The Metro system is safe and easy to navigate and most of the major sights and museums are concentrated in a single area. Armed with a Metro map, a map of the Mall, and a comfortable pair of shoes, you can do it all, all by yourself.

Nevertheless, sometimes a guided tour just makes more sense, especially when it comes to experience, insider knowledge, and a parking pass. If for no other reason, taking a guided tour can be a nice break; let someone else sweat the details for a day. Consider a guided tour if your trip matches one of the situations here.

If this is your first trip . . .

The Metro might be the most convenient way to get around, but it is notably lacking in city views. If you'd like to get the lay of the land, don't tax your patience (or that of your fellow drivers) by trying to navigate the District's one-way streets while looking for sights on your own. Take a guided tour and leave the driving, and the parking, to the pros.

Old Town Trolley Tours and theTourmobile buses operated by the National Park Service take you to the major sites in the District and offer hop-on, hop-off convenience. It's perfect for your first day in the city.

A bike tour, with a company such as Bike and Roll, is also a wonderful way to take in the sights. Traversing the Mall on foot can quickly turn into a forced march; on a bike it's a gentle ride with show-stopping scenery. Visitors tempted to jump onto D.C.'s new street-side bike rentals might want to think twice. The locals-focused program requires a $40 annual membership fee.

If you want an insider's look . . .

Arranging constituent visits to the White House and to the sessions of Congress is one of the duties of your representative and senators. Contact their offices (www.house.govand www.senate.gov) in advance to arrange your visit.

Several other government buildings, like the State Department, require advance reservations for a tour.

If you just can't get enough . . .

Are you mad about the movies, the political gossip, or the Civil War? Indulge your obsessions with a tour that will add fuel to your fire. Visit The Exorcist steps or the bar fromSt. Elmo's Fire with On Location Tours; hear the juicy bits from Washington's rumor mill with Gross National Product's Scandal Tours. Or, take a guided walking tour with Smithsonian Associates that focuses on Civil War history, stopping at sights like Manassas National Battlefield Park at Bull Run.

If you want a new perspective . . .

You know what the Potomac looks like from the city, but have you ever seen the monuments from the river? Thompson Boat Center provides the opportunity, offering hourly and daily rentals on canoes and kayaks. Pack a lunch and paddle over to Roosevelt Island for an afternoon. It's the surest way of all to beat the crowds.