Where DC ranks among best places in the US to visit

We’re No. 1! We’re No. 1! We’re also … No. 8 … Hey, at least we’re still in the Top 10.

U.S. News & World Report has unveiled its rankings for the best places to visit in 2019 and D.C., as well as other nearby locales, made more than one list.

Washington Monument at Sunrise — **Best Historical Cities to Visit in the U.S.** Washington, D.C., took the top spot for U.S. News’ Best Historical Cities to Visit list. It was also No. 8 on the overall Best Places to Visit in the U.S. list. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/lucky-photographer)

Boston Skyline with Financial District and Boston Harbor at Dusk — **Best Historical Cities to Visit in the U.S.** Boston was No. 2. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/roman_slavik)

Shown is the Liberty Bell on Thursday, May 5, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) — **Best Historical Cities to Visit in the U.S.** Philadelphia was No. 3. (AP/Matt Rourke)

**Best Historical Cities to Visit in the U.S.** Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, was No. 4. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/BDphoto)

Williamsburg, Virginia, was No. 5. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/kamcma) — **Best Historical Cities to Visit in the U.S.** Williamsburg, Virginia, was No. 5 for historical cities to visit and No. 9 for Best Small Towns. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/kamcma)

Aerial view of Ocean City, Maryland. — **Best Small Towns to Visit in the U.S.** Ocean City, Maryland, was No. 22 on the Best Small Towns to Visit list. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/rypson)

FILE- This April 22, 2009, file photo, shows former President Thomas Jefferson's home, Monticello, in Charlottesville, Va. Jefferson and George Washington both grew hemp and puzzled over the best ways to process it for clothing and rope. Indeed, cannabis has been grown in America since soon after the British arrived. Jefferson went on to invent a device for processing hemp in 1815. On the occasion of Legalization Day, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012, when Washingtons new law takes effect, AP takes a look back at the cultural and legal status of the evil weed in American history. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File) — **Best Small Towns to Visit in the U.S.** Charlottesville, Virginia, was No. 24 on the Best Small Towns to Visit list. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)

A young male hiker is standing on the edge of a cliff enjoying a dramatic overlook of the famous Colorado River and beautiful Canyonlands National Park in scenic Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah, USA — **Best Places to Visit in the U.S.**: 1. The Grand Canyon (Getty Images/iStockphoto/bluejayphoto)

**Best Places to Visit in the U.S.**: 2. Yosemite National Park (Getty Images/iStockphoto/Devon Wolfhart)

Family relaxing and enjoying beautiful view of gazer on vacation hiking trip. Father with arms around his family. Excelsior Geyser from the Midway Basin in Yellowstone National Park. Wyoming, USA — **Best Places to Visit in the U.S.**: 3. Yellowstone National Park (Getty Images/iStockphoto/MargaretW)

Tropical sandy beach and waves for surfing in ocean with blue sky — **Best Places to Visit in the U.S.**: 4. Maui (Getty Images/iStockphoto/Nuture)

A river runs calmly through a valley in Glacier National Park of Montana. — **Best Places to Visit in the U.S.**: 5. Glacier National Park (Getty Images/iStockphoto/Matt Anderson)

Empire State Building as seen from Rooftop of Rockefeller Building — **Best Places to Visit in the U.S.**: 6. New York City (Getty Images/iStockphoto/Shooter_Sam)

Classic panoramic view of San Francisco skyline with famous Oakland Bay Bridge illuminated in beautiful golden evening light at sunset in summer, San Francisco Bay Area, California, USA — **Best Places to Visit in the U.S.**: 7. San Francisco (Getty Images/iStockphoto/bluejayphoto)

us capitol in background of street — **Best Places to Visit in the U.S.**: 8. Washington, D.C. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/f11photo)

Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head Crater including the hotels and buildings in Waikiki, Honolulu, Oahu island, Hawaii. Waikiki Beach in the center of Honolulu has the largest number of visitors in Hawaii — **Best Places to Visit in the U.S.**: 9. Honolulu (Getty Images/iStockphoto/okimo)

Flower box in the middle of downtown telluride — **Best Places to Visit in the U.S.**: 10. Telluride (Getty Images/iStockphoto/danicachang)

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Washington is the No. 1 Best Historical City to Visit in the U.S. and No. 8 overall for best cities to visit in the country.

“Visitors to D.C. know that it has plenty of monuments and memorials to explore, lots of Smithsonian museums and a lot of outdoor activities, in addition to an excellent dining scene,” U.S. News’ Managing Editor for Travel Erin Shields told WTOP.

“So, it’s kind of a really well-rounded destination in addition to an excellent historical destination.”

U.S. News takes a lot of different things into account when it evaluates a destination. Everything from the number of museums and museum access to culture sites, atmosphere and — friendliness?

“We do a lot of research around reviews — whether it’s hotels, attractions, things to do, tours — and see what visitors have to say about the people they’re interacting with,” Shields said. “It’s definitely difficult.”

What can Washington do to become the No. 1 destination in the U.S.? Keep on truckin’.

“Continue to welcome visitors, offer lots of exciting things to do and see,” Shields said. “I think continuing to offer a great restaurant scene and lots of tours and attractions that really bring back visitors of all types — everyone from family travelers to couples to solo travelers.”

As for people who already live in the District:

“I think people who live in this area (U.S. News is based out of Washington) definitely should be appreciative and take advantage of the things there are to do,” Shields told WTOP.

“I think living here is probably a great thing because there are so many museums and attractions. … So, if you’re not taking advantage of it, I would really try to do that by the end of the year.”

It wasn’t just Washington that made multiple lists.

Williamsburg, Virginia, came in at No. 5 on the Best Historical City list as well as nabbing the No. 9 spot for Best Small Towns.

“Williamsburg is pretty unique. You have the costumed interpreters who take guests on guided tours so people can learn a little more about the history of the Revolutionary War. A really interesting thing they do are ghost tours, which people seem to really love,” Shields said.

Ocean City, Maryland, was No. 22 for Best Small Towns, which are destinations with 50,000 people or less.

“Ocean City is a really family friendly destination. They have activities for all ages. you can go mini-golfing, hit the beach, go to the boardwalk, check out some of the water sports activities and then cap it all off with a day eating steamed crab,” Shields said.

And Charlottesville, Virginia, was No. 24 for Best Small Towns.

“Charlottesville is really easy to visit from the D.C. area, either by train or car, but overall, they have numerous wineries and breweries to explore,” Shields explained. “It’s surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery and there’s plenty of nearby hiking.”

Overall, the single best place in the world to visit is Paris, followed by South Island in New Zealand, Rome, Tahiti and London.

“Our U.S. News rankings take into account editor, expert and user analysis to put out a variety of destinations so people thinking about planning a trip can consult our rankings and see what is going to be the best vacation for them,” Shields said.