Don't block the escalators to the Metro.This is not a suggestion; locals take this seriously and you'll get yelled at if you violate this.

Do stand to the right and walk to the left-letting those in a hurry pass by

Don't drive.With horrible traffic and limited parking, don't bother driving or taking cabs.

Do use public transportation and your own feet to roam the city.But know that there is a proper way to ride the public transportation, particularly the Metro.

Don't eat or drink on the Metro.It's against the law and you can be fined for it.

Do sit down and enjoy the plethora of authentic eats around town.The culinary scene in Washington, DC is thriving-just ask the people who wait for hours to dine at Rose’s Luxury. Celebrity chefs like Mike Isabella and José Andrés have mini empires around town. Even the museums have something to offer; the food court at the National Museum of the American Indian serves fare from native cultures around the Americas.

Don't pay for individual Metro paper fare cards.

Do purchase a reusable SmarTrip card.You can buy them online, it'll cost you $1 less for each trip and you won't have to wait for the turnstile to close behind someone to touch your SmarTrip card, which is very helpful during busy peak periods.

Don't door monger on the Metro.

Do head to the center of the car to keep the flow of passengers moving.

Don't try to see everything in one day.

Do plan ahead.You can simply walk into many of DC's attractions without tickets or reservations, but some of the biggies require a little advance preparation. The Capitol Building is an undeniable highlight, but don't expect to just turn up and gain entry on the spot - tickets are hard to come by, but the Viator VIP Best of DC Tour includes coveted reserved entry to the Capitol and the National Archives Building. Booking museum and attraction tickets in advance will also save time.

Don't procrastinate in the morning.Sixteen million tourists visit our capital every year and the crowds can be enormous. Opt to visit the most popular spots as early as possible to avoid the biggest crowds; most sights open between 8:30 and 10 a.m. If visiting in the summer, make the most of the nice weather and explore the city by night. Also be sure to allot time for lines and security checks.

Do put your wallet away.Many of D.C.'s sights are free - the Smithsonian museums, the Washington National Cathedral, National Geographic Society, Library of Congress and so many more. But those aren't the only feebies to be found. Every day, the Kennedy Center's Millenium Stage hosts a free performance at 6 p.m. The United States Navy Band performs free concerts throughout the area. Tryst Coffeehouse in the lively Adams Morgan neighborhood hosts free jazz nights Monday through Wednesday nights (and free Wi-Fi during the week). Put your bargain hunter hat on and you'll find there are plenty of free ways to explore the capital.

Don't go into the city without any insightinto the city's basic design and street naming system

Do realize that the city is centered around the Capitol Building.D.C. is one of the easiest cities to navigate once you're aware of how it's systemically designed and named. It is comprised of a rectilinear grid with a set of transverse diagonal avenues that frequently intersect in circles or squares.