An issue celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States wouldn’t be complete without a return to our nation’s capital, home to many of the country’s most important treasures. Washington, D.C., is always a pleasure to visit, with its iconic monuments, the stupendous Smithsonian museums — all free — and its ever-brighter constellation of fine restaurants. Government may be serious business, but D.C. is a fun town.

While many of the city’s classic sites remain unchanged, impressive new exhibitions have opened, such as “Free and Independent: A Celebration of the Declaration” at the National Archives, as have entirely new institutions, like the National Geographic Museum of Exploration, which debuted in June. Since our last visit, a notable luxury hotel has opened as well.

Salamander DC

The salamander motif has deep historical roots — Francis I of France used it as his emblem in the 16th century — but today, another formidable patron has adopted this symbol of resilience and the power to overcome adversity: Sheila Johnson, the first African American female billionaire. As founder and CEO of Salamander Collection, Johnson has built a portfolio of seven luxury hotels in the U.S, plus a resort in Jamaica.