Wednesday, April 7, 2010 as of 11:14 AM ET
Washington is a city of vistas—a marriage of geometry and art. Unlike other large cities, it isn't dominated by skyscrapers. The result: the world's first planned capital is also one of its most beautiful...
Let’s face it, almost everything about D.C. seems monumental when a new President comes to town, but as you walk and ride the Metro trains around, keep in mind that history comes in unexpected and often fun shapes and sizes.
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 ...
The Fairfax at Embassy Row has a long connection to D.C. Here are a few fun facts about the historic property: Al Gore lived here as a child (it was not a hotel at the time). Hilary Clinton held press conferences here when she was running for president. The Steinway piano in the lounge was a gift from the Kennedy family. Nancy Reagan was a Jockey Club regular (she liked the corner table) and back in the day had a chicken salad named for her.
Capitol Home of the Senate and the House of Representatives, the marble Capitol is an architectural marvel filled with frescoes and statues. Tours now begin at the new Capitol Visitor Center—a massive $621-million project that opened in December 2008. The Capitol grounds are equally stunning—Frederick Law Olmsted, the landscape architect famous for New York City's Central Park, designed them. A tour of the interior is impressive, but nothing beats attending a live debate on the House or Senate floor.
The area that would come to be known as George (after George II), then George Towne, and finally Georgetown was part of Maryland when it was settled in the early 1700s by Scottish immigrants, many of whom were attracted by the region's tolerant ...
Top off a night of barhopping with a stop at one of these delicious late-night haunts. Adams Morgan The menu at Amsterdam Falafelshop (2425 18th St. NW, 20009. PHONE: 202/234-1969. Woodley Park/Zoo, Adams Morgan) might consist of only three items—falafels in pita, Dutch-style french fries, and brownies—but the choices are far from limited. At this cash-only spot, choose from nearly 20 different garnishes and a variety of dipping sauces.
When Washingtonians want to unwind, a drink-centered menu sometimes takes precedence. After all, the work of Washington can be a serious and frantic business, and perhaps that reason alone can explain the increasing popularity of two leisurely ...
A walk along U Street and the eastern rim of Adams Morgan gives a taste of D.C. that most tourists never get. This tour through "Black Broadway" bounces from lively commercial streets brimming with hip bars, cafés, and boutiques to quiet, ...
If you want to "go native" and get a sense for D.C. as the locals know it, try these experiences. Happy Hour on the Hill At 6 pm on a weekday evening, bars in D.C. are hopping like a Saturday night. The happy-hour culture here is strong, as government employees, lawyers, and other city workers unwind or network over half-price beers, well drinks, and pub grub. For the quintessential D.C. happy-hour experience, throw on something business casual and head to the Hill—no one will know you're not a congressional staffer.
Would someone in your life love a replica of the Hope diamond? It's waiting for you at the gift shop in the National Museum of Natural History. With a wide range of merchandise and price points, from inexpensive postcards to pricey pottery, ...
Outwardly serene and classically beautiful, the Capitol, the White House, and the Supreme Court stand at the heart of Washington, D.C. They are powerful, steadfast symbols of the stability and strength of the nation. But the city that revolves ...
President Franklin D. Roosevelt wrote, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself" in Room 776. J. Edgar Hoover ate lunch at the Mayflower restaurant almost every weekday for 20 years. He almost always brought his own diet salad dressing. Walt Disney once dined on the Mayflower's roof. The state dinner celebrating the 1979 Arab-Israeli peace treaty was held here. Winston Churchill sat for a portrait here.
Amid the grand marble halls of the Capitol building, members of Congress and their aides are busy crafting the country's policies. It's not a pretty process; as congressional commentators have quipped, laws are like sausages—it's best not ...
D.C. is filled with kid-friendly attractions. These sights are sure winners: National Air and Space Museum There's a good reason why this place is one of the most popular museums in the world: kids love it. The 23 galleries here tell the story of aviation and space from the earliest human attempts at flight. All three gift shops sell freeze-dried astronaut food—not as tasty as what we eat on Earth, but it doesn't melt or drip. If you've never crunched into ice cream, it's worth the experience.
For the thrifty at heart, D.C. can be a dream come true. All the Smithsonian museums and national memorials are free, as are many other museums—too many, in fact, to list here. Many of the top attractions are also free, like Ford's Theatre and Dumbarton Oaks. Summertime is heaven for budget travelers, when free outdoor concerts and festivals occur every week. Free Attractions Anderson House Dumbarton Oaks (free from November 1 to March 14) Ford's Theatre
Kennedy Center: The gem of the D.C. arts scene, this is the one performance venue you might take with you if you were stranded on a desert isle. National Gallery of Art garden concerts: These are classy events where you're actually encouraged to take off your shoes. Screen on the Green: Not even your neighbor the lobbyist (or the neighborhood multiplex) has a screen this big.
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