Washington offers wealth of sights, things
to do
Congressional changes means surge in
new travel and business
 Washington Travel Services brings you
the best of the nation's capital with
destination information and great rates on
hotels/resorts,
condos
and extended-stay accommodations and
rental cars.
Other than the federal government,
tourism is Washington D.C.'s biggest industry. The city attracts almost 20
million visitors each year. Conveniently, most arrive in midsummer, when
the lawmakers have gone home, so overcrowding is rarely a problem. The
nation's showcase puts on quite a display for its guests, and admission to
virtually all major attractions is free.
The most famous sites are concentrated
along the central Mall, including the White House, individual memorials to
four of the greatest presidents, and the superb museums of the Smithsonian
Institution. Downtown, however (broadly speaking the area immediately
north of the Mall, between the White House and the Capitol), can seem very
empty at night, and you're more likely to spend your evenings in the
hotels and restaurants of the city's neighborhoods, such as historic
Georgetown, arty Dupont Circle and the funkier Adams-Morgan district.
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Cheap holidays
Because the city was built from scratch,
Washington's regular town plan is easy to grasp. Centered on Capitol
Hill and its governmental monoliths, the District is divided into four
quadrants -- northeast, northwest, southeast and southwest. Dozens of
broad avenues, all named after states, run diagonally across a standard
grid of streets , meeting up at monumental traffic circles like Dupont
Circle. North-south streets are numbered, east-west ones are lettered.
Be sure to note the relevant two-letter code in any address (NW, NE, SW,
SE), which shows its quadrant; 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW is a long
way from 1600 Pennsylvania Ave SE.
Until you get your bearings, stick to
the established tourist trail; almost all the most famous sights are on
Capitol Hill or in the comparatively affluent northwest quarter. To the
west of the Capitol, the broad, green Mall holds monuments to presidents
Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Franklin D. Roosevelt, as well as the
White House, official home of the current president. Also here are the
bulk of the city's many marvelous museums, including the national
collections of the Smithsonian Institution.
There will be numerous Halloween
Parties around town, and many year-round parties at assorted event
sites.
Costumes available here and
adult costumes here.
Another alternative is to stay just outside the capital at Wyndham Old Town Alexandria, which features elegant period furnishings and spacious suites (1757 King St. Alexandria, VA). Just a 10-minute drive across the Potomac or a two-minute walk to the D.C. metro system, this resort timeshare provides relief from the crowds especially if you are visiting when Congress is in session.
However, there is more to Washington
than an endless succession of museums and monuments, and it's well worth
your time to search out the many attractive neighborhoods. Despite its
reputation, most of the city is in surprisingly good shape, with row
after row of 19th-century brick-fronted houses set along leafy
boulevards. Between the Mall and the main spine of Pennsylvania Avenue
-- the parade route connecting Capitol Hill to the White House -- the
Neoclassical buildings of the Federal Triangle offer a sobering contrast
to the rest of the city's neighborhoods. North and east of here, what's
known as Old Downtown has been revitalized and now features new
plazas, galleries and restaurants alongside its traditional attractions,
like the FBI Building, Old Post Office and the theater associated with
President Lincoln's assassination.
The area around the MCI Center,
particularly along Seventh Street NW, is fast developing as an
entertainment and nightlife scene, with a good selection of bars and
restaurants. The oldest area, Georgetown, where popular bars and
restaurants now line M Street and Wisconsin Avenue above the Potomac
River, actually precedes the establishment of the District. Georgetown
is a 15-minute walk from the Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro but its Federal-era
and Victorian townhouses and the towpath along the C&O Canal make it a
fine target for a day's poking about.
Other neighborhoods to check out --
especially for eating and drinking -- are Dupont Circle at
Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Hampshire avenues, which pulls a
dynamic mix of urban professionals of all stripes, and the gentrifying
Latin immigrant community of Adams-Morgan, a favored destination of the
weekend party crowd that's a short walk from Dupont Circle up 18th
Street at Columbia Road.
Most visitors also take the short Metro
ride to Arlington in Virginia to see the National Cemetery, President
John F. Kennedy's burial place and the Pentagon.
Museums, Monuments, and More
 It’s hard to believe that our founding
fathers would select what was a
mosquito-infested swampland for the nation’s
capital. Fortunately for us, Washington,
D.C., has evolved into a stunningly
beautiful city with an impressive collection
of monuments and museums that we all want to
see.
A word of warning: expect to wait in lines.
And a suggestion…don't be afraid to call
your congressman or senator for special
passes — they love to help out.
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You can spend the better part of a
day with a visit to the Mall, where
you’ll find the Library of Congress,
the Supreme Court, and the Capitol.
Just be sure to carve out some time
for these D.C. gems: The
International Spy Museum reveals the
tricks of the trade for secret
agents. The Phillips Collection, a
museum in an 1890 Georgian Revival
mansion, will delight art lovers
with postwar contemporary
masterpieces. An ideal place to
relax and enjoy beautiful plantings
from the Elizabethan period is the
Folger Shakespeare Library and
Elizabethan Garden. |
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To dine in the grand style of
“Old Washington,” call well in
advance of your trip to reserve
a table at
1789 Restaurant, a
Georgetown institution set in
renovated Federal townhouse
(1226 36th St. NW;
202.965.1789).Looking for the
best Eastern Shore fare? Look no
further than
Johnny's Half Shell, best
known for its crab cakes (2002 P
St. NW; 202.296.2021).Currently
on the “hot” list is
Lima, with its Latin-infused
international cuisine, hip bar
scene and dancing at night (1401
K St. NW; 202.789.2800).
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History buffs will feel
“presidential” in the
Willard InterContinental, which
has hosted nearly every U.S.
president since 1853 (1401
Pennsylvania Ave. NW; 800.827.1747).
For the utmost in luxury and
gracious service, the
Mandarin Oriental offers subdued
Asian elegance (1330 Maryland Ave.
SW; 866.526.6567).
A trendier option is the funky
Hotel Helix, with platform beds
and neon colors (1430 Rhode Island
Ave. NW; 866.508.0658). |
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Recommended Resources:
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and the Washington
Monument, is a nighttime tour
offered by