I have already been to the Smithsonians, the White House, the Spy Museum, Ford's Theater, etc, etc. Please suggest some great little restaurants or places of interest that are out of the "norm" ...I'll be going in February. ~Thanks!
2007-10-15 18:56:56 · 4 answers · asked by happygirl 4 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Washington, D.C.
I was born in Washington, D.C. and lived in the area for 18 years, my family still lives there.
First off the Smithsonian changes exhibits every day. Try some of the smaller museums in the Smithsonian system, they are all around the Ellipse. Few people see the museum of medicine or technology or art.
Go see something at the Kennedy Center. Go see money being made at the mint or go see the capital and visit your congressman. Go see Union Station.
Go a little south and see Mount Vernon or old town Alexandria. DC has a great zoo Embassy Row is kind of neat. Go to Shirlington, there are great bars and restaurants.
Look around and have fun.
2007-10-15 19:16:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
For dining, try one of the many wonderful Ethiopian restaurants--- DC has the biggest Ethiopian population outside of Ethiopia itself and you just can't find good Ethiopian in all that many cities. My favorites are Dukem on 11th and U NW and Meskerem on 18th and Belmont NW.
I'd opt for one or more of the Cultural Walking Tours listed at http://www.culturaltourismdc.org/. Several are self-guided and take you through some of the city's most vibrant neighborhoods. The U Street trail is great for learning about the city's history of jazz and blues, or stop by and see a show at The Bohemian Caverns on 10th and U NW and see for yourself. Also if you can arrange a tour of the catecombs underneath the old Monestary, do so. I don't know how to go about doing that any more--- it has been years--- but I bet if you search for it, you will find it, or check with the National Shrine as I believe the Monestary is on their property.
It does not matter what religion you are -- I am not a particularly religious person but the Monestary and Catecombs tour I took was amazing.
Don't miss the Holocaust Museum, either. It is a must-see.
2007-10-16 04:20:10 · answer #2 · answered by dcgirl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try Eastern Market, the Awakening statue at Hains Point, or seeing the city from the top of the Old Post Office tower (as good a view as the Washington Monument, but no line). Pick up a copy of "Washington on Foot: 23 Walking Tours and Maps of Washington, DC, Takoma Park, and Old Town Alexandria" and choose a neighborhood you haven't been to. For a good variety of ethnic food, take the subway out to Wheaton, MD.
2007-10-16 09:51:03 · answer #3 · answered by npm 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In DC itself, check out the National Geographic museum/exhibit and Union Station (if you haven't already).
Outside of DC, I recommend Old Town Alexandria - - you can take the metro or drive.
It gets busy in nice weather - - many, many locals! Its fun. If you get the chance, take the ghost tour.
2007-10-16 10:08:42 · answer #4 · answered by nova_queen_28 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋