DC Travel Tips

My old hood...DC! If you are going there, here are some things to do that the avg tourist would miss!

Lots of cute neighborhoods, and I can tell you more if youre up for just roaming around. The city is divided into quadrants, and most of my world always took place in the Northwest quadrant. I lived most recently in Mt Pleasant and the area around there is the historic Latino neighborhood, now very gentrified and I hear the highest concentration of Peace Corps volunteers in the country...wow! Dupont is the beautiful and more central 'hood, known for its gorgeous townhouses as much as for being a gay neighborhood. Quite lovely, but quite yuppy too! Cleveland and Woodley Park areas follow going north and they are kinda sanitized and dull, though lovely residential neighboorhoods with a few good places to eat, notably, Lebanese Taverna. Further South of Dupont is the area where George Washington school is--Foggy Bottom--quite smack in the middle of town. I hate hate hate Georgetown with its non-public transit-friendly-locale, I must be such an anti-borgeouis, but I find it so boring even if there are a few good restaurants there. Would be interesting for a stroll, the townhouses are nice indeed, and there are some great parks, including Dumbarton Oaks. Downtown ain't too much (though better than Atlanta) and has some good eats and decent shopping, should that be your cup of tea. Capitol Hill to the East has some very interesting parts to it, and Eastern Market is a must if they have rebuilt it from the fire a few years ago (surely they have) and a really interesting place to see. While staying in the 'burbs (North in Chevy Chase, Bethesda, Silver Spring, or VA side like Alexandra) has some advantages, I don't think there's much reason to go out there unless you're staying there. Obviously very good city on foot and lots and lots of neat o places. The metro system is great too.

My favorite museums (all free) are the Textile Museum (sounds boring, but SO not! http://www.textilemuseum.org/), the Smithsonian Renwick (http://americanart.si.edu/renwick/) next to the White House (the american folklife collection...they've had terrific exhibits--my favorite on kansas quilts! but looks like they have a great exhibit now), and the American Indian museum on the mall. Some people find that one overwhelming but I love it. Another goodie is the American History museum on the mall and I think they've reopened it now. Of course, wondering around the mall (no, not the shoping mall!) is a nice activity esp around some of the lesser known memorials like the Korean War memorial, the Einstein memorial (off the mall on Constitution (?) I think), and the reflection pool (not a memorial). But the Jefferson and FDR memorials are not to be missed, either. And another favorite is the Botanical Gardens, to be combined with a proper snapshot of the Capitol which it sits next to.

The mall is great for a picnic, some frisbee, or a job, as is Rockcreek Park--our answer to Central Park.

And if you're around on a weekend, try to stop by one of the Farmer's Markets in Mt Pleasant (Saturday) Dupont or Takoma Park (Sundays) or any other number of places. Dupont is a pretty incredible farmer's market with excellent produce AND pastries AND music! Divine! And if you are around on Sunday and want a religious experience, All Souls Unitarian in Adam's Morgan/Columbia Heights/Mt Pleasant (intersection of all three 'hoods), will remain the best church experience I have ever had. Go for the music even.

Getting a white house tour (must arrange way ahead of time) or even a senate tour could be cool nowadays! Must book thru senators I think way in advance. Free!

While I never got there, I hear the arboretum is super special. Not the easiest to get to, but not impossible either.

But walking around all day on your feet hurts!!

So get to Teaism (http://www.teaism.com/ the one in Dupont is best) has terrific chai and salty oat cookies. This was my go-to spot to meet up, drink tea and chat.

Some of my favorite places to eat. I just know you will love one of my favorite haunts, Busboys & Poets http://www.busboysandpoets.com/ -- an incredible experience. One of the few dining places in the city that's really really hoppin, that's really diverse, that's totally afforable, that has an awesome vibe and GREAT food. And it's a progressive/liberal bookstore slash restaurant with lots of neat author readings. My other favorite place is called Pizzaria Paradiso http://www.eatyourpizza.com/ (I used to say I don't like pizza for a dinner out but....this wood fire grilled deliciousness and cozy ambience in Dupont Circle is out of this world. great salads, great bread, etc!) Ben's Chilli Bowl is a classic and historic place.

Lots of other great foot--Jaleo is Spanish tapas, Zatinya is amazing Lebanese, Ratsika is delish Indian, Lebanese Taverna is obvious...but the two aformentioned places are really unique to DC (BBP & PP). DC has lots of delish food if you are willing to pay lots of $$ but those other two are reasonably priced.

For a nice drinking spot, DC lounges have come up in a major way. 18th St Lounge is so exclusive they don't even have a sign! Actually for the hype, it's not so bad, but also wouldn't be my first recommendation (even though it was). This is where Thievery Corporation got their start. 16th St Lounge is nice too though it has a slightly more frat boy presence with decent food. Birria Paradiso is devine for beers, especially accompanied with their bomb!! pizza. Also Brickskeller is well known for having an excellent selection of beers (one of the largest in the world), so if you like it in bottles (nothing on tap), this is the place. Busboys & Poets is probably my top spot, with a few good beers on tap and really good cocktails--much more a New York feeling scene than an Atlanta one with a progressive tilt to it and with a bookstore! All in one.

DC LOVES its happy hours! That must be where so much takes place...especially the induction of the continual flow of interns (and other youngins like me).

Dancing can be BEST done at Cancun Cantina, but that is way out by BWI airport, a 45 min drive--one that is well worth it, considering the 2 rooms of country line dancing (chock full of bonified cowboys) and hip hop (interesting combo..and they pull it off!). Maybe one of the most interesting possible DC experiences. Totally worth the 45 minute drive.

But my favorite DC things were really hiking and biking in the surrounding areas. Lots of beautiful areas in Shennandoah, quite divine and lovely.

Ok, that's a good start! :)