List of Maps vi
1 THE BEST OF WASHINGTON, D.C. 1
Washington, D.C. Today 12
The Making of Washington, D.C. 14
LITTLE-KNOWN FACTS 21
When to Go 23
WHAT WAS THAT? AN ABRIDGED DICTIONARY OF POLITICAL LINGO 24
Responsible Tourism in Washington, D.C. 30
2 WASHINGTON, D.C. IN DEPTH 11
The Neighborhoods in Brief 33
Iconic Washington, D.C. 41
Washington, D.C. for Families 47
A Women’s History Tour of Washington, D.C. 50
3 SUGGESTED WASHINGTON, D.C. ITINERARIES 32
Washington, D.C.’s Top 25 Sights & Attractions 55
Capitol Hill 58
THE CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER 62
Dupont Circle 73
Foggy Bottom 76
Georgetown 77
Midtown 79
HOW TO ARRANGE A WHITE HOUSE TOUR 86
The National Mall & Memorial Parks 88
GETTING AROUND THE NATIONAL MALL AND MEMORIAL PARKS BY BUS 89
CAPITAL VIEWS 92
JAMES SMITHSON AND THE SMITHSONIANS 119
MUSEUMS IN ANACOSTIA 121
Northern Virginia 122
Penn Quarter 126
4 EXPLORING WASHINGTON, D.C. 54
Walking Tour 1: Strolling Around the White House 159
Walking Tour 2: Strolling Around Georgetown 167
5 STROLLING AROUND WASHINGTON, D.C. 158
6 WHERE TO EAT 175
Best Dining Bets 176
PRICE CATEGORIES 177
Atlas District 178
Capitol Hill & Barracks Row 178
EATING WITH THE INSIDERS 182
Downtown & Penn Quarter 183
Midtown 196
DINING GREEN IN D.C. 198
Mount Vernon Triangle 200
U Street Corridor 201
Adams Morgan 204
Dupont Circle 206
Foggy Bottom/West End 210
Georgetown 213
Glover Park 218
HUNGRY? MAKE LIKE A LOCAL AND FOLLOW THE FOOD TRUCKS 219
A SEAT AT THE BAR 220
Woodley Park & Cleveland Park 221
CHOCOLATE LOUNGES & CUPCAKE SHOPS 222
Family-Friendly Restaurants 223
Practical Matters: The Restaurant Scene 223
7 SHOPPING 224
Great Shopping Areas 225
Malls & Markets 226
EMERGENCY SHOPPING 229
Shopping A to Z 229
Practical Matters: The Shopping Scene 244
8 ENTERTAINMENT & NIGHTLIFE 245
The Performing Arts 247
GETTING TICKETS 248
The Bar Scene 253
CHEAP EATS: HAPPY HOURS TO WRITE HOME ABOUT 257
The Club & Music Scene 258
Southwest of the Mall 138
U Street Corridor 140
Upper Northwest D.C.: Glover Park, Woodley Park & Cleveland Park 141
Parks 145
Especially for Kids 151
FAVORITE CHILDREN’S ATTRACTIONS 153
Outdoor Activities 154
9 WHERE TO STAY 272
Best Hotel Bets 273
WHAT YOU’LL REALLY PAY 274
STAYING GREEN IN D.C. 276
Near Capitol Hill & the National Mall 277
Penn Quarter 281
FAMILY-FRIENDLY HOTELS 283
Midtown 286
Adams Morgan 291
Dupont Circle 292
Foggy Bottom/West End 300
Georgetown 302
Woodley Park 305
Glover Park 306
Practical Matters: The Hotel Scene 307
WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS 308
10 SIDE TRIPS FROM WASHINGTON, D.C. 310
Mount Vernon 311
Alexandria 316
BIKING TO OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA & MOUNT VERNON 322
11 PLANNING YOUR TRIP TO WASHINGTON, D.C. 332
Getting There 333
Getting Around 340
Guided Tours 350
Fast Facts: Washington, D.C. 353
THE VALUE OF THE U.S. DOLLAR VS. OTHER POPULAR CURRENCIES 358
WHAT THINGS COST IN WASHINGTON, D.C. 358
INDEX 365
ELECTRIC AVENUES FOR LIVE-MUSIC LOVERS 259
WINE BARS WOO THE CAPITAL 260
LATE-NIGHT BITES 266
The Gay & Lesbian Scene 266
Alternative Entertainment 267
Spectator Sports 270
Accommodations Index 373 Restaurant Index 373
On This Spot 16
Washington, D.C. at a Glance 34
Iconic Washington, D.C. 42
Washington, D.C. for Families 49
A Women’s History Tour of Washington, D.C. 52
Washington, D.C. Attractions 56
Capitol Hill 59
The White House Area 85
The National Mall 90
Arlington National Cemetery 123
Lower Rock Creek Park 149
Strolling Around the White House 161
Strolling Around Georgetown 169
Penn Quarter, Midtown, Capitol Hill & West End Restaurants 184
Adams Morgan, Dupont Circle & U Street Corridor Restaurants 205
Georgetown Restaurants 215
Washington, D.C. Hotels 278
Old Town Alexandria 317
D.C. Metropolitan Area 341
LIST OF MAPS