Washington, DC: College Tour Planning

Just a Metro ride away from Foggy Bottom is Georgetown University in the glamorous Georgetown district; take the Orange Line from the GWU Metro station and check www.wmata.com for connecting bus routes. A former tobacco port town, Georgetown exploded as a commercial center. It endures as an elegant neighborhood full of grand old estate homes, many of which are preserved as public museums; Tudor Place and Dumbarton Oaks are two popular ones. Today, Georgetown is a popular place to walk, eat and boutique shop. Also visit the historic 185-mile long Chesapeake and Ohio Canal (popularly, the C&O canal) where your family can take a mule-pulled boat ride.

Next, pop over to American University in residential Spring Valley. A school of 5,000 undergrads from more than 100 countries, American U. churns out young international leaders like none other. Also visit neighboring historic Cleveland Park to see well-preserved old mansions in this community-oriented district. Take the Red Line rail from Tenleytown-AU Metro to Cleveland Park Metro; this rail stop spits you right out onto bustling Connecticut Avenue, full of eateries and plenty of shopping. Don’t miss the architecturally stunning Washington National Cathedral, the sixth-largest cathedral in the world. If your family has enough energy left, finish off your day with a trip to the National Zoo to see the giant pandas. But don’t worry if you have to cut your visit short or break it up into two days—admission to the zoo is free.

Good Eats

Cleveland Park: Lavandou, 3321 Connecticut Avenue. French. Georgetown: Mie N Yu, 3125 M Street. Asian, African, Mediterranean fusion.

• Howard University awards more Ph.D.s to African-American students that any other higher-education institution in the country.
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Day 2: Howard University, Gallaudet University and Catholic University of America 

Howard University is north of Le Droit Park neighborhood, a historically intellectual center for African-American residents. Howard U. produces the most African-American PhDs in the country and it’s had a prominent activist role throughout the Civil Rights movement. Walk a couple of blocks west to the U Street/Shaw district, Duke Ellington’s youthful stomping grounds; U Street is hopping at night with its various music clubs and performances at The Lincoln Theatre.

If you’re interested in visiting Gallaudet University—which specializes in higher education for deaf and hard-of-hearing students—take the rail from the U Street-Cardozo Metro Station. The nearby Florida Avenue Market is a farmers market-shopper’s paradise; it’s comprised of largely wholesale goods and food, and is not for people with weak stomachs (i.e., there will be a lot of raw meat scents wafting in the air), but it’s definitely an opportunity to get off the beaten path. 

If you’d rather head to Catholic University of America, take the Green Line to Fort Totten Metro station, then the Red Line to Brookland-CUA. The Catholic-influenced Brookland neighborhood is often called “Little Rome.” Check out the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception; its lengthy title is as impressive as its Roman-Byzantine architecture: the Shrine is built solely out of stone, tile, brick and mortar. Other Brookland attractions include the 446-acre National Arboretum (with a 2-acre herb garden) and the Franciscan Monastery gardens. Dance Place is a premier community art and dance venue and hosts top acts throughout the year.

Good Eats

Brookland: Deli City, 2200 Bladensburg Road NE. Its stuffed sandwiches will fill you up.