Washington, D.C., Insider Travel Planning Tips

Capitol Hill

If your plans include a visit to the U.S. Capitol, also get to know its surrounding neighborhood, which is rich with historic sites and museums, not to mention diverse shopping and dining opportunities. We often take the kids to visit “The Hill,” the stomping ground for Washington’s power crowd and a popular residential neighborhood for the gay community, as well as young families. Try to time your visit to this area so that you can enjoy lunch or end your day with a cocktail among Washington’s movers and shakers. Paradoxically, we also find the restaurants to be especially kid-friendly. However, venture any further than the well-trodden and well-lit streets surrounding the Capitol, and you will enter into sometimes dangerous territory. This is not an area to explore casually after dark.

• Eastern Market, www.easternmarket.net, tel. 202-543-7793, 225 7th St. SE between North Carolina and C Sts.; Metro: Eastern Market (blue and orange lines). As our young kids jump off the Metro escalator, they delight in the sights, smells and excitement of Eastern Market, a Washington institution and neighborhood Mecca for Washingtonians who flock to the outdoor farmers market and flea market stands. Unfortunately, the Market’s historic building housing the seafood, meat and bakery stands recently burned down, but the merchants are now outside and the area is still a terrific spot to people watch. On summer weekends, there is often live entertainment for all ages. Open Tues. through Sun., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• The Eastern Market offers produce Tuesdays through Sundays and a Flea Market on weekends.
• Daniel Lobo

• Marine Barracks, www.marineband.usmc.mil, tel. 202-433-6060, 8th and I Sts. SE; Metro: Navy Yard (green line) to Metrobus N22 or Eastern Market (orange or blue line) to N92, N93. On Friday evenings May through August, the Barracks are open to the public for a 90-minute musical “tattoo,” which is marching performance by the famous Marine Corps Band, the official White House musical ensemble. If the pomp and circumstance of a rousing march doesn’t put you in the mood to celebrate U.S. history, nothing will. Call to make reservations. Tours also are available on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. or by appointment.
  

• Sewall Belmont House, www.sewellbelmont.org, tel. 202-546-1210, 144 Constitution Ave, NE; Metro: Union Station (red line). After days spent celebrating the work of our founding fathers, it might be a good time to visit the only museum in the nation’s capital dedicated to preserving and showcasing the fight for the American woman’s right to vote, housed in the former headquarters of the National Women’s Party. Guided tours are offered every hour on the hour. Walk through its rooms among the large collection of historic photos, artwork and suffrage memorabilia, including banners, and Susan B. Anthony’s desk. While the museum is best for ages 12 and up, there are programs throughout the year geared toward a younger audience, particularly during March, Women’s History Month. Check the Web site for details. Hours: Tues.-Fri. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (last tour at 2 p.m.); Sat. 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. (last tour at 3 p.m.)