DC Getaway
- Day 1, Saturday May, 9 (4 schedule items)
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- A Washington, DC
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[Full Description]
Washington, D.C., or the District of Columbia, is the capital of the United States. It is a planned city, designed specifically to house the federal government and is not part of any state. Its history, beautiful architecture and excellent cultural centers attract millions each year.
Virtually all of Washington’s tourists flock to the National Mall—which features monuments, museums, the White House and the Capitol—but the city itself is a vibrant metropolis that often has little to do with monuments, politics or white, neoclassical buildings. In many ways D.C. remains a significant center of African-American culture. It is home to Howard University, one of the most important historically black colleges, and is the hometown of many significant African-American figures of history and culture, including Frederick Douglass and Duke Ellington. The District is also home to one of the country's most prominent lesbian/gay communities, centered around DuPont Circle.
A Treasure Hunt is a great way to see many of the famous landmarks and institutions of D.C. as well as some of its unknown treasures. Several tour companies offer this service for groups throughout the downtown mall area. Visitors can also enjoy the National Zoo, and the many large parks that offer hiking and biking.
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- Ulah Bistro | 1214 U street N.W. - Washington, D.C. - 20009
- Nellie's Sports Bar - 900 U Street, NW Washington, DC 20001
- Town Danceboutique
- Day 2, Sunday May, 10 (5 schedule items)
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- B Adams-Morgan, Washington
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With its outdoor murals, funky shops and ethnic restaurants, Adams-Morgan is one of Washington's most ethnically diverse and fascinating neighborhoods. The diversity is evident in the menus of the restaurants which range from Ethiopian to Salvardoran cuisine. Visitors will also find hip bars and clubs, unusual shops and grocery stores, but it is the nightlife and dining scene that attracts most tourists. A mix of new immigrants, young urban professionals and intellectuals enjoy living in this neighborhood's 19th-century apartment buildings and row houses.[Full Description]
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- C Smithsonian National Zoological Park, Washington
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Smithsonian National Zoological Park
National Zoo is one of the nation's finest zoos. It was created by Congress in 1889 and designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, who also designed the grounds of the U.S. Capitol and New York's Central Park. The zoo is famous for its giant pandas from China, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, but you will find all sorts of creatures, both familiar and exotic, crawling about the place. The park opens daily at 10 p.m.[Full Description]
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- D Perry's - Drag Queen Brunch, Washington
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Perry's is a cornerstone of the Adams-Morgan nightlife and restaurant scene. The large, high-ceiling interior on the lower level currently ranks high on the city's list of most flamboyant and eccentric. Rooftop dining is open in the warmer months. With a sushi bar and a menu that includes Tex-Mex, pizza and tapas, this restaurant offers a little of everything; especially on Sundays, when brunch is accompanied by Washington's most outlandish drag queen show.[Full Description]
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- E National Gallery of Art, Washington
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The National Gallery houses an extensive collection of European and American art in two spectacular buildings. In the grand, neoclassical West Building, Rembrandt, Rubens and Gainsborough are well-represented. The permanent collection includes works from the 13th to 20th Centuries including a section devoted to Impressionism. An underground concourse with a cafeteria, an excellent gift shop and a walled-in waterfall takes you to the East Building. Designed by I.M. Pei, this triangular building is a key city landmark and home to 20th-century art works and temporary exhibitions.[Full Description]
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- F Malaysia Kopitiam, Washington
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This delightful little restaurant offers fine Malaysian cuisine with Chinese and Indian culinary influences. Delicious scents of curry, lemon grass and coconut waft from the kitchen, and a white portfolio binder features colorful photographs of most dishes. Give yourself an extra ten minutes to peruse the overwhelming menu featuring legions of dishes ranging from noodle soups to spicy entrees and ginger infused meats. The Malaysian iced coffee, prepared with rich sweetened condensed milk, is a real treat and could even serve as dessert.[Full Description]
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- Day 3, Monday May, 11 (3 schedule items)
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- G United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Washington
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United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Visitors should come prepared for an experience likely to be disturbing and difficult to forget when visiting United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. At the start of the tour, each visitor is given an identity card of a Holocaust victim that matches the visitor's own age and gender. Ordinary reality is skewed through off-center stairways, weird angles and the shadows of other visitors on the glass walkways overhead. An elaborate audio-visual display includes interviews, films and photographs. The Hall of Remembrance provides a calm, empty space at the end of the tour where one can reflect on the experience. The museum discourages children under 11 from attending. Free timed passes are needed to visit the permanent exhibit.[Full Description]
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- H National Museum of American History, Washington
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National Museum of American History
Closed for renovations until Summer 2008. During the closure, the[Full Description]
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- I Federal Triangle, Washington
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For anyone who is a buff of American action movies , especially the ones depicting FBI agents in dark sunglasses then this triangle walk is a must! The triangle stretches from the White House to the Capitol Building and contains a number of key Federal offices and Government buildings such as the FBI Building, the National Archives, the Hoover Building and the Department of Justice. If you're a first time visitor to the capitol then its a great way to see the city's landmarks, and who knows you may even bump into a couple of well-known people. The triangle is also adjacent to the downtown shopping area so if you'd had your fill of sightseeing there's always the mall to visit.[Full Description]
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- Day 4, Tuesday May, 12 (11 schedule items)
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- American University Washington D.C.
- J Textile Museum, Washington
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Two gracious houses comprise the Textile Museum dedicated to textiles and handmade carpets. The 14,000-piece collection includes examples from around the world. Some items date back to 3000 BC. Bringing together works from the Americas, Spain, the Middle East and Asia, the informative and gracefully displayed exhibits emphasize the artistry of this craft and the cultures the textiles come from. A spacious garden lies behind the museum.[Full Description]
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- K Woodrow Wilson House, Washington
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President Wilson lived in this Georgian-Revival house after he left office, creating a comfortable, unpretentious residence with his second wife, Edith. He is the only president to remain in Washington after office. The couple collected items from all over the world, filling their home with eclectic wares. There is a baseball signed by Great Britain's King George V and a silent movie projector given to the Wilsons by the actor Douglas Fairbanks. The bedroom is modeled after the couple's White House sleeping quarters.[Full Description]
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- L Kramerbooks and Afterwords, Washington
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This bookstore-cafe was the first to set up shop in[Full Description]
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- M Embassy Row, Washington
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Embassy row is another name for the part of Massachusetts Avenue where many of the foreign embassies are located. A tour along the avenue will unfold some interesting architectural masterpieces. This is considered as one of the upscale areas and houses some premier properties. Considered as one of the prime locations, the properties here were owned by prominent social and political elite. The Hilton Washington Embassy Row and The Westin Embassy Row are the two major accommodation options located on this stretch.[Full Description]
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- N Phillips Collection, Washington
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Phillips Collection retains the 19th-century grandeur enjoyed by the Phillips family. The gallery was opened in 1918 while the family was still living in the home. The collection displays mostly 19th and 20th century American and European paintings. Significant works by Degas, Renoir, Van Gogh, Cezanne, Bonnard and Klee are on display. One can browse at leisure and perhaps, catch an art student working on a sketch. A cafe is on site.[Full Description]
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- O Dupont Circle, Washington
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With its funky shops and trendy restaurants and bars, Dupont Circle is one of the hippest neighborhoods in Washington. Its cosmopolitan air draws visitors both young and old, straight and otherwise. Once a neighborhood of old money and the nouveau riche, Dupont Circle today is home to artists, intellectuals and young professionals. The neighborhood's turn-of-the-century mansions and brownstones, formerly home to prominent families, today house art museums, restaurants, embassies and fun shops. Dupont Circle is also home to the Phillips Collection, one of the city's foremost art museums with paintings by Renoir, Degas and Cézanne.[Full Description]
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- P National Geographic Museum at Explorers Hall, Washington
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National Geographic Museum at Explorers Hall
The many perspectives of the earth are examined here, including geology, oceanography, astronomy and anthropology. Enjoy creative and educational exhibits including an 11-foot globe, a tornado simulator and a 'time machine'. Changing, lively special exhibits are also featured. A gift shop sells the National Geographic Society's videos, books and educational games. Group tours are available and admission is free.[Full Description]
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- Q U Street, Washington
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With tourist attractions like the Black Fashion Museum and African-American Civil War Memorial, U Street is an important landmark in the city. A large part of the street comes under the hip and happening neighborhood Shaw. It provides a complete deal for the tourists, with a perfect mix of restaurants and retail outlets. If you are tired after touring the city, chill out at the Duffy's Irish Restaurant & Pub. Shop for branded clothing and accessories at Lettie Gooch Boutique. The connoisseurs of performing arts can catch a play or an opera at Lincoln Theatre.[Full Description]
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- Thai Tanic Restaurant
- Utopia Bar and Grill (for jazz)
- Day 5, Wednesday May, 13 (9 schedule items)
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- R Eastern Market, Washington
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Centered around the century-old market house from which it gets its name, this enormous, primarily open-air Eastern Market offers everything from produce to photographs, as well as hats, scarves and Christmas tree ornaments. It is the last of Washington's 19th-century markets to remain in continuous use and is a must-see for tourists, as it offers a glimpse of the heart of Washington and its inhabitants. Within the market, the atmosphere is friendly and cheerful. A Weekend Market Festival is open every Saturday and features artists, craftspersons, antiques and a flea market.[Full Description]
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- S Library of Congress, Washington
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Originally intended as a small reference library, the Library of Congress now contains the largest collection of books in the world, with 100 million items, including a Gutenberg Bible and first drafts of the Declaration of Independence and Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. The splendor of the magnificent Main Reading Room is worth the visit, but you should also browse the many excellent collections and exhibits in the library's three buildings. Its collections are available for research to adults 18 and older.[Full Description]
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- T U.S. Capitol Building, Washington
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The legislative branches of the U.S. government, the Senate and the House of Representatives, meet in the Capitol Building. Public tours form on the east side of the Capitol and include visits to the Rotunda and other chambers. Visitors can also view the Senate and the House from the galleries when Congress is in session. Plan to have lunch at the Senate Refectory, a cafeteria where, by law, bean soup is always on the menu. Visitors can enter the U.S. Capitol Building through the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center and enjoy several historical exhibits.[Full Description]
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- U National Museum of the American Indian, Washington
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National Museum of the American Indian
You'll find the National Museum of the American Indian on the National Mall. Its structure is a throwback to adobe homes in early American Indian culture. With a highly naturalistic design, the NMAI conducts a visitor through Indian history via a series of circles. Inside, various works of art, artifacts, and other remnants of American Indian culture are on display. The exhibit provides a valuable addition to our understanding of American Indian culture. Past exhibits have included indigenous world views through dress, native modernism, and contemporary indigenous viewpoints as told through poetry. Admission to the museum is free. It is, however, recommended that a timed entry pass be reserved online (with a service charge) because of the popularity of this national exhibit.[Full Description]
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- V National Portrait Gallery, Washington
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Famous and distinguished Americans are honored at the National Portrait Gallery in portraits, photographs and other visual media. A wide variety of politicians, artists, scientists and social activists are represented. This gallery is a remarkable testimony to the diverse figures the United States has produced, from Grace Kelly and Boris Karloff to George Washington, Mickey Mantle and Gertrude Stein. Photographs, prints, drawings and sculptures supplement the paintings. Of particular interest is the Hall of Presidents, which features a portrait or sculpture of each chief executive.[Full Description]
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- Georgetown University
- W Tombs (The), Washington
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Not to be confused with its sophisticated upstairs neighbor, 1789 restaurant, this nautically themed basement bar (note the oars on the wall) caters largely to a college crowd. Some might even swear that the bar is in fact owned by Georgetown University (it is not). Sit at one of the sturdy wooden booths and munch on basic American fare—burgers and chicken sandwiches— or come have a drink at the bar.[Full Description]
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- X Georgetown, Washington
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This historic neighborhood is lined with trendy boutiques and fine restaurants. The abundant nightlife at Georgetown draws both locals and visitors. Just wander down busy M Street and Wisconsin Avenue and explore the eclectic shops, or stop in for a pint at one of the numerous pubs overflowing with college kids. After you get your fill of the hoopla, stroll off the main strip onto the tree-shaded streets filled with Georgian and Victorian townhouses that are home to many politicians and celebrities. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park lies below M Street.[Full Description]
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- Y Georgetown Waterfront, Washington
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Georgetown Waterfront was an industrial area bustling with lumber and cement factories. However, due to the efforts and suggestions of National Capital Planning Commission Georgetown Waterfront Park will now be developed. The place will offer panoramic view of the Kennedy Center and the Key Bridge against the back-drop of the enormous skyline. The proposed re-development will finish the first section of the park by 2008.[Full Description]
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- Day 6, Thursday May, 14 (7 schedule items)
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- Z Renwick Gallery, Washington
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Designed by architect James Renwick, who also designed the Smithsonian Castle, this gallery was the home of the Corcoran Art Collection until it outgrew the building. Currently, the Renwick is among the foremost craft museums in the country. It includes a full array of the art form, from handwoven rugs to Shaker furniture. The museum shop is a treasure trove of art and books honoring fine craftsmanship.[Full Description]
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- a White House, Washington
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The second president, John Adams, was the first to live in the White House in 1801. Originally called the "Executive Mansion," it earned the nickname "White House" after its marble exterior was whitewashed to cover burn marks from damage by the War of 1812. Student and military veteran group tours are available with advance notice. The White House occasionally closes without notice for official functions.[Full Description]
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- b Georgetown, Washington
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This historic neighborhood is lined with trendy boutiques and fine restaurants. The abundant nightlife at Georgetown draws both locals and visitors. Just wander down busy M Street and Wisconsin Avenue and explore the eclectic shops, or stop in for a pint at one of the numerous pubs overflowing with college kids. After you get your fill of the hoopla, stroll off the main strip onto the tree-shaded streets filled with Georgian and Victorian townhouses that are home to many politicians and celebrities. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park lies below M Street.[Full Description]
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- c Shops at Georgetown Park (The), Washington
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Shops at Georgetown Park (The)
This mall is beautiful, especially during the holidays. It is a pleasant place just to stroll about and do some window shopping. But there is lots to spend your money on too. There are no department stores or movie theaters here, but some well-known names include Anthropologie, H&M and Sisley. Lots of small, independent boutiques throughout the mall are perfect for finding that special and unusual item. There is a Food Court for a quick bite to eat or stop by Benihana, a Japanese restaurant featuring hibachi cooking.[Full Description]
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- The George Washington University
- d Paolo's Ristorante, Washington
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This trattoria caters to a young, chic Georgetown crowd and is nearly always busy. Like its sister restaurants in Reston, Virginia and Towson, Maryland, Paolo's has a thoroughly contemporary approach to Italian cooking. Note that reservations are accepted at lunch and brunch only. Orthodox diners of Italian cuisine should come open to conversion. There is a pizza on the menu, but it is updated with lobster and baked in the wood-burning oven. House specialties include Fettucini with Sausage, grilled seafood salads and Grilled Scallops.[Full Description]
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- Nick's Riverside Grille (Bar)
- Day 7, Friday May, 15 (0 schedule items)
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