Seven Fun Days in D.C.

San Francisco, a bustling, cosmopolitan city in northern California, is the centerpiece of the Bay Area, well-known for its diverse ethnic and political communities, hilly terrain, world-class restaurants and scenic beauty.

It is the home of the ‘50s beat generation, the ‘60s flower power students, the ‘70s gay rights movement, the ‘80s culinary revolution and, of course, the ‘90s technology boom. Today, the city remains the epicenter for all things cyber and is on the leading edge of the sustainable food movement.  

Ride a cable car, walk across (or windsurf under) the Golden Gate Bridge, scribble poetry in a North Beach café, shop at the hip boutiques along Union Street, check out the latest exhibit at San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, see an opera, then club-crawl through cyber-cool South of Market.

So much to see and do, it’s no wonder why Tony Bennett left his heart there.

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.

Hotel Washington is a historical hotel in the heart of downtown, DC located on the corner of 15th Street and Pennsylvania, one block from the White House, walking distances to the National Mall, museums, theatres and many other DC attractions. Built in 1917, it is the oldest continuously operating hotel in DC and is well known for its prestigious location, European style elegance and the most spectacular view of the city from its roof top restaurant, the Sky Terrace.

Come try the Zaytinya, a restaurant with a beautiful white and blue decor. The 200 seater restaurant has a 50 seat bar, two-tiered mezzanine, and outdoor dining space for about 75 people. The 60 or more selections include such Middle Eastern traditional dishes as Orange Rind Sausage, Braised Rabbit with Lentils and delicious little Manti.

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.

When it was unveiled in 1982, nothing but controversy met the design of Vietnam Veterans Memorial to the 58,000 Americans who died in the Vietnam War or remain missing in action. Maya Ying Lin may have been no more than a 21-year-old graduate student when she won the design contest for this memorial, but her work is now etched in the memories of countless visitors who have walked along this black granite wall filled with names.

Ceiba, meaning an umbrella-shaped tree found in many tropical regions, is a restaurant located in Downtown Washington. The walls, done in shades of cocoa brown, burnt red, ice blue and sage green are complemented by bright murals celebrating the ceiba tree. The over head lights look like long trays of candles suspended from the ceiling. If you are a Ceviche fan, this is the place to be. Pastry Chef David Guas exploits his Cuban heritage for authentic flavors and techniques on which to base his new Latin-inspired desserts. Although they do accept casual wear, try avoiding cut-off jeans, halter tops, tank tops, baseball caps, t-shirts and flip-flops, as they are unacceptable.

Early morning is the time to catch the blooming water-bound plants of this park. Run by the National Park Service, the 12-acre marshland park is often overlooked by visitors who head for better-known Washington sites. As a result, the park is an uncrowded getaway.

Nature-lovers and children especially will enjoy more than 100,000 flowering plants and fauna sightings.

This Washington landmark has been serving up hot dogs with chili, fries, hamburgers and shakes since 1958. Rumor has it that comedian Bill Cosby orders his chili dogs from Ben's when he comes to town. There is no table service, but after you order at the counter, you can sit in bright red booths. A wide range of hotdogs is served here, from the traditional dog to half-smokes and turkey dogs smothered in onions, cheese and chili. Fries and onion rings, cream pies and shakes are also offered, and breakfast is served six days a week.

Best known for its vast collection of azaleas, (Washington's favorite porch-flower), this 444-acre (180-hectare) garden park has much else to offer. Fountains, pools and open space separate a series of focused gardens at United States National Arboretum. The National Bonsai Collection, a gift from Japan, is a fascinating exhibit of tiny trees. Other notable sections are the aquatic garden (filled with lotuses of many varieties) and the National Herb Garden.

Owner and chef, Todd Gray, fills his menu with local mid-Atlantic products such as oysters and Virginia soft-shell crab. His dazzling presentation has seasonal delights for patrons and the extensive wine list provides wonderful companions for your palate. If you really enjoy Chef Gray's menu and want to learn how to produce such wonderful dishes, the Equinox gives demonstrations.

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.

The Kennedy Center is a must-see for any visitor. The center has seven theaters which include the Concert Hall, Eisenhower Theater, Family Theater, KC Jazz Club, Opera House, Terrace Theater and the Theater Lab, which show productions that include plays, operas, ballets, concerts and films. Among the center's highlights include the Shakespeare festival produced by the Shakespeare Theatre. Free tours introduce visitors to the Hall of States, Hall of Na! tions, the main theaters and gifts from many countries honoring the 35th president. Ticket prices for performances vary. Half-price tickets are available to students and seniors. Discounts are offered on group purchases. See website for ticketing, performance schedule, and events calendar.

This bookstore-cafe was the first to set up shop in Dupont Circle. It is always crowded, particularly on weekends when singles who would rather skip the bar scene flock to this surprising hot spot. Live music is featured nightly, Wednesday through Saturday. The cafe is a full-service restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Draft beer and wines by the glass are available. The entrees are not fancy— chicken and lamb chops are among your choices— but they are tasty.

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.

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.

Makoto promises something different from the typical Japanese restaurant in the US. The atmosphere, customs and service are authentic, and few diners seem to mind that the crowded restaurant also resembles the closeness of the Ginza. More to the point, the food hits the mark with a fixed-price, chef's-choice menu that includes 10 delicate courses that will transport you to Japan. The restaurant is so traditionally Japanese, patrons are asked to leave their shoes at the door. Please note that socks are required. Street parking is available.

Hotel Washington is a historical hotel in the heart of downtown, DC located on the corner of 15th Street and Pennsylvania, one block from the White House, walking distances to the National Mall, museums, theatres and many other DC attractions. Built in 1917, it is the oldest continuously operating hotel in DC and is well known for its prestigious location, European style elegance and the most spectacular view of the city from its roof top restaurant, the Sky Terrace.

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.

San Francisco, a bustling, cosmopolitan city in northern California, is the centerpiece of the Bay Area, well-known for its diverse ethnic and political communities, hilly terrain, world-class restaurants and scenic beauty.

It is the home of the ‘50s beat generation, the ‘60s flower power students, the ‘70s gay rights movement, the ‘80s culinary revolution and, of course, the ‘90s technology boom. Today, the city remains the epicenter for all things cyber and is on the leading edge of the sustainable food movement.  

Ride a cable car, walk across (or windsurf under) the Golden Gate Bridge, scribble poetry in a North Beach café, shop at the hip boutiques along Union Street, check out the latest exhibit at San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, see an opera, then club-crawl through cyber-cool South of Market.

So much to see and do, it’s no wonder why Tony Bennett left his heart there.