The hallowed halls of history. The hum and
thrum of a city that reinvents itself with every
administration. At least one thing's a constant:
Washington, D.C. offers capitol fun!
History (in-the-making) lessons: Hear
oral arguments during a Supreme Court session,
listen in on the legislature, tour the White
House with eyes peeled for George and Laura,
look for Lincoln's ghost at Ford's Theatre, or
just eavesdrop on the interns spreading the
latest political gossip at the Hawk & Dove bar
on Capitol Hill.
Did we mention it's free? All of the
Smithsonian Institution museums, including the
National Zoo, don't cost a dime. And the riches
to be found within are astounding--from the
National History Museum to the Air & Space
Museum--so leave plenty of time to explore this
unprecedented treasure trove of entertainment,
exhibits, and art.
Where to blow a paycheck: From chains
like Urban Outfitters to local institutions like
Commander Salamander, historic Georgetown is
chock-full of funky shopping boutiques, plus
it's lined with charming row houses, sits beside
the C&O Canal, and--if you're feeling
brave--offers easy access to the "Exorcist"
steps (of movie fame).
Where the locals go-go: What do punk band
Fugazi and go-go performer Chuck Brown have in
common? They both launched their careers in D.C.
If you're looking for live music of any genre
and want to dance your tail off, you can't go
wrong with the 9:30 Club, a widely heralded
local favorite.
Chill-out spots: The city offers plenty
of places to put politics aside to play in the
Great Outdoors, including Dumbarton Oaks, Rock
Creek Park, and Roosevelt Island. If you've got
a car and a free afternoon, make the drive to
Great Falls in Maryland, stopping afterwards for
a meal at the Old Anglers Inn.
Best place to power lunch: For a
martini--or, more likely, a
scotch--expense-account lunch, head for The Palm
or southern-flavored Georgia Browns, where, in
addition to fine food and exemplary service,
you'll find plenty of satisfied lobbyists and
lawyers with ties tossed over one shoulder
discussing the latest strategy in hushed tones.
Useful phrase: When people talk about the
Mall in D.C., they don't mean the shopping mall.
They're referring to the open strip of land
lined by the Smithsonian Museums that runs
between the Capitol Building and the Washington
Monument.
