Friday, July 8, 2011

WASHINGTON D.C.

GENERAL
African American Heritage Trail – culturaltourismdc.org; with more than 200 heritage sites in D.C., single trail not feasible; instead, refer to this database.



BAKERIES, COFFEE, ICE CREAM & TEA
Café Milano – 3251 Prospect Street NW; 202-333-6183; cafemilano.net; good people-watching.
Caffe Italia – 595½ 3rd Street NW (in Casa Italiana); 202-638-1348; casaitalianaschool.org; serves cappuccino and espresso.
Crimson | Cafe, Diner + Whiskey Bar – 627 H Street NW (in POD Hotel); 202-847-4454; crimson-dc.com; urbane venue serving Southern comfort fare & blue plate specials in pale, wood–paneled space brightened by crimson seats in roomy booths; long bar mixes boozy shakes & Dixie-themed cocktails, while coffee bar up front offers breakfast biscuits & housemade donuts; Whiskey Bar, one level below, serves small bites, burgers & bourbon cocktails.
Pitango Gelato & Cafe – 1841 Columbia Road NW (Adams Morgan); 202-615-2419; pitangogelato.com; some of best coffee in town, as well as gelato; also serves food.
Pitango Gelato – 660 Pennsylvania Avenue SE (Capitol Hill); 202-701-6222; pitangogelato.com; some of best coffee in town, as well as gelato.
Pitango Gelato – 413 7th Street NW (Penn Quarter); 202-885-9607; pitangogelato.com; some of best coffee in town, as well as gelato.



BARS & NIGHTCLUBS
Bibiana Osteria-Enoteca – 1100 New York Avenue NW (entrance on 12th & H Streets); 202-216-9550; bibianadc.com; decidedly downtown crowd; designer cocktails and Italian bar noshes.
Beuchert’s Saloon – 623 Pennsylvania Avenue SE; 202-733-1384; beuchertssaloon.com; neighborhood bar decorated by former Hollywood set designer.
Brixton – 901 U Street NW; 202-560-5045; brixtondc.com; 3-floor (including roof deck) pub.
Chi-Cha – 1624 U Street NW; 202-234-8400; latinconcepts.com/chi-cha; hookah lounge.
Crimson | Cafe, Diner + Whiskey Bar – 627 H Street NW (in POD Hotel); 202-847-4454; crimson-dc.com; urbane venue serving Southern comfort fare & blue plate specials in pale, wood–paneled space brightened by crimson seats in roomy booths; long bar mixes boozy shakes & Dixie-themed cocktails, while coffee bar up front offers breakfast biscuits & housemade donuts; Whiskey Bar, one level below, serves small bites, burgers & bourbon cocktails.
Darnell’s – 944 Florida Avenue NW; 202-290-2865; darnellsbar.wordpress.com; historically, bar that catered to black clientele; as neighborhood has changed, has become alluring to non-white customers; gem.
Degrees Bar & Lounge – 3100 South Street NW (at Ritz-Carlton); 202-912-4100; ritzcarlton.com; ask for Fahrenheit Five martini (Grand Marnier, Malibu Rum, cranberry and pineapple juice).
18th Street Lounge – 1212 18th Street NW; 202-466-3922; eighteenthstreetlounge.com (through door next to Mattress Discounters – no sign outside – and up stairs.
Ghibellina – 1610 14th Street NW; 202-803-2389; ghibellina.com; try Toscana (gin, lime juice, pineapple juice, and basil).
Hank’s Oyster Bar Capitol Hill – 633 Pennsylvania Avenue SE; 202-733-1971; hanksoysterbar.com; diet cocktails (100 calories).
Jaleo – 480 7th Street NW; 202-628-7949; jaleo.com/dc; great bar and tapas, as well as restaurant.
Local 16 – 1602 U Street NW; 202-265-2828; localsixteen.com; popular Democrat hangout; roof deck on which can see city lights.
Marvin – 2007 14th Street NW; 202-797-7171; marvindc.com; classic bistro and bar dedicated to Washington D.C. native son, Marvin Gaye.
Masa 14 – 1825 14th Street NW; 202-328-1414; masa14.com; Asian-Latin fusion restaurant that also serves cocktails; rooftop seating, weather permitting.
Mini Bar – 855 East Street NW; 202-393-0812; minibarbyjoseandres.com; owned by Jose Andres.
Passenger – 1021 7th Street NW; 202-393-0220; passengerdc.com; upfront booths; try Moscow Mule or hot drink, “Scotch Whiskey Skin” scotch, lemon syrup, and hot water; try to get reservation in “Columbia Room,” at back.
P.O.V. – 515 15th Street NW (at F Street, at W Hotel); 202-661-2400; starwoodhotels.com; great bar.
Shaw’s Tavern – 520 Florida Avenue NW; 202-518-4092; shawstavern.com; occupies what was once bleak liquor store; now its beer and flatbread.
Smith Commons – 1245 H Street NE; 202-396-0038; smithcommonsdc.com; Obama eats here; 3-story eatery-lounge; great beer list.
St. Regis Bar – 923 16th Street NW; 202-879-6900; starwoodhotels.com/stregis; newly renovated.
Toki Underground – 1234 H Street NE; 202-388-3086; tokiunderground.com; ramen house.
Tune-Inn – 331 Pennsylvania Avenue SE; 202-543-2725; facebook.com/pages/Tune-Inn-Restaurant-Bar/118011451549614; longtime hangout providing beer & comfort food to regulars & tourists in taxidermy-adorned space.



HOTELS
Fairfax at Embassy Row – 2100 Massachusetts Avenue NW; 202-293-2100 or 800-325-3589; fairfaxhoteldc.com.
Hay-Adams – 16th & H Streets NW; 202-638-6600 or 800-853-6807; hayadams.com; across Lafayette Square from White House; beautiful rooftop city views.
Hotel Dupont – 1500 New Hampshire Avenue NW; 202-483-6000 or 866-534-6835; doylecollection.com/dupont; boutique-y but modern.
Hotel Palomar – 2121 P Street NW; 202-448-1801 or 877-866-3070; hotelpalomar-dc.com.
Jefferson – 1200 16th Street NW; 202-448-2300; jeffersondc.com; Beaux Arts gem; ask for Room 810 with bay window and soaking tub.
Hotel Monaco – 700 F Street NW; 202-628-7177 or 800-649-1202; monaco-dc.com; 170 year-old, former General Post Office building.
Madison – 1177 15th Street NW; 202-862-1600 or 866-260-8161; madisonhoteldc.com.
Morrison-Clark Historic Inn – 1015 L Street NW; 202-898-1200; morrisonclark.com; downtown veteran remains well-kept secret; wonderful architecture includes marble fireplaces and crystal chandeliers.
POD Hotel – 627 H Street NW; 202-847-4444; thepodhotel.com; contemporary hotel in Penn Quarter neighborhood; mile from White House & 2 miles from Lincoln Memorial; modern decor, chic, compact rooms.
Ritz-Carlton Georgetown – 3100 South Street NW; 202-835-0500 or 800-542-8680; ritzcarlton.com; National Historic Landmark hotel on Potomac River; small and perfect – gem.
W – 515 15th Street NW (at F Street); 202-661-2400 or 877-946-8357; starwoodhotels.com; great White House views; visit Point of View rooftop bar.
Willard Intercontinental – 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue NW; 202-628-9100 or 866-487-2537; washington.intercontinental.com; since 1850; 2 blocks from White House.



RESTAURANTS
Art & Soul Restaurant – 415 New Jersey Avenue NW (in Liaison Hotel); 202-393-7777; artandsouldc.com; Oprah Winfrey’s former chef, Art Smith, owns; try Chesapeake Bay fry (sampler), pork chops with red-eye gravy, and babycakes (miniature chocolate and coconut cupcakes); good margaritas.
Bandolero – 3241 M Street NW; 202-625-4488; bandolerodc.com; Mexican and Spanish food in Day-of-Dead atmosphere.
Ben’s Chili Bowl – 1213 U Street NW; 206-667-0909; benschilibowl.com; considered “landmark” restaurant.
Beuchert’s Saloon – 623 Pennsylvania Avenue SE; 202-733-1384; beuchertssaloon.com; neighborhood restaurant decorated by former Hollywood set designer; farm-fresh Americn food.
Bibiana Osteria-Enoteca – 1100 New York Avenue NW (entrance on 12th and H Streets); 202-216-9550; bibianadc.com; Italian seafood; try squid-ink spaghetti with Maryland blue crabs or smoked potato gnocchi with goat ragu.
Birch & Barley – 1337 14th Street NW; 202-567-2576; birchandbarley.com; beer-themed restaurant with great desserts: “hostess” cupcakes, oatmeal cream pie, pudding pop, and – must have – cashew “Snickers” bar.
Bistro Bohem – 600 Florida Avenue NW; 202-735-5895; bistrobohem.com; Czech small plates spot with 40 seats; half dozen outdoor tables for balmy nights; sometimes has live music.
Blind Dog Cafe – 944 Florida Avenue NW; 202-290-2865; blinddogcafe.com; from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., cafe; after 5 p.m., Darnell’s.
BLT Steak – 1625 I Street NW; 202-689-8999; bltsteak.com; Gruyere popovers; mover & shaker place.
Blue Duck Tavern – 24 & M Streets NW; 202-419-6755; blueducktavern.com; beautiful modern setting with wholesome American food.
Cafe Atlantico – 405 8th Street NW; 202-393-0812; jaleo.com; owned by Jaleo.
Café Milano – 3251 Prospect Street NW; 202-333-6183; cafemilano.net; good people-watching; staff executes european-service effortlessly; all meals deftly and deliciously prepared.
Central Michel Richard – 1001 Pennsylvania Avenue NW; 202-626-0015; French; try braised rabbit; casual food but never sloppy.
China Chilcano – 418 7th Street NW; 202-783-0941; chinachilcano.com; José Andrés’ festive eatery showcases Peruvian fare with Asian & Spanish accents & pisco cocktails.
El Chucho-Cocina Superior – 3313 11th Street NW; 202-290-3313; facebook.com/pages/El-Chucho-Cocina-Superior/239994009413803; named for legendary, 19th Century bandit; sun-washed, inexpensive, upgraded take on classic taqueria fare, plus margaritas on tap; downstairs bar boasts colorful industrial-mod look, while roof deck has picnic tables and vintage wrought-iron decorations.
Corduroy – 1122 9th Street NW; 202-589-0699; corduroydc.com; in historic town house in up-and-coming convention center neighborhood; multiple dining rooms are cozy and kitchen is on display; popular dishes include pan-roasted duck with fig sauce, red snapper bisque, duck egg and leg salad, and for dessert, pistachio bread pudding or strawberry tart with strawberry creamsicle.
Cork Market & Tasting Room – 1805 14th Street NW; 202-265-2674; corkdc.com; garlic and herb marinated fried chicken is picnic centerpiece.
Cork Wine Bar – 1720 14th Street NW; 202-265-2675; corkdc.com; best fries in town; owned by Obama friends.
Crimson | Cafe, Diner + Whiskey Bar – 627 H Street NW (in POD Hotel); 202-847-4454; crimson-dc.com; urbane venue serving Southern comfort fare & blue plate specials in pale, wood–paneled space brightened by crimson seats in roomy booths; long bar mixes boozy shakes & Dixie-themed cocktails, while coffee bar up front offers breakfast biscuits & housemade donuts; Whiskey Bar, one level below, serves small bites, burgers & bourbon cocktails.
Daikaya Ramen – 705 6th Street NW, #1; 202-589-1600; daikaya.com; noodle soup.
Le Diplomate – 1601 14th Street NW; 202-332-3333; lediplomatedc.com; Stephen Starr endeavor; brasserie-resataurant.
Doi Moi – 1800 14th Street NW; 202-733-5131; doimoidc.com; sleek kitchen furnishing house cocktails & Southeast Asian street fare, including vegan menu.
Eat the Rich – 1839 7th Street NW; 202-316-9396; etrbar.com; sea monster-themed murals; oyster bar worth visiting just for atmosphere.
Eola – 2020 P Street NW; 202-466-4441; eoladc.com.
Et Voila – 5120 MacArthur Boulevard NW; 202-237-2300; etvoiladc.com; casual bistro.
Fiola Mare – 3100 K Street NW; 202-628-0065; fiolamaredc.com; Italian seafood.
Florida Avenue Grill – 1100 Florida Avenue NW; 202-265-1586; good breakfasts; soul food institutions; open since 1944.
Ghibellina – 1610 14th Street NW; 202-803-2389; ghibellina.com pizza cut with shears.
Graffiato – 707 6th Street NW; 202-289-3600; graffiatodc.com; artisanal pizza.
Granville Moore’s – 1238 H Street NE; 202-399-2546; granvillemoores.com; mussels & frites.
Hank’s Oyster Bar Capitol Hill – 633 Pennsylvania Avenue SE; 202-733-1971; hanksoysterbar.com.
Hawk ’N’ Dove – 329 Pennsylvania Avenue SE; 202-547-0030; hawkndovedc.com; theoretically, farm-fresh, upscale pub grub, plus brews & wine turned out in spacious, industrial-chic surrounds; in and out of bankruptcy; open in various forms since 1967.
Iron Gate – 1734 North Street NW (Dupont Circle); 202-524-5202; irongaterestaurantdc.com; big lanterns line path to door, inside fire crackles in hearth; dark wood walls, red leather banquettes & counter behind which cooks fuss over ingredients in view of your table; quiet; chef previously at Vermilion (Alexandria) & Notti Bianche (Foggy Bottom); begun in 1923, comes with history & charm in spades; among District’s oldest continuously operating (except interval in 2010) restaurants; weather-permitting, garden is so delightful people will eat there no matter what; 2 ways to experience. either no-reservations bar or, with reservations, short walk across semi-enclosed back patio leading to Chittum’s formal, 48-seat dining room, where chef plays with tweezers; former carriage house, it offers 4- & 6-course tasting menus; Italian & contemporary American fare, with Greek influences.
Jaleo – 480 7th Street NW; 202-628-7949; jaleo.com; great bar and tapas, as well as restaurant.
Kapnos – 2201 14th Street NW; 202-234-5000; kapnosdc.com; Greek.
Komi – 1509 17th Street NW; 202-332-9200; elegant, spare town house where each night 38 lucky diners are in chef’s hands; prix fixe.
Kushi Izakaya & Sushi – 465 K Street NW; 202-682-3123; eatkushi.com; Japanese tapas.
A. Litteri’s – 517-519 Morse Street NE; 202-544-0184; litteris.com; Italian food.
Little Serow – 1511 17th Street NW (Dupont Circle, between North P & North Church Streets); littleserow.com; no telephone; Thai food.
Marvin – 2007 14th Street NW; 202-797-7171; marvindc.com; classic bistro and bar dedicated to Washington D.C. native son, Marvin Gaye.
Masa 14 – 1825 14th Street NW; 202-328-1414; masa14.com; Asian-Latin fusion; rooftop seating, weather permitting.
Malaysia Kopitiam – 1827 M Street NW; 202-833-6232; malaysiakopitiam.com.
Mie N Yu – 3125 M Street NW; 202-333-6122; mienyu.com; huge, multi-level restaurant; each dining room is different exotic locale, e.g., Moroccan bar, Turkish tent, Tibetan temple, etc.
MioRestaurant – 1110 Vermont Avenue NW; 202-955-0075; miorestaurant.com; try to book for Friday, for roast pork with yellow rice and fried plantains (only served Fridays).
Nora – 2132 Florida Avenue NW; 202-462-5143; noras.com; America’s 1st certified organic restaurant.
Notti Bianchi – 824 New Hampshire Avenue (Foggy Bottom); 202-298-8085; gwuinn.com/Dine-Drink; intimate Italian with small, well-chosen but pricey menu; appropriate before Kennedy Center performance.
Obelisk – 2029 P Street NW; 202-872-1180; great food.
Oyamel – 401 7th Street NW; 202-628-1005; jaleo.com; Yucatan-style Mexican food; owned by Jaleo.
Palena – 3529 Connecticut Avenue NW; 202-537-9250; palenarestaurant.com; run by former White House chef and James Beard Award winner; roast chicken and ravioli are standouts.
Peregrine Espresso – 660 Pennsylvania Avenue SE; 202-629-4381; peregrineespresso.com; single-origin coffees.
Plume – 1200 16th Street NW (at Jefferson Hotel); 202-448-2322; plumedc.com; Beaux Arts gem building; elegant, gracious, impeccable, New American Cuisine.
Rogue 24 – 1234 9th Street NW; 202-408-9724; rogue24.com.
Rose’s Luxury – 717 8th Street SE; 202-580-8889; rosesluxury.com; cozy; decorated like home; try popcorn soup with lobster.
Seasonal Pantry – 1314 9th Street NW; 202-713-9866; seasonalpantry.com; supper club.
Smith Commons – 1245 H Street NE; 202-396-0038; smithcommonsdc.com; Obama eats here; 3-story eatery-lounge; great beer list.
SunDeVich – 1314 9th Street NW (around corner from Seasonal Pantry, in alley between N & O); 202-319-1086; sundevich.com; globally-inspired sandwich shop; try Zurich (arugula, Gruyere, and eggs) or Istanbul (ground beef and lamb), with sumac and tzatziki.
Sushi Taro – 1503 17th Street NW; 202-462-8999; sushitaro.com; among DC’s best restaurants.
Toki Underground – 1234 H Street NE; 202-388-3086; tokiunderground.com; ramen house.
Tune-Inn – 331 Pennsylvania Avenue SE; 202-543-2725; facebook.com/pages/Tune-Inn-Restaurant-Bar/118011451549614; longtime hangout providing beer & comfort food to regulars & tourists in taxidermy-adorned space.
Vace – 3315 Connecticut Avenue NW (Cleveland Park); 202-363-1999; vaceitaliandeli.com; Italian deli food.
Zaytinya – 701 9th Street NW; 202-638-0800; jaleo.com; owned by Jaleo; very modern.



SERVICES
Thompson Boat Center – 2900 Virginia Avenue NW; 202-333-9543; thompsonboatcenter.com; canoe rentals for Potomac River.



SHOPPING
Alchimie Forever – 1010 Wisconsin Avenue NW; 202-530-3930; alchimie-forever.com; skin care products.
Betsy Fisher – 1224 Connecticut Avenue NW; 202-785-1975; betsyfisher.com; funky, stylish boutique.
Gallery Plan B – 1530 14th Street NW; 202-234-2711; galleryplanb.com; emerging and local artists.
Industry Gallery – 1358 Florida Avenue NE, Suite 200; 202-399-1730; industrygallerydc.com; pioneering furniture dealer known for emerging talent roster.
Long View Gallery – 1234 9th Street NW; 202-232-4788; longviewgallery.com; open since 2006; promotes Washington area art community (local and regional artists).
Muleh – 1831 14th Street NW; 202-667-3440; 202-667-3440; muleh.com; men’s and women’s fashion, as well as modern furniture.
Redeem – 1734 14th Street NW; 202-332-7447; redeemus.com; independent men’s and women’s labels.
Seasonal Pantry – 1314 9th Street NW; 202-713-9866; seasonalpantry.com; food shop.
Union Market – 1309 5th Street NE; 301-652-7400; unionmarketdc.com; soaring industrial space packed with high-quality eats.



SIGHTS & SITES
Anderson House – 2118 Massachusetts Avenue NW; 202-785-2040; societyofthecincinnati.org; stunning Gilded Age palace; unbelievably opulent.
Black Fashion Museum – 2007 Vermont Avenue NW; 202-667-0744; showcases black designers’ (past and present) work; slaves’ dresses, dress Rosa Parks wore during her historic bus ride, and handiwork of unsung seamstresses who costumed famous figures from Mary Todd Lincoln to Jackie Kennedy.
British Embassy – 3100 Massachusetts Avenue NW; 202-588-6500; gov.uk/government/world/.../british-embassy-washington; commissioned in 1925 & designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1928; Queen Anne architecture example, influenced by structures at William & Mary College in Williamsburg; only building Lutyens designed in North America; contributing property to Massachusetts Avenue Historic District, listed on National Register of Historic Places; 10K visitors yearly.
Casa Italiana – 595 ½ 3rd Street NW; 202-638-1348; casaitalianaschool.org; statues of Dante, Marconi, and Michelangelo.
Chain Bridge – Chain Bridge Road (Little Falls, at Northwest Road & Canal Road NW); viaduct that crosses Potomac River; connects Washington with Arlington & Fairfax counties in Virginia; pedestrian sidewalk provides access to Chesapeake & Ohio Canal towpath via ramp.
Corcoran Gallery – 500 17th Street NW; 202-639-1700; corcoran.org/home; largest privately supported cultural institution in city; main focus is American art; permanent collection includes works by Rembrandt Peale, Eugène Delacroix, Edgar Degas, Thomas Gainsborough, John Singer Sargent, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, Edward Hopper, Willem de Kooning, Joan Mitchell, Gene Davis, and Ralph Albert Blakelock (Moonlight); founded in 1869 by Riggs Bank’s co-founder William Wilson Corcoran.
Dumbarton House – 2715 Q Street NW; 202-337-2288; dumbartonhouse.org; unrelated to Dumbarton Oaks; historic home with Federal period furniture and National Society of Colonial Dames of America’s headquarters; Dolley Madison sought refuge here during war in 1814.
Dumbarton Oaks – 1703 32nd Street NW; 202-339-6401; doaks.org; impressive Georgetown estate bequeathed to Harvard, with extensive Byzantine and pre-Columbian art and textile collection; extensively terraced gardens astonishing in any season.
Marriner S. Eccles Federal Reserve Board Building (Board of Governors offices) – 20th Street & Constitution Avenue NW; 202-452-3324 (tours); federalreserve.gov/aboutthefed/aroundtheboard/history-buildings.htm; designed by Paul Cret; also worth visiting for art (federalreserve.gov/aboutthefed/aroundtheboard/fine-arts.htm); make sure to see imposing Cret-designed Board Room.
Duke Ellington Houses – 1805 & 1816 13th Streets NW, 420 Elm Street NW, 1206 T Street NW, 1955 3rd Street NW, and 2728 Sherman Avenue NW.
Folger Shakespeare Library – 201 East Capitol Street SE; 202-544-4600; folger.edu; independent research library on Capitol Hill; has world’s largest collection Shakespearean printed works; primary repository for rare materials from early modern period (1500-1750); established by Henry Clay Folger in association with wife, Emily Jordan Folger; opened in 1932, designed by Paul Cret.
Great Falls Park – 9200 Old Dominion Drive (McLean, Virginia); 703-285-2965; nps.gov/grfa; overlooks Potomac River; can hike 1.5 mile River trail, which runs along cliffs.
Howard Theatre – 620 T Street NW; 202-803-2899; thehowardtheatre.com; go on Sunday and have brunch with gospel choir.
Hillwood – 4155 Linnean Avenue NW; 202-686-5807; hillwoodmuseum.org; reservations recommended; Marjorie Meriwether Post mansion; “where fabulous lives”; set in 25 acres landscaped grounds and woodlands; extraordinary Faberge collection.
Italian Embassy – 3000 Whitehaven Street NW; 202-612-4400; ambwashingtondc.esteri.it/ambasciata_washington.
Kreeger Museum – 2401 Foxhall Road NW; 202-338-3550; kreegermuseum.org; built in 1967 by Philip Johnson as private home for Geico executive; extraordinary art collection (Braque, Cezanne, Degas, Kandinsky, Klee, Man Ray, Miro, Picasso, Frank Stella, and Van Gogh); terrace overlooks pool and rear gardens with statuary by Maillol, Moore, and Noguchi.
Lincoln Memorial – Lincoln Memorial Circle SW (National Mall); 202-426-6895; nps.gov/linc.
Guglielmo Marconi Statue – 16th & Lamont Street NW (north of Meridian Hill Park); dcmemorials.com/index_indiv0001825.htm; by Attilio Piccirilli.
Meridian Hill Park – 2500 16th Street NW (Columbia Heights); 202-895-6000; nps.gov/history/nr/travel/wash/dc48.htm; also known as Malcolm X Park; 12 acres landscaped grounds maintained by National Park Service as Rock Creek Park part (though not contiguous with its main part); in 1819 CE, John Porter erected mansion on grounds and called it “Meridian Hill” because located on “White House meridian”; in 1914, Interior Department hired George Burnap to design grand urban park modeled on parks found in European capitals; park’s central feature is 13-basin Cascading Waterfall in lower-level formal garden; Statues: (1)“Serenity” – by sculptor Jose Clara, dedicated to US Navy Lt. Commander William Henry Scheutze’s memory; (2)Joan of Arc, gift from “Ladies of France in Exile in New York” in 1922 (bronze copy of 1889 statue by Paul Dubois, original at Reims Cathedral – in city of many equestrian statues, this is only one to depict woman; (3)Dante by Ettore Ximenes; and (4)memorial to 15th US President James Buchanan, sculpted by Hans Schuler.
National Archives – 700 Pennsylvania Avenue NW; 202-357-5000 or 866-272-6272; archives.gov/dc-metro/washington; holds original copies of 3 main US formative documents: Declaration of Independence; Constitution & Bill of Rights; also hosts original version of 1297 Magna Carta confirmed by Edward I; all displayed in main chamber (“Rotunda for Charters of Freedom”); also exhibits other important American historical documents, such as Articles of Confederation, Louisiana Purchase Treaty, Emancipation Proclamation & collections of photography & other historically & culturally significant American artifacts; once inside Rotunda for Charters of Freedom, there are no lines to see individual documents & visitors are allowed to walk from document to document as they wish; photography is not permitted in National Archives Museum.
National Building Museum – 401 F Street NW; 202-272-2448; nbm.org.
National Gallery of Art – 4th & Constitution Avenue NW (National Mall, between 3rd & 9th Streets at Constitution Avenue NW); 202-737-4215; nga.gov.
National Mall – 7th Street NW; 202-485-9880; nps.gov/nama.
National Museum of Natural History – Constitution Ave NW; 202-633-1000; mnh.si.edu; make sure to see taxidermy by William L. Brown, including hippo whose hide was made supple by Russian tanner’s chewing on it.
National Museum of Women in Arts – 1250 New York Avenue NW; 202-783-5000; nmwa.org.
National Pinball Museum – 3222 M Street NW; 202-337-1100; nationalpinballmuseum.org.
Phillips Collection – 1600 21st Street NW; 202-387-2151; phillipscollection.org; make sure to see Ralph Albert Blakelocks.
Shakespeare Theatre Company – 450 7th Street NW; 202-547-1122 or 877-487-8849.
Smithsonian National Zoological Park – 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW; 202-633-4800; nationalzoo.si.edu.
Studio Theater – 1501 14th Street NW; 202-332-3300; studiotheatre.org; plays.
Textile Museum – 2320 S Street NW; 202-667-0441; textilemuseum.org; history of all world textiles; stunning collection with interesting visiting exhibits.
Tudor Place – 1644 31st Street NW; 202-965-0400; tudorplace.org; home to Peter family’s successive generations (Martha Washington’s granddaughter, Martha Custis Peter’s, descendants) until 1984;45-minute tour feels like quick whirl through American history.
U Street Corridor – U Street NW (between 9th & 13th Streets NW); home of Jazz Age D.C.
U.S. Capitol – 1st Street SE & East Capitol Street NE; 202-226-8000; make sure to visit dome, which has stunning frescoes by Constantine Brumidi.
U.S. Capitol Visitor Center – Capitol Hill (at Mall’s east end); 202-225-6827; visitthecapitol.gov; book on-line tour or just show up.
U.S. Institute of Peace Headquarters – 2301 Constitution Avenue NW; 202-457-1700; usip.org; designed by Moshe Safdie; idea behind peace organization dates to 1783, when George Washington called for “proper Peace Establishment”; almost 200 years later, President Ronald Reagan signed US Institute of Peace Act in 1984.
Washington National Cathedral – 3101 Wisconsin Avenue NW; 202-537-6200; nationalcathedral.org; hidden gem is its herb gardens.
Watergate Complex – 1 2650 Virginia Avenue NW; 202-965-2300; watergatedc.com.
White House – 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW; 202-456-7041; whitehouse.gov; 10 person minimum for tour (and have to book through congressional representative – writerep.house.gov).
Woodrow Wilson House – 2340 S Street NW; 202-387-4062; woodrowwilsonhouse.org; city’s only presidential museum; living textbook of American life in 1920s.

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