Romantic Washington: Capital Cuddles – Tips For a Romantic Weekend In and Around Washington, DC

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If you favor the offbeat and personal over cookie-cutter chains, try the Tabard. Named for the hostelry in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, the Tabard is three Victorian town houses that were joined in 1914 and have operated as an inn ever since.

The heart of the ground floor is the dark-paneled lounge, with worn furniture, fireplace, the original beamed ceiling, and bookcases. Washingtonians come here for drinks, jazz on Sundays, or to linger before or after dining in the charming Tabard Inn restaurant.

From the lounge, the inn leads you up and down stairs, along dim corridors, and through nooks and crannies to guest rooms furnished with antiques and flea-market finds. Perhaps the most eccentric room is the spacious top-floor "penthouse," which has skylights, exposed brick walls, an ample living room, and the feel of a New York City loft. The inn is not easily accessible to guests with disabilities.

Facilities: Restaurant (regional American) w/lounge (free live jazz Sun evenings); free access to nearby YMCA (w/extensive facilities that include indoor pool, indoor track, and racquetball/basketball courts); laundry service; fax, hair dryer, iron, and safe available at front desk; free computer access in lobby.

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Phillips Collection [STST] -- This charming museum is even more alluring now that its expansion is complete. Its elegant 1890s Georgian Revival mansion anchors the Phillips, as it has since the gallery opened in 1921 (America's first museum of modern art). Founders Duncan and Marjorie Phillips, avid collectors and proselytizers of modernism, once lived here; now Impressionist, modernist, and American master gems from the 2,500-work permanent collection reside here. Intimate galleries retain homey features: leaded- and stained-glass windows, oak paneling, plush chairs and sofas, and individually designed fireplaces. The new wing houses the main entrance, as well as galleries devoted to special exhibits; a cafe run by a local favorite, Firehook Bakery; a sculpture garden in the courtyard; and, most wonderfully, the Rothko Room, the small room devoted to four large, color-intense paintings by abstract expressionist Mark Rothko.

Best known for its Renoir masterpiece, Luncheon of the Boating Party, the Phillips boasts works by Daumier, Bonnard, Vuillard, van Gogh, Cézanne, Picasso, Degas, Klee, and Matisse. Ingres, Delacroix, Manet, El Greco, Goya, Corot, Constable, Courbet, Giorgione, and Chardin are among the premodernists represented. American notables, besides Rothko, include Dove, Hopper, Marin, Eakins, Homer, Lawrence, and O'Keeffe. You'll enjoy viewing the collection for an hour or so.

A full schedule of events includes temporary shows with loans from other museums and private collections, gallery talks, and concerts in the ornate music room. Concerts take place October to May on Sunday at 4pm; arrive early. On Thursday, the museum stays open until 8:30pm for Artful Evenings, usually a lecture or film screening.

Note: You may tour the permanent collection for free on weekdays. Weekends, admission is $10 per adult, $8 for seniors and students 18 and older. Special-exhibit admission prices vary, but are in effect weekdays; on weekends the regular admission price covers entry to both the permanent and special collections. The Phillips almost always has a special exhibition on view. You may order tickets in advance at the Phillips, or through Ticketmaster, online at www.ticketmaster.com, or by phone at tel. 800/551-SEAT (7328).

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Mendocino Grille is like a mini-vacation to the vineyards of Northern California, right in the middle of Georgetown. The restaurant opts for locally grown and sustainable foods whenever possible. Mendocino Grille also features a wide variety of wines to satisfy any wine lover's palette.

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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 Nations, 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.

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This park contains a largely ungroomed forest and has long been an oasis for city residents and tourists alike. Attractions include picnic areas, winding trails and bike paths, a nature center, a public golf course, tennis courts and stables. The centerpiece is a working gristmill, complete with a turning water wheel. Rock Creek Parkway runs alongside the meandering creek. Parts of the road are closed to traffic on weekends and turned over to cyclists and roller-bladers. Although the Metro is nearby, a car is required to visit many of the key sites in a single trip.

Rock Creek Park includes Battleground National Cemetery, Meridian Hill, Pierce Mill, The Old Stone House, Horse Center, Nature Center and more. A wide variety of recreation pursuits accommodate all ages and abilities. Rangers lead a variety of interpretive programs that range from natural history, historical (colonial, milling and civil war), recreational and astronomy. For educators, the rangers offer a variety of educational programs. Call the Nature Center at 202-426-6828 for more information and to make reservations. The Carter Barron Amphitheater offers concerts and Shakespearean theater during the summer months. Rock Creek has a variety of paved bicycle paths. One of which runs from the Lincoln Memorial through the park and into Maryland. Memorial Bridge connects it to the Mount Vernon Trail in Virginia. Other bicycle trails near the Rock Creek Trail are the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historic Park towpath in Georgetown and the Capital Crescent trail in Georgetown and Bethesda, Maryland. Beach Drive between Military and Broad Branch roads is closed to cars from 7 AM Saturday to 7 PM Sunday and on holidays for bicycling, hiking, jogging, and rollerblading. Rock Creek Park has 30 picnic areas throughout the park; some have rain shelters. Many can be reserved for groups up to 100. Reservations must be made in person at the DC Department of Parks and Recreation at 3149, 16th St., NW. Call 202-673-7646 for more information. The large recreation field at 16th and Kennedy Streets, NW has room for many activities. Some of the fields, which are suitable for soccer, football, and field hockey, can be reserved through the DC Department of Recreation. Call 202-767-8363 for information. The 15 soft-surface and 10 hard-surface tennis courts at 16th and Kennedy Streets, NW must be reserved through Guest Services, Inc. The courts are open from April through mid-November. A fee is charged. For the rest of the year, the 10 hard-surface courts are available free on a first-come, first-served basis. Six soft-surface courts are located off Park Road, just east of Pierce Mill. Make reservations for these courts through the Washington Area Tennis Patrons in person at the courts; open May through September. A fee is charged. The courts at Montrose Park are free. An extensive system of trails and paths cover Rock Creek Park and outlying areas such as Glover Archbold Park. These trails are maintained by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club consisting of a blue-blazed trail that follows the east side of the creek, a green-blazed trail that follows the western ridge of the park and tan-blazed connector trails. For physical fitness enthusiasts, a 1.5-mile exercise course begins near Calvert Street and Connecticut Avenue. For the horse rider, 13 miles of wide, dirt and gravel bridle trails crisscross the northern section of the park. Near picnic area 25, off of Glover Road is an Equitation field. Horseback riding lessons and guided trail rides are available at the Rock Creek Park Horse Center. There are also plenty of opportunities for rollerblading at leisure or partaking in one of many competitive events.

Our Local Expert Says:

DC best shopping. Signing-up for a home tour can be a great activity. LINK

Description:

Georgetown is one of the most historically significant areas of DC. It is a great place to spend the afternoon shopping or just strolling along the tree-lined streets, looking at the expansive homes and mansions. "M" street in Georgetown is the main upscale shopping area in DC. There are numerous historical sights mixed throughout the area, including the Old Stone House on M street, the oldest building in DC, and Dumbarton Oaks, where the United Nations was outlined in 1944. Georgetown is also one of DC's best places for eating, drinking, and nightlife. Local favorites include such places as Mr. Smiths, a piano bar, J. Pauls, and Old Glory Bar-B-Que. The Georgetown Waterfront is also a popular place to spend the afternoon. The restaurants that line the Potomac make for a great venue for drinks, although the food is better a couple of blocks north on M street. Recently, there has also been a proliferation of new, upscale restaurants in Georgetown including Hook and Mendocino Grille & Wine Bar.

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This scenic setting combines the social pleasures and style of Georgetown with the natural beauty of the Potomac riverfront. The wide promenade is enjoyed by office workers, shoppers, strollers and diners at several restaurants offering outdoor seating. This is a perfect place to stroll at midday, before a sunset dinner, or after dark when the terraces are lit up.

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The Capital Crescent Trail is a pleasant 11-mile trail that runs through northwest Washington. During the work week, bike commuters use this trail as their link between the northwest suburbs and DC. On weekends, the trail is crowded with rollerbladers and bicyclists. It begins in Georgetown on Water Street. Follow the trail and you will find views of the lovely Potomac River and some of DC's finer neighborhoods, there is even a quick trip through the Columbia Country Club. Most of the trail is asphalt.

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This corner townhouse is well loved by discerning diners in Washington. A forerunner in the organic food movement (the restaurant was the first in the US certified organic), Chef Nora Pouillon has long been transforming the freshest and healthiest meats and produce into creative and tasty dishes. The menu changes often, but expect entrees such as rack of lamb, blue nosed snapper and Amish duck. Valet parking is available.

Our Local Expert Says:

Mount Vernon is a member of the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, so after touring the mansion, explore the working farm and meet living rare breeds representative of livestock Washington raised on the farm!

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From beneath the 90-foot portico of Mount Vernon, visitors can gaze across an expanse of sloping lawn to the Potomac River, a mile wide, as its flows past George Washington's home. Costumed guides narrate the history of the elegant mansion and of the surrounding buildings, which have been preserved to reflect the days when the first president resided here. Visitors are invited to walk around the 500-acre estate, tour the buildings and participate in the 'Hand-on History' exhibits that recreate farming techniques and colonial games.

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This tour operator offers an unusual and memorable way to see D.C. by land and water, without changing vehicle. Passengers board authentic, fully restored 1942 Ducks, amphibious military personnel carriers. The land tour begins at Union Station and includes the National Mall, the monuments and the Smithsonian museums before the Duck splashes into the Potomac River. A scenic river cruise follows, with the 90-minute tour ending at Gravely Point beneath the flight path of landing planes at National Airport.

Our Local Expert Says:

A great spot for a hike, the best time to go is during the week, when locals are at work and you can have the trails to yourself.

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The Billygoat Trail is one of the area's most popular hikes. Scenic views that include the Potomac River and Mather Gorge draw weekend crowds. The difficulty of this trail does not deter the common explorer. As one of the most popular hikes in the Washington areas, the rocky trail carries you along the edges of Bear Island, just downstream of Great Falls. Once owned by the Potomac Electric Power Company, the 96-acre island was originally destined for a hydroelectric plant. Reoccurring floods led to the abandonment of the idea and a land contribution to the Nature Conservancy which passed along the administrative duties to the National Park Service. The trail is vividly marked with signs and blue trail markers. There is a reason why this trail is named Billygoat. The beginning of the trail requires crossing rocky hills, steep ravines, and scrambling a rock face while the return trip offers a level-walking surface.

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It takes planning to tour the White House, but it's worth it! They are arranged through Congress. It is easy, contact your Member of Congress (done through your Member's website) one to six months prior to your visit to DC to request a tour. Tours are free but space is limited. The prohibited items makes airport security look lax and no storage facilities are available, so plan accordingly. Seasonal tours and events are not arranged through Congress – spring and fall garden tours (October and April), White House Easter Egg Roll, and lighting of the National Christmas Tree (early December). Tickets for these events are free but you'll have to stand in line to get them. They are distributed at the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion (15th and E Street NW). See website for dates and ticket details. For the planning-challenged, the White House Visitor Center brings the White House to your fingertips. It's open seven days a week from 7:30 am – 4:00 pm. Unlike the White House tour, the visitor center does not prohibit strollers, cameras, make-up items, pens, backpacks or purses. Take public transit, parking is scarce.

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The Smithsonian Institution, commonly known as 'America's attic', is the world's largest museum complex and research organization. Most of the Smithsonian's 19 museums and the National Zoo are located in DC, most on or near the National Mall. Organize your Smithsonian experience in DC starting at the institute's easy-to-locate red sandstone Gothic castle on the Mall (known locally as the Smithsonian Castle). Ongoing video presentations, touch screens, maps and a helpful staff will help you create a personalized plan. If the larger museums have already been visited (the Castle, Natural History, Air & Space and American History), then check out the others (African Art, American Indian, Anacostia, Freer, Sackler, Hirshhorn, Portrait, Postal and Renwick Gallery). These smaller museums do not usually receive tour buses, so even during peak season (February through July) they are not crowded and always enjoyable. Many of the museums and the zoo have evening events, either free or affordable. Nearly each of the Smithsonian's museums (and the National Zoo) has a Metro station nearby.

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The layout of this beautiful building reflects the recent trend of sporting arena as mini community; within the complex is the multi-level Velocity Grill, serving drinks and live entertainment before, during, and after events. In addition, the Discovery Channel and Modell's Sporting Goods have large stores here. The 20,000-seat stadium is home to several teams: the NBA's Wizards, the Mystics of the Women's National Basketball Association and the NHL's Washington Capitals. The Georgetown University men's basketball team also plays here.

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A stunning tribute to the 16th president of the United States, this memorial sits at the western end of the reflecting pool and the national mall. This famous memorial is featured on both the penny and the back of the five dollar bill. The Lincoln Memorial is also the historic site of the famous March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, where Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered his "I have a dream" speech. A true must visit for any trip to Washington, DC. Inside the temple-like structure you will find a 19-foot tall statue of Lincoln seated, with a number of memorable speeches inscribed in the walls that surround him.

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Located on the National Mall a few blocks from the Capitol Building, the National Air and Space Museum appeals to all ages. See the Wright 1903 Flyer, the Apollo 11 command module Columbia, and a lunar rock sample which visitors can touch. Children delight in the many hands-on demonstrations while IMAX Theater presentations and flight simulators engage the whole family. Fascinated with space? Explore the universe at the Albert Einstein Planetarium! Whether you visit for one hour or five, the large solarium-style food court makes this a convenient mid-day museum stop. Free admission. There is no museum parking, but public lots are within a few blocks (rates vary). Metro stations nearby: L'Enfant Plaza (blue/orange and yellow/green lines) and Smithosonian (blue/orange lines).

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Located in the heart of DC, the Smithsonian National Zoological Park (National Zoo) is the famous home of the Giant Pandas (Tian Tian, Mei Xiang, and Tai Shan). Recognized as one of the premier zoological research institutions in the United States, the National Zoo, which is free, attracts 2 million visitors per year. In addition to the Pandas, the Zoo includes a number of other well-loved animal attractions including Asian Elephants, orangutans, cheetahs, tiger cubs, seals, and penguins. There is also a petting zoo. In addition to the animals, the Zoo is a large, open park, and offers picnic tables and numerous other family-friendly diversions on the weekends.

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The Cheesecake Factory is surely the place to go when craving a rich and delectable slice of the mouth-watering dessert, but this restaurant offers much more. Serving appetizers, lunch, dinner, late night dining, Sunday Brunch, and a full bar, the Factory is a great choice for a casual dining experience. Everyone will find something to their liking with over 200 menu selections of pizza, pasta, seafood, steaks, salads, sandwiches, burgers, and more. Be sure to save room for one of the 50 delicious cheesecakes and desserts.

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Raised wooden booths flank one side of the restaurant; an imposing, old-fashioned dark-wood bar with saddle-seat stools extends down the other. Background music is recorded swing music during the day, more mainstream music into the night. Old Glory boasts the city's "largest selection of single-barrel and boutique bourbons" and a rooftop deck with outdoor seating and views of Georgetown.

After 9pm or so, the two-story restaurant becomes packed with the hard-drinkin' young and restless. In early evening, though, Old Glory is prime for anyone -- singles, families, or an older crowd -- although it's almost always noisy. Come for the messy, tangy, delicious spareribs; hickory-smoked chicken; tender, smoked beef brisket; or marinated, wood-fired shrimp. Six sauces are on the table, the spiciest being the vinegar-based East Carolina and Lexington. The complimentary corn muffins and biscuits; side dishes of collard greens, succotash, and potato salad; and desserts like apple crisp and coconut cherry cobbler all hit the spot.

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Twenty-five million people from 100 different countries have visited this museum since it opened in 1993, and the museum continues to be a top draw. In the busiest months, April through July, if you arrive without a reserved ticket specifying an admission time, you'll have to wait in line to get one of the 2,000 day-of-sale tickets the museum makes available each day.

Before you visit the museum, you might want to access its website, www.ushmm.org, and download copies of the Visitors Guide and the Permanent Exhibition Guide. These are also available at the museum, of course.

As you enter the museum, you may find the noise and bustle of so many visitors disconcerting, or at odds with the experience you expect is coming. But things settle down as you start the tour. When you enter, you will be issued an identity card of an actual victim of the Holocaust; at several points in the tour, you can find out the location and status of the person on your card -- by 1945, 66% of those whose lives are documented on these cards were dead.

From its collection of more than 12,435 artifacts, the museum has organized some 900 items and 70 video monitors to reveal the Jewish experience in three parts: Nazi Assault, Final Solution, and Last Chapter. The tour begins on the fourth floor, where exhibits portray the events of 1933 to 1939, the years of the Nazi rise to power. On the third floor (documenting 1940-44), exhibits illustrate the narrowing choices of people caught up in the Nazi machine. You board a Polish freight car of the type used to transport Jews from the Warsaw ghetto to Treblinka and hear recordings of survivors telling what life in the camps was like.

The second floor recounts a more heartening story: It depicts how non-Jews throughout Europe, by exercising individual action and responsibility, saved Jews at great personal risk. Denmark -- led by a king who swore that if any of his subjects wore a yellow star, so would he -- managed to hide and save 90% of its Jews. Exhibits follow on the liberation of the camps, life in Displaced Persons camps, emigration to Israel and America, and the Nuremberg trials. At the end of the permanent exhibition is a most compelling and heartbreaking hour-long film called Testimony, in which Holocaust survivors tell their stories. The tour concludes in the hexagonal Hall of Remembrance, where you can meditate and light a candle for the victims. The museum notes that most people take 2 to 3 hours on their first visit; many people take longer.

In addition to its permanent and temporary exhibitions, the museum has a Resource Center for educators, which provides materials and services to Holocaust educators and students; an interactive computer learning center; and a registry of Holocaust survivors, a library, and archives, which researchers may use to retrieve historical documents, photographs, oral histories, films, and videos.

The museum recommends not bringing children 11 and under; for older children, it's advisable to prepare them for what they'll see. You can see some parts of the museum without tickets, including two special areas on the first floor and concourse: Daniel's Story: Remember the Children and the Wall of Remembrance (Children's Tile Wall), which commemorates the 1.5 million children killed in the Holocaust, and the Wexner Learning Center. There's a cafeteria and museum shop on the premises.

Holocaust Museum Touring Tips -- Because so many people want to visit the museum (it has hosted as many as 10,000 visitors in a single day), tickets specifying a visit time (in 15-min. intervals) are required. Reserve as many as 40 tickets in advance via Tickets.com (tel. 800/400-9373; www.tickets.com) for a small fee. If you order well in advance, you can have tickets mailed to you at home. You can also get as many as 20 same-day tickets (if available) at the museum beginning at 10am daily (lines form earlier, usually around 8am).

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The National Gallery of Art guides Washingtonians and visitors through the world of art all day, every day (except Christmas and New Year's Day). The National Gallery consists of the West Building (opened in 1941), the East Building (1978) and the 6.1-acre Sculpture Garden adjacent to the West Building (1999). Don't be daunted by the size, the National Gallery has prepared "Highlights" guides for half-hour and one-hour visits. Scores of guided tours are scheduled throughout each day (too many to list here), gallery talks and lectures are held throughout the month. Free Sunday concerts take place in the West Building, usually starting at 6:30 but check ahead. The East Building Auditorium hosts original format film screenings every Saturday and Sunday (plus a few weekdays) free of charge (first come first served) with doors opening thirty minutes before each show. To the delight of locals and visitors, the Sculpture Garden ice rink is open mid-November through mid-March! It's about the only activity that is not free, but at $7 for adults and $6 for seniors, students and kids (skate rental $3), it's a lot of fun for a little money. Aside from all this, visitors can still walk in off the street and look at art the old fashioned way, by wandering through the galleries at leisure. Located on the National Mall, forget about parking. The Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter (Green/Yellow lines) Metrorail station is only a block away.

Our Local Expert Says:

Fun, interactive, and kid-friendly. Take the metro to DuPont Circle where you can grab a bite to eat, and then walk over after lunch.

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Regularly changing special exhibits, speakers and films exploring the many wonders of our planet feature at this soaring building, situated downtown.  After visiting the exhibits, stroll through the gift shop, which sells National Geographic Society's videos, books and educational games.  Admission is free and you can organize a group tour in advance.

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Don't be at all surprised if you see a prominent politician dining at the table next to you.  That's pretty par for the course at Sonoma, one of Capitol Hill's coolest spots.  Part wine bar, part restaurant, Sonoma also has a second floor lounge which can be rented out for private parties.  Food is "New American" and sourced from local ingredients; as such the menu changes fairly frequently.  Reservations are strongly recommended.

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If you're planning to spend some time on the Hill, Belga Cafe is a great spot to take a break and enjoy some artfully prepared Belgian fare.  Steak and frites are the most commonly ordered dish here - and you have several different steak sauces available from which to choose.  If you stop in for brunch, be prepared to leave with a VERY full stomach - the Belgian waffles are to die for.

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Blues Alley, in Georgetown, has been Washington's top jazz club since 1965, featuring such artists as Karrin Allyson, Ahmad Jamal, Sonny Rollins, Wynton Marsalis, Rachelle Ferrell, and Maynard Ferguson. There are usually two shows nightly at 8 and 10pm; some performers also do midnight shows on weekends. Reservations are essential (call after noon); since seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, it's best to arrive no later than 7pm and have dinner. Entrees on the steak and Creole seafood menu are in the $17 to $23 range, snacks and sandwiches are $5.25 to $10, and drinks are $5.35 to $9. The decor is "classic dive": exposed-brick walls; beamed ceiling; small, candlelit tables; and a very worn look about it. Sometimes well-known visiting musicians get up and jam with performers.

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DuPont circle is one of Washington's hubs of nightlife, shopping, and dining. The circle itself is filled with Washingtonians day and night, relaxing on the benches, snacking, or playing music or a game of chess. Around the circle, the neighborhood is filled with interesting museums, shops, restaurants and bars. DuPont, and more specifically 17th street off of DuPont, is considered the center of Washington DC's gay and lesbian community. The Brickskeller, home of the world largest beer list, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, is located in DuPont. DuPont is also home to a large number of embassies, and one can easily access Embassy Row by simply walking north-west on Massachusetts Avenue, which intersects the circle. DuPont is also home to some of the most important think-tanks in the country, including the Brookings Institution and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and the Johns Hopkins University's Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).

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Don't be misled by the quiet, tree-lined side street or stately neighborhood brownstones. At The River Inn, you're mere moments from some of Washington, DC's legendary halls of power. This downtown Washington DC hotel is only two blocks from the Foggy Bottom Metro and the non-stop thrum of Georgetown. Experience complete rejuvenation amid the boutique elements of your freshly renovated suite -- boasting Italian-inspired furniture, ultra-plush bedding, flat-screen TVs, and spectacular views. You'll feel worlds away from the decibels of the world's most important city. Experience an intimacy and charm in short supply at many surrounding downtown Washington DC hotels. Immerse yourself in the hotel's alluring setting: Nestled two blocks from the Foggy Bottom Metro in Washington, DC

Our Local Expert Says:

DC's most notorious hotel.

Description:

This odd-shaped hotel sits next to the Kennedy Center and is most famous as the site where the Watergate break-in occurred, leading to President Richard Nixon's resignation. Elegance prevails at the hotel, with its black and white marble floors, lavish Asian rugs, antiques and lobby waterfall. The newly renovated guestrooms were formerly apartments and are spacious. Many have balconies overlooking the Potomac River. The Watergate complex includes offices and luxury apartments, where many celebrities and political notables reside.

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Set among the fashionable Foxhall Road estates in upper northwest Washington, the former residence of Carmen and David Kreeger holds a marvelous collection of 19th and 20th century art. Artists such as Picasso, Van Gogh, Kandinsky and Rodin are represented, among other luminaries. A fine collection of African art is also housed here. The Kreeger Museum requires some advance planning to visit since reservations are required to join the docent-led tours, but the effort is well worth it.

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Asian art is the focus of this museum and the neighboring Freer (together, they form the National Museum of Asian Art in the United States). The Sackler opened in 1987, thanks to Arthur M. Sackler's gift of 1,000 priceless works. Since then, the museum has received 11th- to 19th-century Persian and Indian paintings, manuscripts, calligraphies, miniatures, bookbindings from the collection of Henri Vever, and art collector Robert O. Muller's entire collection of 4,000 Japanese prints and archival materials.

Your visit begins in the entrance pavilion, where a series of rotating installations, collectively titled "Perspectives," showcases the works of contemporary artists from Asia and the Asian Diaspora. The Sackler is preparing you to appreciate the less familiar aspects of Asian art and culture.

The Sackler's permanent collection displays Khmer ceramics; ancient Chinese jades, bronzes, paintings, and lacquerware; 20th-century Japanese ceramics and works on paper; ancient Near Eastern works in silver, gold, bronze, and clay; stone and bronze sculptures from South and Southeast Asia; and a sumptuous graphic arts inventory covering a century of work by Japanese master printmakers. Supplementing the permanent collection are traveling exhibitions from major cultural institutions in Asia, Europe, and the United States. In the past, these have included such wide-ranging areas as 15th-century Persian art and culture, photographs of Asia, and art highlighting personal devotion in India. A visit here is an education in not just Asian decorative arts, but also in antiquities.

To learn more, arrive in time for a highlights tour, offered at 12:15pm most days except Wednesday. Also enlightening, and more fun, are the public programs that both the Sackler and the Freer Gallery frequently stage, such as performances of contemporary Asian music, tea ceremony demonstrations, and Iranian film screenings. All are free, but you might need tickets; for details, call the main information number or check out the website. Allow at least an hour to tour the Sackler.

The Sackler is part of a museum complex that houses the National Museum of African Art and the S. Dillon Ripley Center. It shares its staff and research facilities with the adjacent Freer Gallery, to which it is connected via an underground exhibition space.

Description:

Charles Lang Freer, a collector of Asian and American art from the 19th and early 20th centuries, gave the nation 9,000 of these works for his namesake gallery's 1923 opening. Freer's original interest was American art, but his good friend James McNeill Whistler encouraged him to collect Asian works as well. Eventually the latter became predominant. Freer's gift included funds to construct a museum and an endowment to add to the Asian collection, which now numbers more than 26,000 objects and spans 6,000 years. It includes Chinese and Japanese sculpture, lacquer, metalwork, and ceramics; early Christian illuminated manuscripts; Iranian manuscripts, metalwork, and miniatures; ancient Near Eastern metalware; and South Asian sculpture and paintings.

The Freer is mostly about Asian art, but it also displays some of the more than 1,200 American works (the world's largest collection) by Whistler. Most remarkable and always on view is the famous Harmony in Blue and Gold, the Peacock Room. Originally a dining room designed for the London mansion of F. R. Leyland, the Peacock Room displayed a Whistler painting called The Princess from the Land of Porcelain. But after his painting was installed, Whistler was dissatisfied with the room as a setting for his work. When Leyland was away from home, Whistler painted over the very expensive leather interior and embellished it with paintings of golden peacock feathers. Not surprisingly, a rift ensued between Whistler and Leyland. After Leyland's death, Freer purchased the room, painting and all, and had it shipped to his home in Detroit. It is now permanently installed here. Other American painters represented in the collections are Thomas Wilmer Dewing, Dwight William Tryon, Abbott Handerson Thayer, John Singer Sargent, and Childe Hassam. You could spend a happy 1 to 2 hours here.

The Freer Gallery is an oasis on the Mall, especially if you arrive here after visiting its voluminous and crowded sisters, the Natural History and Air and Space museums. Housed in a grand granite-and-marble building that evokes the Italian Renaissance, the pristine Freer has lovely sky-lit galleries. The main exhibit floor galleries encircle a beautiful landscaped courtyard, complete with loggia and central fountain. If the weather's right, it's a pleasure to sit out here and take a break from touring. An underground exhibit space connects the Freer to the neighboring Sackler Gallery, and both museums share the Meyer Auditorium, which is used for free chamber music concerts, dance performances, Asian feature films, and other programs. Inquire about these, as well as children's activities and free tours given daily, at the information desk.

Description:

The first art museum in Washington, the Corcoran Gallery, founded by Washington philanthropist William Wilson Corcoran in 1869, focuses on American Art. The rotating main collection includes a variety of American art spanning from older pieces to modern works by Nevelson, Warhol, and Rothko. The building of the Corcoran is in itself impressive, and its convenient location between the White House, the National Mall, and many of the national monuments make it an easily accessible museum for locals and tourists alike. Also home to a school of art, the Corcoran Gallery is well-known for its wide variety of rotating exhibitions. For the most up to date information, see http://www.corcoran.org/exhibitions/index.htm.

Description:

In the past few years, Washington has seen an explosion of Ethiopian restaurants, notably in the 9th and U streets area, where you will find at least 10 cafes offering authentic Ethiopian cuisine backed up by traditional or contemporary musical entertainment. But Meskerem in Adams-Morgan was one of the first Ethiopian restaurants to open in Washington and remains among the best, especially for newcomers to the food. It's attractive; the three-level, high-ceilinged dining room has an oval skylight girded by a painted sunburst and yellow-washed walls hung with African art and musical instruments. On the mezzanine level, you sit at messobs (basket tables) on low, carved Ethiopian chairs or upholstered leather poufs.

Diners share large platters of food, which they scoop up with a sourdough crepelike pancake called injera (no silverware here). You'll notice a lot of watt dishes, which refers to the traditional Ethiopian stew, made with your choice of beef, chicken, lamb, or vegetables, in varying degrees of hot and spicy; the alicha watts are milder and more delicately flavored. You might share an entree -- perhaps yegeb kay watt (succulent lamb in thick, hot berbere sauce) -- along with a sampler platter of five vegetarian dishes, served with tomato and potato salads. Some combination platters comprise an array of beef, chicken, lamb, and vegetables. There's a full bar, and the wine list includes Ethiopian honey wine and beer.

Description:

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.

Description:

Many visits to Washington DC center around the expansive National Mall & Memorial Parks. Public park space was one of the cornerstones of the original plan for the District of Columbia and today the National Mall helps fulfill that vision. At 1,000 square acres, and roughly 2.4 miles long, the Mall & Memorials provides open space for relaxation, reflection, celebration, and national expressions of First Amendment rights. Annual festivals and events held on the Mall: National Cherry Blossom Festival, National Black Family Reunion and Smithsonian Folklife Festival. The National Park Service offers walking and bike tours a few days a week and Military Band Concerts are held during the summer. The national museums line the eastern side of the Mall and the monuments occupy the west end (Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Ward War II Memorial, Korean War and Vietnam Memorial to name a few). Parking spaces are sparse and driving around the west end of the Mall is extremely confusing (it's easy to end up in Virginia and not know how to return). Various Metro stations service the Mall. Tourmobile Sightseeing provides a convenient option and it's authorized by the National Park Service. Tickets and tours vary ($7.50 - $20) but you can get on and off the busses at will. The Mall & Monuments are free and open 24 hours. Dramatic lighting makes nighttime monument viewing breathtaking (less crowds too!).

Our Local Expert Says:

Good inexpensive restaurants and crowded college bars make this a must for the post-4. collegiate DC crowd.

Description:

A true melting pot of DC culture, Adams Morgan offers a little bit of something for everyone. Centered at 18th street and Columbia Road, by day, it is the one of city's most interesting neighborhoods, with a large variety of unusual stores. By night, the true character of Adams Morgan emerges. Traffic comes to a near standstill as 18th street turns into one of the hubs of DC's nightlife scene. Adams Morgan has a wide variety of restaurants serving food from a variety of countries such as Ethiopia, Turkey, Mexico, El Salvador, Brazil, Italy, Vietnam, and Ghana. Almost every restaurant transforms into a bar or nightclub come sundown. At 3 AM, partiers flood the street again, looking for late night food including falafel and DC's famous "Jumbo Slice" pizza. Adams Morgan is a must-visit for those that want to experience one of the most diverse dining and nightlife areas of DC.

Description:

This former amusement park changed its focus from thrilling rides to artistic amusements, many of them directed at families. A beautiful hand-carved carousel is the only ride still operating in the park, now administered by the National Park Service. Visitors will find plenty of entertainment, from performances at the Puppet Company Playhouse to children's stories at the Adventure Theatre. Dances—swing, square-dancing and the waltz among others; are held at the Spanish Ballroom.

Description:

This 324-seat Family Theater, located within the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, further expands the opportunities for young people to experience the joys of live theater. Equipped with the finest audio technology, digital video projection and computerized rigging systems, the Family Theater provides for educational entertainment at its finest level. Performances are geared towards a young audience, but still tend to keep the more mature parent or guardian enthralled with delight.

Description:

There goes the neighborhood, some say, only we're talking gentrification here. Some longtime residents are not so crazy about the fact that this precious restaurant/bar attracts legions, including food critics, who are awarding the place several stars. And you know what that means: double-parked cars, lines out the door, and rowdy customers into the wee hours. This part of D.C. is changing, no doubt about it; if you're intrigued, Café Saint-Ex is worth investigating. Named for author/aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the dining room builds on the flight idea with black-and-white photos of pilots and aviation memorabilia. The critics are crowing about the charming atmosphere and certain items on the menu, like the roast chicken; the grilled mahimahi; and the beets, grapefruit, and feta cheese salad. Personally, I love the fried green tomato BLT. D.C. hipsters stay on or arrive later to get in on Saint's nightlife scene, which features a DJ spinning hip-hop or indie tunes downstairs at Gate 54.

Description:

This lovely brasserie lies within one of Washington's coolest hotels, the Monaco. You find its separate entrance via an arched carriageway that leads to a stone-paved courtyard, where the restaurant sets up tables in warm weather. Inside, past a small bar-lounge, is the dining area, which includes an exhibition kitchen, banquettes, and a quieter back room. Poste chef Robert Weland has established himself well, settling into a pleasant culinary groove that wins praise from local critics and diners. Weland uses seasonal local ingredients to create modern American fare heavily influenced by traditional French cuisine. At lunch that means a croque-monsieur is made with Virginia ham and Gruyère on brioche; at dinner, your selections may include French onion soup, herbed fresh ricotta ravioli, red wine-braised rabbit, steak frites, and cassoulet. Desserts, too, blend French and American tastes; try the chocolate pot de crème (custard), which lists chili (!) as an ingredient. A wine list of 100 California and French bottles offers nearly 30 wines by the glass.

Description:

Those in the know flock to this jaunty little restaurant to kick back with friends and enjoy some of the most delicious Tex-Mex food in the area. If you are drinking, be sure to order a margarita. This tasty treat is served up plain, with strawberries or "Swirled" - a delicious mix of plain and strawberry. The Austin Grill is a family-friendly place. It offers a complete children's menu.

Description:

Bistrot Lepic is little in size, but big in atmosphere.  While the downstairs is a bit more formal, with classic French cuisine and a cozy feel, the upstairs wine bar is lively, funky and lounge-y, with a full menu and views out onto the street.  The wine list includes over 500 fine wines, and the staff is extremely knowledgeable about them.  There is an additional room for private parties.

Description:

Penn Quarter has added yet another funky, stylish restaurant to its ranks. SEI projects the same slick atmosphere as its sister restaurant, Oya Restaurant & Lounge, but focuses specifically on sushi and Japanese fusion food. The chefs add a lot of interesting and unconventional touches to the menu; guests can snack on wasabi guacamole before digging into speciality sushi such as the fish and chips rolls, which are as delicious tasting as they are bizarre sounding.

Description:

Hawk & Dove has the kind of cluttered decor typical of DC bars - there are several tables and three full bars. In the winter months, it is especially cozy, with three fireplaces keeping it warm. A long-time Capitol Hill favorite, this bar attracts neighborhood residents, congressional staffers and the occasional political celebrity. Burgers and beer set the tone of the menu, which includes the usual American bar fare. The service is always friendly.

Description:

Located in the up-and-coming Atlas District of Northeast DC, this two-floor club is a great venue for live music (mainly indie and singer-songwriting acts).  Its name derives from the predominant color scheme, especially downstairs in the velvet-draped bar.  There's a Cajun flair to the menu, and some decent beer offerings.  Look into taking the free shuttle from downtown to get here

Description:

Domku means "little house" in Polish, and true to form, this funky Petworth bar/restaurant will make you feel like you're at home the minute you walk in. Eclectically furnished and refreshingly devoid of pretention, Domku offers an wide range of Eastern European and Scandinavian beers and liquors. It also doubles as a restaurant, selling crowd pleasers like pierogis and goulash, as well as a delicious Sunday brunch offering.

Description:

The Smithsonian Institution's Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden invites everyone in to explore modern and contemporary art. Gordon Bunshaft designed the Hirshhorn building itself as a "functional sculpture." Elevated above manicured sculpture grounds, the four-story hollow cylinder encircles a 60-foot fountain visible from every interior window. Since each floor is a large ring, navigating the museum is very intuitive; you progress through the curved galleries and end up exactly where you began then proceed to the next floor. The Hirshhorn continuously seeks and acquires important works by current artists, hosts traveling exhibits, and features installations with the artists on hand for discussion. Meet at the information desk on Fridays at 12:30 pm for gallery talks by visiting curators, professors and artists. Thursdays offer a mix of contemporary films and meet-the-artist events in the Ring Auditorium. Every few months brings the Hirshhorn After Hours where art and nightlife come together with DJs, artists, cocktails and dancing. Check website or visit the information desk for current schedule. After Hours events are $10 advance, $12 at the door, but most other events are free, including films. Guides are available at anytime for a 30-minute tour so ask at front desk. Forget about parking. L'Enfant Plaza is the closest Metro station (blue/gree/orange/red lines). This station is large and can be confusing – take the Maryland Ave & 7th St SW exit, follow 7th street away from the station to Independence Ave and you'll see the Hirshhorn.

Our Local Expert Says:

This is the local aquarium. The true gem is located in Baltimore, about an hours drive north of DC.

Description:

The oldest aquarium in the country has an unlikely home in the basement of the Department of Commerce. The dark concrete space seems to cater to the preferences of the fish with its cool atmosphere. The 70 tanks of various sizes hold many species, including those native to this country. Piranhas, alligators and sea turtles are among the other popular creatures to observe.

Description:

The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington Dulles International Airport is the companion facility to the Museum on the National Mall. The building opened in December, 2003, and provides enough space for the Smithsonian to display the thousands of aviation and space artifacts that cannot be exhibited on the National Mall. The two sites together showcase the largest collection of aviation and space artifacts in the world. The Center was named in honor of its major donor, and features the large Boeing Aviation Hangar in which aircraft are displayed on three levels. Visitors can walk among aircraft and small artifacts in display cases located on the floor, and view aircraft hanging from the arched ceiling on elevated skywalks. Many engines, helicopters, ultra-lights, and experimental flying machines are on display in a museum setting for the first time. Among the aviation artifacts on display are the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, the fastest jet in the world; the Boeing Dash 80, the prototype of the 707; the Boeing B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay; and the deHavilland Chipmunk aerobatic airplane.

Description:

Eastern Market opened in 1873 as one of the many produce and farm goods markets which served Washington DC's neighborhoods. Designated as a National Historic Landmark, this proud brick building is the only one to have continuously operated as a farmer's market. Tuesday through Sunday the permanent merchants sell fresh meats, poultry, seafood, fish sandwiches, crabcakes, baked goods, flowers, fruits, vegetables, pastas, deli items and cheese. On weekends the market overflows into the neighboring schoolyard with an arts & crafts market, flea market and Farmers' Line. The Farmers' Line presents produce harvested from Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. Local (but established) photographers, painters and other artists set up weekend booths. Breakfast and lunch is served at the Market Lunch counter. The crabcakes are particularly popular. Additionally there are many great restaurants in this Capitol Hill neighborhood. A weekend visit to Eastern Market captures the DC neighborhood experience as people of all ages and backgrounds hang out, relax and gather food for their tables. Eastern Market is one block from the Eastern Market Metro station (blue/orange lines). Street parking is available but you may have to walk a few blocks. Eastern Market suffered a major fire in April 2007 but an impressive temporary structure houses the vendors next door while restoration is underway. Meanwhile, Market attendance is as strong and festive as ever.

Description:

Authorized by the National Park Service, Tourmobile Sightseeing covers the major landmarks in the capital- everything from the U.S. Capitol to Arlington National Cemetery. The company also offers several customized tours that cover other historic landmarks in the region, including Mount Vernon and the home of Frederick Douglass in Anacostia. The company serves more than two million riders each year.

Description:

One of the world's foremost universities, Georgetown University offers much more than lectures and books. Famous speakers from around the globe make a point of stopping at this renowned institution to give a speech, sit in on panels, or simply meet students and answer questions. The grounds of the university also offer a spectacular setting for an afternoon stroll. Healy Hall, designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987, is one of the finest examples of Collegiate Gothic architecture in the nation. The oldest building on campus, Old North, has acted as a soap box for multiple presidents, including George Washington and Bill Clinton. Not too far off M Street, Georgetown is a must if you find yourself in the neighborhood.

Description:

Hotel Monaco in Washington DC, located in the historic Tariff Building, used to be one of the city's most prominent historical landmarks. In the old days, this lovely four-star hotel was the General Post Office's building, also known as the Tariff building. Refurbished in 2002, the hotel boasts spacious, well-equipped rooms that are perfect for any weary and discerning traveler. Designed by Robert Mills, architect of the Washington Monument, this building was completed in 1842 as the first all-marble building in the city.

Description:

Kennedy Center performers, corporate folks, visiting professors, and parents of GW students are frequent guests at this hotel owned by George Washington University.

Rooms are a little larger and corridors are a tad narrower than those in a typical hotel, and each room includes a roomy dressing chamber. More than one-third of the units are one-bedroom suites. These are especially spacious, with living rooms that hold a sleeper sofa and a TV hidden in an armoire (there's another in the bedroom). The suites, plus the 16 efficiencies, have kitchens. The spaciousness and the kitchen facilities make this a popular choice for families and for long-term guests.

The hotel is located in a lovely neighborhood, close to Georgetown, the Kennedy Center, and downtown. Mention your affiliation with George Washington University, if you have one, and you may receive a special "GWU" rate.

Description:

Four hundred million years in the making, Luray Caverns is one of the most spectacular sights in the eastern United States. Underground chambers, ranging from 30 to 140 feet high, display natural formations of columns, draperies and pools of water. Brick walkways lead visitors through different chambers, each with a wonder of its own. The Cathedral Room has a "Stalactite Organ," the largest natural musical instrument in the world. Guided tours are available every 20 minutes and last about one hour.