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Best of Washington, DC - a Survival Guide for tourists & natives

Ranked #3,484 in Travel & Places, #109,177 overall

It's a great place to live, I'd really love to visit sometime!

When a friend or relative asks for a tour, I'm glad to provide. There is too much to see in one trip, more is always being added and I still haven't seen it all.

Every neighborhood has something to offer, and that's not even mentioning the Mall and Capitol Hill. Come and see!

By the way, most of the area is wheelchair accessible, including the Metro subway and bus system. And DC and nearby Maryland are both smoke-free.

Proud member of the Squidoo City Guide

Museums and Monuments

National Mall: No stores here, just monuments, grass, and museums. Remember the Nation has a LONG front yard. Don't try to make Grandpa walk all the way down and back unless you have all day, and he's really fit. REALLY.
Newseum: The Newseum - a 250,000-square-foot museum of news - offers visitors an experience that blends five centuries of news history with up-to-the-second technology and hands-on exhibits. Fun for all ages. Note that there are some emotionally disturbing exhibits, but you can pick and choose. There are also many movie theaters. You can spend an entire day here.
Washington National Cathedral: It's Episcopalian, not Catholic - but all are welcome. It's got all the stuff the European cathedrals have, including flying buttresses and gargoyles. This one has Darth Vader, too. And a new underground parking lot.
The Phillips Collection: This is one of the few art museums in DC that asks for an admission fee, but it is worth it. The Phillips houses some of the great modern classics.
The Smithsonian Institution: The Smithsonian is more than one museum. See the list below for some guidance on where to start! Note Ben Stiller is making his next Museum movie at the Air & Space museum!
The National Zoo: The National Zoo is free and besides the pandas, there are a lot of other animals that are starving for attention. Like my friend Kristen in the cat house. ; )
International Spy Museum: If you have kids around 7-15, this is a great place with lots of distractions. They can touch and listen and push buttons and watch videos and dash from exhibit to exhibit. Be aware it's often very crowded, and it's not free. Nevertheless, adults often find something interesting here, too. And the neighborhood includes the Verizon Center, Ford's Theater, and the Hard Rock Cafe - a fabulous place to take the family after an exhausting run around the Spy Museum.
Madame Tussauds - Washington: Madame Tussauds - London's most famous tourist attraction - has come to DC.
US Holocaust Memorial Museum: You'll need some time for this. It's not easy (emotionally) to take, but it's worth it.

The Best Smithsonian Museums

The Museum of Natural History - one of the oldest museums featuring a real wooly mammoth in the rotunda, dinosaur bones and other cool stuff
The Air and Space Museum - see historic airplanes and space capsules that have actually flown missions to the moon and beyond.
The Hirshhorn Gallery's Sculpture Garden
The National Museum of the American Indian - one of the newest museums, this could take a week to see, and only a portion of their holdings are on exhibit at any one time.
The National Zoo - yep, it's part of the Smithsonian, too!
The Museum of American History - just redone! Getting great reviews!

Valuable DC links

Washington Post's Going Out Guide: Restaurants, Bars, Events in DC, MD and VA on washingtonpost.com - Washington Post's Going Out Guide is your source for the best restaurants, bars, movies and events in DC, MD and VA
National Park Service: Air Resources - Nat'l Capital - Web Camera: See DC as it is right now. Learn about the air quality in America's national parks and how the National Park Service is protecting resources affected by air pollution. Use our Nature and Science Air Resources website to begin exploration of the air quality in the national parks.
Visitor's Resource Center: A quick reference calendar of events from the DC Govt.
Veg in DC: Another DC lens - with info on Vegetarian dining. Good stuff!
Three Days in D.C.: Day 1 - washingtonpost.com: Washington D.C. is known as the Capital of the Free World, and tourists come from across the country and around the globe to see the White House, Capitol and other symbols of freedom. But there's far more to Washington than marble edifices. We have a huge network of free museums, expansive outdoo...
Bolt Bus: Bolt Bus - Buy Tickets - New York 33rd and 7th to Washington, D.C. 11th and G NW - NEW cheap way between DC and NYC!
Washington, DC -- A National Register of Historic Places Travel Itinerary: Historic Places in Washington, DC -- A Register of DC's Neighborhoods and landmarks

Books on DC

Tourists, take the road less travelled

Cultural Tourism DC: A variety of groups from all over the city offer a huge range of attractions.
Historic Strolls: Get off the tour bus, have some fun and learn something, too, with these unique walking tours.
DC TV & Movie sites tour: 3-hour bus and walking tour of screen sites in DC
Turn Here video: Take a short personalized tour of Dupont Circle, a historically beautiful area with a lot of great bars and restaurants, also known as DC's 'gayborhood'
U.S. Capitol virtual tour: Visit DC from wherever you are.

Why do you want to know about Washington, D.C.?

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Public Transportation

It's better than looking for parking

The DC Metro (subway) is cleaner than most, safer than most, and except at rush hour, it's fairly comfortable. Warning: it stops running at midnight on weeknights, around 2am on weekends. The buses cover what Metro doesn't.
Another note: DC just added meters in our cabs. DO NOT take a cab in DC without a meter unless it's a flat-rate airport shuttle with the price agreed on before you leave. There are meters in suburban VA and MD taxis, too.

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority: This site includes a trip planner that tells you the bus or subway combo you need to get you from point A to point B.
DC Commuter: Another great Squidoo page - just because you're on public transport doesn't mean everything goes smoothly during rush hour, especially if you have to do it every day!
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority: Airport Alerts, Parking, News & Information
Clear Channel Smartbike Washington DC: Smartbike DC, Clear Channel's first public bike sharing program in the US ... After successful programs in Barcelona, Rennes, Oslo and other European cities, public bike sharing has finally arrived in North America.

Movies featuring DC

Entertainment - live music and theater

Ford's Theatre: The theater where Lincoln was shot has just been renovated. You can still see shows here or take a tour of the historic site.
The Kennedy Center: Performing arts from opera to jazz to broadway. Or just visit for a beautiful view of the Potomac.
Nightclub 9:30: Possibly the best place for live music in the mid-Atlantic. Catch Medeski Martin and Wood, Matchbook Romance, Mos Def, Ministry, or Motorhead. Some shows are all ages. There's a balcony and a basement bar, and there is even very edible bar food, with vegetarian options.
Black Cat: A mecca for independent music fan, and a very important piece of DC's music history. Also includes Food for Thought cafe - carrying on a tradition that is another story in itself.
Arena Stage: Musicals and plays, located on DC's Southwest Waterfront.
Wolf Trap: A great place to take a picnic and see a play or a musician. In Vienna, VA. It includes several venues, indoors and out.
Signature Theatre: Highly regarded theatre, known for its impressive interpretations of classic musicals and debuts of racy new plays. Out of the way in Arlington, but worth the trip.
Iota Club and Cafe: A great bar and club in Arlington - very Metro accessible. Clarendon station.
Sixth & I Historic Synagogue: This is a historic location with occasional special appearances.

Musicians from around DC

Action in the suburbs

both Virginia and Maryland have lots to offer

American Film Institute's Silver Theater: Offering special screenings for the general public as well as members. Metro accessible. (Silver Spring, MD station)
Mount Vernon: New exhibit center! George Washington's estate and gardens. South of Alexandria, VA - a nice bike ride down the GW Parkway if you have a day, or take a cruise from Old Town Alexandria.
Torpedo Factory Art Center: Working studio spaces where you can visit the artists and watch them work, as well as purchase their art. In (charming) Old Town Alexandria. From King Street Metro look for the Dash About bus to the waterfront.
The State Theatre: An intimate live performance space in Falls Church, Virginia, a short distance from East Falls Church Metro (a very long walk or a short bus or cab ride). The State Theatre is surrounded by restaurants and bars in downtown Falls Church. It offers a balcony with theater seating, dining tables by reservation at some shows, and bars for general admission standing room.

Oh yes! DC has sports!

Baseball: Washington Nationals: The Nationals got a new stadium. It's environmentally-friendly, and Metro-accessible. Spiffy!
Hockey: Washington Capitals: NHL hockey team the Capitals play at the Verizon center, too - it's Metro accessible, at Gallery Place station.
Football: Washington Redskins: Hail to the Redskins! DC's NFL football team plays at the FedEx field in Maryland.
But if you want to see them, don't try going to the box office. The seats are officially sold out. Try the official resale page on the Redskins site to buy tickets from season ticket holders.
Basketball: Washington Wizards & Mystics: DC's NBA basketball team, the Wizards (formerly the Bullets), and the WBNA team, the Mystics, play at the Verizon center in downtown DC - it's on the Metro at Gallery Place station.
Soccer: DC United: MLS soccer team DC United plays at RFK stadium, easily Metro accessible.

Accommodations

Hotels in town are somewhat pricey, but generally worth it. If you head to the suburbs for a hotel, be sure you are close to a Metro stop - driving in to the city and finding parking can be a challenge.

Doyle Collection: Dupont Circle (formerly Jurys Washington Hotel): Doyle's is located on Dupont Circle, suited for both business and leisure travel. It's convenient to the Metro and has a great Irish bar/restaurant downstairs. Recommended!
Kimpton Hotels - Washington DC: Kimpton Hotels offer a number of unique options in the DC area. 1-800-KIMPTON
The Ritz-Carlton, Georgetown: Georgetown is a chic shopping area, and the Ritz Carlton is the new competition for celebrity guests. There is also a fabulous restaurant and lounge. 3100 South Street, N.W., (202) 912-4100
Four Seasons Washington: Four Seasons is the world's leading operator of luxury hotels and resorts. Located on the fringe of Georgetown at 2800 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W., (202) 342-0444
The Mayflower: A historic downtown Washington DC hotel. The Mayflower offers a luxurious environment in close proximity to the White House.
Willard InterContinental Washington: A grand historic landmark hotel, the Willard InterContinental Washington combines heritage and luxury.
The Omni Shoreham Hotel: Another historic landmark, The Shoreham was built in the 1930s and has been renovated to a grand luxury hotel, overlooking Rock Creek Park.
Best Hotel Bets | Frommers.com: Frommers does a great run down of these and other hotels.

Recommended restaurants

I can't guarantee you'll have a good waiter, but I had a good time there once or twice.

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Java Green

Java Green has excellent vegetarian and vegan fare for lunchtime at reasonable prices, close to Farragut West Metro station. (Great smoothies too!)1 point

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Austin Grill

Tex-Mex cuisine in several locations in the DC/MD/VA area, with vegetarian considerations, too.1 point

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http://benschilibowl.com/

Obama ate here! Since then, there have been lines out the door! The walls at Ben's are covered with photos of famous customers, including actors Bill Cosby, Denzel Washington and Danny Glover, tennis star Serena Williams and musicians Bono and Chuck Brown. The restaurant has been featured on Oprah Winfrey's show (twice), CNN, the Travel Channel and the Food Network, as well as in travel publications across the country.1 point

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Washington Post Going Out Guide

Searchable reviews and directions for restaurants, entertainment, and hotels in DC/MD/VA.1 point

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Hard Rock Cafe

DC has our own Hard Rock - downtown at Gallery Place Metro stop, near Ford's Theatre, the FBI, Chinatown and Verizon Center. Great for families w/ teenagers looking for a fun meal near the tourist attractions.0 points

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Vote for your favorite D.C. Bars!

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Madam's Organ Blues Bar

Washington DC's blues experience, located in Adam' more...3 points

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Welcome to J. Paul's - A Dining Saloon

With locations in Georgetown and Baltimore, J. Pau more...1 point

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The Big Hunt

It's not a meat market, but ...1 point

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Mie N Yu

The world's revered dining cultures have come toge more...1 point

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Asylum

A basement biker bar with a veggie brunch?!0 points

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Millie & Al's in Washington, DC - AOL City Guide

In Adam's Morgan0 points

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The Raven Grill in Washington, DC - AOL City Guide

In Mount Pleasant0 points

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Tune Inn in Washington, DC

On Capitol Hill, DC0 points

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The Tombs

Located near Georgetown U, The Tombs doubles as a more...0 points

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DC Media

The Washington Post: Besides news, the Post offers comprehensive restaurant reviews, and is one of, if not the, top resource for jobs and housing in the area.
Express: A free tabloid newspaper distributed at Metro stations and around town Monday-Friday. A product of The Washington Post.
Politico: Politics, political news tabloid
Washington City Paper: Besides entertainment listings, the (free) weekly City Paper gets into DC politics a bit.
National Public Radio: 88.5 FM is based at The American University
Washington Business Journal: The Business Journal is well-read and generally on target for insider info on local business issues.