Washington, DC has always been one of my favorite places. It rivals San Francisco for being the country's most beautiful city. And, it's packed with all kinds of treasures-government landmarks, museums, monuments, parks, shopping and dining. Washington also has some of the most appealing residential neighborhoods in the U.S.
Family vacationers usually start at Washington's famous Mall, the grassy acreage flanked by the U.S. Capitol on one end and the Washington Monument at the other. You can take a Capitol tour encompassing two rooms, the Rotunda and the National Statuary Hall, which contain U.S. history in the forms of artwork and statues, respectively. You also can watch Congress in session, but you will need to obtain passes from your representative's or senator's office well ahead of your visit. At the Mall's western end, an elevator will whisk you to the top of the 555-foot Washington Monument, affording you a sweeping view of DC, and its Maryland and Virginia suburbs.
Just north of the Mall is probably the world's best-known address, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, which houses some famous residents. The White House welcomes visitors but only if they requested and received a reservation from their representative or senator months in advance. The self-guided tour includes the East Room, the structure's largest and the site of many ceremonies and press conferences, the Blue Room, where the White House Christmas tree stands each year, the Green Room and the Red Room.
So many blue-chip attractions line the Mall along the north and south sides. You might want to start in the distinctive red, sandstone building that formerly contained the main Smithsonian museum collection. It's known as the Castle and now houses the Smithsonian Information Center. Here you can get your bearings with a short orientation film, a model of Washington, and information on the Institution's 17 museums and the Washington Zoo. The Castle Cafe offers tasty, reasonably-priced food and is a good lunch option on the Mall.
The National Air & Space Museum is one of the most interesting places on the Mall. That it's the world's most-visited museum is no coincidence. The Wright Brothers' plane, the Kitty Hawk, is on display as are Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis and the Lockhead Vega that Amelia Earhart piloted in 1932 as the first woman to cross the Atlantic solo. The facility has a planetarium and IMAX theater, both of which will make you feel like you are flying through outer space.
The National Gallery is another Mall attraction that merits a substantial amount of time on your visit. The Gallery is comprised of two buildings, the original majestic white structure and the dramatic modern I. M. Pei addition that opened in 1978. The National Archives is an imposing marble edifice that houses the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights, all encased in bulletproof glass, of course. The National Museum of Natural History is still another irresistible destination on the Mall. The 1.5 million square-foot building, the size of 18 football fields, contains history and culture exhibits spanning the gamut from dinosaurs to gemstones to butterflies. The distinctive contemporary Hirshhorn Museum structure is the Mall location for modern art, featuring the creations of Picasso, Warhol and others of their ilk.
Washington's amazing collection of fascinating attractions continues just a short walk from the Mall. The Corcoran Gallery of Art, International Spy Museum and National Museum of American History are prime examples.
Rock Creek Park is the kingpin of DC parks, extending 12 miles from the Potomac River to the Maryland border. Visitors can picnic, walk, bike, play tennis or fish in this urban oasis of beauty. Rock Creek Park is home to the Barron Carter Amphitheater and National Zoo.
Some of Washington's premier in-town neighborhoods include Georgetown, known for its restored row houses, bars, restaurants and upscale shops; Dupont Circle, with its historic homes and foreign embassies; and Adams Morgan, recognized for its lively nightlife. Suburban DC also has terrific places to live, such as Fairfax, VA; Silver Spring, MD; Kensington, MD and the super-affluent Potomac, MD.
Fabulous restaurants abound in Washington, and just a few acclaimed spots are Komi (Greek), Citronelle (French) and Prime Rib (steakhouse). A favorite of mine is Filomena, which I love for its festive atmosphere, delicious Italian cuisine and location in Georgetown off the Potomac.
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