Must See D.C.

The quintessential D.C. “monument,” all other monuments and memorials on the mall (and elsewhere in the city, for that matter) are worthwhile, but really pale in comparison to President Lincoln! Almost temple-like in the reverence and incredulty it inspires, if you only have time to see one thing in D.C., skip the white house, skip the capitol, walk right past the Washington monument, and go meditate before honest Abe for a little bit. -D.S.

Having studied Eastern European history extensively, and visited various memorials around the world reminding us of the attrocities comitted during the holocaust, the D.C. Holocaust Memorial Museum is one of the most powerful. It really should not be passed up. That said, it is also an extremely emotional experience and should not be approached lightly. You need to be in a certain mood to visit this museum, but it is certainly worthwhile. -D.S.

The worst crowds I have ever seen have been on the National Mall. I’ve been to inaugurations, rallies, marches, and protests. While the Cherry Blossom Festival doesn’t typically get too, too bad, it does make the end of March/beginning of April one of the busiest times to visit the city.

Nevertheless, the Cherry Blossoms are indeed beautiful and the National Mall is at its most idyllic when they blossom. If you should happen to have the opportunity to come see them during the brief period that thye bloom, I would definitely recommend it! -D.S.

I have a love-hate relationship with Georgetown. On one hand, it is a lovely neighborhood with great eating, decent (mostly upscale) shopping, and great nightlife (although certainly not the best in the city). Alternatively, Georgetown can be very pretentious, exclusionary and overbearing (I won’t start on the actual university students, although to be fair, I’m also a bit biased).

Still, if you live nearby, everyone stops by once in a while. And if you’re in town just for a bit, there really is too much to see there to pass it up. Try it out and make your own opinion! -D.S.

DuPont is hands-down, my favorite neighborhood in the city. I work here, I hang out here, and I go out here. Much more accessible than Georgetown (both geographically and socially), DuPont encompasses everything that makes D.C. itself so unique: beautiful and historic, but still fun, diverse, progressive, and has something for everyone. In addition, a lot of people visiting D.C. are afraid to leave downtown, as if it’s hard to get out of—not so! DuPont is right on the red line and to be honest, its not that far to walk to from downtown as well.

The real D.C. lies outside of downtown—if you have the time, get to DuPont! -D.S.

Take a stroll up Mass. Ave and marvel at embassy after embassy, consulate after consulate (If you make it all the way to the top of Mass. Ave., you’ll hit the best universities in the city, American University)!

The best time to take a stroll along embassy row—probably early to mid-fall when the trees are on fire with color. You can also watch college kids trick-or-treat at the embassies on Halloween (or take part, if you’re up for it!) -D.S.

The historic food market serving D.C. from the Capitol Hill neighborhood, Eastern Market is one of the COOLEST places in the city. Part full food market, part local farmer’s market, occasional flea market (Sundays are the biggest day for this), part art show, part craft fair, antiques, imported goods, occasional live music, usually street musicians—all crammed in with great shops, restaurants, and bookstores (check out Capitol Hill Books as long as you’re not claustrophobic)!

The best part about Eastern Market is that its a lot like a living museum. Even if you don’t buy anything, its fun to walk around on a warm, spring Sunday. Watch the yuppies eat an expensive brunch at one of the nearby outdoor bistros, see the hipsters buy ingredients for their vegan meals from burnt out ex-hippies selling organic produce, just people watch.

Grab a crepe and take a walk down to Lincoln Park, I catually can’t think of a better Sunday morning/afternoon! -D.S.

If you’re into art, look no further. Its full of thought-provoking work, not uppity or pretentious at all, original, and best of all—free.

I know that modern/conceptual art is not everyone’s thing, but I urge you to give it a chance! More than anything, it is a great place to sit, think, and unwind. And if you really can’t do modern art (even after you’ve given it a chance), it is a fairly straight shot across the mall to the National Gallery. -D.S.

But how will I get around to all of these fabullus places, you ask? Well, take the metro! WMATA (Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority)—commonly called the Metro—really does a great job running trains and busses to everywhere you could want or need to go. It has a nack for running a bit late and being a bit unreliable (ok, pretty damn unreliable), but don’t let that stop you! For all of its flaws, the Metro and Bus systems are pretty convenient and a great way to both get around and EXPERIENCE the city! -D.S.

Big, free, great for just about anyone of any age, the National Zoo is one of the few zoos in the country with Giant Pandas (on loan from the Chinese government)! If you like zoos, you’ll love the National Zoo. Even if you don’t love zoos, you will probably still enjoy this one!

A tip for getting to the zoo by Metro: although the zoo is listed at the Adams Morgan stop, get off at the Cleveland Park stop and that way you can walk downhill on Connecticut to get there. On your way out, if you are heading back to the Metro, keep heading downhill and you will get to the Adams Morgan stop. -D.S.

This one is for the going-out party animals! DuPont is great, but if you want a big night, hit up AdMo and just wander up 18th St. There is a bar/pub/lounge/club/restaurant for everyone. And at the end of the nigt, make sure to get the customary jumbo slice… or if its your second night out in AdMo that weekend, try Amsterdam falafel! -D.S.