Guidebook for Washington

Ricardo
Guidebook for Washington

Drinks & Nightlife

Change has been a constant in the 165-year history of the H Street corridor, a 11 / 2-mile stretch that had become the city’s second-largest commercial hub by the middle of the 20th century. H Street has a long and rich history. The H Street corridor is probably best known for its nightlife. Some call the neighborhood the Atlas District after the Atlas Center for the Performing Arts, a former 1,000-seat movie theater built in 1939. Restaurants and clubs abound, including the HR-57 Center for the Preservation of Jazz & Blues, a jazz club named for the House resolution first passed in 1987, which designated jazz a national American treasure.
133 locals recommend
H Street Corridor
133 locals recommend
Change has been a constant in the 165-year history of the H Street corridor, a 11 / 2-mile stretch that had become the city’s second-largest commercial hub by the middle of the 20th century. H Street has a long and rich history. The H Street corridor is probably best known for its nightlife. Some call the neighborhood the Atlas District after the Atlas Center for the Performing Arts, a former 1,000-seat movie theater built in 1939. Restaurants and clubs abound, including the HR-57 Center for the Preservation of Jazz & Blues, a jazz club named for the House resolution first passed in 1987, which designated jazz a national American treasure.
Barracks Row Main Street is a nationally recognized historic commercial corridor that offers over 30 local and national restaurant choices, local retailers and neighborhood services. Restaurants include Matchbox, Belga Cafe, Cava, Zest, Molly Malone's, Lola's, Ted's Bulletin, The Chesapeake Room, and many more. When you're craving a drink near Capitol Hill, there are several places on Barracks Row that will quench that thirst – and at fair prices. With $4 specials at Balkan restaurant Ambar, half-priced wine at Trattoria Alberto and Zest, and cheap pizzas and beer at the Ugly Mug, you just might make 8th Street your necessary post-work hangout spot.
28 locals recommend
Marine Barracks
8th Street Southeast
28 locals recommend
Barracks Row Main Street is a nationally recognized historic commercial corridor that offers over 30 local and national restaurant choices, local retailers and neighborhood services. Restaurants include Matchbox, Belga Cafe, Cava, Zest, Molly Malone's, Lola's, Ted's Bulletin, The Chesapeake Room, and many more. When you're craving a drink near Capitol Hill, there are several places on Barracks Row that will quench that thirst – and at fair prices. With $4 specials at Balkan restaurant Ambar, half-priced wine at Trattoria Alberto and Zest, and cheap pizzas and beer at the Ugly Mug, you just might make 8th Street your necessary post-work hangout spot.
Dupont Circle offers a little something for everyone. With a famous traffic circle and fountain at its center, the neighborhood has been a vital DC community since the late 19th century, and continues to be a hot spot for residents and visitors of all ages. An array of unique shops & exciting restaurants along Connecticut Avenue, one of the busy streets in the neighborhood, is enough to keep you going all day. The Dupont Circle fountain is one of the DC’s most iconic landmarks outside of the National Mall, and was built by sculptor Daniel Chester French and architect Henry Bacon (of Lincoln Memorial fame). Access the neighborhood from the Red Line Metro Station of the same name.
301 locals recommend
Dupont Circle
301 locals recommend
Dupont Circle offers a little something for everyone. With a famous traffic circle and fountain at its center, the neighborhood has been a vital DC community since the late 19th century, and continues to be a hot spot for residents and visitors of all ages. An array of unique shops & exciting restaurants along Connecticut Avenue, one of the busy streets in the neighborhood, is enough to keep you going all day. The Dupont Circle fountain is one of the DC’s most iconic landmarks outside of the National Mall, and was built by sculptor Daniel Chester French and architect Henry Bacon (of Lincoln Memorial fame). Access the neighborhood from the Red Line Metro Station of the same name.
Founded in 1965, Blues Alley is the nation's oldest continuing jazz supper club, having showcased internationally renowned concert hall artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughan, Nancy Wilson, Grover Washington Jr., Ramsey Lewis, Charlie Byrd, Maynard Ferguson and Eva Cassidy in a small intimate setting. Located in the heart of historic Georgetown in an 18th century red brick carriage house, Blues Alley offers its patrons a unique ambiance, reminiscent of the jazz clubs of the 1920's and 30's.
59 locals recommend
Blues Alley Club
1073 Wisconsin Ave NW
59 locals recommend
Founded in 1965, Blues Alley is the nation's oldest continuing jazz supper club, having showcased internationally renowned concert hall artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughan, Nancy Wilson, Grover Washington Jr., Ramsey Lewis, Charlie Byrd, Maynard Ferguson and Eva Cassidy in a small intimate setting. Located in the heart of historic Georgetown in an 18th century red brick carriage house, Blues Alley offers its patrons a unique ambiance, reminiscent of the jazz clubs of the 1920's and 30's.

Sightseeing

Launch into the history of flight by surrounding yourself with icons of air and space travel. The flagship building on the National Mall in Washington, D.C, contains twenty-three galleries exhibiting hundreds of aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, rockets, and other flight-related artifacts. The museum has a planetarium and an IMAX theater for out-of-this-world escapes. Highlights include the 1903 Wright Flyer; Spirit of St. Louis, SpaceShipOne, Hubble Space Telescope test vehicle, How Things Fly activities and demonstrations, Einstein Planetarium, and IMAX® films shown on a five-story-high screen. And like all Smithsonian venues - 100% FREE!
809 locals recommend
National Air and Space Museum
600 Independence Ave SW
809 locals recommend
Launch into the history of flight by surrounding yourself with icons of air and space travel. The flagship building on the National Mall in Washington, D.C, contains twenty-three galleries exhibiting hundreds of aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, rockets, and other flight-related artifacts. The museum has a planetarium and an IMAX theater for out-of-this-world escapes. Highlights include the 1903 Wright Flyer; Spirit of St. Louis, SpaceShipOne, Hubble Space Telescope test vehicle, How Things Fly activities and demonstrations, Einstein Planetarium, and IMAX® films shown on a five-story-high screen. And like all Smithsonian venues - 100% FREE!
Seeing the Washington Monument rise majestically to the sky, surrounded by the stately U.S. Capitol Building at one end and the dignified Lincoln Memorial at the other, it’s hard not to think of America’s history. Explore the swath of land nicknamed “America’s front yard” and you’ll find inspiring monuments and memorials, museums and family fun. The National Mall is America’s most-visited national park, where the past, present and future come together.
1111 locals recommend
National Mall
1111 locals recommend
Seeing the Washington Monument rise majestically to the sky, surrounded by the stately U.S. Capitol Building at one end and the dignified Lincoln Memorial at the other, it’s hard not to think of America’s history. Explore the swath of land nicknamed “America’s front yard” and you’ll find inspiring monuments and memorials, museums and family fun. The National Mall is America’s most-visited national park, where the past, present and future come together.

Arts & Culture

The newest Smithsonian museum opened September 24, 2016, near the Washington Monument, and has welcomed more than 1 million visitors to date. It is the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, art, history, and culture. The National Museum of African American History and Culture is the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture. It was established by Act of Congress in 2003, following decades of efforts to promote and highlight the contributions of African Americans. To date, the Museum has collected more than 36,000 artifacts. 100% FREE but passes are needed!
451 locals recommend
National Museum of African American History and Culture
1400 Constitution Ave. NW
451 locals recommend
The newest Smithsonian museum opened September 24, 2016, near the Washington Monument, and has welcomed more than 1 million visitors to date. It is the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, art, history, and culture. The National Museum of African American History and Culture is the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture. It was established by Act of Congress in 2003, following decades of efforts to promote and highlight the contributions of African Americans. To date, the Museum has collected more than 36,000 artifacts. 100% FREE but passes are needed!
The Kennedy Center is the nation's busiest performing arts center, hosting approximately 3,000 events each year for audiences numbering more than 2 million. Since 1971, we have been bringing the world to Washington with magnificent performances of music, dance, theater, and more. Every day of the year at 6 p.m., the Kennedy Center hosts a free performance as part of its "Performing Arts for Everyone" initiative. No tickets are required, though seating is limited.
498 locals recommend
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
2700 F St NW
498 locals recommend
The Kennedy Center is the nation's busiest performing arts center, hosting approximately 3,000 events each year for audiences numbering more than 2 million. Since 1971, we have been bringing the world to Washington with magnificent performances of music, dance, theater, and more. Every day of the year at 6 p.m., the Kennedy Center hosts a free performance as part of its "Performing Arts for Everyone" initiative. No tickets are required, though seating is limited.

Getting Around

Metrorail provides safe, clean, reliable transit service for more than 600,000 customers a day throughout the Washington, DC area. The system is the second busiest in the United States, serving 91 stations in VA, MD, and DC. Metrorail has six color-coded rail lines: Red, Orange, Silver, Blue, Yellow, and Green. The layout of the system makes it possible to travel between any two stations with no more than a single transfer. Metrobus provides more than 400,000 trips each weekday serving 11,500 bus stops in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. Metrobus is the sixth busiest bus agency in the United States, with a fleet of more than 11,500 bus stops.
8 locals recommend
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
300 5th St NW
8 locals recommend
Metrorail provides safe, clean, reliable transit service for more than 600,000 customers a day throughout the Washington, DC area. The system is the second busiest in the United States, serving 91 stations in VA, MD, and DC. Metrorail has six color-coded rail lines: Red, Orange, Silver, Blue, Yellow, and Green. The layout of the system makes it possible to travel between any two stations with no more than a single transfer. Metrobus provides more than 400,000 trips each weekday serving 11,500 bus stops in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. Metrobus is the sixth busiest bus agency in the United States, with a fleet of more than 11,500 bus stops.

Everything Else

Eastern Market is far more than a market. It is a community hub for the Capitol Hill neighborhood and a cultural destination for visitors from around the world. Tues thru Sun, visitors flow through the South Hall Market, where merchants serve the finest meats, poultry, seafood, produce, pasta, baked goods and cheeses from around the world. On weekends, Eastern Market buzzes with excitement, live music, and local flair! Outside of the market, local farmers empty their trucks with recently harvested produce…direct from farms in DE, PA, MD, VA & WV. Beyond fruits, veggies, and fresh flowers, over 100 exhibitors of handmade arts, crafts, jewelry, and antiques offer something for everyone!
699 locals recommend
Eastern Market
225 7th St SE
699 locals recommend
Eastern Market is far more than a market. It is a community hub for the Capitol Hill neighborhood and a cultural destination for visitors from around the world. Tues thru Sun, visitors flow through the South Hall Market, where merchants serve the finest meats, poultry, seafood, produce, pasta, baked goods and cheeses from around the world. On weekends, Eastern Market buzzes with excitement, live music, and local flair! Outside of the market, local farmers empty their trucks with recently harvested produce…direct from farms in DE, PA, MD, VA & WV. Beyond fruits, veggies, and fresh flowers, over 100 exhibitors of handmade arts, crafts, jewelry, and antiques offer something for everyone!
The city is known for its monuments and museums, national landmarks, cultural events, musical and theatrical entertainment and sporting events. The District of Columbia has a population of more than 600,000 however, with the surrounding suburbs the metropolitan area has a population of approximately 5.3 million making it the ninth-largest metropolitan area in the country. There are wonderful inviting neighborhoods each with their own personality.
6 locals recommend
China Town
3207 Mt Pleasant St NW
6 locals recommend
The city is known for its monuments and museums, national landmarks, cultural events, musical and theatrical entertainment and sporting events. The District of Columbia has a population of more than 600,000 however, with the surrounding suburbs the metropolitan area has a population of approximately 5.3 million making it the ninth-largest metropolitan area in the country. There are wonderful inviting neighborhoods each with their own personality.
The perfect intersection of historic charm and upscale modernity happens where M Street meets Wisconsin Avenue in the heart of picturesque Georgetown. The beauty of Georgetown’s cobblestone sidewalks, grand homes and peaceful C&O Canal are only part of the draw to this tree-lined historic neighborhood – home to some of the city’s top shops, tastiest restaurants and most luxurious hotels, Georgetown is a favorite of tourists and locals alike. And it’s easy to see why. Not a shopper - there are plenty of other things to do, too. History buffs can tour stunning historic mansions or see the one-time homes of JFK and Julia Child.
664 locals recommend
Georgetown
664 locals recommend
The perfect intersection of historic charm and upscale modernity happens where M Street meets Wisconsin Avenue in the heart of picturesque Georgetown. The beauty of Georgetown’s cobblestone sidewalks, grand homes and peaceful C&O Canal are only part of the draw to this tree-lined historic neighborhood – home to some of the city’s top shops, tastiest restaurants and most luxurious hotels, Georgetown is a favorite of tourists and locals alike. And it’s easy to see why. Not a shopper - there are plenty of other things to do, too. History buffs can tour stunning historic mansions or see the one-time homes of JFK and Julia Child.

Food Scene

Ted Neal was known around town as the friendly cook who invited everyone into his home to enjoy a meal. Growing up in a large family during the Great Depression, there were days when they had to skip meals. So when the war was over years later, Ted embraced the greater availability of food, offering family, friends and neighbors a warm meal to enjoy together. To honor their father, who never did get into the restaurant business, his sons opened Ted’s Bulletin. to bring that hometown feel Ted established in West Virginia to D.C. And while decades have come and gone, this classic American restaurant maintains the same family values Ted cherished - a place to welcome others & connect over food.
426 locals recommend
Ted's Bulletin
505 8th St SE
426 locals recommend
Ted Neal was known around town as the friendly cook who invited everyone into his home to enjoy a meal. Growing up in a large family during the Great Depression, there were days when they had to skip meals. So when the war was over years later, Ted embraced the greater availability of food, offering family, friends and neighbors a warm meal to enjoy together. To honor their father, who never did get into the restaurant business, his sons opened Ted’s Bulletin. to bring that hometown feel Ted established in West Virginia to D.C. And while decades have come and gone, this classic American restaurant maintains the same family values Ted cherished - a place to welcome others & connect over food.
and (&)Pizza is a eclectic pizza chain that promotes the following Core Values: MAKE IT PERSONAL Create meaningful connections in everything, every day. ELEVATE EVERYTHING Take pride in everything you do. Amaze people. Never settle. KEEP IT FRESH Don’t follow trends. Create them. CELEBRATE ONENESS Create group success by celebrating the individual.
37 locals recommend
&pizza
1400 K St NW
37 locals recommend
and (&)Pizza is a eclectic pizza chain that promotes the following Core Values: MAKE IT PERSONAL Create meaningful connections in everything, every day. ELEVATE EVERYTHING Take pride in everything you do. Amaze people. Never settle. KEEP IT FRESH Don’t follow trends. Create them. CELEBRATE ONENESS Create group success by celebrating the individual.
Union Market is home to small boutiques, wine shops and food purveyors. Union Market is home to lots of events too. In the Summer it is home to the Union Market Drive-In Movie Theater. Favorite spots are Union Market include: Peregrine for coffee Mason Dixie Biscuit Co. for biscuit sandwiches Suburbia (after 4pm during the summer) for frozen sangria Takorean for Korean Tacos Neopol for salmon blts or salmon salad sandwiches
906 locals recommend
Union Market
1309 5th St NE
906 locals recommend
Union Market is home to small boutiques, wine shops and food purveyors. Union Market is home to lots of events too. In the Summer it is home to the Union Market Drive-In Movie Theater. Favorite spots are Union Market include: Peregrine for coffee Mason Dixie Biscuit Co. for biscuit sandwiches Suburbia (after 4pm during the summer) for frozen sangria Takorean for Korean Tacos Neopol for salmon blts or salmon salad sandwiches

Parks & Nature

The Rock Creek Park Nature Center serves as the park's visitor center and offers hiking information, brochures and maps, a bookstore, exhibits on area plants and animals, and has the only planetarium in the National Park Service. Many of the park's ranger-led programs start or take place at the Nature Center. The facility includes a children's Discovery Room offering environmental education books and games and a "Discover Rock Creek" bilingual (Spanish and English) exhibit geared for middle school audiences. The Nature Center also includes live turtles, fish, snakes, an active beehive, a bird observation deck, and "water-wise" garden.
59 locals recommend
Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium
5200 Glover Rd NW
59 locals recommend
The Rock Creek Park Nature Center serves as the park's visitor center and offers hiking information, brochures and maps, a bookstore, exhibits on area plants and animals, and has the only planetarium in the National Park Service. Many of the park's ranger-led programs start or take place at the Nature Center. The facility includes a children's Discovery Room offering environmental education books and games and a "Discover Rock Creek" bilingual (Spanish and English) exhibit geared for middle school audiences. The Nature Center also includes live turtles, fish, snakes, an active beehive, a bird observation deck, and "water-wise" garden.