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Weekend in Washington: A Two-Day Crash Course in some of DC’s Greatest Hits

Description:

In a perfect world, you’d have many days (or even weeks) to explore Washington and all that it has to offer. But as we all know, the world isn’t perfect, and things like jobs, family obligations, and finances get in the way. If you do manage to carve out a weekend to visit the Nation’s Capital, here are some ideas to make the most of your relatively brief visit. Note that these tips are bit more focused on exploring neighborhoods rather than specific places, and that some of them are more family-oriented than others; all of them, however, offer interesting insight into the District and its environs.

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Author: Torie Castiello

Day 1 - Washington DC

Maximize your time in DC by choosing a hotel that provides easy walking/Metro access to different parts of the city. Foggy Bottom is a good choice in that regard, and the George Washington University Inn is good value for money. Start your day by wandering into Georgetown for coffee and some window shopping. Georgetown is arguably Washington’s most famous neighborhood; if you’re feeling intellectual, you can tour the grounds of Georgetown University If it’s a nice day, you can cross the key Bridge into Arlington and hop on the Metro downtown to the National Mall. You can’t really say you’ve visited DC if you haven’t visited the Mall and all it has to offer. The monuments! The museums! The cherry blossoms (in the springtime)! The relative proximity of everything makes it easy for you to pick and choose which attractions interest you most; be prepared for crowds, however, especially on weekends in the summer months. From the Mall, make your way to Capitol Hill for a stroll and a nice dinner at Belga Cafe. This is one of the few Belgian restaurants in DC, and it doesn’t disappoint. From its scrumptious brunch to its extensive beer list, Belga is a great place for delicious and reasonably priced European fare. If you’re in the mood to party, there are several bars and clubs in Georgetown from which to choose. Jazz aficionados have been singing the praises (pardon the pun) of hip little club Blues Alley for years. It’s a perfect spot to unwind at the end of the evening and listen to some world-class live music. Be away that there is a cover charge.

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George Washington University Inn

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Location:

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824 New Hampshire Ave Nw
Between H and I sts
20037 Washington DC, US

Phone:

+1 800 426 4455

Georgetown

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expert pick

Location:

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M Street and Wisconsin Avenue
Washington DC, DC 20007

Phone:

+1 202 789 7000 (Tourist Information)

Georgetown University

Location:

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37th and O St.
Washington DC, DC 20057

Phone:

+1 202 687 3600

National Mall

Location:

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900 Ohio Drive, Southwest
Washington DC, DC 20024

Phone:

+1 202 426 6841

Belga Café

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Location:

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514 8th Street, SE
At Pennsylvania Ave
Washington DC, DC 20003

Phone:

1 202 544 0100

Blues Alley

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Location:

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1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW
in an alley below M St
Washington DC, DC 20007

Phone:

202/337-4141

Day 2 - Washington DC

Now that you’ve fulfilled your tourist obligations, you can spend your second day in DC soaking up the atmosphere of two of its more interesting neighborhoods. Dupont Circle and Adams Morgan are lively, diverse areas with a great vibe and lots of culture. Many consider Dupont Circle (so named after the busy roundabout that defines it) to be the most culturally exciting neighborhood in the city. Art galleries thrive and restaurants of every conceivable cuisine can be found in Dupont, and it’s recognized as being the unofficial hub of Washington’s LGBT community. If you visit in June, you might be lucky enough to catch the annual “Pride of Pets” Dog Show (http://www.petsdc.org/dogshow1.htm), hosted at the Circle itself. Grab a coffee and a book at Kramerbooks and Afterwards, then wander up to Adams Morgan along 18th Street. Adams Morgan is home to an active Ethiopian community; sample delicious Ethiopian fare at Meskerem before heading back to Dupont for a (strong) martini at Russia House. This slick little bar/restaurant provides an opportunity to mingle fun-minded folks from all over the globe, and you'll enjoy the fun, Euro atmosphere.

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