Washington, D.C. Visitors Guide - Winter/Spring 2008 - (Page 1)

Washington, DC Letter from the mayor It’s my pleasure to welcome you to Washington, DC. As you’ll soon discover, the nation’s capital is a powerful, beautiful city, home to some of the world’s most famous museums and historic sites, award-winning theatres, innovative restaurants and world-class hotels. While we’re proud to be the nation’s capital, DC is much more than a government town. Explore the magnificent federal buildings and national monuments and venture into our historic, diverse neighborhoods, where nearly 600,000 residents live, work and play. Explore AfricanAmerican history in Shaw and feel the pulse of jazz music on U Street. Plan a picnic at the National Arboretum in Northeast, or dance to salsa beats in Adams Morgan. We also invite you to discover the “green” side of DC – beyond its acres of parkland and miles of hiking and biking trails. Eco-minded visitors can check into a wind-powered hotel, catch a baseball game at the new green-certified Nationals Park and see for themselves why DC was recently named the most walkable city in the U.S. Whether you’re making your first trip to the nation’s capital or looking for a reason to return, we look forward to your arrival. grew up along the banks of the Potomac River, in a central location chosen by George Washington to satisfy northern and southern interests. Using Paris as his inspiration, city designer Pierre Charles L’Enfant fashioned the capital city with grand boulevards and ceremonial spaces. Since that time, Washington, DC has evolved into a fascinating, lively world capital, known for its vast green centers, urban spaces, sweeping memorials and majestic neoclassical architecture. The city’s most famous landmarks are clustered in and around the National Mall, spanning from the Lincoln Memorial to the US Capitol. Flanked by dozens of museums and memorials, this grassy space plays host to festivals, protests, gatherings and performances. On summer evenings, the Mall is a terrific place to catch an open-air concert, movie screening or jazz performance. In the winter, visitors head to the Mall to glide on the National Gallery of Art’s skating rink. But beyond these familiar sights, Washington, DC is a rich network of colorful neighborhoods, vibrant nightlife and noted cultural attractions. New restaurants, shops and hotels are found around every corner—from downtown to Dupont Circle. The city’s neighborhoods delight visitors with walking tours, sidewalk cafés and quaint boutiques. Self-guided neighborhood heritage trails illuminate the compelling history of some of the city’s most revered districts, from downtown to U Street. As you explore Washington, DC, we invite you to immerse yourself in the American experience that you can only Mayor Adrian Fenty find in Washington, DC. It’s here where you can see the original Declaration of Independence and US Constitution, marvel at the sight of the nation’s monuments and memorials, dine in a world-class restaurant and take in an acclaimed theatre production—all in the same day. During your stay here, we urge you to explore the city in a new way. Hop on board a bicycle or segway for a sightseeing tour. Luxuriate in one of the nation’s finest hotels and shop for unique souvenirs in Georgetown or Logan Circle. Check out world-renowned works at the newly opened National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum and dine with Washington, DC’s movers and shakers at a world-class restaurant. Welcome 1 Use your Official Visitors Guide to find many more exciting ideas to make your visit to Washington, DC an adventure. For additional assistance, please visit our website at washington.org, or ask your hotel concierge for guidance.

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Washington, D.C. Visitors Guide - Winter/Spring 2008

Washington, D.C. Visitors Guide - Winter/Spring 2008 Welcome Contents Take Me Out to the Ballgame Vistor 411 Springtime Blooms with the National Cherry Blossom Festival Calendar of Events Transportation Getting Here Regularly Scheduled Tours Neighborhoods See & Do Smithsonian New at the Smithsonian Attractions Sports & Recreation Performing Arts Restaurants & Nightlife Restaurants Official Dining Guide Like a Local Nightlife DC Shopping: District by District Shopping, Health & Beauty Shopping Health & Beauty Accommodations DC Accommodations B&Bs Exploring International DC Fun in the Sun: Dive in to a Hotel Pool Maryland Accommodations Virginia Accommodations

Washington, D.C. Visitors Guide - Winter/Spring 2008

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