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Power and Politics
| Washington DC, US Capital |
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| Rotunda of the Capitol Building |
Getting Here:
Washington DC. Namely Dulles International Airport (IAD), Baltimore International Airport (BWI) and Reagan National Airport (DCA, domestic flights only) If you fly into IAD and BWI, best way to get into the city is via Super Shuttle. They are available right outside of arrival hall, typically next to the taxi stand. It is about $20+ into the city. You can call 1-800-BlueVan to reserve in advance if you like but it is not necessary. There is a website, however it is not recommended as it is not very well design. If you are the lucky few fly into DCA, a magnificent architectural masterpiece by Caesar Peilli, you can take the taxi, it will cost you $10-$15 to most DC destination. Or if you do not have a lots of bags, take the Metro Rail. 10-15 min into the city and it only cost you $1.10+.
Getting Around
When you are in DC, best way to get around town in by Metro(www.wmata.com). Metro operates from 5:30am to midnight on weekdays. Opens at 8am on Sat/Sun and closes at 2am on Fri/Sat night. You can get the farecard and pay per trip. There is not much different in price but save you the trouble to buy ticket everytime you ride on Metro. When you travel on Metro bus, make sure you ask for a bus transfer that is good for 2 hours. Taxi in DC is Fxxk up! The fare is calculate by zone! No visitor is ever familiar with the zoning. Most drivers are honest, but...... Also, it starts with a minimum fare of $5.00 and most taxi are smelly! DON'T RENT A CAR and the parking situation can be a nightmare. Parking ticket can cost you up to $100 a piece. Only get a rental car for the day if you decided to go outside of DC (actually outside of Metrorail reach).
10 Must-Do in D.C.
1. Air & Space Museum is a must if you are here with kids or simpy to satisfy the kid in you.
2. Natural History Museum is my favourite
3. National Gallery of Art.
4. Night Tour of the Monuments. The monuments on the Mall are crowded during the day. Having it all lit up, the monuments are even more majestic at night. Checkout the Lincoln, Jefferson and Korean War memorial at night.
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| Interior of the opulent Library of Congress |
5. Library of Congress
6. Walk about in Adams Morgan. The "Bohemian" part of the city with a lots of cafe and restaurants.
7. Lunch at the "Market Lunch" at Eastern Market. Try the crabcake sandwich. Wonderful potato salad and coleslaw too.
8. If you are here in the summer, checkout the listing of performances at the "Wolf Trap"
9. Walking around Georgetown and I don't mean shopping. There are many historic houses in the neighborhood. You might run into Hillary.
10. Take the White House tour. Make sure you get your pass way in advance, before you arrive in D.C. (**White house close to visitors after 9/11)
Dining
Unlike most major New York, San Francisco, when it comes to food, Washington DC definitely is light years behind the cuisine scene of the other major U.S. cities. Guess it is politically incorrect to expense a large lunch bill in DC! However, there are a few gems in the city that worth trying:
Downtown:
*Old Ebbitt Grill on 15th and G st. This upbeat American Restaurant is pack with both local and tourist. While dining in Old Ebbitt Grill be sure to walk around and check out the décor of the restaurant
*Jaleo on 480 7th Street serve up some delicious Tapas and Sangria!
Red Sage on 14th and F St is one of the project by famed celebrity chef, Mark Miller. It serves up some decent Tex-Mex flavor here as it is Mark Millers specialty.
West End/ GWU/Foggy Bottom:
*Malaysian Kopitiam is located of M Street at 19th. Serve up some awesome Malaysian cuisine. It is a small family like operation, however repeated voted one of the best restaurant in the city
*Café Asia is a big melting pot of Asian cuisine, from Sushi bar to Indonesian Laksa (Curried Noodle Soup). But good chances you have to wait for tabke during lunch time. It is located on 19th Street between L & M Street
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| Dupont Circle |
Dupont Circle:
*Café Luna on P and 17th is a café style restaurant that serve a little of everything, awesome chicken salad sandwich.
*Raku on Q st at Connecticut, so-call Fusion Asian cuisine. Try the ribs on the menu, served with sautee veggies and white rice. Skipped the Sushi!
*Gabriel on P and 21st is a Spanish restaurant with excellent service. While you are here, make sure you try the Chilli of the day and the fabulous cocktail from the bar! Have you tried Martini with Jalepeno?
*Sakana on P and 21st serves up some great Japanese food at great price. With this deadly combination and small dining room, most likely have to wait for a table. Sit at the Sushi bar!
Adams Morgan:
*Tryst on 18th and Columbia is a cozy café that decorate to make you feel like you are lounging in your own coach. The best place for coffee in DC also great for lunch with good selection of salad and sandwich
*Perrys on Columbia and 18th has some real funky decoration. However it serve up some really great food. Summer time at the Perrys roof top has to be the best after work hang out. Try the Sunday drag brunch with friends. Be there early or you have to wait long!
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| The bustling Adams Morgan |
Party
Party scene in DC is quite active over the weekend while it is quite over the weekdays. If you have not notice by now, the party section in this site are all gay oriented. Breeder, you need to look elsewhere for this part of the information. Well, here are Gay bar Guide to DC!
*JRs is located on the busy Gay neighborhood of 17th Street (& P Street). A small bar where it is crowded most night especially Sunday early evening. It is cater to the young (and those think that they are young), pretty (and those think that they are pretty) white boys. Some of them are full of attitude. Not all bartender are nice, beware!
*Cobalt is located in the same area on 17th & R. This place recently reopen after a fire a few years back. About the same crowd in JRs but a better dressed (and those think they are). Intimate atmosphere with comfortable lounge chair and coaches.
*Townhouse Tavern, a gay bar with straight English Pub appeal! Great place to have a few beer, talk loudly and savor a few appetizers from the menu. By the way, they serve the best Caesar Salad in the world!
*Chaos is best on Tuesday night drag bingo. Fun! Fun! Fun! (17th and Q)
*Badland on 23nd at P is the dance club of choice on Friday night. It is crowded with GW Student on Thursday night too
*Omega is right behind Badland and it is the best place to pick-up a quickie from upstairs video bar. If you are not picky, you never go home hungry.
*Velvet Nation is DCs answer to Club Universe in SF and Roxy in NYC. A huge warehouse turn dance club is located in the SW side of DC. Take Green Line Metro to Navy Yard (how appropriate) or get there by cab. Even if you are stupid enough to have already rent a car when you are in DC, dont make another mistake by driving to Nation. Bring a lots of drugs and very little clothes!
*Wet is a go-go club where boys let it all hang out! DC is the only city in the U.S. that enjoy full nudity! Be prepared that you might see your elementary school mate dancing on the podium. Wet is right next to Nation
Other place to checkout: Remington (Country Western) DC Eagle, Green Lantern (on Thursday night) and Fire Place (if you are into brothers)
When to go
The best time to visit DC is early spring and fall. Cherry Blossom festival is taking place each April (please check before make travel arrangement as the date change depanding on the blossom), that is when thousands of Cherry tree in and around the nation's capital put on their best show. From start to finish, it is only one week or less. Cherry Blossom is most breathe taking at its' peak that only last for 2-3 days. Tidal Basin near the Jefferson Memorial is the best place to be. However, you need to be patient with all other visitors like you that want to witness this nature phenominan. Take Metro to Smithsonian (Orange or Blue Line) and you are steps away! During this time, boulevard of Washington DC is line with well manicured ground and colorful Tulips and Pansy. Check the weather forecast as spring weather is unpredictable and can get pretty cold overnight.
My personal favorite is Fall. As the foliage starts to turn color and you will enjoy the loveliest climate as well. This is the only time you would feel a sense of style in DC as Washingtonian put on their jacket and turtle neck sweater. In a city that is full of lawyers, politician, non-profit workers how fashionable you expect them to be? Best foliage is Ginko tree as the leave turn from dark green to bright green and finally bright yellow. 17th & Church Street NW and 18th Street & Belmont Street NW are best place to see it. By the way, pick up a white boy from JR while you are at 17th Street location and pick up a cup of Mocha from Tryst when you are on 18th street location.
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