Here's are a few insider tips to make your visit a little easier:
- Most of the monuments and museums are free of charge.
- It’ll take a lifetime of trips to DC to see everything. Make out a ‘must see’ list before heading out.
- The Metro is a great place to get around and a bargain if you purchase day passes after 9:30 weekdays or all day on Saturday.
- Most Smithsonian museums can be found on the National Mall. Stop at the Smithsonian Castle Visitor Information Center to get started.
- Tour “off peak” hours. During peak seasons, the museums may be open earlier or later than normal. Monuments are open 24 hours and are truly beautiful to view at dawn or at night when they are lit.
- Call your congressman at least five months prior to your visit to arrange for tickets to The White House and other federal buildings.
- Get acclimated to the city with a walking or historical tour.
- Visit www.washington.org for detailed information, special events, hotel deals and tour ideas. Print off “Picture Perfect,” a photography tour to take the best photos home as a souvenir, or “Capitol Cinematics” to learn about Hollywood’s presence in DC.
- Be aware that traffic is frequently stopped for dignitaries traveling the city’s streets.
- Clean restrooms can be found at the FDR Memorial, WWII Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial and the Jefferson Memorial.
Where To Stay
The Melrose Hotel
A wonderful boutique hotel, great for families and close to the Foggy Bottom metro station, located just a couple blocks from Georgetown. Comfy bedding, an on-site restaurant, and great room rates may make this your favorite ‘home away from home’ while in DC. The owners and management have modeled their service after the Four Seasons.
The Renaissance Hotel
Close to a metro station, this beautiful full-service hotel has very comfy beds. While the hotel restaurants are rather typical and pricey, head to the lower conference level where you’ll find a half dozen deli-style restaurants not associated with the hotel.
Where To Dine
Featured Restaurant:
Ceiba
Upscale but comfortable, this is the place to go if you are bored with typical restaurant food. At 14th & G streets, it is within easy walking distance of the Renaissance Hotel. Chef-owner Jeff Tunks and his partners made extensive research and buying trips to Brazil and the Yucatan in preparation for the September 2003 opening. The menu features contemporary Latin American cuisine, specifically Yucatan (Vera Cruz and Cancun), Brazilian (Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro), Peruvian, and Cuban. So, what is it you’ll find on the menu? Appetizers include Jamaican “Stamp & Go” Crab Fritters with spicy scotch bonnet chili and mango lime crème fraiche or Shredded Duck Confit Empanadas with raisins, olives, and sour orange huacatay mojo. Entrées such as Sugar Cane Skewered Jumbo Shrimp paired with smashed avocado, chipotle barbeque sauce and pineapple salsa; Brazilian Braised Pork Shank “Feijoada,” with black beans and rice; and Florida Keys Spiny Rock Lobster served with saffron rice salpicon, crispy callaloo, and key lime coconut criolla. Dessert classics like chocolate cake are redesigned into Chocolate Cuban Coffee Cake with caramel popcorn ice cream and ancho chile custard sauce. (Isn’t it fun when you don’t know what the ingredients are before you order? But you’ll love the outcome. Five of us dined together and absolutely delighted in the presentation, quality, and flavor combinations.)
More Suggestions:
Old Ebbitt Grill -
To experience the classic political scene, stop in here, just across from the White House.
Clyde’s of Georgetown -
American food.
Old Glory -
Good BBQ in Georgetown.
Five Guys Hamburgers -
located in both Georgetown and Downtown.
Matchbox -
Brick oven pizza in both Chinatown and Downtown.
Capital Q -
Good BBQ found in Chinatown and Downtown.
Tony Cheng’s -
Delicious Chinese food in Chinatown.
Lauriol Plaza -
Mexican food located near Dupont Circle and Adams-Morgan.
Firefly -
Contemporary American cuisine with a floor-to-ceiling ‘firefly tree,’ near Dupont Circle.
Visiting the White House
Plan your DC trip at least five months in advance if you want to tour the White House. Visit Congressman Buck McKeon’s website to request a tour of the White House and Capitol Building. You must first pass a background check before obtaining passes.
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