- Washington
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United States
The statue of the famous raising of the flag on Mt Suribachi, Iwo Jima, is walking distance from Arlington Cemetery and Rosslyn Metro. Go on Saturday and speak to Marine veteran Gordon F Ward, who fought and was injured on Iwo Jima, and now volunteers his time on Saturdays to speak to tourists and school groups about Marine history. There is also a great view back down the National Mall, with the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and Capitol Building all in a line.
Arlington VA, near the George Washington Memorial Parkway.
It is a National Park, and adjunct to the Kennedy Center (similar to Prince Albert Hall). It is a 'no frills' (sit on the grass - and bring a blanket and your picnic dinner) park, which has various artists (Janice Ian, Joan Baez, The Kingston Trio, others) on offer during the summer months. Conveniently located to The Wolf Trap Motel (in Vienna, Va - the subject of another posting), as well as other motels in the area.
The national parks are a great deal - as are the museums. Unlike Europe - most do not charge an admission fee.. or at most it's nominal. A good deal for 'over 62'ers' is a 'golden age passport'. For a 'one time' fee of $10, it grants lifetime admission to all national park facilities for free to citizens and legal residents - along with companions, friends, etc. Now you can't beat that in europe!
Near Vienna, Va - go out 'route 7 or Dulles Access Road - take Wolf Trap exit. Also accessable thru Vienna via local streets - ask locals for directions.
A wonderful cafe and restaurant serving a whole variety of different foods. The guacamole and fajitas are particularly good. There is also a small book store.
1517 Conneticut Avenue, NW
Washington DC;
Metro: Dupont Circle (take the Q Street exit);
www.kramers.com
DC institution that may very well serve the best chili dog in the USA. No frills burger place catering to a new wave of residents in area formerly know as "Black Broadway" where Duke Ellington was born and got his start as a musician. Now being crowded out by upscale coffee shops and restaurants.
1213 U Street NW; www.benschilibowl.com/
A 19th-century canal and towpath that runs west from Rock Creek between M St and the Potomac River, and parallels the river 185 miles to the mountain town of Cumberland, Maryland.
Four locks lift the water level through Georgetown; a "living history" canal boat drawn by two mules carries passengers between spring and autumn through a lock or two for about a mile upstream, then back. A lot of folks just watch the locking operation and walk along the towpath.
It's a wonderful and pastoral contrast to the shopping and nightlife of Georgetown, itself an 18th-century town that was absorbed into Washington DC.
The boat is found between Thomas Jefferson Place and 30th St NW; www.nps.gov/choh/
The coolest place in DC. A city that is dominated by the University focused area of Georgetown, or the politico hangouts of downtown, this place stands out amongst the crowd. Located just south of Dupont Circle, the club is run by the DJs Thievery Corporation, and they can often be found spinning the decks of their own club.
The drinks are good, the crowd beautiful but friendly, but its the music people come here for. Only downside is getting in. My advice ... Go early!
1212 18th St NW,
Washington, DC
20036-2536
Go to Union Station food court for lots of interesting choices. Local businessfolk and politicos eat here, too, so you're in for some juicy eavesdropping. When on the Mall, eat in the basement cafeteria of the National Gallery.
Union Station, National Mall
I spent a wonderful afternoon just walking around the parks looking at all the different memorials - from the better known president memorials (Lincoln/Jefferson) to memorials commemorating wars (the Korean War Memorial is breathtaking) and a very cuddly looking statue of Einstein. It's a great way to spend an afternoon. All are very close together and it's all free.
The central part of the American politcal system is in Washington and a visit to Washington gives you a great insight into the political system of America. There is a great deal of history in the city as well, including beautiful memorial buildings to previous political leaders. These buildings are amazing and a must see, with fountains and green plants to add to the beauty. Moreover the city provides the traveller with a real feel of the USA.
Washington DC
Georgetown is a restored area of 19th century townhouses: where The Exorcist was set! Leafy and almost European.
Until the Metrorail services are extended to serve Dulles airport, the most immediate and sensible option for those travelling to the city is an authorised Washington Flyer Taxicab costing around $50.
Friday’s Weekend section in the Washington Post, or the weekly City Paper.
It’s downtown and near the social centre of Dupont Circle, but it also on a quiet street and has preserved an old-world bookish feel that is rare in America. It has a pleasant lounge with an open fire in winters that feels like the common room of some old college, and a very decent restaurant. A room is about $100.
1739 N Street, NW, at Connecticut Avenue; Tel: 1-202 785 1277; Dupont Circle Metro; www.tabardinn.com/home.htm
Great authentic Mexican food at very low prices.
1792 Columbia Road, NW; Tel: 1-202 332 1011; Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan Metro; Open: 10am-10pm Sun-Thurs, 10am-11pm Fri-Sat
Its best to walk but if the heat is overpowering, there are old-fashioned trolley buses roaming around the city that will take you around the monuments and into Georgetown.
Join up with the C&O Canal in Georgetown and within a hundred yards you’ll forget you’re in a city. The canal goes north-west for miles, as you follow the towpath under a canopy of trees.
Take the kids to the Air and Space Museum and take in an IMAX movie there.
Sixth Street & Independence Avenue, SW, The Mall & Tidal Basin; Tel: 1-202 357 2700; L’Enfant Plaza Metro; Open: Sept-May 10am-5.30pm daily; Admission: Museum free, Planetarium $8; www.nasm.si.edu/
Stretches from one end of the city to the other, widening as you travel northwards. It is full of forest paths, streams, woods and meadows. Deer roam through the undergrowth and the occasional coyote has been spotted.
Upper Northwest; Tel: 1-202 895 6070; Open: Park dawn-dusk daily, Nature Center & Planetarium 9am-5pm Wed-Sun (closed some holidays); www.nps.gov/rocr/
A beautiful stately home, which is also a museum of pre-Colombian art, surrounded by an Italian garden hidden, all behind a high wall in Georgetown. A perfect place for an afternoon stroll.
1703 32nd Street, NW, between R & S Streets, Georgetown; Tel: 1-202 339 6401; Bus: 30, 32, 34, 36; Open: Museum 2-5pm Tue-Sun, Garden mid Mar-Oct 2-6pm Tue-Sun. Nov-mid Mar 2-5pm Tue-Sun; Admission: Museum $1, Garden $6; $4 concessions (no credit cards); www.doaks.org/
A stroll around the Tidal Basin to the Jefferson monument. Sit on the steps, look away from the nearby motorway and across at all the cherry trees clustered around the water. At cherry blossom time in late March early April, it is spellbinding.
Southern end of 15th Street, SW, at the Tidal Basin & East Basin Drive; Tel: 1-202 426 6841; Smithsonian Metro; www.nps.gov/thje/
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