Things to do in Washington, DC

Pulsing with life and constantly in flux, America's capital city is an eclectic entity, fueled by politics and tourism. The District, as it's fondly called, centers on the Capitol and then spreads out into a variety of distinctive neighborhoods. They include funky Adams-Morgan and its diverse ethnic groups, Downtown with its art galleries and nightlife, Dupont Circle with its hip clubs and Connecticut Avenue shopping, and upscale Georgetown, whose rows of brick town homes shelter first-class restaurants and boutiques. Capitol Hill and the National Mall feature many of the city's most prominent buildings and museums, including stately presidential monuments and most branches of the world-famous Smithsonian Institution.

For history-lovers and culture fans, DC is replete with world-class museums and arts venues. The Smithsonian alone includes 15 distinct museums with vast collections of art and artifacts, including the Air and Space Museum and the Museum of American History. At the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, visitors can catch live theater and music performances, and the Folger and Shakespeare Theatres stage classics that resonate with modern audiences. Even annual events take on a cultural approach, as...  Read more »

Pulsing with life and constantly in flux, America's capital city is an eclectic entity, fueled by politics and tourism. The District, as it's fondly called, centers on the Capitol and then spreads out into a variety of distinctive neighborhoods. They include funky Adams-Morgan and its diverse ethnic groups, Downtown with its art galleries and nightlife, Dupont Circle with its hip clubs and Connecticut Avenue shopping, and upscale Georgetown, whose rows of brick town homes shelter first-class restaurants and boutiques. Capitol Hill and the National Mall feature many of the city's most prominent buildings and museums, including stately presidential monuments and most branches of the world-famous Smithsonian Institution.

For history-lovers and culture fans, DC is replete with world-class museums and arts venues. The Smithsonian alone includes 15 distinct museums with vast collections of art and artifacts, including the Air and Space Museum and the Museum of American History. At the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, visitors can catch live theater and music performances, and the Folger and Shakespeare Theatres stage classics that resonate with modern audiences. Even annual events take on a cultural approach, as proven by celebrations like the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

Well-planned from its inception, the city was provided early on with beautiful parks, gardens and public spaces. The National Mall, in particular, grants lovely views of the Capitol on one end and the Lincoln Memorial on the other. Walking the length of the Mall, visitors can take in these green spaces and even relax on a park bench as the hustle and bustle of the big city continues beyond. Also showcasing DC's natural beauty are Rock Creek Park and the US Botanic Garden.

Since DC's population includes residents and visitors from around the globe, the city enjoys thriving and diverse dining, nightlife and retail scenes. The bulk of this activity can be found in four neighborhoods — Downtown, Adams-Morgan, Dupont Circle and Georgetown. Great restaurants that highlight the town's multiculturalism and culinary quality include Luigi's Pizza, Ben's Chili Bowl, Obelisk and upscale Citronelle. After-hours, nightlife awakens in the policy-making town, and folks flock to hot spots like Madam's Organ and 9:30 Club and 18th Street Lounge. Although most neighborhoods boast great restaurants and clubs, Georgetown leads the pack in shopping. Not only does it feature stately antique stores, but it also throws in independent boutiques, upscale chains and the much-frequented Shops at Georgetown Park.

If you relish physical activity, DC delivers that as well. For pro sports enthusiasts, the Washington Redskins get fans riled up when autumn approaches, playing to packed houses at FedEx Field; the NBA Washington Wizards dominate headlines during basketball season; and 2005 saw Major League Baseball return to the capital thanks to the Washington Nationals.

Undeniably, the District is on the go. Its metro-area population exceeds 5 million, and thousands of visitors come in each year, so the city constantly regroups, reinvents and reissues its welcome. And whether folks come for political matters or simply to marvel at museums, memorials and gardens, they find plenty to entrance and delight them. The city defines America and puts on a pedestal what makes it tick and what it holds dear.

It comes as no surprise, then, that DC has an allure all its own. The city unites politics, cosmopolitan energy and culture with first-class dining, shopping and nightlife, crafting a melting pot of international influence and homegrown practicality that's not only a perfect destination spot but a chunk of the American experience itself.