Unofficial Guide to Washington, D.C.

Renee Sklarew is a native Washingtonian who enjoys exploring her city’s many attractions, especially its incomparable museums and national parks. As a young girl, her family lived in Switzerland, where she began her passion for travel. Renee is a Study Leader for Smithsonian Associates and leads tours of historic sites and parks in the Washington, D.C., area. She contributes travel articles and photos to newspapers and magazines, including “The Washington Post,” “Washingtonian,” “Northern Virginia Magazine,” and “AAA Traveler.” Renee serves as dining editor for “VivaTysons” magazine and is the co-author of the popular book, “60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Washington, D.C.”

List of Maps

About the Authors

Acknowledgments

Introduction




Welcome to Washington
About This Guide


Why “Unofficial”?
How Unofficial Guides Are Different
Comments and Questions from Readers
How Information Is Organized: By Subject and by Location


Washington, D.C.: Portrait of a City

PART ONE Planning Your Visit




When to Go


Crowds
Weather


Gathering Information Before You Leave


Making Advance Reservations for Monuments, Museums, and Tours
How to Get to Washington, D.C.


Where to Go
What to Pack
Special Tips for Special People
A Calendar of Festivals and Events

PART TWO Accommodations




Deciding Where to Stay


Washington, D.C.’s Iconic Hotels
B&Bs
Vacation Rentals
The Best Hotels by Neighborhood


Getting a Good Deal on a Room


The Internet Advantage
Travel Agents and/or Vacation Packages
When Only the Best Will Do



PART THREE Arriving and Getting Around




Coming into the City


Arriving by Car
Arriving by Plane
Arriving by Train
Arriving by Bus


Getting Around Washington


Taking the Metro: Just Do It
Metrobus and Other Bus Systems
Taxis and Car Services
Things the Natives Already Know



PART FOUR Sightseeing Tips, Tours, and Attractions



So Much to See, So Little Time
Happy Hours (The Sightseeing Kind)
Taking an Orientation Tour
The Best Tours in Town
Washington’s Attractions


Washington Attractions by Type
Washington Locations by Attraction


Maryland Suburbs
Virginia Suburbs
Day-Tripping
What’s New in Washington, D.C.?
Hidden Gems and Free Things to See and Do

PART FIVE Dining




The Washington Cuisine Scene
Prime Dining Neighborhoods


The Wharf on the Southwest Waterfront
Restaurants by Cuisine
Capitol Riverfront and Navy Yard
Capitol Hill and Barracks Row
H Street Corridor and NoMa
National Mall and the White House
Penn Quarter, Chinatown, and Convention Center
Foggy Bottom
Georgetown and West End
Dupont Circle and Logan Circle
U Street Corridor
Adams Morgan and Columbia Heights
Upper Northwest: Woodley Park, Cleveland Park, and Van Ness
Maryland Suburbs
Virginia Suburbs
Two Dining Destinations Worth a Drive


The Best . . .

PART SIX Entertainment and Nightlife




Washington Nightlife: More Than Lit-up Monuments


The Big-Ticket Venues
Cutting Curtain Costs
A Washington Tradition: Live Local Music
Nightlife Neighborhoods: Clubs, Bars, Live Music, and Dancing



PART SEVEN Shopping




Mall Shopping
Museum Shops
Great Neighborhoods for Window-Shopping
Specialty Shopping

PART EIGHT Exercise and Recreation




Working a Workout into Your Visit
The Basic Drills


Bicycling
Fitness Centers and Core-Strengthening
Yoga Studios


Recreational Sports


Tennis and Golf
Swimming
Ropes and Rocks
Boating, Paddleboarding, Floating, and Water Parks
Segway Tours
Ice and Snow


Spectator Sports


Baseball
Basketball
Football and Soccer
Hockey and Roller Derby
Horse Shows and Horse Racing
Tennis



Index

Unofficial Guide Reader Survey