Camping Gems - Places to Eat in the District of Columbia
L’Auberge Chez François, Great Falls
Central Michel Richard, Penn Quarter
Citronelle, Georgetown
Mandu
Amsterdam Falafelshop
Chix
Viet Bistro
Ben's Chili Bowl
Sushi Damo
Dogfish Head Alehouse |
Camping Gems - District of Columbia
Rock Creek Trail
A 4-mile hiking trail with wildlife viewing and river views. From the Lincoln Memorial, follow the southern end of the trail toward the Potomac River, then head north. The trail skirts the river from the Foggy Bottom area to the National Zoo. Look for deer, foxes, great blue herons, and beaver.
Kneilworth Aquatic Gardens
View thousands of water plants, lotuses, waterlilies, and bamboo grown along the Anacostia River. (Anacostia Ave and Douglas St., NE, 202-426-6905)
National Arboretum
For a fun day trip, head 9 miles out of town to the National Arboretum, 444 acres in northeast Washington bounded by New York Ave, Bladenburg Rd., and M St. (202-475-4815). Here you will find the National Bonsai Collection, the National Herb Garden, the Gotelli collection of dwarf and slow-growing conifers; and traditional plants including azaleas and rhododendrons.
Mt. Vernon Trail
Hike, walk, stroll, or bike along the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail on this 18.5 mile route. Popular with bikers and cyclists, the trail provides views of the Potomac River and monuments, Theodore Roosevelt Island, Old Town Alexandria, Arlington National Cemetery, and the local favorite Gravelly Point (where planes take off and land at the Reagan National Airport).
Walking Tours
Enjoy the city on your feet by taking advantage of one of these pre-designed walking tours.
Capital Hauntings
I've Got a Secret
Embassy Row
Georgetown
Memorials By Moonlight
Moveable Feast |
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Camping Gems - Things to Do in the District of Columbia
Top 10 Activities
Go canoeing or kayaking past Theodore Roosevelt Island on the Potomac River
See the Washington Monument at sunset
Hike the 444-acre National Arboretum
Bike the Mount Vernon Trail (part of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail)
Catch a game with the Washington Wizards (NBA), Mystics (WNBA), or Nationals (MLB)
Take a walking tour of Haunted Washington, D.C.
View the cherry blossoms in the springtime
Tour the Whitehouse, home to ever U.S. president since 1800
See planes take off and land at Gravelly Point
Explore Foggy Bottom, one of Washington, D.C.'s oldest 19th century neighborhoods
Washington, D.C. Events
March--Washington By Night Tour
April--National Cherry Blossom Festival
June--Festival of American Folklife, National Mall, is attended by more than one million visitors who enjoy American music, crafts, and food
July--National Independence Day Celebration
October--come hungry to the Taste of DC Festival, Pennsylvania Ave NW, from 9th to 14th St. NW. Here you'll have a chance to sample the best food, buy arts and crafts, and enjoy three stages full of entertainment
December--National Christmas Tree Lighting
December--WWII Christmas
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Camping Gems - Places to Go in the District of Columbia
The Mall
National Museum of American History (cultural artifacts such as Mohammed Ali's boxing gloves and Judy Garland's ruby slippers, movie memorabilia, cars, machinery, gowns of the First Ladies, displays, exhibits). Constitution Ave. and 14th St. 202-357-2700.
National Museum of Natural History (bones, fossils, world culture displays, plant and animal exhibits, discovery room, IMAX films). Constitution Ave. and 10th St. 202-357-2700.
National Gallery of Art, East and West Buildings (galleries, exhibitions, sculptures, paintings. Works by Picasso, Matisse, Pollock, da Vinci, Rubens, Rembrandt, Degas, Monet, Cassatt, and many more). East Building: Constitution Ave., between 3rd and 4th Sts. West Building: Constitution Ave., between 4th and 7th Sts. 202-737-4215.
National Air and Space Museum (historic aircraft, IMAX films, models, moon rock, planetarium, displays). Independence Ave. and 6th St. 202-357-2700.
National Gallery Sculpture Garden. Located between 9th and 7th Sts. and Madison Dr. and Constitution Ave.
Smithsonian Institution Building (information center, guide to the Washington Mall museums). 1000 Jefferson Dr. 202-357-2700.
The Monuments
FDR Memorial (statues of FDR and Eleanor Roosevelt, waterfalls, reflection pool, sculptures). West side of the Tidal Basin. 202-619-7222.
Jefferson Memorial (statue of Jefferson, rotunda, inscriptions, scenic views). Tidal Basin, south bank. 202-426-6821.
Lincoln Memorial (statue of Lincoln, museum, exhibit, scenic views). West end of the Mall. 202-426-6895.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial (black granite wall listing over 58,000 names of fallen soldiers). Constitution Gardens, 23rd St. and Constitution Ave. 202-634-1568.
Washington Monument and Reflecting Pool (gleaming white monument built by the Army Corps of Engineers). Constitution Ave. and 15th St. 202-426-6840.
The White House Area
The White House (tour the East Room, Green, Blue, and Red Rooms, and State Dining Room). 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Get timed tickets for the tours at the White House Visitors Center (arrive early in summer): 1450 Pennsylvania Ave. Located on E St. between 14th and 15th Sts. 202-208-1631.
The Ellipse (excellent views of the Memorials, White House, and Washington Monument). Between Constitution Ave. and E. St, and 15th and 17th Sts.
Capitol Hill
U.S. Capitol (beautiful grounds and building, daily guided tours of the Rotunda and Sanctuary Hall). East end of the Mall. 202-224-3121.
Supreme Court (hear oral arguments, view statues and friezes). 1st and E. Capitol Sts. 202-479-3000.
U.S. Botanic Gardens. 1st St. and Maryland Ave. 202-225-8333.
Library of Congress (115 million books, manuscripts, films, photos, maps, and sheets of music). Jefferson Building, 1st St. and Independence Ave. 202-707-4604 or 202-707-6400. www.loc.gov
Union Station (1902 train station with 96ft.-high gilded ceilings). Massachusetts Ave., north of the Capitol. 202-289-1908.
Old Downtown and Federal Area
Ford's Theatre and Lincoln Museum (Assassination site of Abraham Lincoln, artifacts, museum, plays). 511 10th St. NW. 202-426-6924.
National Portrait Gallery (portraits, statues, displays). 8th and F. Sts. 202-357-2700
FBI Building (museum, displays, tours). 10th St. and Pennsylvania Ave. Tour entrance is on E. St. 202-324-3447
National Archives (displays of records including the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Bill of Rights). Constitution Ave. between 7th and 9th Sts. 202-501-5000 |
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District of Columbia