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[science_expat]

I'm traveling to DC for a meeting next week and will have a couple of days to play. I used to know the city quite well but haven't spent any significant time there in the last 25 years.

Any suggestions for:
1) Places to drink beer in the sun and watch the world go by?
2) Places to drink beer in the evening and chat with people?
3) Shopping opportunities for an overweight woman to acquire some grown-up clothes - interview level plus maybe black tie? (My basic attire is jeans and a t-shirt.)
4) Interesting/quirky tourist spots? (I have done most of the usual stuff in the dim and distant past.)

Thanks!

[dellaroux]

The Old Post Office was made over into a central food area a few years ago, and might make a good spot for the daytime cafe/people-watching you want to do.

I've mostly stayed in Baltimore and gone into DC when necessary, or was near the American Cathedral/American University area giving workshops at a nearby seminary, so I don't know the evening spots as well.

I recall a great concert at the Folger Library and I know there are some good ballet and modern dance offerings in the area, though. And of course the art museums and so on, but it sounds like you've already done those.

(Hit the Smithsonian gift shop and do my Christmas shopping for me, though, would you??? Love that place!! Gorgeous scarves, ties, books.....ahhhhh.....)

[mickfed]

1) Red line to Cleveland Park, lots of nice neighborhood places
2) Ireland's Four Courts in Arlington; orange line to Courthouse; Claredon neighborhood anytime time (also organe line)
3) Can't help
4) Walter Reed Museum of Health and Medicine; Koshland Science Museum of the National Academies of Science

[tee_bee]

I'm traveling to DC for a meeting next week and will have a couple of days to play. I used to know the city quite well but haven't spent any significant time there in the last 25 years.

Any suggestions for:
1) Places to drink beer in the sun and watch the world go by?
2) Places to drink beer in the evening and chat with people?
3) Shopping opportunities for an overweight woman to acquire some grown-up clothes - interview level plus maybe black tie? (My basic attire is jeans and a t-shirt.)
4) Interesting/quirky tourist spots? (I have done most of the usual stuff in the dim and distant past.)

Thanks!

1. No particular names (lots of turnover) but there are good bars in the Dupont Circle area. Take the metro Red Line to Dupont Circle stop. Make sure you exit on the Q street end. (Is that the only exit? I forget.) Admire the snippet of Walt Whitman on the portal above the (lengthy) escalators.

2. See 1. For both, I think the Afterwords Cafe at Kramerbooks, just steps from the Dupont metro, is a lot of fun. Not a chatty bar scene, though, alas. Bistrot au Coin at about 1730 something Connecticut Ave is a yummy steak-frites kind of place, with very interesting people, although a bit loud and crowded.

3. I sound like a broken record, and DC folks could help, but there's interesting shopping in Dupont. For more conventional mall-based shopping, one of the easiest to get to is Ballston Commons in Virginia (orange line to Ballston). Wave at the National Science Foundation HQ for us (and ask for more money.)

4. Here's why I go to DC. For the sights (who goes to DC for the food? Although Cleveland Park and Adams Morgan are great food places, now). My favorite is always the Lincoln Memorial, because I like to watch the look on folks' faces when they read Lincoln's 2nd inaugural address and realize that it wasn't all the "with malice toward none..." stuff; he also says that if we all have to die to expiate the sin of slavery, so be it. Heavy stuff. But incredibly inspiring. This time of year, get there around sunset and watch the Capitol and Washington Monument turn pink as the sun sets to the West, right behind the monument. I first saw that about 25 years ago, and will never forget it.

What's good about the Lincoln Memorial is that there are other things to see. If you've not been in DC in a long time, the Vietnam Vets memorial is worth a visit. The World War II monument just west of the Washington Monument is worth a look, and isn't as bad as folks feared it would be. Then you're just a hop, skip and jump from the National Gallery, the newly-refurbished Museum of American History (at about 14th and Constitution), and all the other Smithsonian stuff.

Or if it's a cool day, go to the zoo. Cool days are the best, when the animals are more active than they are in the summer heat (DC was once considered a tropical posting for British diplomats, and they got to wear their pith helmets and shorts. Nice.)

Or, if the Smithsonian is worn out, go to the Capitol and take a tour, and you can also hit the Supreme Court and the main building of the Library of Congress, which is pretty spectacular inside. And then, it's not too far a walk to Union Station for some shopping, a fair number of bars and restaurants, and great people watching as folks scurry to the train.

I know this is sooo typical of the usual tourist itinerary, but as a political scientist and sometimes historian, this stuff just never gets old to me. Have fun! Report back on the fun stuff you saw!

Disclaimer: I was not paid (by the word) by the DC Convention and Visitors Bureau. But I should be.)

[prof_smartypants]

i"ll second the zoo - but I'll always go to a zoo.

Another fun thing to do is the Spy "museum". It's pretty fun, and right near the portrait gallery.

I was in DC last month and went to the Building museum - very cool. Unfortunately, it was an after-hours reception, and none of the exhibit halls were open. I"d love to go back.

I wish I could remember all the cool places I went for food and drinks. There is an adorable French restaurant near the zoo in Cleveland Park - Lavendeau (sp?) really tasty. And another great French Bistro where you can get half carafes of wine and eat cassoulet until you explode that feels so European. I want to say it's in Dupont Circle, but am not sure. Anyone? There's also Zatinya - near the Portrait Gallery too - Michael I's restaurant (Top Chef) - great outdoor seating. Insanely busy during dinner (like a 2 hour wait), but might be a great place to plop down for a cocktail and mezes mid-afternoon.

Can you tell I had a lot of wine the last time I was in DC?

[locutus]

i"ll second the zoo - but I'll always go to a zoo.

Another fun thing to do is the Spy "museum". It's pretty fun, and right near the portrait gallery.

Both of these are pretty good. The portrait gallery is very underrated in my opinion.

[prof_smartypants]

i"ll second the zoo - but I'll always go to a zoo.

Another fun thing to do is the Spy "museum". It's pretty fun, and right near the portrait gallery.

Both of these are pretty good. The portrait gallery is very underrated in my opinion.

Oh yes - I wasn't recommending the portrait gallery, just placing the other stuff in a location. The portrait gallery always sticks out to me.

[tee_bee]

i"ll second the zoo - but I'll always go to a zoo.

Another fun thing to do is the Spy "museum". It's pretty fun, and right near the portrait gallery.

Both of these are pretty good. The portrait gallery is very underrated in my opinion.

Oh yes - I wasn't recommending the portrait gallery, just placing the other stuff in a location. The portrait gallery always sticks out to me.

Another vote for the portrait gallery. The Building Museum is also fun. And this reminds me that the new Newseum--on Penn. Ave, near the Canadian Embassy--is quite interesting. Worth a visit once, considering that it is sort of expensive to visit--about $20. But for anyone interested in the history of journalism it's really worth it.

[hestia]

The Smithsonian's new National Museum of the American Indian on the mall is a really beautiful building with very interesting displays, many of them chosen by the individual tribes themselves.  The African Art Museum and the Sackler are likewise interesting newer buildings.  And the sculpture gallery of the Hirschorn is I think much different than it was twenty or so years ago, and can be truly magical.  And the National Gallery often has really fabulous shows; the selected works from the Meyerhoff collection they've got on now looks like it might be really interesting, as well as the exhibit of French drawings.  But then, I'd much rather look at art than people, which seems the reverse of the OP's query, so perhaps I should just quit now.

[prephd]

Eh, I wouldn't waste your time on the Old Post Office, unless you want to go to the top and view the city. It's really a food court for downtown workers... not good people watching (unless your idea of people watching is high schoolers on a field trip and government workers eating tacos).

For dinner or a drink, I'd try Central (Michel Richard) or Zaytinya if you're downtown doing the museum thing. If you're up for a classic little pub experience, try the Brickskeller (close to DuPont Cir.). For eating out, you really can't go wrong with DuPont, Chinatown / Gallery Place, or Eastern Market neighborhods. Each has its own vibe. DuPont caters to young professionals, Chinatown is good for "dinner and a show" type places; Eastern Market is a little more quaint and charming.

Shopping: You could find boutiques in DuPont, or you could take the Metro out to Pentagon City. It's nothing super-exciting, but it's a mall filled with every imaginable store.

Interesting / quirky tourist spots? Well, I know you said you'd done the usual, but Smithsonian's American Art Museum / National Portrait Gallery was recently re-done, so it's a great place to visit (bonus points for logistics: it's also right across the street from Zaytinya and is one of the musuems that's open the latest--7 p.m., I think). There's also a free concert every day at the Kennedy Center's Millenium Stage. If you've got a car, take a drive on the GW parkway and have a visit to Roosevelt Island or have a drink at the outdoor bar at Indigo Landing (the best view of the city--right on the river, all the monuments, airplanes taking off from National).

Have fun! The weather is supposed to be perfectly autumnal for most of the week.

[prof_smartypants]

I also had fun walking around Georgetown - good shopping and people watching (albeit heavy on the undergrad mix). Lots of places to get coffee or a beer and just hang out.

[prephd]

I also had fun walking around Georgetown - good shopping and people watching (albeit heavy on the undergrad mix). Lots of places to get coffee or a beer and just hang out.

Ah, yes, but not easily Metro-accessible. If you've got a car, certainly, check out Georgetown. If not, it will be quite an experience trying to figure out the bus system.

[prof_smartypants]

I also had fun walking around Georgetown - good shopping and people watching (albeit heavy on the undergrad mix). Lots of places to get coffee or a beer and just hang out.

Ah, yes, but not easily Metro-accessible. If you've got a car, certainly, check out Georgetown. If not, it will be quite an experience trying to figure out the bus system.

I walked across the bridge from Rosslyn. Only good on a nice day.

[prephd]

I also had fun walking around Georgetown - good shopping and people watching (albeit heavy on the undergrad mix). Lots of places to get coffee or a beer and just hang out.

Ah, yes, but not easily Metro-accessible. If you've got a car, certainly, check out Georgetown. If not, it will be quite an experience trying to figure out the bus system.

I walked across the bridge from Rosslyn. Only good on a nice day.

Which reminds me, if you like beef, and you're in Rosslyn, you simply must try Ray's Hellburger. You will use half a roll of paper towels, but their Au Poivre burger is the bomb.

[ford_prefect]

I agree with Prephd that the Old Post Office Pavilion is nice only for the view of the city. The line for the elevator to the top is pretty short (we waited less than 15 minutes the last time I was there). The food court part is, well, nothing special.

Georgetown is easier to access than many people realize. If you don't feel like walking from the Rosslyn or Foggy Bottom metros, take the Red Line to Tenleytown and catch a southbound 32 or 36-series bus on Wisconsin Avenue. It'll put you into the heart of Georgetown within 15-20 minutes. I'd recommend getting off near the intersection of Wisconsin and M Streets.

If you're in the U Street area, check out Busboys and Poets. It's a quirky cafe/coffee bar popular with the yuppie crowd. Besides good food, they're known for supporting social justice/anti-racism activities. Cornel West had a book signing there last week. Oh, and there's a 2nd Busyboys and Poets in Shirlington, Virginia for anyone who happens to be staying on that side of town.