next »

[galactic_hedgehog]

When I lived there, I really liked Adams Morgan for eating.  There was also a pretty nice Afghan place between Adams Morgan and Woodley Park, on Calvert, I think.  Can't remember the name, nor do I know if it's still around.

Also, if you're interested, the Carnegie Institution of Washington has a free lecture on Wednesday, 28 Oct, at 18:45.  Noam Elkies of the Dept. of Mathematics, Harvard University, is speaking on "Canonical Forms: A Mathematician's View of Musical Canons":

In a musical canon – be it “Three Blind Mice” or the climax of a Bach fugue – a tune acts as its own harmony. Thinking about how canons work leads us to look at musical structure from points of view usually associated with science and mathematics rather than the arts. The lecture will be illustrated with diagrams as well as musical examples (including recordings, live performance and improvisation), and will require no technical background in either music or mathematics.

For more info: http://www.ciw.edu/events/lectures

[tee_bee]

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.

There's also a fairly cheap shuttle bus from Rosslyn Metro to Georgetown.

http://www.georgetowndc.com/getting-here/shuttle

[donstefano]

The Woodrow Wilson house is great. A perfectly preserved early 20th century upper-class house (and surprisingly modest for a former president). Close to Dupont circle

http://www.woodrowwilsonhouse.org/

[science_expat]

Thanks, all

I've just printed this thread to take with me.

[ls410]

I've lived in DC so here are some of my top spots:

For great people watching / beers / coffee - Adams Morgan is the best.  It's a bit of a walk from the Woodley Park Metro (same stop as the zoo) but very nice.  You can find all kinds of ethnic food there.  Also good in the evenings for music.

U Street is the best area for Ethiopian food.

Ben's Chili Bowl is a must - great food and good people.

Eastern Market (near the capitol) is fun for produce shopping as well as flea market and unique finds.

For offbeat tourist things: I like the FBI tour, the pandas at the zoo are not offbeat but they are adorable,  the Supreme Court tour is great, Anacostia is nice and often ignored, and the Holocaust Memorial is a must-see if you haven't been before.  I also enjoy the Metro ride between L'enfant and Pentagon because you get nice views of the Memorials because it's above ground in that stretch (and it's fun to leave the Pentagon station because you come up right outside the Pentagon).

[magistra]

I like the ice cream parlor in the American History museum.  Anyone know if it's still there?  They renovated recently, and I hope it was untouched.

There's so much really amazing stuff around the Mall, that'll keep you going in terms of things to do.  Food is something of a problem in that area, though. 

I second the vote for Dupont Circle.  Second Story Books is near there!

And if you have time, Dumbarton Oaks and Rock Creek Park are gorgeous.

[svenc]

For evening beers, I have to recommend the Brickskeller (21st and P, near Dupont Circle metro).  It claims the world's largest beer selection, and the food and 'tude are usually quite good as well.

[ford_prefect]

For evening beers, I have to recommend the Brickskeller (21st and P, near Dupont Circle metro).  It claims the world's largest beer selection, and the food and 'tude are usually quite good as well.

Brickskeller is amazing. It's usually one of the quieter DC-area bars (quiet enough for conversation, at least). The coffeehouse down the street, Soho Coffee, is quite good as well.

Tryst is another fun coffehouse (18th and Columbia, NW, in the Adams-Morgan area), although it can be quite challenging to find a seat there.

[prephd]

I like the ice cream parlor in the American History museum.  Anyone know if it's still there?  They renovated recently, and I hope it was untouched.

Nope, it's gone.

[secretweapon]

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.

I've done it in a blizzard, although I wouldn't recommend that!  It only takes about 15 minutes and you do have a lovely view of Georgetown.

For evening beers, I have to recommend the Brickskeller (21st and P, near Dupont Circle metro).  It claims the world's largest beer selection, and the food and 'tude are usually quite good as well.

Brickskeller is amazing. It's usually one of the quieter DC-area bars (quiet enough for conversation, at least).

Brickskeller is amazing, although don't go for a quick drink on an empty stomach - service can be very relaxed.

In terms of museums, I also really like the Phillips Collection in (where else!) Dupont.  They have some evening social events where you can have a drink with young/beautiful/brilliant types: http://www.phillipscollection.org/programs/after5/index.aspx

[terpsichore]

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.

Agreed. I would go to the National Portrait Gallery before the Spy museum. If you need to bring back presents for kids, you can always stop in the Spy museum gift shop.

I like the Roosevelt memorial.

If you're flying in and out of Dulles, and you are interested in the history of flight, consider going to the Udvar-Hazy annex of the National Air and Space Museum before you catch your flight. It's just hangers full of historically significant aircraft and spacecraft.