DC DUers...bring me your advice!

[Merope215]

I'm living in an apartment on Capitol Hill for the summer, and I don't really know my way around very well. (I'm living near the intersection of Maryland and Constitution, very nice area, but I don't really know anything except how to get to work and back.) Does anyone have any tips? What are your favorite restaurants and bars?

Please, talk to me about your city. I want to get everything I can out of living here!

[WoodrowFan]

1. Dupont Circle

Dupont Circle has a ton of good resturants and good book stores. Take the Red Line to Dupont Circle and get off at the northern exit. I like Chipolites (sp) and Wrap Works for cheap (for DC) food.

Avoid the Smithsonian Air & Space museum in Summer unless you LOVE crowds. The art museums are nice and cool and are usually uncrowded.

The Library of Congress shows free classic movies. Check their website for details.

If you like cheap books check the last page of the Washington Post Book Section (in the SUnday paper) for sales, especially library sales. If you go to one, get their EARLY.

Enjoy DC!

[northzax]

2. hmm, I'm not much of a hill denizen

but the brunch at Bullfeather's was always popular. Go find staffers at Hawk and Dove (that whole row on Penn is decent.) things you should not miss:

1: Museum of American History. it's your duty to go see Oscar the grouch. plus it's closing labour day for two years, here's your chance/

2: The Awakening.

3: The DC WWI memorial. you kinda have to go looking for it.

4: Visit Lincoln at night (don't worry, the Mall is about the safest place on the planet at night)

5: Screen on the Green.

6: good places to see live music: 9:30 (obviously) DC-9, Black Cat, HR-57, New Vegas Lounge, Madam's Organ.

7: one time, go bar hopping in Georgetown on a Saturday.

8: Go see the FIRST PLACE Nats at RFK

9: Belgian Beer night at Bohemian Caverns.

10: Chili Half Smoke at Ben's Chili Bowl.


Agree with previous poster, National Art West wing (the classical one) is a great place to find a cool spot. Have some gelato in the basement cafe.

[bottomofthehill]

3. A few thoughts

For great BBQ Kenny's Smoke House is at 8th and MD Ave. A Saturday night at the Irish times is always a good time if you like beer or mixed drinks. If you are a wine dinker it may be a little less fun. Take the metro to Old Town for a waterfront night out. July 4th on the mall is a Washington DC Experience that is AWSOME. Fireworks over the monument,a thing you will never forget.

[dcfirefighter]

4. good joints near you

south to PA ave, from 4th to 6th southeast.
The aforementioned plus Capitol Lounge, and if you like dive bars, teh Tune Inn.

If you like beer, go across town to the Brickskeller, can't be beat anywhere for selection.

There isn't really any cheap food, but lots of great food. Ben's Chili Bowl is a must, and cheap. Actually, do yourself a favor and check out http://www.washingtonian.com/dining/100bbindex.html

And most of all, since you are living near the capital, LEARN THE QUADRANTS.

DC is shaped like a diamond. Rouglhy in the center is the capitol, it markes the boundary point to the four quadrants NW, NE, SE, & SW. The boundaries are made by North Capitol Street, East Capitol Street, South Capitol Street, and The Mall.

It is very important to recognize the quadrants, else you'll get lost, especially since you're living near the dividing lines. In each quadrant, the street names are alphabetized or numeric, and they increase the further away from the dividing lines. Numbered streets run north-south, and letter streets run east-west. Avenues run at diagonals, but the street adresses increase as you move away from the capitol.

In any quadrant, if you face a dividing line, the odd numbered addresses are on your left.

A couple of sights to see: Great Falls, the Arboretum, the Botanical Gardens, a night at Sequoia (big $$). Also, if you're 21-49 and single, make a trip to Dewey Beach, DE one weekend. I believe the Bottom Line (bar) runs a bus to The Starboard.