Plan Your Stay with Washington Insiders!

Tap into a wonderful source of local Washington DC information and recommendations. Laura and her sister Courtney are both native, 3rd generation Washingtonians, and their husbands Raymond and Joe have lived and worked here most of their adult lives. Courtney says, “We all have favorite museums, restaurants, neighborhoods, shopping areas, movie theaters, concert venues and outdoor activities – and we’re always willing to share our favorites with you.” There is so much to see and do in DC that you probably won’t have enough time to do it all. Keeping that in mind, we’ve made a list of things we really enjoy and you won’t want to miss.

Click on a category below to see more information.

MUSEUMS

Washington DC is full of world-class museums, and unlike most other cities with world-class museums, ours are free! Whether your preference is art, science, history or culture, we have it all.

Smithsonian Institution (www.si.edu)

To plan your trip to the Smithsonian, take a look at their website at www.si.edu. If you haven’t been to DC for a while, you will want to see several new museums, including the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI).

While you are at the NMAI enjoying the soaring architecture and beautiful collections, stay for lunch and have a buffalo burger in their excellent cafeteria. NMAI has the only American Indian restaurant we are aware of anywhere.

The National Air and Space Museum on the Mall is always a favorite with exhibits and incredible IMAX films. Don’t miss the Museum of Natural History, with its huge African elephant in the rotunda, and the halls of dinosaurs, gems and minerals, and of course, meteorites and tektites. The popular National Museum of American History is, unfortunately, closed for renovation and will re-open in the fall of 2008. 

National Zoological Park (www.nationalzoo.si.edu)
Did you know that the Zoo, (a short 10 minute walk from the Woodley Park Guest House and one Metro station and a short 10 minute walk from Embassy Circle Guest House) is also part of the Smithsonian? The zoo is a great place for both children and adults, with its giant pandas, great cats, and a “Think Tank” full of orangutans. Our baby panda is cute as can be, but hardly small anymore. In fact, all the kids are growing up. Kandula, the baby elephant, who was 364 pounds at birth, is pretty large as well. The zoo opens early, and with its miles of pathways from Connecticut Avenue to Beach Drive in Rock Creek Park, it is a popular route for runners and walkers. 

The National Gallery of Art (www.nga.gov)
The National Gallery of Art is a national and international treasure and you can easily spend weeks enjoying this superb and voluminous collection. It is an amazing thing to be walking quietly through a room filled with paintings and come face to face with Van Gogh’s Self Portrait or Renoir’s Girl with a Watering Can.  Even if you have seen these images many times in print, seeing them in person just takes your breath away. 

In the National Gallery’s East Wing, an elegant contemporary structure by the noted architect I. M. Pei, look up and see the huge Calder mobile that dominates the atrium and make sure you find the Matisse paper cut-outs on display Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM only. 

The National Portrait Gallery/National Museum of American Art (www.npg.si.edu)
A fabulous addition to the Smithsonian’s 19 museums is the newly renovated National Portrait Gallery/Museum of American Art. Many guests who hear about this museum look a bit skeptical and put it at the bottom of their “to see” list, but we would urge you to move it up near the top. This huge new museum is not stuffy at all.  It is contemporary in tone and style and is bringing the art of portraiture to a whole new generation. One of our favorite spots in the museum is the “One Life” Gallery, currently focused on Katherine Hepburn.

MONUMENTS & MEMORIALS (www.nps.gov)

The National Mall is essentially divided into two sections. From 14th Street east to the Capitol Building, the Mall is devoted to museums. From 14th Street west to the Potomac River, and then across the river to Arlington Cemetery, the Mall is devoted to monuments and memorials. 

The monuments and memorials have two main themes. The first theme embraces the leaders and ideas that have shaped this nation. The monuments and memorials in this group include the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, and the FDR Memorial. The second theme concerns the wars in which Americans have fought and died. The memorials in this group include Arlington National Cemetery, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, and the World War II Memorial.  The monuments and memorials are stunning by day, but we also recommend seeing them at night, when their beauty is even more poignant and haunting. 

To plan your visit to the monuments and memorials, go to the National Park Service website, www.nps.gov and select “Find a Park”.  Choose the “by location” option and then choose “District of Columbia”. All of the Park Service locations are listed with operating hours, entry fees (if any) and advance reservation options (if any). You can definitely pre-book tickets to the Washington Monument, which is really convenient and certainly beats standing in line early in the morning in hopes of getting a ticket!

OTHER ATTRACTIONS

The White House (www.whitehouse.gov)
The White House has always been a popular tourist destination, but it is no longer possible to visit without making prior arrangements. If you want to visit the White House, you must request tickets through your Representative’s or Senator’s office. This process takes quite a bit of time, so you should make your request to your Congressional office several months in advance of your planned arrival date in DC.  Unfortunately, if you are an international tourist, there is currently no mechanism for you to request permission to visit the White House. 

US Capitol (www.aoc.gov)
The US Capitol is open for tours Monday through Saturday and is a favorite item on the sightseeing agenda. After watching hours of C-SPAN, it is a real thrill to see the House and Senate chambers, get a look at your Congressmen and Senators in person, and maybe even hear part of an historic debate. Our favorite part of the tour involves an historic demonstration of eavesdropping that does not include wiretapping!

Library of Congress (www.loc.gov)
The Library of Congress is one of the most beautiful buildings in Washington, DC and even if it didn’t house millions of Laura’s favorite objects – books! – she would recommend that you include this stop on your sightseeing agenda for the architecture alone. It is a shame to go to the Library of Congress and not be able to get into the reading rooms, so why not plan to do something unique to Washington and get a reader’s card at the nation’s library. (www.loc.gov/visit/rr.gov). Click the link on this page to discover the many and various reading rooms you may wish to visit! 

Supreme Court (www.supremecourtus.gov)
When you take a tour of the Supreme Court Monday thru Friday you will see not only the impressive and iconic building: you will see the highest court of the United States in action. Part of the tour includes time spent in the chambers where cases are argued before the justices. Laura has always wanted to hear a really fascinating, controversial and historic case argued before the court, but so far the cases she has heard seem to focus on rather arcane points of insurance and contract law. Hmmm!

National Archives (www.archives.gov)
The National Archives houses the original copies of the Declaration of Independence, The Constitution of the Unites States and the Bill of Rights. Like the original works of art at the National Gallery, it really doesn’t matter how many times you have seen printed copies of these great contributions to human government: seeing them in person is breathtaking! The Archives holds millions of records in addition to the “Big 3”, and the Public Vaults highlight a thousand or more records of various kinds at any given time. The records on display in the Public Vaults show the depth and breadth of the Archives’ collections and provide a fascinating and memorable portrait of American life.   

US Holocaust Memorial Museum (www.ushmm.org)
The most powerful and heartbreaking museum on the Mall, the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, is a testimony to human triumph over unthinkable evil. The capacity of men and governments to destroy human lives certainly did not stop with the Holocaust, and the Museum’s bold and intimate examination of this terrible tragedy is focused on the hope that those who understand history will not be destined to repeat it. Everything about the Museum, from the descending spiral of its architecture, to the passport you receive when you begin your tour of an individual who may or may not have survived the Holocaust, to the railway car used transport victims and the pile of victims’ shoes is haunting and profoundly moving. Not focused exclusively on the past, the Museum also shines a spotlight on current world tragedies including those being experienced by the peoples of Chechnya and Darfur. 

Washington National Cathedral (www.cathedral.org)
Within easy walking distance of the Woodley Park Guest House and a longer work or quick bus ride up Massachusetts Avenue from Embassy Circle, the Washington National Cathedral is a favorite stop for our guests. The Cathedral offers many touring options, including guided and self-guided tours, garden tours, Tour and Tea, Behind the Scenes tours and Gargoyle tours. Whichever tour you take, be sure to take the elevator to the 7th floor observation tower for an excellent view of the city and its environs – and if you enjoy liturgical music, check the Cathedral’s calendar for organ and choral recitals. 

Old Post Office Pavilion (www.oldpostofficedc.com)
The Old Post Office pavilion is a glorious historic landmark that was saved from the wrecking ball and redeveloped into a retail pavilion and event space. The building’s 315-foot bell tower may offer visitors the best aerial view of Washington DC. Free tours of the tower with its360-degree, virtually unobstructed view of downtown DC are given daily by the National Park Service. (You will find tour details under the “History” tab on the website.) In additional to getting a great view, you can also get a great lunch or do some in-town shopping in the redeveloped building

Kennedy Center (www.kennedy-center.org)
Your choices in live entertainment are almost unlimited at the Kennedy Center. Enjoy the symphony, the theater, ballet, jazz, the opera, or any number of international and contemporary art forms. Just check the calendar on the Center’s website to see what’s happening at the Kennedy Center on the dates you will be in DC. Be sure to take a look at the schedule of Millennium Stage performances every day of the week at 6 PM. The rich and varied Millennium Stage programs are the Kennedy Center’s free gift to you!

Other live theater options include the National Theater (www.nationaltheatre.org), the Warner Theatre (www.warnertheatre.com), Fords Theater (www.fordstheatre.org), Arena Stage (www.arena-stage.org), and the Wooly Mammoth Theater (www.woollymammoth.net).

Lectures, Embassy Events, etc.  (www.culturaltourismdc.com)
A great source for unique DC events that you might not find listed anywhere else is www.culturaltourismdc.com. Here you can find listings for a French jazz trio at the Bohemian Caverns, (Duke Ellington’s old club), book signings at the Smithsonian, concerts at the Austrian Embassy or the National Gallery of Art, lectures at the Kennedy Center, or films at National Geographic, the Archives or the Library of Congress. 

FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS

Washington DC is a city known for it’s free festivals, special events and neighborhood celebrations. Guests from around the world travel to the city every spring to experience the fragrant beauty of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Thousands of tourist and locals lather on sunscreen and gather on the National Mall to celebrate our nation’s independence every 4th of July. This annual birthday party culminates with the countries most spectacular fireworks display majestically set against the historical backdrop of the Washington Monument. Here’s a listing of our hometown favorites:

Smithsonian Kite Festival on the National Mall - Saturday, March 29, 2008 (www.kitefestival.org)

The Smithsonian Kite Festival is an annual event that is traditionally a part of the festivities at the National Cherry Blossom Festival on the National Mall in Washington, DC. Kite enthusiasts show off their stunt skills and compete for awards in over 36 categories including aerodynamics, beauty, box, and funniest. Top prizes are given for the Theme Award, People’s Choice, Family Trophy, and Highest Overall Score. The Smithsonian's Kite Festival is one of the most popular annual events in Washington, DC and features kite fliers from across the U.S. and the world.

National Cherry Blossom Festival - March 29 - April 13, 2008
(www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org)
Washington, DC welcomes the arrival of spring with the National Cherry Blossom Festival, a tradition that showcases the beautiful gift of 3,000 cherry trees that the city of Tokyo gave to our nation’s capital. The National Cherry Blossom Festival is an annual two-week, city-wide event featuring more than 200 international cultural performances and over 90 other special events. From arts and exhibits to cuisine and sports, there is something for everyone to enjoy!

National Cathedral Flower Mart - May 2 - 3, 2008 (www.cathedral.org)
The National Cathedral Flower Mart is Washington, DC's annual outdoor festival for garden enthusiasts and families. Each year one of Washington’s embassies is honored. The 2008 event celebrates the centennial of the National Cathedral. Details will be announced as the date approaches. The Flower Mart encircles Washington National Cathedral with its tents and includes more than 50 booths offering gardening items, handbags, jewelry, and more. Food vendors will be stationed throughout the grounds with fare including Asian specialties, pizza, BBQ, Cajun cuisine, lobster rolls, Italian sausage, fried mushrooms and artichoke hearts.

A Capital Fourth-Independence Day Concert
July 4th on the steps of The Capital (www.july4thparade.com)
The nation’s premier Independence Day holiday concert features performances from some of the country’s best known and award-winning musical artists with the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Erich Kunzel. The Capitol Fourth concert and show includes an evening of patriotic and uplifting music followed by a spectacular display of fireworks over the Washington Monument.

National Book Festival: September 30, 2008, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The National Book Festival, an annual event held each September on the National Mall in Washington, DC, is a celebration of the joy of books and reading sponsored by the Library of Congress and hosted by first lady Laura Bush. Attendees visit with more than 70 award-winning authors, illustrators and poets who will talk about and sign their books. National Book Festival Pavilions are set up for Fiction & Fantasy, Mysteries & Thrillers, History & Biography, Children & Teens, Poetry, and Home & Family. The Library of Congress Pavilion features a variety of interactive family-centered activities about the importance of lifelong literacy, cultural preservation, and preserving digital culture.

TOURS

One of the challenges of any tourist is arranging their schedule to allow enough time to visit all sights of interest. Over the years, we’ve encountered a wide variety of touring styles, so we’ve sought out tour operators that offer packages that can accommodate all different taste and interests.

Old Town Trolley Tours
www.historictours.com
Daily narrated tour with free re-boarding from 19 sites. See the city in daylight, or choose the popular Monuments by Moonlight tour.  For your convenience, tickets for this tour are available for purchase at both Woodley Park Guest House and Embassy Circle Guest House.

Bike the Sites
www.bikethesites.com
Rent a bike, helmet and lock and enjoy a guided tour of the mall including all the monuments and museums. Daytime and evening tours available, please visit the web site for the complete schedule.

C & O Canal Boat Rides
www.nps.gov/choh
Park Rangers in period costumes guide the mule drawn boats through the lift locks as you travel through time down the canal.

City Segway Tours
www.citysegwaytours.com
An exciting new way to tour DC; a guide will instruct you on the proper operation of the Segway and then impress you with their knowledge of DC history and all its interesting sites.  Daytime or nighttime tours are available; please visit the website for the complete schedule.

DC Ducks
www.historictours.com
World War II refurbished amphibious vessel takes you on a 90 minute land and water tour. Season runs mid-March through October.

Washington Walks
www.washingtonwalks.com
Guided walking tours of Arlington Cemetery, Georgetown, Embassy Row and the very popular Memorials by Moonlight tour. 

GREAT FOOD
DC has so many great restaurants you will definitely not run out of places to try. We personally tend to like local, neighborhood restaurants, but if you enjoy people-watching and don’t mind a hefty tab, it’s hard to beat some of the DC steak houses.
Following are a few of our favorites:

CLELEVELAND PARK
Sorriso (Italian) www.sorrisoristorante.net
One Metro stop (or a 20 minute walk) north of Woodley Park is our favorite Italian Restaurant, Sorriso. Owned by Pietro Polles, Sorriso serves delicious, fresh, authentic Italian cuisine, starting with the homemade breads, excellent olive oil, and excellent selection of wines. Choose one of the superb thin crusted pizzas, rich homemade pastas, or Laura’s personal favorite, the Brodetto Veneziano, a traditional Venetian seafood stew piled high with huge chunks of seafood and a zesty tomato soup. 

DUPONT CIRCLE
Sette Osteria (Italian) www.setteosteria.com
Right down the street from Embassy Circle, at the corner of Connecticut and R, this Italian Bistro has great pizzas, a wonderful grilled calamari served with a green salad, excellent beans and sausage, and great pasta specials. Catering to the Dupont Circle crowd, the restaurant kitchen is open until 11 PM and the pizza oven is open until midnight. With a lovely sidewalk café, this bistro is a great place for lunch, dinner, or a late evening snack after the Monuments by Moonlight tour.

Mark and Orlando’s (New American Cuisine) www.markandorlandos.com
Mark and Orlando’s is actually two restaurants. Mark’s is a casual bar on the upper level with a bar menu and a TV to watch a game or the election returns. Orlando’s on the first floor has a wonderful and innovative menu which emphasizes the creative combination of excellent ingredients. The combinations are often surprising, always delicious, and the preparation and service are excellent. This is the kind of restaurant that inspires you to go home and be more creative in your own kitchen.

Restaurant Nora (Organic American Cuisine) www.noras.com 
The excellent Restaurant Nora is world renowned as one of the first organic restaurants. Nora Pouillon is a force in the “eat local” and “slow food” movements, having now taught a generation that grew up with iceberg lettuce and frozen vegetables that there is nothing in the world that tastes as good as fresh, local, organically grown food. The menu is innovative, with a prix fixe or an a la carte option, the wine selections are superb, and the clientele is a Who’s Who in Washington, DC.

WOODLEY PARK
Petits Plats (French) www.petitsplats.com
This charming restaurant owned by Cecile and Frederic, a brother and sister from Biaritz, is a real delight. They make their own bread and the baguette absolutely melts in your mouth. Try the grilled seafood salad for lunch or the seafood risotto for dinner. If you like lamb and venison, Frederic does a wonderful job with both! And, if you love chocolate, the Chocolate Fondant for desert is a pleasure not to be missed. 

Lebanese Taverna (Lebanese) www.lebanesetaverna.com
This wonderful cuisine is superbly represented in this fabulous neighborhood restaurant owned by the Abi Najim family. We always order off of the 3-page Mezza (hors d’oeuvres) menu rather than ordering main dishes. This is a traditional Lebanese way to eat, having many small plates on the table, and if you have never tried Lebanese food you have the advantage of trying a lot of different things in one meal. Lebanese food is light and healthy, and there are many great selections for vegetarians. 

Afghan Grill (Afghan) www.afghangrill.com
Afghan food is absolutely delicious. Light and delicately flavored rather than spicy, this cuisine offers soft dumplings stuffed with meat or leaks, excellent grilled kabobs of lamb, beef or chicken, and the best rice we have ever had. Our favorite dish is Kadu Buranee, sautéed pumpkin served with a meat and yogurt sauce on top.Yum! Vegetarians can ask the kitchen to skip the meat. 

Sake Club (Pan Asian) www.sakeclub.net
This restaurant really has a club feel and some of the best sushi we have had in DC. True to their name, they also have an excellent selection of Sake’s. Our favorites here are the Dragon Roll, a wonderful smoked eel sushi roll with tiny carrots for the Dragon’s horns. The warm mushroom salad and Kobe beef are also excellent.