Washington, D.C. 2004

322 Pages·2004·7.825 MB·English

by  Elise Ford

Washington, D.C.
2004
by Elise Hartman Ford
Here’s what the critics say about Frommer’s:
“Amazingly easy to use.Very portable,very complete.”
—Booklist
“Detailed,accurate,and easy-to-read information for all price ranges.”
—Glamour Magazine
“Hotel information is close to encyclopedic.”
—Des Moines Sunday Register
“Frommer’s Guides have a way of giving you a real feel for a place.”
—Knight Ridder Newspapers
About the Author
Elise Hartman Fordhas been a freelance writer in the Washington, D.C., area since
1985. Her writing has appeared in theWashington Post; Washingtonianmagazine; the
London-based Bradman’s North America Guide, The Essential Guide to Business Travel;
Ladies’ Home Journal, and other national, regional, and trade publications. In addi-
tion to this guide, she is the author of Frommer’s Washington, D.C., from $80 a Day,
Frommer’s Memorable Walks in Washington, D.C., and Unique Meeting, Wedding, and
Party Places in Greater Washington.
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ISBN 0-7645-3889-6
ISSN 0899-3246
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5 4 3 2 1
Contents
List of Maps v
What’s New in Washington,D.C. 1
1 The Best of Washington,D.C. 4
1 Frommer’s Favorite D.C. 3 Best Dining Bets . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Experiences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Site Seeing: The Best
2 Best Hotel Bets . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Washington Websites . . . . . . . .12
2 Planning Your Trip to Washington,D.C. 16
1 Visitor Information . . . . . . . . . .16 6 Specialized Travel Resources . . .28
2 Money . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 7 Planning Your Trip Online . . . . .33
Destination: Washington, Frommers.com: The Complete
D.C.—Red Alert Checklist . . . . .18 Travel Resource . . . . . . . . . . . .34
3 When to Go . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 8 The 21st-Century Traveler . . . . .35
Washington Calendar of 9 Getting Here . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Flying with Film & Video . . . . . .45
4 Travel Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . .26 10 Recommended Reading . . . . . .47
5 Health & Safety . . . . . . . . . . . .27
3 For International Visitors 49
1 Preparing for Your Trip . . . . . . .49 Fast Facts: For the International
2 Getting to the United States . . .55 Traveler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
3 Getting Around the
United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
4 Getting to Know Washington,D.C. 62
1 Orientation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 2 Getting Around . . . . . . . . . . . .71
The Neighborhoods in Brief . . . .69 Fast Facts: Washington, D.C. . . .77
5 Where to Stay 79
1 Capitol Hill/The Mall . . . . . . . . .82 4 Adams-Morgan . . . . . . . . . . . .97
Family-Friendly Hotels . . . . . . . .86 5 Dupont Circle . . . . . . . . . . . . .101
2 Downtown,East of 16th 6 Foggy Bottom/West End . . . . .106
Street NW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86
7 Georgetown . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109
3 Downtown,16th Street
8 Woodley Park . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
NW & West . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93
iv CONTENTS
6 Where to Dine 116
1 Restaurants by Cuisine . . . . . .117 5 U Street Corridor . . . . . . . . . .142
2 Capitol Hill . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119 6 Adams-Morgan . . . . . . . . . . .143
Dining at Sightseeing 7 Dupont Circle . . . . . . . . . . . . .146
Attractions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120 8 Foggy Bottom/West End . . . . .151
3 Downtown,East of 16th
9 Georgetown . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154
Street NW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124
A Spot of Tea . . . . . . . . . . . . .160
Vegetarian Times . . . . . . . . . .129
10 Glover Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161
Family-Friendly Restaurants . . .134
11 Woodley Park &
4 Downtown,16th Street
Cleveland Park . . . . . . . . . . . .162
NW & West . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136
7 Exploring Washington,D.C. 165
Suggested Itineraries . . . . . . .168 6 More Museums . . . . . . . . . . .202
Call Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169 Museums of Special Interest . . .204
Openings and Closings . . . . . .170 7 Other Attractions . . . . . . . . . .211
1 The Three Houses of 8 Just Across the Potomac:
Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170 Arlington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .214
2 The Major Memorials . . . . . . .178 9 Parks & Gardens . . . . . . . . . .217
3 The Smithsonian Museums . . .185 10 Especially for Kids . . . . . . . . . .222
Museum Exhibits Scheduled Favorite Children’s
for 2004 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .190 Attractions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222
4 Elsewhere on the Mall . . . . . .197 11 Organized Tours . . . . . . . . . . .223
5 Other Government Agencies . . .200 12 Outdoor Activities . . . . . . . . . .226
8 Shopping 228
1 The Shopping Scene . . . . . . . .228 3 Shopping A to Z . . . . . . . . . . .230
2 Great Shopping Areas . . . . . . .228 Museum Shopping . . . . . . . . .243
9 Washington,D.C.,After Dark 246
1 The Performing Arts . . . . . . . .247 Late-Night Bites . . . . . . . . . . .260
Washington Celebrates 3 The Bar Scene . . . . . . . . . . . .263
Tennessee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .251 Cheap Eats: Happy Hours to
2 The Club & Music Scene . . . . .255 Write Home About . . . . . . . . .264
D.C. Boogie . . . . . . . . . . . . . .259 Arlington Row . . . . . . . . . . . .266
CONTENTS v
10 Side Trips from Washington,D.C. 270
1 Mount Vernon . . . . . . . . . . . .270 Biking to Old Town Alexandria
2 Alexandria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .273 & Mount Vernon . . . . . . . . . .278
Appendix A:Washington,D.C.,in Depth 287
History 101 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .288 Dateline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .288
Appendix B:Useful Toll-Free Numbers & Websites 296
Index 299
General Index . . . . . . . . . . . . .299 Restaurant Index . . . . . . . . . . .306
Accommodations Index . . . . . .306
List of Maps
D.C. Metropolitan Area 39 Georgetown Dining 155
Washington, D.C., at a Washington, D.C.
Glance 66 Attractions 166
Major Metro Stops 72 Capitol Hill 171
Washington, D.C., The White House Area 177
Accommodations 84
The Mall 179
Adams-Morgan, Dupont
Arlington National
Circle & West End
Cemetery 215
Accommodations 99
Rock Creek Park Area 219
Capitol Hill, Downtown &
Washington, D.C., After
Foggy Bottom Dining 126
Dark 248
Adams-Morgan & Dupont Circle
Old Town Alexandria 275
Dining 145
For Caitlin and Lucy.
An Invitation to the Reader
In researching this book, we discovered many wonderful places—hotels, restaurants,
shops, and more. We’re sure you’ll find others. Please tell us about them, so we can share
the information with your fellow travelers in upcoming editions. If you were disappointed
with a recommendation, we’d love to know that, too. Please write to:
Frommer’s Washington, D.C. 2004
Wiley Publishing, Inc. • 111 River St. • Hoboken, NJ 07030
An Additional Note
Please be advised that travel information is subject to change at any time—and this is
especially true of prices. We therefore suggest that you write or call ahead for confirma-
tion when making your travel plans. The authors, editors, and publisher cannot be held
responsible for the experiences of readers while traveling. Your safety is important to us,
however, so we encourage you to stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. Keep a
close eye on cameras, purses, and wallets, all favorite targets of thieves and pickpockets.
Other Great Guides for Your Trip:
Frommer’s Memorable Walks in Washington, D.C.
Frommer’s Washington, D.C., from $80 a Day
Frommer’s Portable Washington, D.C.
The Unofficial Guide to Washington, D.C.
Frommer’s Star Ratings,Icons & Abbreviations
Every hotel, restaurant, and attraction listing in this guide has been ranked for quality,
value, service, amenities, and special features using a star-rating system.In country, state,
and regional guides, we also rate towns and regions to help you narrow down your choices
and budget your time accordingly. Hotels and restaurants are rated on a scale of zero (rec-
ommended) to three stars (exceptional). Attractions, shopping, nightlife, towns, and
regions are rated according to the following scale: zero stars (recommended), one star
(highly recommended), two stars (very highly recommended), and three stars (must-see).
In addition to the star-rating system, we also use seven feature iconsthat point you
to the great deals, in-the-know advice, and unique experiences that separate travelers from
tourists. Throughout the book, look for:
Finds Special finds—those places only insiders know about
Fun Fact Fun facts—details that make travelers more informed and their trips
more fun
Kids Best bets for kids and advice for the whole family
Moments Special moments—those experiences that memories are made of
Overrated Places or experiences not worth your time or money
Tips Insider tips—great ways to save time and money
Value Great values—where to get the best deals
The following abbreviationsare used forcredit cards:
AE American Express DISC Discover V Visa
DC Diners Club MC MasterCard
Frommers.com
Now that you have the guidebook to a great trip, visit our website at www.frommers.com
for travel information on more than 3,000 destinations. With features updated regularly,
we give you instant access to the most current trip-planning information available. At
Frommers.com, you’ll also find the best prices on airfares, accommodations, and car
rentals—and you can even book travel online through our travel booking partners. At
Frommers.com, you’ll also find the following:
• Online updates to our most popular guidebooks
• Vacation sweepstakes and contest giveaways
• Newsletter highlighting the hottest travel trends
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