One of the Greatest Cities in the World

From museums and galleries, to restaurants and the nightlife, Washington offers something for everyone.

Quick Tips:

DC can be overwhelming, so it is important to have some idea of what you want to do. A good idea is to contact your congressperson before you arrive in order to get some helpful tour information.

Best Way To Get Around:

There is a fantastic metro system in DC, probably the cleanest in the U.S. There are also buses, and, in truth, cabs are not terrible here (as the politicians have worked out a zone system which they can take advantage of, and so can you). It is also a walkable city, provided you are in the right areas.

This is the best Sushi in DC. It is a Pan-Asian restaurant, with a wide, and delicious, variety of choices. When I am there, however, I am there for the Sushi. If you like Sushi, and you are in DC, this is your best bet.

This is a neighborhood in NW DC which is a focal point for the nightlife 'scene.' It is a 3 or 4 block stretch of nothing but restaurants, bars, and clubs. There are some pretty good ethnic restaurants here (Ethiopian, Italian, Mexican, Brazilian, etc.). A few bars I'd recommend are: the Pharmacy Bar, Tryst, Bedrock Billiards, the Common Share. There are also some dance clubs which are not all that great, but can get you blood pumping none the less. I would recommend going with a group, as it is tough to get a cab late at night when you are alone.

The National Galleries of Art (the Art wing of the Smithsonian) are simply incredible. All told, I believe that there are seven buildings included in the National Galleries. Five of them are on the Mall. There are the Freer and Sachler Galleries which focus on Asian and African Art. These are located next to the smithsonian castle (Big red building). I saw an exhibit there of the Russo-Japanese War which was quite good. The big doughnut shaped building is the Hirschorn Museum, which is more focused on modern art. The two main buildings are the National Gallery, and the Modern Art Museum, located nxt to one another. I have litterally spent days at these two buildings. The current exhibit about Art Neuveau is one of the best I have ever seen...ever. If you enjoy art museums, the National Gallery of Art is quite fantastic.

A very popular thing to do while visiting DC is to see the monuments. They can be very crowded during the day, especially during heavy tourist seasons. Many people fail to realize that the monuments are very beautiful, and much more serene in the evenings. They are located very near one another and easily walkable. Make sure to see the FDR Memorial (located across the tidal basin from the Jefferson Memorial) at night. The lighting of the waterfalls there make it a magical experience. Also, the Vietnam Memorial is eerily moving. Currently, there are three new memorials/monuments being planned: The Martin Luther King, World War II, and the Ronald Regan Memorial.

This is the only stand-up club in DC. That being said, I have enjoyed it every time. They get pretty good talent to perform. This being DC, the humor has a tendency to be politically charged. They also have good desserts. The Improv is located very close to Cafe Asia, which I have written about seperately. If you like Improv, and need a break from site-seeing, this is a fun evening. Just make sure that you call ahead and get tickets.

For some reason, Washington has several very good Middle Eastern Restaurants. After having spent a year in Israel, I definitely start jonesing for a good falafel or shwarma from time to time. There are three places that come to mind immediately (although there are many others in DC).

The First place is called The Lebanese Taverna, and is a popular Lebanese Restaurant located on Connecticut Avenue, directly across the street from the Woodley Park Metro Stop. This place gets crowded, but is worth a wait.

The Second Restaurant is open 24 hours and is quite a dive. It is called the DC Cafe, and is located on P street, two blocks from DuPont Circle. I would go here to practice my Arabic, and get good falafel. After a night out on the town, this is a great place to end your evening.

The last place is not exactly in DC, but is my favorite. This is an Israeli owned kosher restaurant in Silver Spring, MD, and takes about 20 minutes to get to. They have the BEST shwarma and falafel in the area. They also have a very Israeli attitude, which is always a bit amusing (and a bit obnoxious). Max's is located on University Avenue (which splits off of Connecticut Ave once it hits MD). While this may be a bit out of your way, if you have the time, or a serious desire for Israeli fast food...go to Max's.