A Capital Weekend

Exploring DC

By Caitlin S. Jennings

The nation’s capital has plenty to offer in American history, culture, and entertainment. Below, we narrow down some of the best things to do when you’ve only got a weekend to take it all in.

Friday Night

After any traveling a little fun is in order. Check out Ozios on M Street. From 5-8 there are half priced martinis and complimentary Hors Doeuvres. At 10 pm a DJ starts spinning. If you’d rather just relax and have a Guinness, Mackey’s Pub is right around the corner.

Saturday

Once the Smithsonian opens at 10:00 am, take a few hours to examine the Treasures of American History. Temporarily housed at the Air and Space Museum, this exhibit offers the opportunity to see Thomas Jefferson’s Bible, Ray Charles’s Sunglasses, and Archie Bunker’s chair. Grab some lunch on the mall and enjoy the Washington Monument before heading over to The National Museum of the American Indian. Learn about the Nanticoke, Powhatan, and Piscataway tribes in the exhibit “Return to a Native Place: Algonquian Peoples of the Chesapeake.”

 

As the museums begin to close around 5:30, make your way to the Millennium Stage in the Kennedy Center where there are free shows every evening at 6 pm.

Enjoy dinner at the Bombay Club. Located just a couple blocks from the White House, this Indian restaurant has been a favorite of both President Clinton and President Bush. The pleasant atmosphere combined with excellent service, food, and live music, makes this a great spot to wind down from your full day. However, if you’re still up for something fun after dinner, the nearby DC Improv has comedy shows at 10:30 pm.

Sunday

Wake up to brunch at the Luna Grill and Diner in Dupont Circle, a family operated restaurant offering comfort food with healthy twists. Afterwards, take in Eastern Market. Every Sunday there is a Flea Market where you can find everything from hand made jewelry to antique books.

Then see the often unseen side of history at the International Spy Museum. Exhibits show how female spies aided both sides of the Civil War and the role espionage played in the American Revolution. The District ChopHouse, located one block from the museum, is a great place to have your final meal in DC.

Extra Tips:

Look up your country’s embassy as many often host interesting events available to the public.

D.C. has an excellent transportation system to get you around inexpensively. You can see where the nearest metro station is to all the locations on this itinerary by entering the address into maps.yahoo.com and selecting “public transportation.”

 Have more than just a weekend or want to play around with substitutions in our plan (it’s ok, our feelings won’t be hurt). Check out the Washington D.C. site for more info.

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