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Washington, D.C., United States Guide - - Hotels, Restaurants, Nightlife - Classic Travel



Washington, D.C. is home to historic museums and national monuments that tell various stories of U.S. history. No matter what your political persuasion, the U.S. Capitol offers so many activities and opportunities for sightseeing that most tourists return for additional visits.  

Activities

The Smithsonian Institute
www.si.edu/visit
Completed in 1855, The Smithsonian Institute consists of 17 museums including the Museums of Natural History, American History and Air & Space, plus the National Zoo in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. These breathtaking museums house more than 142 million items, are all free of charge and there are rarely any lines to get in. Be prepared to do a lot of walking.

The National Gallery
National Mall (between Third and Seventh Street N.W.)
Tel. 202.737.4215
www.nga.gov
This is reason alone to travel to Washington.  The museum features an extensive collection of medieval through 19th century European art, plus pre-20th century and contemporary American works.

The Holocaust Museum
100 Raoul Wallenberg Place S.W. (Near the National Mall south of Independence Avenue)
Tel. 202.488.0400
www.ushmm.gov
This museum, the absolute best of its kind, will leave you drained yet enlightened. 

Dining

Citronelle
3000 M Street NW (Georgetown/Glover Park)
Tel. 202.625.2150
With a refined atmosphere, impeccable service and exquisite cuisine, this may be the best French restaurant in Washington. The price ensures that you enjoy the best of what's available.

Willard Room
1401 Pennsylvania Avenue (14th Street)
Tel. 202.637.7440
Breakfast here is a virtual tour of Washington's power brokers-- in fact, any meal in this stunning, oak-panelled, turn-of-the-century room will be a memorable event.

Jaleo
480 Seventh Street NW (E St. NW)
Tel. 202.628.7949
This lively tapas restaurant is around the corner from the Shakespeare Theater. It’s always busy, but tables turn quickly, so the wait isn’t as long as it looks. The fun really starts late in the evening, when the place is full of jaleo-- that's Spanish slang for commotion. Shake up your palate with Jose Andres’ simple, earthy little dishes which reward you with clarity of ingredients and flavor. Entrées abound, but ordering a table full of small plates and washing them down with a bottle of sherry or a pitcher of sangría is the ideal way to sample the best of Jaleo. Menu selections change seasonally but usually include sausage with white beans, grilled portobello mushrooms, Spanish cold cuts and poached octopus in olive oil.

Le Chat Noir
4907 Wisconsin Avenue NW (42nd St. NW)
Tel. 202.244.2044
This snug, clubby French eatery works well as a neighborhood destination. It’s also refreshing to find an affordable restaurant with upscale food. Dress right to enjoy the steak frites, coquilles Saint-Jacques and classic French onion soup. You might consider turning a lunch into a crêpe-fest: buckwheat crêpes with bacon, cheese and a creamy mushroom sauce; roasted chicken breast, cream of leek and vegetables; or sautéed sea scallops, ginger, white wine and crème fraîche. Save room for La Nutella crêpe for dessert.

Nooshi
1120 19th Street NW (L St. NW)
Tel. 202.293.3138
The owners of Oodles Noodles, Yanÿu and Spices have put their heads together to create a complete revamping of their downtown Oodles Noodles, now with stylish gold-toned wallpaper and elegant seating. A very clever sushi chef handles the sushi bar, delivering a diverse selection of sushi appetizers and entrées including maki rolls, elegant sashimi platters and a full array of pan-Asian dishes. Half a Peking duck is prepared Yanÿu-style, and generous Spices-type noodle dishes also highlight the menu. A multi-course feast here might include ultra-fresh sushi, Peking duck, luscious orange beef, a calamari appetizer and various noodle dishes, such as the curry laksa, a fiery import from Malaysia.

Ceiba
701 14th Street NW
Phone: 202-393-3983
http://www.ceibarestaurant.com/home.html
Offering contemporary Latin-American cuisine, Ceiba offers a unique dining experience. Placing you in a dining space decorated in original stone and mosaic tile from the Yucatan, this restaurant feel has an element of authenticity. It features boutique wines from both North and South American and also has a full service bar serving all types of cocktails especially South American drinks like mojitos and caipirinha. Some menu favorites are whole crispy red snapper vera cruz and the yellow tomato gazpacho.

Kinkead’s
2000 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Phone: 202-296-7700
http://www.kinkead.com/
An American brasserie, specializing in fresh seafood, Kinkead’s is a truly delectable dining experience. This award-winning eatery provides nothing short of spectacular. Enjoy the sesame seared rare tuna or the crispy cornmeal crabs- Chef Kinkead will not disappoint you. Make a reservation for lunch or dinner as this restaurant is quite popular and always full.

Filomena
1063 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Phone: 202-338-8800
http://www.filomenadc.com/
Looking for authentic Italian? Look no further than Filomena. One of D.C.’s premier restaurants for decades, this Italian specialty provides its diners with a beautiful garden atmosphere complimented with antiques and big bright windows. Filomena also is in a prime location-the center of Georgetown. Take a walk around either before or after dinner. In the window you can see the “Italian Grandma” preparing home-made pasta everyday.

Shopping

America, Oh Yes!
1350 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 202 
Tel. 202.721.0043
With one of the most extensive folk art collections in the country, this gallery is also known for its reasonable prices. It represents more than 160 self-taught American artists.

Helly Hansen Mid-Atlantic
3225 M Street NW
Tel. 202.298.7245
www.hellyonline.com
For 130 years, Helly Hansen has pushed the barriers of performance technical outerwear. They create functional and innovative garments that help outdoor athletes perform to their maximum potential. Their motto is: "Dry, Warm, Safe."

Tiny Jewel Box
1147 Connecticut Avenue NW
Tel. 202.393.2747
www.tinyjewelbox.com
This three-generation family business, established in 1930, offers a collection of antique jewelry as well as one-of-a-kind custom pieces and a spectacular array of designer and bridal jewelry. A watch boutique accompanies an assortment of fashion accessories and fine giftware.

Resorces

Romantic dinner and dancing and more on the Potomac.
www.odysseycruises.com/dc/index.cfm

Nightlife

Fly Lounge
1802 Jefferson Place NW
(near 18th St. & Connecticut Ave.)
Tel. 202.828.4433
www.flyloungedc.com
This high-profile lounge has the feel of the inside of a plane, complete with drinks served by "Fly Attendants" whose uniforms consist of tight black mini-dresses and high heels or boots. Fly Lounge has a first come, first served policy, but if you just can't stand waiting $1,000 will gain immediate entrance.

18th Street Lounge
1212 18th Street NW
Tel. 202.466.3922

Once the home of Teddy Roosevelt, this magnificent mansionis now an ultra-classy lounge-club so chic that it doesn’t advertise and hardly bears its name above the door. Regulars are big-name politicos, celebrity locals and upscale out-of-towners. Two dance floors with comfy couches feature girls in Prada, men in Armani and DJs who spin hot urban tunes. Dress well for a decent chance at getting in and being a part of the powerful, seductive energy here.

9:30 Club
815 V Street NW (9th and V Streets)
Tel. 202.393.0930
www.9:30club.com
Located in an old gospel music hall and radio broadcast site, this is the place in DC to see bands that aren’t big enough to fill RFK, but are too big to play local venues. Check the website's calendar to get early tickets to a concert held by the latest indie darling. Four bars, big balconies, two box offices and a downstairs grunge lounge make plenty of room for the large crowds that this venue draws.

Bar Rouge
Rouge Hotel
1315 16th Street
Tel. 202.232.8000
www.rougehotel.com

Amid the high-backed armchairs, cozy booths, long sofas and funky metal bar stools with leather trim, expertly-made cocktails await visitors to Bar Rouge. Classic films playing on a screen in the back create a slight diversion from the lounge's nightly eye candy.