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Faculty Favorites: Books and Movies - Brad Fitch

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite books and movies. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites: Books and Movies."

Brad Fitch (bio), author of Media Relations Handbook, shares his favorite books and movies. (You can see some of Brad's favorite things about living in our nation's capital here.)

Favorite Book

The Day Lincoln Was Shot (Jim Bishop, 1955). The first time I read this book it felt so much like fiction that I found myself hoping that President Lincoln might not get killed in the end. (Sorry if I spoil it for you, but Old Abe doesn't make it.) This amazing depiction of one of the most important 24 hours in American history includes rich descriptions of Washington in 1865. You'll "see" streets that are not much different from today, and get a feel for 19th Century political intrigue in a post-Civil War capital. Plus you'll hear the story of how a band of terrorists cooked up a plan to kill the president and his entire cabinet -- and nearly succeeded.

Favorite Movies

• Mr Smith Goes to Washington The classic tale of good versus evil, innocence versus indulgence, Jimmy Stewart versus Claude Rains. Inspired by the real life Senator Rush Drew Holt of West Virginia (whose son now serves as a congressman from New Jersey), this is the quintessential Washington movie.
• Advise and Consent This sometimes overlooked movie of Congress probably best portrayed the personalities that inhabited that Great Body of the Senate in the middle part of the 20th Century. Great acting by Henry Fonda, as an embattled Secretary of State Nominee; Walter Pigeon, portraying the Sen. Everett Dirksen-like character; and the great Charles Laughton (yes, the Hunchback of Notre Dame) in his last movie role. It also has the historic value of being the last film the Congress allowed to be shot on its premises -- it disrupted government so much they wouldn't allow filming on Capitol grounds in the future.
• All the President's Men Bob Woodward should be paying royalties to Robert Redford for ensconcing Woodward as the archetype journalist-hero. What most people don't know is that this film almost was never made. Robert Redford funded it with his own money.

For more, also see our Political and Government Classics page.

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July 30, 2008 08:07 AM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Books and Movies - Jim Bayless

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite books and movies. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites: Books and Movies."

Jim Bayless (bio), a veteran legislative and regulatory attorney who has lived in Washington for more than 25 years, shares his favorite books and movies. (You can see some of Jim's favorite things about living in our nation's capital here.)

Favorite Books

• Manhunt, a thrilling, detailed account of the assassination of President Lincoln by John Wilkes Booth and his several co-conspirators, aiders, and abettors and the frenzied chase and capture.
• Team of Rivals, a masterpiece of how Abe Lincoln prevailed against his much more qualified rivals for the presidential nomination and integrated this extraordinarily accomplished group of political adversaries into his own Cabinet.

Favorite Movies

• Mr Smith Goes to Washington-a Frank Capra-produced classic starring Jimmy Stewart and portraying the fundamental role and operation of the U.S. Senate.
• Advise and Consent (1962)-a classic political novel portraying zealots in the president's party resorting to blackmail to insure the approval of their nominee for Secretary of State; demonstrates the advise-and-consent role of the U.S. Senate; starring Henry Fonda.
• The Seduction of Joe Tynan-another portrayal of the ideological and moral conflicts of being a member of the U.S. Senate; straining his already part-time family life. But it could be a big boost to his career, so he takes it on. Starring Alan Alda.
• No Way Out-a tense thriller starring Kevin Costner and Gene Hackman; a tale of national security and blackmail filmed at the Pentagon and elsewhere around Washington.
• Executive Action (1973)-A group of powerful and wealthy men hires mercenaries to assassinate John F. Kennedy.
• All the President's Men (1976)-True story of how two Washington Post reporters uncovered the Watergate scandal that led to the resignation of President Nixon; starring Dustin Hoffman, Robert Redford.

For more, also see our Political and Government Classics page.

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July 17, 2008 10:07 AM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Books and Movies - Peter Loge

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite books and movies. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites: Books and Movies."

Peter Loge (bio), a public affairs professional, shares his favorite books and movies. (You can see some of Peter's favorite things about living in our nation's capital here.)

Favorite Books and Movies

My taste in DC fiction tends to run to campaign ads and public assurances of 100% support. One terrific political thriller that takes place largely in Washington is Executive Actions by Gary Grossman – among other things there is scene in one of my favorite restaurants, Tabard Inn.

Of all the DC-centric movies, my favorites include The Day the Earth Stood Still, a classic for so many reasons, and Strangers on a Train, which is a terrific film. I like The American President mostly for the joke about getting lost in Dupont Circle.

For more, also see our Political and Government Classics page.

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July 9, 2008 07:57 AM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Jack Schenendorf

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"

Jack Schenendorf (bio) shares his favorites.

Five most interesting places to visit

• The Capitol, web site, 101 Independence Ave SE, Washington, DC.
• National Archives, web site, 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 202-357-5450.
• The National Portrait Gallery, web site, 8th St NW and F Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-633-8300.
• The Holocaust Museum, web site, 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW Washington, DC, 202-488–0400.
• Union Station, web site, 50 Massachusetts Avenue, NE Washington, DC, 202-289-1908.

Five most favorite “fun” things to do

• Paddle Boats on the Tidal Basin, web site, 1501 Maine Ave, SW, Washington, DC, 202-479-2426.
• Attend a Nationals game, web site, Nationals Park, 1500 South Capitol Street, SE Washington, DC.
• Go to the Verizon Center for any sporting event. web site, 7th St NW & F St NW, Washington, DC, 202-628-3200.
• Take a tour of Georgetown. web site, Georgetown, Washington, DC.
• Walk along the National Mall. web site, National Mall, Washington, DC.

Five favorite restaurants

• Old Ebbitt Grill, web site, 675 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005 202-347-4800, [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
• Bullfeathers, web site, 410 1st St SE, Washington, DC 20003, 202-543-5005 [WaPo | Yelp]
• Oceanaire, web site, 1201 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004, 202-347-2277 [Hobnonb Blog | WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
• Clyde's Georgetown, web site, 3236 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007, 202-333-9180 [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
• Clyde's Gallery Place, web site, 707 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001, 202-349-3700 [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]

For more, also see our Visiting Washington DC pages

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June 6, 2008 07:37 AM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Al Swift

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"

Al Swift (bio), a former Member of Congress, shares his favorites.

Five most interesting places to visit

• Washington's Tomb or what was supposed to be that. It is now the place they store the Lincoln catafalque which has been used for every person who has laid in state in the rotunda since it was used for Abraham Lincoln. It is kind of hard to find but it is directly beneath the center of the Capitol Dome. Just keep going down. web site, 101 Independence Avenue SE, Washington, DC.
• The Brumidi Corridor in the U.S. Capitol, Senate side. web site, 101 Independence Avenue SE, Washington, DC.
• The Capitol Rotunda. web site, 101 Independence Avenue SE, Washington, DC.
• The Lincoln Memorial. web site, Independence Avenue SW & 23rd Street SW, Washington, DC.
• The Smithsonian. Some of these are pretty standard, but they are not ordinary. web site, map of museums on or near the National Mall, 202-633-1000.

Five most favorite “fun” things to do

• Have a martini, a cigar, and a conversation at Shelly's Back Room, a tavern in DC. One of only two places in DC where you can enjoy a good cigar while wetting one's whistle. web site, 1331 F Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-737-3003.
• Go to the National Zoo. web site, 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-633-4800.
• Go to the Arboretum. web site, 3501 New York Avenue NE, Washington, DC, 202-245-2726.
• Ride the paddle boats in the Tidal Basin. This is one that I have not done, but it always seemed like fun. web site, 1501 Maine Avenue SW, Washington, DC, 202-479-2426.

Five favorite restaurants

Well, I'm a truck driver's son and while I've learned to like the finer things in life, I haven't forgotten the joys of a good peanut butter and jam sandwich...

• The Prime Rib for steak and lobster bisque. web site, 2020 K Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-466-8811. [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
• The Monocle for history and politics with your meal. web site, 107 D Street NE, Washington, DC, 202-546-4488 [WaPo | Yelp]
• Hard Times Cafe, any of them for chili. I like Texas, halfway wet with onions on the side. web site, many locations throughout the area. [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
• Five Guys any of them for hamburgers, what else? web site, many locations throughout the area. [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
• BJs Sandwich Shop in the National Press Building. For good sandwiches when you are on the run. (But I've never tried their PB&Js.) web site,

For more, also see our Visiting Washington DC pages

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May 22, 2008 07:27 AM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Jim Capretta

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"

Jim Capretta (bio), a Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, shares his favorites.

Three most interesting places to visit

• The Museum of Natural History. web site, 10th Street & Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC, 202-633-1000.
• The Pope John Paul II Cultural Center, near Catholic University. web site, 3900 Harewood Road, NE, Washington, DC 202-635-5400.
• The National Archives building. web site, 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 202-357-5450.

Two most favorite “fun” things to do

• Eat at the cafeteria in the Supreme Court building. Cafeteria Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on ground floor. It closes briefly to the public to accommodate Court employees at noon and 1 p.m. web site, map 202-479-3030.
• Go to the top of the Post Office Pavilion Tower. web site, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 202-289-4224.

Two favorite restaurants

• Crystal Thai web site, 4819 Arlington Boulevard (At Park Dr.), Arlington, VA, 703-522-1311. [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
• Five Guys web site, many locations throughout the area. [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]

For more, also see our Visiting Washington DC pages

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May 17, 2008 10:47 AM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Dave Grimaldi

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"

Dave Grimaldi (bio) shares his favorites.

Five most interesting places to visit

• The Folger Shakespeare Library behind the Supreme Court. web site, 201 East Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC 20003, 202-544-4600.
• Meridian Hill Park,web site, 16th and U Streets NW, Washington, DC.
• Frederick Douglass's birth place, web site, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg, VA, 703-777-3174.
• The Dumbarton Oaks estate in Georgetown, web site, 2715 Q Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-337-2288.
• The National Cathedral web site, Massachusetts and Wisconsin NW, Washington, DC, 202-537-6200.

Five most favorite “fun” things to do

• Going to the National Zoo two hours before closing, after all of the crowds are gone. web site, 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-633-4800.
• Heading to the monuments during big snowfalls.
• Walking to Kalorama and seeing the grand ambassadors' residences. Kalorama Wikipedia entry, Kalorama, Washington, DC.
• Hitting the Dupont Circle Farmers' Market every Sunday morning. web site, 20th Street NW between Q and Massachusetts NW, Washington, DC, 202-362-8889.
• Bike riding through downtown and the Mall. You can see it all in less than a day! District of Columbia map.

Five favorite restaurants

• Cactus Cantina web site, 3300 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 202-686-7222. [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
• The Palm web site, 1225 19th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-293-9091. [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
• Sushi Taro web site 1503 17th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-462-8999. [WaPo | Yelp]
• Tosca web site, 1112 F Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-367-1990. [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
• Five Guys web site, now that they offer franchises they have many locations throughout the area. [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]

For more, also see our Visiting Washington DC pages

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May 8, 2008 09:07 AM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Books and Movies - Jill Kamp Melton

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite books and movies. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites: Books and Movies."

Jill Kamp Melton (bio), a communications consultant, shares her favorite books and movies. (You can see some of Jill's favorite things about living in our nation's capital here.)

Favorite Books and Movies

As for books and movies, my taste is back in the 19th century. I love anything by Jane Austen and have watched ALL the versions of Pride and Prejudice and Emma many times. The novels by Catherine Cookson that have been made into movies by the BBC for TV are also compelling.

The only modern movie I have liked recently is The Devil Wears Prada, because of the fashion angle. In addition, seeing the personal price that is paid for someone to sacrifice ethics and relationships for position and power could be seen to echo DC shenanigans.

For more, also see our Political and Government Classics page.

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April 9, 2008 04:57 PM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Books and Movies - Michael Koempel

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite books and movies. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites: Books and Movies."

Michael Koempel (bio), a senior specialist in American National Government for the Congressional Research Service at the Library of Congress, shares his favorite book and movie. (You can see some of Mike's favorite things about living in our nation's capital here.)

Favorite Book and Movie

There are many good books and movies about Washington, but my favorite book and movie about Washington are the same: Allen Drury's Advise and Consent. The book, and the movie on which it was based, was written by someone who knew the Senate and Senators very well and respected the institution and its people, captured the essence of congressional politics in a real way, successfully invoked the political backdrop prevailing at the time (anticommunism; there's always a political backdrop), was based loosely on a real event, and, in the case of the movie, was wonderfully cast and directed.

For more, also see our Political and Government Classics page.

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April 2, 2008 09:07 AM   Link    Comments (1)

Faculty Favorites: Books and Movies - Claudia Thurber

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite books and movies. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites: Books and Movies."

Claudia Thurber (bio), a veteran of over twenty-two years of federal government service, shares her favorite books and movies. (You can see some of Claudia's favorite things about living in our nation's capital here.)

Favorite Books

I am addicted to mysteries so I will limit my selections to those. (There are many good novels, but I will leave those for someone else to mention). There are many good writers who have set their mysteries in DC. Two of my favorites are: David Baldacci's The Camel Club and George P Pelecanos' Right as Rain and The Sweet Forever. Pelecanos is not for the faint of heart. His books are gritty and disturbing, showing a side of DC that few of us know. Nevertheless, I like him!

Favorite Movies

As to movies, there are many good ones set in DC. Here are a couple of my favorites: Mr Smith Goes to Washington; All The President's Men; No Way Out and, of course, The Exorcist, which has always given tourists something to look for in Georgetown!

For more, also see our Political and Government Classics page.

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March 12, 2008 11:07 AM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Books and Movies - Bill Noxon

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite books and movies. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites: Books and Movies."

Bill Noxon (bio), a public relations practitioner, shares his favorite book and movie. (You can see some of Bill's favorite things about living in our nation's capital here.)

Favorite Book

The World is Flat -- My favorite book (recently) was Tom Friedman's "The World is Flat." I was interested in it for a couple of reasons. I read many of Friedman's columns in the New York Times about the changing nature of the world economy, as well as science, technology and education. He quite often cited our National Science Foundation statistical studies and analyses in building his individual columns. The book dramatically yet eloquently stated a view he championed for years that the rest of the world is slowly catching up to the United States in innovation, wealth generation and in some ways, passing the U.S. in educational achievement. The reality of this "flatness" is in this growing global economy and interaction, and the challenges we have in maintaining world leadership in areas the U.S. often has taken for granted until the dawn of the new century we are now in.

Favorite Movie

Schindlers List-- My favorite movie is no longer new. But it left my wife and me speechless as we left the theater. Schindler's List left an emotional impression on me about the realities of the Holocaust, and as I recall the evening we first saw it, not only did it leave us speechless, but as we looked around, we saw an entire theater empty with almost no sound, as though we were caught in a stuper that rendered us totally overcome by the horrors of the time, seeing it in ways we had never seen or known about previously. The end of the movie, where former Holocaust survivors get together, and stories were shared, drove home the emotional experience to a level that seems indescribable, even now.

For more, also see our Political and Government Classics page.

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March 8, 2008 11:07 AM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Bryan Hubbard

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"

Bryan Hubbard (bio) shares his favorites.

Five most interesting places to visit

• The Library of Congress is underrated. web site, 101 Independence Ave, SE, Washington, DC, 202-707-5000.
• The National Cathedral is fascinating. web site, Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues, NW, Washington, DC, 202-537-6200.
• Great Falls Park Maryland side. Who knew there was that much nature that close to DC? web site, 11710 MacArthur Blvd., Potomac, MD, 301-767-3714.
• The National Zoo in the spring-wow! web site, 3001 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, DC, 202-633-4800.
• Udvar-Hazy Annex of the National Air and Space Museum, an adrenaline-history junkie's dream. web site, 6th and Independence, SW, Washington, DC, 202-633-1000.

Five most favorite “fun” things to do

• Bike the C&O Canal path. web site, Directions to six visitors centers 301-739-4200.
• Fly fish the many rivers and streams within one hour.
• Ride a motorcycle around the memorials and along the Potomac. National Mall and Memorial Parks web site, Potomac River web site.
• Spend an evening on Barracks Row or in Chinatown. Barracks Row web site, Chinatown Wikipedia entry, Barracks Row directions, 733 1/2 8th Street, SE, Washington, DC, 202-544-3188.
• Go to a Nationals game. web site, Nationals Park, 1500 South Capitol Street, SE Washington, DC.

Five favorite restaurants

• Pizzeria Paradiso web site, DuPont Circle location, 2029 P Street NW, Washington, DC,202-223-1245, Georgetown location, 3282 M Street NW, Washington, DC,202-337-1245 [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
• Belga Cafe web site, 6514 8th Street, SE, Washington, DC, 202-544-0100. [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
• Filomena web site, 1063 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 202-338-8800 [WaPo | Yelp]
• Capital Grille web site, 601 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 202-737-6200. [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
• Finn MacCool's web site, 713 8th St SE Washington, DC, 202-547-7100. [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]

For more, also see our Visiting Washington DC pages

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February 27, 2008 01:47 PM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Jill Kamp Melton

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"

Jill Kamp Melton (bio) shares her favorites.

Five most interesting places to visit

• The Claude Moore Farm in McLean, run as an 18th century poor farm. Three times a year they have an “18th century Market Fair" that I love to attend. web site, 6310 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA, 703-442-7557
• Mount Vernon, George Washington’s home, especially at Christmas time. web site, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Alexandria, VA
• Oatlands, a historic home in Leesburg with a very interesting tour. web site, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg, VA, 703-777-3174
• George Washington’s birthplace on the Northern Neck, east of Fredericksburg. web site, 1732 Popes Creek Rd, Colonial Beach, VA, 804-224-1732
• Caledon Wildlife Preserve in King George County. It is pristine and untouched for hundreds of years. Tours in a rickety bus point out beaver dams and lots of wildlife. web site, 11617 Caledon Rd, King George, VA

Five most favorite “fun” things to do

• Shop the DC Flea, a flea market and antique show that comes to the Expo center in Chantilly 3 or 4 times a year. web site, 4368 Brookfield Corporate Dr, Chantilly, VA
• Shop the Eastern Market any Sunday morning. web site, 7th St & North Carolina Ave SE, Washington, DC, Metro
• Drive to Middleburg, Leesburg and Charlottesville, not on the same day, soak up the ambiance, eat at The Red Fox Inn in Middleburg and spend the night in a B & B. The Red Fox Inn web site, Middleburg web site, Leesburg web site, Charlottesville web site
• Take the metro to King Street and walk on one side of the street all the way to the water and then on the other side all the way back, taking time to window shop and “see what’s doin’.“ King Street Metro, Old Town Alexandria web site
• Attend a concert at the Kennedy Center or Strathmore Music Center in Rockville or a jazz concert at the National Gallery of Art downtown. Kennedy Center, Strathmore Music Center, National Gallery of Art

Five favorite restaurants

• The food court at Whole Foods in Old Town on Duke Street and Holland Lane. web site, 1700 Duke St, Alexandria, VA
• Tachibana, a Japanese restaurant on Lowell Street in McLean. They have a private room in the back for 8 where you can sit, eat, and talk for hours with friends. web site, 6715 Lowell Ave, McLean, VA, 703-847-1771 [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
• Carlyle Grande Café in Shirlington, call ahead for reservations. web site, 4000 28th Street South, Arlington, VA, 703-931-0777 [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
• Chutzpah in Fairfax on Ox Road near Fair Oaks Mall. web site, 12214 Fairfax Towne Ctr, Fairfax, VA, 703-385-8883 [WaPo | Washingtonian | Yelp]
• Lebanese Taverna Market in north Arlington or the one at Galleria, Tysons 2. web site, 5900 Washington Blvd, Arlington, VA, 703-241-8681 [WaPo | Yelp]

For more, also see our Visiting Washington DC pages

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January 17, 2008 09:37 AM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Steve Roberts

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"

Steve Roberts (bio), a journalist, political commentator, and the J.B. and Maurice C. Shapiro Professor of Media and Public Affairs at the George Washington University, shares his favorites.

Favorite Places to Visit

• I still get a thrill every time I see the Capitol, particularly at night, even after all these years. web site, map
• The branch of the Air and Space Museum at Dulles airport is a real treat. My grandkids love the space shuttle and the Blackbird spy plane. The IMAX theater there also a special event (the IMAX theater in the Air and Space Museum downtown shows the same films but tends to be more crowded). Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, web site, 14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway, Chantilly, VA, 202-633-1000, free admission, $ parking and IMAX have fees
• I'm a big fan of the National Zoo, lots to see in addition to the pandas. Try to catch elephant training (11 am) or seal feeding (11:30 am) shows daily (daily programs). web site, 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-633-4800
• National Museum of Natural History is great for dinosaur loving kids. Lots of cool skeletons. web site, 10th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-357-1729
• Get out of your car and walk around Georgetown or Old Town in Alexandria. Notice the small architectural details and get a feel for an 18th century cityscape. Georgetown - from Wikipedia, "Walking Tour of Old Town Alexandria," from Rachel Cooper.

Fun Things to Do

• Walking/jogging/biking along the C&O Canal is a lovely outing particularly in spring. Take the Park Service trip on an old barge, along the canal, starting in Georgetown, complete with guides and period musicians (web site). Also the Capital Crescent Trail (web site), part of the rails-to-trails system, goes through MD and down to Georgetown. web site
• Cherry blossoms in MD neighborhood of Kenwood (in Bethesda) are actually more spectacular than at the Tidal Basin and much less crowded. map, "Walking Kenwood, Maryland During Cherry Blossom Time," by Kevin Shaw
• National Arboretum (east of Capitol) is best in azalea season, early May. web site, 24th and R Streets NE, Washington, DC, 202-245-2726
• Glen Echo Park (also in MD) is a real old-fashioned amusement park. Don't miss the carousel (web site). Puppet (web site) and live stage shows for kids on weekends are well-done. NPS web site, events web site, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD, event line: 301-634-2222
• Congressional Cemetery (in southeast DC) has some fascinating monuments (John Philip Sousa, J. Edgar Hoover, list of famous internments), very guest/dog friendly. web site, 1801 E Street SE, Washington, DC, 202-543-0539

Favorite Restaurants

• Downtown I like Primi Piatti (on Eye St) especially in nice weather when you can eat outside. Feels like Rome. I like the ravioli, farfalle with crab and peas, and roasted peppers with goat cheese. web site, 2013 Eye Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-223-3600
• A door or two away, Cafe Lombardy (in Lombardy Hotel) is nice for breakfast (ask for a window table, usually sunny even in winter). web site, 2019 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-828-2600 [openlist | MenuPages]
• Iron Gate on N St. has the loveliest garden in town, food with a Lebanese accent. web site, 1734 N Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-737-1370 [DC Pages | Gayot | WaPo | Yelp]
• Legal Seafood on K St. has a delicious tuna burger. web site, 2020 K Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-496-1111 [Yelp]
• In the suburbs, my favorite is Pines of Rome in downtown Bethesda (on Hamden Lane, walking distance from Metro stop), very reasonable and kid friendly, white pizza a house specialty. 4709 Hampden Lane, Bethesda, MD, 301-657-8775 [MenuPages | Yelp | City Paper]
• Mon Ami Gabi on Woodmont is a great French bistro, I like the crepes and omelets. web site, 7239 Woodmont Avenue, Bethesda, MD, 301-654-1234 [Yelp]

For more, also see our Visiting Washington DC pages

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December 1, 2007 08:07 AM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Bill Noxon

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"

Bill Noxon (bio), a public relations practitioner, shares his favorites.

Favorite Places to Visit

My work led me to a couple of these choices after having more than a normal visitor's access, so my picks may have some innate prejudices.

• The White House -- Whether or not you agree with the politics of whomever is the sitting president, there is nothing more exciting than getting an up-close and personal look at this fascinating place. It's not as large as it may appear in pictures, and when you go into the press room where they hold daily briefings, it feels like you're inside a small box because of the tight theater-style seating and all the equipment buzzing around you. Yet, that's the room you see every day on TV and where White House spokesmen reach millions with their communications on presidential activity and policy. The other rooms up in the main White House complex are a little smaller than one may expect, but their beauty, furnishings and art leave you almost speechless. Many rooms give you a wonderful view of the Rose Garden. When you consider you're walking on the same floors as every president since the White House was built, you realize that you are probably one of the very few Americans who have the opportunity to be inside this seat of global power. It is an awesome place. I've personally been fortunate enough to be able to walk many of the rooms without tour guides and just contemplate the experience. I've been involved in ceremonies in the East Room with Presidents Clinton and Bush, which were all exciting events. And I can verify from having the opportunity to attend a few presidential receptions that the White House food is -- in a word -- fantastic. 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC [White House Visitor Center, 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC | White House Tours]
• The Vietnam Veterans Memorial -- I was not in Vietnam, but was in the Army during the final couple of years of this conflict. If you are of an age that you have had friends or family involved in Vietnam, the 58,000 or so names that stream across this marvelous monument leave you literally without words. Even though I know of no personal friends who were casualties, I go back and continually scan the names. It's not that I want to find someone I know, but it's one of those eerie things that draws you back. The names represent real people, young people, whose lives were lost trying to do their duties in support of our nation. web site, search for names at The Wall, map (approximately 22nd Avenue NW and Constitution Avenue NW). Visiting Arlington National Cemetery is probably a good corollary if you're paying tribute to our fallen soldiers, sailors and airmen, but nothing leaves you quite as struck as this Vietnam memorial. web site, map (located just beyond the western end of the Memorial Bridge; the Lincoln Memorial is located at the eastern end of Arlington Memorial Bridge)
• The Capitol -- This used to be my favorite place to visit because of its beauty and its history, but the recent security measures have really detracted from the Capitol's true personality. There was a time you could walk into most entrances, get into the House and Senate galleries with little problem, and in fact, during my early days of broadcast news, I was able to cover many hearings in both chambers, and pretty much come and go without question. And not too long ago, it was common to see Senators and Congressmen walk by, and if you recognized them, you might get a few words with them. The atmosphere isn't as welcoming as it once was, but the building still has a lot of charm, and it is another of those "can't miss experiences" if you are in DC. web site, map
• Smithsonian Air and Space Museum -- Even for those who aren't especially interested in aviation, this is still one of the nation's most attractive "free" experiences. The kids love it. Some of the old aircraft and space vehicles are suspended high above the main floor, while others are available to on the floor for close-up viewing. The museum is beautifully laid out so that you can take escalators up and down to many other displays, theater presentations and interactive exhibits. I haven't looked at statistics recently on visitation, but this seems to be one the one place tourists all migrate to because of its central location and interesting presentation. web site, Independence Avenue SW at 6th Street SW, Washington, DC, 202-633-2563
• The Lincoln Memorial -- Of all the individual memorials in Washington, this one still makes my heart pound when I go there. It's not just that it's Abe Lincoln and his legacy that are presented there. But it's the beauty of the statue, the words that grace the interior, and the remarkable view as you turn back toward the Mall and see the Washington Monument and Capitol Rotunda squarely ahead. Then there are visions of the many historic events that occurred there, such as the Vietnam war protests, Martin Luther King, Junior's great speeches, the stirring performances given there during Independence Day and other special occasions. web site, map, next to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, article from Wikipedia
• Others -- You can make a full day of Smithsonian's various museums of art, science and technology and never walk more than a mile [web site | also see "Museums, Memorials and Monuments in DC" from TheCapitol.Net]. The John F. Kennedy Memorial on the edge of Arlington National Cemetery [web site] should be a stop on your tour. People are starting to "lose the significance" of this tragic event in our nation's history, so I tend to steer people there.
  
  There are those who believe Washington has recently become too crowded with new memorials [e.g., FDR, WWII], diluting the significance of each. But I still believe many of the earlier monuments hold the most beauty, and places like the White House and Capitol retain their importance because they are still very active as part of our national character and historical relevance.

Fun Things to Do

• Fourth of July celebrations -- These are always great. They bring people together in harmony, and it's a great traditional party in Washington. None was better than the bicentennial celebration. But they are all good. web site
• Return of baseball -- My own favorite things include the return of baseball to DC, and I will "most definitely" escalate this to the top of my list when the new Nationals' stadium opens next year. Driving down South Capitol Street once a month gives you a great "progress" snapshot of the new ballpark. And it's going to be a beauty. Washington Nationals, web site, RFK Stadium, 2400 East Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC. [Also see "Sports in DC" from TheCapitol.Net]
• Scottish Walk in Old Town Alexandria -- This used to be an annual winter event for me before moving somewhat far out of town. A great bagpipe parade, followed by some exploring in Old Town makes for a fun full day. web site, Alexandria, VA: map, "The Fun Side of the Potomac"
• Biking along the Potomac from Old Town Alexandria to Mount Vernon (home of George Washington) on the Mount Vernon Trail. Another of my favorite former activities, but hundreds still do this on a weekly basis, and it's a beautiful ride down the river that is almost flat for most of the ride. Mount Vernon Trail, web site from National Park Service, web site from Bike Washington. Also see "The Visitor's Biking Guide to Washington DC"
• Sampling microbrews at various bars and restaurants around town. Like exploring new restaurants, it can be a fun tasting experience. [See Microbreweries and Brew Pubs by students in MGT 558: Marketing & Community at The Catholic University of America: DC, MD, Northern VA]

Favorite Restaurants

This is harder. Most of my eating is now done outside of DC.

• L' Auberge in Great Falls. After many decades, it's probably still near the top in fine French eating in the area. Maybe there are better, but never are you disappointed at this great restaurant. web site, 332 Springvale Road, Great Falls, VA [Economist | TCEDG]
• Luigi's on 19th Street. Another old DC institution. Lots of Italian places come and go, but Luigi's is an institution, with some great pizza and exquisite Italian dishes for its pricing. The pizza is not quite what it was in the 1970s, but its other dishes are still wonderful. web site - Warning: slow to load flash 1132 19th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-331-7574 [WaPo | insiderpages | WETA | Yelp]
• Chart House in Old Town Alexandria. Great atmosphere and seafood selections. web site, One Cameron Street, Alexandria, VA, 703-684-5080 [openlist | Yelp]
• Cafe Tirolo, Arlington. This little place on Fairfax Drive tucked behind Tara Thai is operated by one of D.C.'s former top chefs (from Austria) who opened up his own place in Alexandria before moving to Arlington. A walk-up and order kind of place, the food is varied, and absolutely delicious. 4001 Fairfax Drive, # 16, Arlington, VA, 703-528-7809 [TCEDG | WaPo | MenuPages | openlist | Yelp]
• About 25 Chinese restaurants could share this position [see TCEDG - Chinese]. Hard to choose a favorite. You can go almost anywhere in the city and find some truly top-notch Chinese eating. Unfortunately, my personal favorite is Yangming in Philadelphia near Villanova University and Bryn Mawr College. Nothing compares! If it were a DC restaurant, it would jump to # 1 on my list. Yangming, web site, 1051 Conestoga Road, Bryn Mawr, PA, 610-527-3200 [Citysearch | MenuPages | Yelp]

For more, also see our Visiting Washington DC pages

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November 15, 2007 06:17 AM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Chuck Cushman

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"

Chuck Cushman (bio), an associate professor and director of the Master of Arts in Legislative Affairs program at The George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management, shares his favorites.

Most interesting places to visit

• Capitol Building, map
• Building Museum, web site, 401 F St NW, Washington, DC, 202-272-2448
• U Sreet Corridor, Wikipedia, Cultural Tourism, map

Favorite “fun” things to do

• Jazz in the Garden at the National Gallery of Art's Sculpture Garden on Fridays during the summer. web site, 7th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-785-1277
• See the monuments at night, TheCapitol.Net's Museums and Memorials, National Park Service map of the mall
• Running though Rock Creek Park -- best green space in town, web site
• Buying Italian groceries at Litteri's wholesale in NE Washington, web site, 517 Morse St NE, Washington DC, 202-544-0184
• Films at AFI Theater, 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD, 301-495-6720

Favorite restaurants (all in NW)

• Al Crostino, web site, 1324 U St NW, Washington, DC, 202-797-0523 [Yelp | WaPo]
• El Chalan, web site, 1924 I St NW, Washington, DC, 202-293-2765 [TCEDG | Yelp]
• Rumba Café, web site, 2443 18th St NW, Washington, DC, 202-588-5501 [WaPo | Yelp]
• El Patio, web site, 12303 Twinbrook Pkwy, Rockville, MD, 301-231-9225 [WaPo]
• Busboys and Poets, web site, 2021 14th St NW, Washington, DC, 202-387-7638 [Yelp | WaPo]

For more, see our Visiting Washington DC pages and other Faculty Favorites.

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November 7, 2007 07:47 AM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Deanna Gelak

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"

Deanna Gelak (bio), faculty for "How to Work the Hill Like a Pro Audio Course on CD," shares her favorites.

Five Most Interesting Places to Visit

• Get a Different (Aerial) Perspective
  • Go to the top of the Washington Monument to get a spectacular view of the city at least once in your life. web site, Constitution Ave & 15th St NW, Washington, DC, 202-426-6841, September through March daily 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • You can also get a nice view from the Old Post Office Bell Tower home to the Bells of Congress, which were a present from England on our Nation’s Bicentennial. web site, 1100 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC, 202-606-8694
  • A trip to the National Cathedral's Observation Tower also offers a nice view from the top of the city. The National Cathedral is often overlooked on public tours because it is off the beaten path, but the Cathedral is as long as the Washington Monument is high and contains beautiful architecture and much history. Many President's funerals have been held there, Woodrow Wilson is buried there and Helen Keller's ashes are in the lower level. web site, 3101 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington DC, 202-537-6200
• Make it Official by taking "official" tours of the US Capitol and Washington, DC. Information on US Capitol outside walking tours, visiting inside the Capitol and sitting in on a Congressional session are available at the US Capitol Historical Society.
  • Congressional Floor Tours: When the House is out of session, a staff member can escort family and friends onto the House floor. One interesting view is the bullet holes in the desk from the 1954 attack by Puerto Rican nationalists.
  • A tourmobile such as the Old Town Trolley (202-832-9800) is an efficient way to hit most DC highlights. The Tourmobile stops by the various attractions periodically so that you can depart from various locations when you are ready, according to their schedule. Kids especially like the DC Ducks Tour which takes you on a land and sea tour from the same vehicle (202-966-DUCK).
  • Before Coming to Washington, take a VIRTUAL tour to familiarize yourself with the US Capitol and White House
    • US Capitol
    • Tour of The White House
    • The West Wing
    • President's Park: Gardens and Grounds
    • White House Video Specific Rooms (Blue, Green, Red and State Dining Room)
• Air and Space Museum (Smithsonian Institute on the Mall): See the Wright Brothers' airplane and touch some moon rock. See the classic movie, To Fly (I remember it from when I was a kid and recently took my kids) and take a flight simulator ride (best to buy tickets online in advance to avoid very long lines). web site, Independence Avenue SW at 6th Street SW, Washington, DC, 202-633-2563
• Senate Summer House: Walk by the Summer House (open-air brick building near the Senate entrance just north of the capitol). The original fountain provided a place for visitors and their horses to drink. web site
• Stay at the Carriage House on Capitol Hill: Beautiful Bed and Breakfast - amidst century old rowhomes on Capitol Hill. A perfect place to retreat after a full day of meetings or touring the city. The Carriage House is a quick walk away from the Capitol, House of Representative's buildings, Supreme Court and the Library of Congress. It is a blend of new and old construction and is apointed with treasures from around the world. Guests feel at ease and cared for and small private events can be arranged. web site, 3rd St SE & South Carolina Ave SE, Washington, DC

Five Favorite Fun Things to Do

• Tour the Monuments by Moonlight: Arranging your own limo with a driver is a fantastic way to see Washington in a different light, but the "Monuments by Moonlight Tour" by Old Town Trolley is also good. Reservation information is available at (202) 832-9800.
• Go dancing over Washington in the revolving Skydome rooftop lounge, with excellent views of the Capital and the Potomac, as well as happy hour buffets and dancing. The Skydome Lounge is located at the top of the Doubletree Hotel in Crystal City, near national airport. web site, 300 Army Navy Dr, Arlington, VA, 703-416-4100
• Have a bowl of Senate bean soup at one of the Congressional cafeterias. Visitors can have official Senate bean soup that has been on the menu in the Senate for more than 100 years.
• Hear a friend's voice echo in the House and stand in the spot in the Capitol that is regarded as the very center of the city (but is it really still?). web site, map
• Take some fun photos
  • Touching the moon rock just inside entrance to the Air and Space Museum. web site, Independence Avenue SW at 6th Street SW, Washington, DC, 202-633-2563
  • If you position yourself correctly, you can have someone take your photo while you are positioned behind the Hope Diamond, so that it appears that you are actually wearing the necklace. Best to attempt this in non-peak periods to avoid impatient glances from other tourists waiting to get their own photos of the diamond. Museum of Natural History web site, 950 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC, 202-633-1000
  • If you can get clearance from a Congressional office or security guard, get a photo outside of the House floor with the Will Rogers statue. Place your forearm on his boot to follow the tradition by members of Congress of brushing their forearm on the famous orator statue's boot for good luck before entering the House floor to speak.
  • The National Museum of Natural History has a vendor set up on the lower level to take your photo superimposed in various museum scenes such as the Hairy Mammoth, etc. Museum of Natural History web site, 950 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC, 202-633-1000

Favorite Restaurants

• 701 Pennsylvania Avenue, web site, 701 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC, 202-393-0701 [WaPo | Yelp]
• Sky Terrace Restaurant, the roof top of Hotel Washington near the White House. Fantastic open view overlooking the Washington Monument and White House. This is the location where a scene from the movie No Way Out was filmed.. Closed from October until April. web site, 15th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-638-5900 [WaPo | Yelp]
• The Chart House. A great way to top off an evening walking the antique shops and Torpedo Factory in Old Town, Alexandria, VA. web site, One Cameron Street, Alexandria, VA, 703-684-5080 [openlist | Yelp]
• The Monocle on Capitol Hill (Senate side), web site, 107 D St NE, Washington, DC, 202-546-4488 [WaPo | Yelp]
• Les Halles De Paris, web site, 1201 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC, 202-347-6848 [WaPo | Yelp]

For more, also see our Visiting Washington DC pages

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October 24, 2007 06:47 AM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Peggy Garvin

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"

Peggy Garvin (bio), the author of Real World Research Skills: An Introduction to Factual, International, Judicial, Legislative, and Regulatory Research, shares her favorites. Peggy has lived in Washington DC for 24 years.

Five favorite “Oases”

• Go to the United States Botanic Garden to take a stroll through the orchids, cacti, and palms. The Botanic Garden is a great place for a little escape, particularly in the gloomy winter months. And it’s free. web site, 245 1st St SW, Washington, DC, 202-225-8333
  
  
• The Renwick Gallery’s collection is wonderful, of course, but for a mini-break I head straight upstairs to the plush Grand Salon. For a brief time, you can feel like a nineteenth-century millionaire. And it’s free. web site, 1661 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC, 202-633-7970
  
  
• National Building Museum, a grand old government office building that houses a museum, but also features a glorious interior space called the Great Hall. As described on the web site, “an ingenious system of windows, vents, and open archways allows the Great Hall to function as a reservoir of light and air” with “impressive Italian Renaissance design, a central fountain and eight colossal Corinthian columns.” Residents of the District of Columbia: this is the best place to take a break from the nearby courthouse when, inevitably, you have to report for jury duty. Grab a snack at the museum café, and take your place at a table in the Great Hall. Except for the money you may spend at the café, enjoying the Great Hall is free. 401 F St NW, Washington, DC, 202-272-2448
  
  
• I don’t have any special feelings about Firehook Bakery, but the Firehook Bakery in Cleveland Park has a back patio that is a neighborhood secret. Firehook inherited it from the legendary Roma restaurant of yore. It’s a low-key, low-cost retreat. web site, 3411 Connecticut Ave, Washington, DC, 202-362-2253
  
  
• The Hotel Washington Terrace fits the definition of oasis as watering hole, and it is not free. But every summer in Washington should include at least one visit to the rooftop terrace of the Hotel Washington for a refreshing beverage of your choice and stunning views of the White House and the Washington Monument. web site, 515 15th St NW, Washington, DC, 202-638-5900 [Yelp | WaPo]

For more, also see our Visiting Washington DC pages

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October 17, 2007 07:27 AM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Gebe Martinez

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"

Gebe Martinez (bio), a reporter covering Congress and politics for The Houston Chronicle, shares her favorites.

Most interesting places

• The Capitol. Even though I work there, it's a gorgeous building filled with so much to see. I love taking out of town guests there and encouraging them to keep their eyes open for political celebrities. web site, 202-225-6827
• King Street in Old Town Alexandria, is filled with shops and restaurants. It leads you straight to the water, where you can walk along the Potomac River. Old Town Alexandria web site, King Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314
• Jefferson Memorial after dusk or after snow has fallen. web site, map
• C&O Canal and Towpath especially north of Great Falls. web site
• Holocaust Museum web site, 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place SW, Washington, DC, 20024, 202-488–0400

Favorite Restaurants (This is a little harder to answer because there are so many good restaurants in this area. So, not in any particular order and off the top of my head...)

• TenPenh, web site, 1001 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC, 202-393-4500 [Yelp | TCEDG]
• Rosa Mexicano, web site, 575 7th Street at F Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-783-5522 [Yelp]
• Restaurant Eve, web site, 110 S Pitt St, Alexandria, VA, 703-706-0450 [Yelp | TCEDG]
• Majestic Cafe, web site, 911 King St, Alexandria, VA, 703-837-9117 [TCEDG | Yelp]
• Cashion's Eat Place, web site, 1819 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, DC, 202-419-6755 [WaPo]]

For more, see our Visiting Washington DC pages and other Faculty Favorites.

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October 10, 2007 04:07 PM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Brad Fitch

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"

Brad Fitch (bio), author of Media Relations Handbook, shares his favorites.

Five most interesting places to visit

• FDR Memorial. This is more than a monument to a man. This is a monument to America at a unique time in our history. As you walk through this remarkable monument spread out over about 1/2 an acre, the three decades that spanned Roosevelt's speak to you. My 11-year old nephew visited me for a week and saw everything in DC, and when I asked him what made the greatest impressions, he said it was the FDR Memorial. web site, map (only accessible by car from the northbound lanes of George Washington Parkway, just north of I-66, and by bike and foot on the Mt. Vernon Trail from the Rosslyn side of Key Bridge)
• The Capitol. If you're coming to Washington a visit to the Capitol is required. However, until the Capitol Visitors Center is completed in 2009, there is no good tour system set up. Your best bet is to call your congressman or senator's office at least four weeks in advance and ask them if they'll give you a tour. All Members of Congress offer this service, and you might be lucky and get some bright intern who actually knows a thing or two about the most amazing building in America. web site, map
• Teddy Roosevelt Island. This is one of those gems in DC that only a few locals know about, so I'm violated a code by revealing it here. On the other side of the Potomac River across from the Mall is this small island. It includes a few walking trails, but most importantly it includes a monument to one of the most interesting and dynamic presidents in history. In typical Teddy fashion, you have to walk through the woods -- one of TR's favorite pastimes -- to reach a glade. Before you is a statue of the commanding Roosevelt, 40-foot tall, surrounded by fountains and large slabs with wonderful Roosevelt quotes. web site, map (only accessible by car from the northbound lanes of George Washington Parkway, just north of I-66, and by bike and foot on the Mt. Vernon Trail from the Rosslyn side of Key Bridge)
• Union Station. It's amazing to think they almost tore down this building in the 1980's and that we have former Transportation Secretary Elizabeth Dole to thank for it's renovation. Inside is a fun food court, nice shops (although a bit overpriced), good bookstores, and many restaurants. If you're in town around Christmas you have to stop by the display put on by the country of Norway: a magnificent toy train set around a miniature town. web site, 50 Massachusetts Avenue NE, Washington DC, Metro
• Dumbarton Oaks. This garden next to a magnificent house is a great place to bring a book, a spouse, or girlfriend (but not all three at once). web site, 1703 32nd Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-339-6401

Five most favorite fun things to do

• Rent a Canoe on the Potomac. Rent a canoe at Thompson's boat marina. You can gentle paddle next to the monuments, Washington Harbor and the JFK Center for Performing Arts. web site, 2900 Virginia Ave NW, Washington, DC, 202-333-9543
• Drinks at Hotel Washington. The food's not worth staying for dinner, but get to the rooftop restaurant early on a spring or fall day and you get a breath-taking view of all of Washington. If you're lucky, the President's helicopter will take off or land next door, at the White House. web site, 15th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-638-5900
• Visit Eastern Market. This 1860's old brick building is currently being rebuilt after a 2007 fire. But when restored, you can shop at local vendors and get some of the best blueberry pancakes in the world. Come on the weekends to browse the flea market and the farmers markets. web site, 7th St & North Carolina Ave SE, Washington, DC, Metro
• Twilight Tattoo. This is another of those rarities that most people don't know about. During the summer, every Wednesday on the Mall, the United States Army puts on a show for anyone who wants to see it on the history of the Army. Complete with bands, singers, horses, and costumes. You need to check the Army web site to get exact times and locations. web site
• Take in a Play at Ford's Theater. There's something about watching a play in this 150-year old theater, the same one where President Lincoln was shot. You can't help but let your eyes wander occasionally from the players to see the empty box, draped in colors, where Lincoln watched the same stage. web site, 511 10th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-347-4833

Four favorite restaurants

• Matchbox Pizza. This little brick building in near the MCI Center has quickly become a very popular destination. It has the best pizza in Washington (for New Yorkers, that means it's "pretty good"). But they have creative toppings as well. web site, 713 H St NW, Washington, DC, 202-289-4441 [Washingtonian | Yelp]
• Two Quail. This little building on the North East of Capitol Hill looks like it was subjected to a Laura Ashley overdose. But it has a quaint way about it and the lunch food it great. They always have a fresh farmers salad, wonderful bread, and very comfortable chairs. Not my favorite for dinner because it's a bit overpriced. web site, 320 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC, 202-543-8030 [WaPo | Yelp]
• M&S Grill. This is a very solid restaurant with great seafood and meat, reasonable prices, and good service. You'll go home happy. web site, 600 13th St NW, Washington, DC, 202-347-1500 [WaPo | Yelp]
• Station Grill. If you come to DC through Union Station and need to get a meal while waiting for a train, there's only one place to go in Union Station: Station Grill. There is nothing fancy about the surroundings but they have the best burgers in DC. They also have great salads with wonderful grilled veggies. Avoid the crab soup -- it's way too thick. But everything else is quite good with reasonable prices. web site, 50 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC, 202-898-4745 [Yelp]

For more, also see our Visiting Washington DC pages

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October 3, 2007 11:57 AM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Frank Burk

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"

Frank Burk (bio), faculty for "Drafting Effective Federal Legislation and Amendments in a Nutshell," shares his favorites.

Favorite Places to Visit

• The Capitol, web site, map
• Great Falls Park, web site, map, 703-285-2965
• Teddy Roosevelt Island, web site, map (only accessible by car from the northbound lanes of George Washington Parkway, just north of I-66, and by bike and foot on the Mt. Vernon Trail from the Rosslyn side of Key Bridge)
• National Arboretum, web site, 24th and R Streets NE, Washington, DC, 202-245-2726
• Freer Gallery, web site, 1200 Jefferson Dr SW, Washington, DC, 202-633-1000
• Middleburg, Virginia, web site, map

Favorite restaurants

• L'Auberge Chez Francois, web site, 332 Springvale Road, Great Falls, VA, 703-759-3800 [Tyler Cowen's Ethnic Dining Guide | Yelp]
• Kinkead's, web site, 2000 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-296-7700 [WaPo | TCEDG]
• Bistrot du Coin, web site, 2000 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-234-6969 [WaPo | Yelp]
• Sweetwater, web site, 3066 Gatehouse Plaza, Falls Church, VA, 703-645-8100 [WaPo | Yelp]
• Tara Thai, 4001 Fairfax Dr, Arlington, VA, 703-908-4999 [WaPo | Yelp]
• The Dubliner, for more fun than food, web site, 520 N Capitol St NW, Washington, DC, 202-737-3773 [WaPo | Yelp]

Fun Things to Do

• Smithsonian Folklife Festival (last week of June-first week of July), web site, map
• The Birchmere, web site, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA, 703-549-7500
• Wolf Trap, especially the Barns, web site, 1635 Trap Road, Vienna, VA, 703-255-1900
• The Torpedo Factory, and Old Town in general, web site, 105 N Union St, Alexandria, VA, 703-838-4565

For more, also see our Visiting Washington DC pages

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September 26, 2007 08:17 AM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Claudia Thurber

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"

Claudia Thurber (bio), a veteran of over twenty-two years of federal government service, shares her favorites.

Five most interesting places to visit

• Dumbarton Oaks, web site, 1703 32nd Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-339-6401
• Phillip's Museum, web site, 1600 21st Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-387-2151
• National Building Museum, web site, 401 F Street NW, Washington, DC, 202 272-2448
• Rock Creek Park on foot or bicycle, web site, map
• The C&O Canal on foot, maps from NPS, C&O Canal Bicycling Guide

Five most favorite “fun” things to do

• Tennis at Arlington Y, 3400 N 13th Street, Arlington, VA, 703-525-5420, or at Georgetown Visitation, 1524 35th Street NW, Washington, DC
• Cycling in Rock Creek Park (web site, map) or to Hains Point, 1090 Ohio Drive SW, Washington, DC
• Walking just about anywhere [see Washington Walks for tours]
• A good movie at the Uptown Theater, web site, 3426 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-966-5400 [WaPo | Yelp]
• A glass of wine in my back yard

Five favorite restaurants

• TenPenh, web site, 1001 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-393-4500 [TCEDG | Yelp]
• Almost any Thai restaurant [TCEDG - Thai]
• Vidalia, web site, 1990 M Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-659-1990, closed Sunday. [TCEDG | Yelp]
• Guapo's on Wisconsin Avenue. web site (flash and music), 4515 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-686-3588 [openlist | WaPo]
• Cashion's in Adams Morgan, web site, 1819 Columbia Road NW, Washington, DC, near 18th Street NW, 202-797-1819 [TCEDG | Yelp]

For more, also see our Visiting Washington DC pages

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September 20, 2007 07:27 AM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Jim Bayless

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"

Jim Bayless (bio), a veteran legislative and regulatory attorney who has lived in Washington for more than 25 years, shares his favorites.

Interesting Places to Visit

• Arlington National Cemetery, web site, map (located just beyond the western end of the Memorial Bridge; the Lincoln Memorial is located at the eastern end of Arlington Memorial Bridge)
• Dumbarton Oaks, web site, 1703 32nd Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-339-6401
• International Spy Museum, web site, 800 F Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-393-7798
• Hillwood Museum and Gardens, web site, 4155 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-686-5807
• Great Falls National Park, especially after a rain with rapids in the Potomac River. web site, 9200 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, VA

Fun Things to Do

• Jogging along monuments on Mall and on the Mt. Vernon Trail along the Potomac River by Arlington National Cemetery, The National Mall, web site, map. Mt. Vernon Trail, info and map.
• Evening Parade at U.S. Marine Corps Barracks (Friday nights, summer, generally requires a reservation), web site, park at Maritime Plaza and take shuttle, 1201 M Street SE, Washington, DC
• Witness arrivals of Marine One (presidential helicopter) on the South Lawn of the White House. See the Ellipse, map

Favorite Restaurants

• La Chaumiere (Georgetown), web site, 2813 M Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-338-1784 [TCEDG | openlist | Yelp]
• The Prime Rib (downtown), web site, 2020 K Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-466-8811 [WaPo | Don Rockwell | openlist | Yelp]
• Le Mistral (McLean, VA), web site, 6641 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, VA, 703-748-4888 [WaPo | MenuPages | Yelp]

For more, also see our Visiting Washington DC pages

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September 13, 2007 07:37 AM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Martha Angle

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"

Martha Angle (bio), associate editor at Congressional Quarterly, shares her favorites.

Favorite Places to Visit

• Phillips Collection -- Superb art in a comfortable, accessible setting. Renoir's "The Luncheon of the Boating Party" is worth the price of admission all by itself, but there are dozens of other treasures, including some of the finest Van Goghs you'll find anywhere. web site, 1600 21st Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-387-2151
• National Gallery of Art -- Both buildings (East and West), all collections. Something for all art lovers, whatever your preferred era. web site, 6th Street NW and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-737-4215
• National Arboretum -- A beautiful place to explore any time of year (there's always the Bonsai gardens, indoors) but especially lovely in the spring at azalea time, which runs about mid-April to mid-May. web site, 3501 New York Avenue NE, Washington, DC, 202-245-2726
• Bishop's Garden at the National Cathedral -- A much smaller gem, located directly below the Cathedral on south side, with nooks and crannies where you can escape and enjoy a tranquil moment or two. Combine with visit the the Cathedral itself, a stunning architectural work and fascinating place to tour. Gift shop is first-rate, too. web site, 3101 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-537-6200
• Georgetown -- a walking tour. The oldest section of DC, its residential streets are filled with historic old townhouses while the commercial corridors offer fabulous shopping and restaurants. Georgetown BID, Georgetown, Washington, D.C. - from Wikipedia

Fun Things to Do

• Hike any section of the C&O Canal, from Georgetown all the way up into Maryland. maps from NPS, C&O Canal Bicycling Guide
• Visit Great Falls, either Virginia park or the Maryland side. web site, 9200 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, VA, Great Falls, MD
• Bike ride or walk through Rock Creek Park, enjoying a vehicle-free stretch of Beach Drive on the weekends. web site, weekends on Beach Drive
• Pick a Smithsonian museum -- any museum -- on a rainy day and prowl through. web site | also see "Museums, Memorials and Monuments in DC" from TheCapitol.Net
• Browse the shops and restaurants at Union Station, and don't miss Appalachian Spring [Jargol]. web site, 50 Massachusetts Avenue NE, Washington DC, Metro

Favorite Restaurants

• Sala Thai, Dupont Circle, web site, 2016 P Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-872-1144 [Yelp]
• Hank's Oyster Bar, Dupont east, web site, 1624 Q Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-462-4265 [TCEDG | Yelp]
• Palena front room, Cleveland Park (Conn. Ave), web site, 3529 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-537-9250 [TCEDG | Yelp]
• Two Amys pizza, Cleveland Park (Macomb, off Wisconsin Avenue), web site, 3715 Macomb Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-885-5700 [TCEDG | Yelp]
• BlackSalt, Macarthur Blvd., Palisades area. web site, 4883 MacArthur Blvd. NW, Washington, DC, near U Street NW, 202-342-9101, closed Monday [TCEDG | Yelp]

For more, also see our Visiting Washington DC pages

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September 6, 2007 06:57 AM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Robert Gee

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"

Robert Gee (bio), Chief of Public Services for the Law Library of Congress, shares his favorites.

Most interesting places

• DC's Waterfront, Water Street SW, Washington, DC, Cultural Tourism DC, map
• "The Awakening" sculpture, starting Spring 2008 at the National Harbor Place in Prince George's County, web site, 6710 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill, MD
• The Congressional Cemetery, web site, 1801 E Street SE, Washington, DC, 202-543-0539
• The Holocaust Museum, web site, 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place SW, Washington, DC, 202-488-0400

Favorite Restaurants

• Belga Cafe, web site, 514 8th Street SE, Washington, DC, 202-544 0100 [Yelp]
• Zola, web site, 800 F Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-654-0999 [WaPo | Yelp]
• Rosa Mexicano, web site, 575 7th Street NW (at F Street NW), Washington, DC, 202-783-5522 [Yelp]
• Kinkead's, web site, 2000 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-296-7700 [WaPo | TCEDG]
• Bistro Bis, web site, 15 E Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-661-2700 [Yelp | WaPo | TCEDG ]
  
  

For more, see our Visiting Washington DC pages and other Faculty Favorites.

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August 26, 2007 03:27 PM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Peter Loge

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"

Peter Loge (bio), a Principal with Milo Public Affairs, shares his favorites.

Favorite place

The Mansion on O Street, just south of Dupont Circle, is probably the most entertaining place in DC to stay or attend an event. web site, 2020 O Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-496-2020 [NYT | TripAdvisor]

Favorite restaurants

• The Tabard Inn at 1739 N St. NW, also just south of Dupont Circle, is a perfect place for leisurely breakfast or lunch or a nice dinner. web site, 1739 N Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-785-1277 [WaPo]
• A wonderful romantic dinner spot is across the street at the Iron Gate Restaurant. 1734 N Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-737-1370 [WaPo | Yelp | DC Pages]

Favorite thing to do

Anyone visiting Washington between May and September should try to catch a DC United soccer game at RFK Stadium. DC United is the winningest franchise in Major League Soccer and has the best crowd in the league. web site, RFK Stadium, 2400 East Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC, 202-587-5000

For more, also see our Visiting Washington DC pages

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August 19, 2007 11:17 AM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Bob Healy

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"

Bob Healy (bio), a senior editor at Congressional Quarterly, shares his favorites.

Most interesting places

• Hillwood Museum, former home of Marjorie Post, formal gardens and lavish Russian Art. web site, 4155 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-686-5807
  
  
• Tudor Place in Georgetown, late 18th century estate with lovely gardens. web site, 1644 31st Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-965-0400
  
  
• Dumbarton Oaks and Dumbarton House in Georgetown.
  • Dumbarton Oaks has some of the most magnificent gardens on the East Coast and a wonderful collection of pre-Columbian art in a jewel box gallery designed by Philip Johnson (now closed for renovation, but will reopen soon), web site, 1703 32nd Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-339-6401
  • Dumbarton House is an 18th century mansion now owned by the Colonial Dames. web site, 2715 Q Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-337-2288
  
  
• Kreeger Museum in Foxhall - personal art collection in another Philip Johnson building. web site, 2401 Foxhall Road NW, Washington, DC, 202-337-3050
  
  
• Anderson House Museum, home of the Society of the Cincinnati, a grand early 20th century mansion. web site, 2118 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-785-2040
  
  
• You will notice a pattern here - I am very fond of historic houses, to round out the list are the two National Trust houses in DC
  • Decatur House is "one of the oldest surviving homes in Washington, DC." web site, 1610 H Street, NW, Washington, DC, 202-842-0920
  • Woodrow Wilson House, web site, 2340 S Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-387-4062

Fun things to do

• Walk around looking for unusual carvings on buildings.
  • The stone cat atop the roof of the House at Massachusetts and Florida Avenues NW
  • The lions on the front of a house on the south side of Massachusetts Avenue between 17th and 18th Streets NW
  • The handbells carved into the keystone over the door of a house off Logan Circle
  • The turtles supporting a column of a building at the National Zoo (the Zoo also has a large pink granite eagle that was once over the entrance to the now demolished Penn Station in New York - see "Eagle Eye." ) web site, 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC
  
  
• Having cocktails in the summer on the roof terrace of the Washington Hotel. web site, 15th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-638-5900
  
  
• Free outdoor movies at several venues in the summer: (Screen on the Green on the mall; Films on The Vern, movies at Mount Vernon campus of GW (web site); at Strathmore Hall in Bethesda (web site, 10701 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, WaPo 2007), and elsewhere).
  
  
• The Capital Fringe Festival in the summer - dozens of live theatrical events all over town. web site
  
  
• Walking or riding a bike along the C&O Canal towpath (C&O Canal Bicycling Guide) or Rock Creek Park (web site).
  
  
• Picnic and a show at Wolf Trap. web site, 1635 Trap Road, Vienna, VA, 703-255-1900

Favorite Restaurants (I can't limit myself to five)

• David Greggory, web site, 2030 M Street NW, corner of 21st and M Streets, NW, Washington, DC, 202-872-8700 [Yelp]
  
  
• Poste Moderne Brasserie, web site, 555 8th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-783-6060 [TCEDG | Yelp]
  
  
• Firefly, web site, 1310 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-861-1310 [openlist]
  
  
• Bistro D'Oc, web site, 518 10th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-393-5444 [TCEDG | openlist]
  
  
• Blue Duck Tavern, web site, 1201 24th Street NW (in the Park Hyatt), Washington, DC, 202-419-6755 [WaPo]
  
  
• Ardeo in Cleveland Park, web site, 3311 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-244-6750 [Yelp | openlist]
  
  
• Jaleo, web site, 480 7th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-628-7949 [TCEDG | openlist]
  
  
• Zaytinya, web site (flash), 701 9th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-638-0800 [TCEDG | Gayot]
  
  
• 15RIA, web site, 1515 Rhode Island Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-742-0015 [openlist | WaPo]

For more, see our Visiting Washington DC pages and other Faculty Favorites.

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July 18, 2007 06:27 AM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Ron Faucheux

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"

Ron Faucheux (bio), former Chief of Staff for Senator Mary Landrieu (D-Louisiana), shares his favorites.

Five most interesting places to visit

• The Tidal Basin during the cherry blossoms. map, Virtual tour of the Tidal Basin during cherry blossom time. WaPo Tidal Basin Paddle Boats
• Jefferson Memorial at night. web site, map
• Lincoln Memorial anytime. web site, map (monuments map in pdf)
• Georgetown on a Saturday afternoon. Georgetown BID, Georgetown, Washington, D.C. - from Wikipedia
• The Senate in session during an important debate. web site, map

Five favorite restaurants

• The Old Ebbitt Grill for a typical Washington experience. web site, 675 15th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-347-4801 [Yelp | openlist]
• L'Auberge Chez Francois for country French in the country (Great Falls). web site, 332 Springvale Road, Great Falls, VA [Tyler Cowen's Ethnic Dining Guide | Yelp]
• Acadiana for excellent Louisiana cuisine. web site, 901 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-393-1510 [Tyler Cowen's Ethnic Dining Guide | Yelp]
• Citronelle for the whole shebang. web site, 3000 M Street NW, Washington, DC, in the Latham Hotel, 202-625-2150 [Tyler Cowen's Ethnic Dining Guide | Yelp]
• 1789 for a classic old Georgetown experience. web site, 1226 36th Street NW, Washington, DC, near Prospect Street, 202-965-1789 [Tyler Cowen's Ethnic Dining Guide | Yelp]

For more, also see our Visiting Washington DC pages

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July 5, 2007 08:17 AM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Judy Schneider

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"

Judy Schneider (bio), co-author of the Congressional Deskbook, shares her favorites.

Places to Visit

• I think the Franciscan Monastery and National Cathedral are two of the under-visited treasures in DC. I have been visiting the cathedral regularly since 1968, but only discovered the Franciscan monastery last year.
  • National Cathedral, web site, 3101 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-537-6200
  • Franciscan Monastery, web site, 1400 Quincy Street NE, Washington, DC, 202-526-6800

Restaurants

• Most restaurants I frequent are in the suburbs, but if someone else is paying in DC I think Oceanaire and Chef Geoff's are both terrific, but pricey.
  • The Oceanaire, web site, 1201 F Street NW, 202-347-2277 [Hobnob Blog | Don Rockwell | Gayot]
  • Chef Geoff's, web site, 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-464-4461 [Yelp]
• For less expensive and different type meals, there are some terrific small ethnic restaurants in Adams Morgan and Wheaton, MD (near the Wheaton Metro), the ethnic food capitol in the area. However, it should be noted that all of these restaurants are small local establishments with very limited ambiance.
  • I love Chinese food and I think Hollywood East has surpassed Good Fortune, in part because the former does Cantonese, although both are good for dim sum. Hollywood East, 2312 Price Avenue, Wheaton, MD, 301-942-8282 [TCEDG]. Good Fortune, 2646 University Blvd W, Silver Spring, MD, 301-929-8818 [Yelp]
  • El Pollo Rico has great Latin American. 2541 Ennalls Avenue, Wheaton, MD, 301-942-4419 [Yelp]
  • Los Chorros has great Mexican. 2420 Blueridge Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, 301-933-1066 [Yelp | openlist]
  • Max's Cafe has the best corned beef and kosher deli food in the the area. 2319 University Blvd W, Silver Spring, MD, 301-949-6297 [openlist].
  • Ferdinands has the best Italian food. 11300 Fern Street, Silver Spring, MD, 301-949-1917 [Washingtonian]

Fun

• Fun things revolve around golf, especially discovering new courses and there are many in the DC area. [A Guide to Washington area golf, from the Washington Post]
• I love Harper's Ferry, West Virginia and it is not far from Washington. [harpersferrywv.net | Wikipedia]
• I also love to gamble and everyone knows that Charles Town, West Virginia is 5 minutes from Harpers Ferry and 62 miles from my house. Charles Town Races & Slots, web site, 580 E 5th Avenue, Ranson, WV
• I also love baseball and frequent both RFK and Camden Yards as often as I can, especially if my beloved Yankees are in town. Washington Nationals web site. Baltimore Orioles web site [Sports in DC - from TheCapitol.Net]
• Finally, live theater, both in large venues like Kennedy Center, and smaller regional theaters is terrific in the DC area. [Song, Dance, and Theater in DC - from TheCapitol.Net | Theater & Dance - from The Washington Post | Washington, DC Theater - from DC Registry]

For more, also see our Visiting Washington DC pages

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June 21, 2007 08:37 AM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Dan Parks

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"

Dan Parks (bio), an editor at Congressional Quarterly, shares his favorites.

Best place to take an out-of-town guest to show off your knowledge of the Washington area

Roosevelt Island, for an amazingly serene nature stroll located in the middle of six million people, and for the impressive, under-appreciated Teddy Roosevelt Memorial. web site, map (only accessible by car from the northbound lanes of George Washington Parkway, just north of I-66, and by bike and foot on the Mt. Vernon Trail from the Rosslyn side of Key Bridge)

Best beer selection

• The Reef: the owner knows his Belgians and keeps a rotating selection on tap. web site, 2446 18th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-518-3800 [Beeradvocate.com]
• Brickskeller: hundreds of bottle varieties from around the world Big Hunt. It's a dive, but excellent selection on tap. Try my local favorite, Tupper's Hop Pocket Ale. web site, 1523 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-293-1885 [Yelp]

Best place with view in a hip neighborhood

• Tabaq Bistro, on U Street. Good food, good wine, and a sweeping view of the city from the glass-enclosed rooftop. web site, 1336 U Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-265-0965 [Yelp]
• Catch some live jazz nearby afterwards at U-Topia on U Street or at the Vegas Lounge on P Street.
  U-Topia, web site, 1418 U Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-483-7669 [Washington Post | Yelp]
  Vegas Lounge, web site, 1415 P Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-483-3971 [Yelp]

Best bike ride

From Rosslyn, the paved Mount Vernon Trail trail takes you along the Potomac River to Old Towne Alexandria, and then continues on to Mount Vernon. It's 40 miles round trip, so bring water and a power bar.
Mount Vernon Trail, web site from National Park Service, web site from Bike Washington
Also see "The Visitor's Biking Guide to Washington DC"

For more, also see our Visiting Washington DC pages

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June 9, 2007 07:57 AM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Paul Powell

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"

Paul Powell (bio) shares his favorites.

Places to Visit

• Any Smithsonian museum, web site
• National Arboretum, especially during April-May, web site, 3501 New York Avenue NE, Washington, DC, 202-245-2726
• Lincoln Memorial at twilight, web site, 23rd Street NW and West Potomac Park, Washington, DC, 202-426-6841
• Ford's Theater for a play, web site, 511 10th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-347-4833
• Capitol Building Tour, web site

Fun

• Walk around the Tidal Basin during cherry blossom time, web site, map, (use Smithsonian Metro and use the DC Circulator)
• Visit the Smithsonian Folklife Festival (last week of June-first week of July), web site, map
• Attend a Capitol Grounds concert (Memorial Day Sunday, Fourth of July evening, and Labor Day Sunday), west lawn of the Capitol
• Walk around the Ellipse when the Christmas trees are lit, web site, map,
• Attend the National Battle BBQ Contest during late June along Pennsylvania Avenue, web site, map

Restaurants

• L'Auberge Chez Francois, web site, 332 Springvale Road, Great Falls, VA, 703-759-3800 [openlist | Yelp]
• Obelisk, 2029 P Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-872-1180 [Gayot | openlist | Yelp]
• Hay Adams Hotel Restaurant, web site, 800 16th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-638-6600 [openlist | Yelp]
• Acadiana, web site, 901 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-408-8848 [Gayot | Tyler Cowen's Ethnic Dining Guide | Yelp]
• Generous George's Positive Pizza and Pasta Place, web site, 3006 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA, 703-370-4303 [Yelp]

For more, also see our Visiting Washington DC pages

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May 30, 2007 11:37 AM   Link    Comments (0)

Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Mike Koempel

We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"

Mike Koempel (bio), co-author of the Congressional Deskbook, shares his favorites.

Places

• Woodrow Wilson House, web site, 2340 S Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-387-4062
• Lincoln Memorial at night, web site, 23rd Street NW and West Potomac Park, Washington, DC, 202-426-6841
• Phillips Collection, web site, 1600 21st Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-387-2151
• Two cathedrals, a basilica, and a monastery:
  • St. Matthew's, web site, 1725 Rhode Island Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-347-3215
  • National Shrine, web site, 400 Michigan Avenue NE, Washington, DC, 202-526-8300
  • National Cathedral, web site, 3101 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-537-6200
  • Franciscan Monastery, web site, 1400 Quincy Street NE, Washington, DC, 202-526-6800
• 4 Capitol Hill buildings:
  • U.S. Capitol, web site, map
  • Supreme Court, web site, 1 1st Street NE, Washington, DC, 202-479-3211
  • Library of Congress's Thomas Jefferson Building, web site, 1 1st Street SE, Washington, DC
  • Folger Shakespeare Library, web site, 201 East Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC, 202-544–4600

Fun

• Afternoon tea at the Willard Hotel, web site, 1401 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC, 202-628-9100
• Walking the Dupont Circle-Embassy Row neighborhood, map (See "Embassy Row Tour" from embassy.org)
• Tours and events at the U.S. Botanical Garden, web site, 100 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC, 202-225-8333
• Brookside Garden anytime including the holiday light and train displays, general web site, holiday lights web site, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton MD, 301-962-1400
• Bicycling anywhere on the hundreds of miles of paths, trails, and roadways in the metropolitan area - see "The Visitor's Biking Guide to Washington DC"
• Takoma Park Folk Festival, web site, Takoma Park, MD
• Takoma Park Fourth of July Parade, web site, Takoma Park, MD

Restaurants

• Tiffin (Indian), web site, 1341 University Boulevard East, Takoma Park, MD, 301-434-9200 [Tyler Cowen's Ethnic Dining Guide]
• Udupi (Indian), web site, 1329 University Blvd East, Takoma Park, MD, 301-434-1531 [Tyler Cowen's Ethnic Dining Guide]
• Thai Derm, web site, 939 Bonifant Street, Silver Spring, MD, 301-589-5341 [MenuPages]
• Vicino (Italian), 959 Sligo Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, 301-588-3372 [insider pages]
• Tabard Inn (American/continental), especially Sunday brunch in the garden while drinking mimosas, web site, 1739 N Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-785-1277 [WaPo]

For more, also see our Visiting Washington DC pages

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May 25, 2007 09:57 AM   Link    Comments (0)