-
District Of Columbia War Memorial
Near the Korean War Memorial, this small monument commemorates local soldiers killed in WWI. The circular temple, set amid a grove, is a nice place to escape Mall crowds. Dedicated by President Herbert Hoover on Nov 11, 1931 (Armistice Day), this is the only local District memorial on the Mall.
-
Dumbarton House
Often confused with Dumbarton Oaks, Dumbarton House is a modest Federal historic house once inhabited by Joseph Nourse, Register of the US Treasury for the first six presidents. It's now run by the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America. The genteel but gently witty tours focus not only on the house - chockablock with antique china, silver, furnishings, rugs, gowns and books - but also on quaint Federal customs, like passing around the chamber pot after formal dinners so gentlemen could have a group pee.
-
Dumbarton Oaks
This 19th-century mansion houses a fine art museum featuring renowned Byzantine and pre-Columbian collections, research libraries, and is set on 16 acres of terraced gardens (enter the gardens through R St gate). Paths wind down toward Rock Creek amid boxwood and wisteria, and 19 pools and fountains; banks of cherries, crab apples and forsythias explode with color in spring. It was here, in 1944, that the agreement to create the UN was reached.
-
East Potomac Park
Locals flock to this waterside park for biking, running, fishing, golfing and picnicking. Undiscovered by tourists, it has a neighborhood feel. A 5-mile paved trail - great for biking or in-line skating - runs around the park. The center is the East Potomac Park Golf Course. At the park's southern tip, an eerie sculpture, the Awakening, portrays a giant emerging from the earth. Kids love climbing on it, as well as in the nearby playground.
-
Eastern Market
On weekends, this market overflows with craftspeople, food vendors and a flea market. Washingtonians have been flocking here for decades in search of free-trade crafts, attic antiques, fresh flowers and seafood. Built in 1873, it is the last of the 19th-century covered markets that once supplied most of DC's food. South Hall has food stands, bakeries, flower stands and delis. North Hall has craftspeople selling handmade wares.
-
Ellipse
The expansive park on the south side of the White House is studded with a random collection of monuments, such as the Zero Milestone (the marker for highway distances all across the country) and the Second Division Memorial. But the more important function of the Ellipse is to host sporting events, parades and festivals ranging from the lighting of the national Christmas tree to military drill performances to Lance Armstrong's final ride.
-
Exorcist Stairs
Movie buffs may recognize the setting of 1973's shockfest The Exorcist : two of little Regan's hapless victims met their fates at the vertiginous Exorcist Stairs. Unsuperstitious Washingtonians often use them as an exercise tool - run up the super-steep stairs and you'll understand. They are hidden next-door to the Exxon Station on M St, almost directly across from Key Bridge, in an appropriately dark and creepy corner.
-
Federal Reserve
'The Fed' conjures strong images of high-powered executives and bureaucrats crafting the economic ebbs and flows of the country. Unfortunately, you won't see too much of that on this tour, which focuses on the architecture of the Eccles Building that houses the Fed. It does feature a film, The Fed Today , and a visit to the Board Room. The tour is recommended for adults only; kids under college age will likely get bored at the Board.
-
Folger Shakespeare Library & Theatre
The world's largest collection of the bard's works, including seven First Folios, is housed at the Folger Library: Its Great Hall exhibits Shakespearean artifacts and other rare Renaissance manuscripts. Most of the rarities are viewable by the public only on Shakespeare's birthday (April 23); however, you can peek electronically via multimedia computers. The gorgeous Elizabethan Theatre is an intimate, versatile performance space.
-
Fondo Del Sol Visual Arts Center
This delightful artist-run community museum promotes the Americas' cultural heritage and arts through exhibits of contemporary Latin American artists' work, pre-Columbian artifacts, santos (carved wooden saints) and folk art. In late summer, the Caribbean Festival features salsa and reggae music.
-
Advertisement
-
Fort Stevens Park
In a daring raid on July 11, 1864, Confederate General Jubal Early attacked Fort Stevens, the northernmost of the defensive ramparts ringing the city. A small but fierce battle raged until Early's men were forced back across the Potomac. President Abraham Lincoln, observing from Fort Stevens' parapet, popped his head up so often that Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr, then a Union captain, yelled: 'Get down, you damn fool, before you get shot!'
-
Franciscan Monastery
The Order of St Francis is charged with guardianship of the Holy Land's sacred sites. The monastery interpreted this in a unique way, constructing replicas of those sites for the faithful who are unable to visit the Holy Land. Within the manicured gardens are life-size fake-granite reproductions of the Tomb of Mary, the Grotto at Lourdes and other subterranean sacred places. It's all very creepy and fascinating, like a holy Disneyland.
-
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
When locals give guests the requisite DC memorial tour, they save the FDR memorial until after dark. Not only is the combination of light and water more powerful at night, the place is void of crowds. The fabulously landscaped area is composed of four red-granite 'rooms' narrating FDR's presidency through statues and inscriptions, punctuated with cascades and peaceful alcoves.
-
Frederick Douglass National Historic Site
This rather bulky title refers to Cedar Hill, the great abolitionist's Anacostia home, which is maintained as a museum honoring the diplomat, author and former slave's life and work. The house still contains most of his original furnishings, down to his wire-rim eyeglasses on his roll-top desk. Hourly tours are entertaining and informative. Start at the visitors center embedded in the foot of the hill, where you can see a short biographical film.
-
Freedom Park
Paying tribute to a free press, Freedom Park features a memorial honoring journalists killed on the job. Icons from political struggles around the world are on display, including chunks of the Berlin Wall.
-
Freer Gallery Of Art
One of the two components of the National Museum of Asian Art (the other half is the Sackler Gallery), the Freer Gallery offers an incredible ensemble of ancient ceramics, Japanese screen paintings, and centuries-old Chinese scrolls. The Freer's Asian art collection (one of the world's finest) was a gift from Charles Lang Freer.
-
Friendship Firehouse Museum
This 1855 Italianate firehouse displays historic firefighting gear - a great draw for kids. Local legend has it that George Washington helped found this volunteer fire company, served as its captain and even paid for a new fire engine.
-
Gadsby's Tavern Museum
Once a real tavern (operated by John Gadsby from 1796 to 1808), this building now houses a museum demonstrating the prominent role of the tavern in 18th-century Alexandria. As the center of local political, business and social life, the tavern was frequented by everyone who was anybody, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and the Marquis de Lafayette. The rooms are restored to their 18th-century appearance.
-
Gallaudet University
Established in 1864, Gallaudet University is the world's only accredited liberal-arts school for the hearing-impaired. The college's first hearing-impaired president was appointed after student protests in 1989. Few sports fans know that, in 1894, Gallaudet football players invented the American football huddle to prevent their opponents from reading the sign language used to call plays. Tours of the campus are available by reservation.
-
George Mason Memorial
This little oasis of flowers and fountains honors the famed statesman and author of the Commonwealth of Virginia Declaration of Rights (a forerunner to the US Bill of Rights). A bronze sculpture of Mason sits in a lovely setting, amid his wise words against slavery and in support of human rights.
-
Advertisement
-
George Washington Masonic National Memorial
Alexandria's most prominent landmark features a fine view from its 333ft tower, where you can see the Capitol, Mt Vernon and the Potomac River. It is modeled after the lighthouse in Alexandria, and honors America's first president (who was initiated into the Masons in Fredericksburg in 1752 and later became Worshipful Master of Alexandria Lodge No 22). Artifacts of Washington's life and a striking bronze statue do the job.
-
George Washington Memorial Parkway
The 25-mile Virginia portion winds past recreation areas and memorials all the way south to the first president's old estate at Mt Vernon. A national parkland, it passes remnants of Washington's life and works such as his old Patowmack Company canal and parks once part of his farmlands (Riverside Park, Fort Hunt Park). The road is a pleasant alternative to the traffic-choked highway arteries further from the river.
-
George Washington University
George Washington left money in his will to endow a school of higher learning. In 1821, an Act of Congress created Baptist College, precursor to today's George Washington University. The school has played an important role in the city's gentrification, buying up townhouses and building new structures on such a scale that it has become the city's second biggest landowner after the federal government!
-
Georgetown University
Founded in 1789, America's first Roman Catholic university was originally directed by the country's first black Jesuit, Father Patrick Healy. Today, about 12,000 students pursue degrees here and lend the neighborhood much of its energetic vibe. Notable Hoyas (derived from the Latin hoya saxa , 'what rocks') include both Clintons. It's easy to wander around the attractive grounds - enter through the east gate.
-
Georgetown Waterfront
The Georgetown Waterfront is a favorite with first-daters, singles, strolling families and yuppies and bling-clad rappers showing off yachts in the Potomac. Between K St and the water south of the C&O Canal, it's home to parkland, shops, lofts and restaurants. Washington Harbor (east of 31st St) is a modern complex of towers around a plaza with fountains that light up like rainbows at night. It's loaded with restaurants and al fresco bars.
