Sights in Washington, DC
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Anacostia Museum
This museum wears several hats: as community hall and museum for the surrounding black neighborhood of Anacostia, and as a place for rotating exhibits from the nomadic Smithsonian Museum of African American culture (to have a home in 2010). The latter in particular is worth the trip here, but be aware that you can’t really walk to the museum; you’ll either need a taxi, your own wheels or the bus.
reviewed
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Old Stone House
Built in 1765, the capital’s oldest surviving building has been a tavern, brothel and boardinghouse (sometimes all at once) and today, despite sitting in the middle of M St, serves as a gardens and small museum on 18th-century American life. It was almost demolished in the 1950s, but a persistent (albeit false) rumor that L’Enfant used it as a workshop while designing DC saved it for posterity.
reviewed
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Pope John Paul II Cultural Center
This impressive modernist-style structure is an unexpected setting for an interactive museum of the Catholic Church. Five galleries explore the history of the church, personal faith, and its relation to science, community and social service. The excellent Gallery of Imagination allows visitors to participate in a carillon-ringing ensemble or design an electronic stained-glass window.
reviewed
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Cosmos Club
The rich mansion designed to resemble Petit Trianon at Versailles has been the headquarters for the Cosmos Club since 1952. The building is a befitting home for the most prominent social club of DC’s intellectual elite: from the rich, wood-paneled library to the sculpted lion overlooking the blooming gardens, it oozes culture, class, and why-don’t-you-just-keep-on-walking-you ’tude.
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Turkish Ambassador’s Residence
What does one do after making millions and millions of dollars off patenting the grooved bottle cap? If you’re Edward Everett, you move into digs that will one day become the Turkish embassy, and later its ambassador’s residence. The building, which has some Ottoman influences, was designed by George Oakley Totten, who was the official architect of the Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II.
reviewed
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National Postal Museum
Has the planet's largest stamp collection, plus an antique mail plane and touching war letters. A decent microbrewery sits above the museum.
reviewed
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Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Library
Designed by Mies van der Rohe, this low-slung, sleek central branch of the DC public library system is as warm and fuzzy as a goodnight story on the inside, especially the colorful mural portraying the Civil Rights movement. This is an important community and cultural center, sponsoring readings, concerts, films and children’s activities. You can also access the internet here.
reviewed
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National Public Radio
If, like us, you cannot complete the day without Morning Edition, All Things Considered and This American Life, may we direct you to the wedge-like headquarters of NPR, the best thing to happen to radio since…nah, pretty much ever. Tours include strolls past the foreign and national desks and a peek into the organization’s satellite control room.
reviewed
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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 (literally; his legs are crossed and the man looks eminently relaxed) under a pretty covered arcade, amid wise words against slavery and in support of human rights.
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Aaron Gallery
One of Dupont Circle’s more established galleries, this place is a cornerstone of first Friday evening (of the month) gallery walks. A non-profit member-run organization, it features a diverse range of super contemporary art (all made in the last decade). The mediums include painting, sculpture and drawings, and all work is created by local artists.
reviewed
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Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site
Fort Ward, northwest of Old Town along Braddock Rd, is the best-restored of the 162 Civil War forts known as the Defenses of Washington. The Northwest Bastion of the fort has been completely restored, and the remaining earthwork walls give a good sense of the defenses’ original appearance. The on-site museum features exhibits on Civil War topics.
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St John’s Church
A small building, St John’s isn’t DC’s most imposing church, but it is arguably its most important. That’s because it’s the ‘Church of the Presidents’ – every president since Madison has attended services here at least once, and pew 54 is reserved for the Big Guy (er, the president; not God).
reviewed
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Zenith Gallery
Margery Eleme Goldberg's gallery has been an anchor of the DC art scene for several decades, showcasing new and established local and national (and some international) artists. She hosts exhibits of interesting paintings and sculpture as well as three-dimensional mixed media works - unusual tapestries, fine crafts and furniture, and wearable art.
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Blaine Mansion
The ominous Blaine Mansion was built in 1881 by Republican party founder ‘Slippery Jim’ Blaine. It looks like it was built by Snidley Whiplash and his dark magic Haunted House construction company. It isn’t actually a diplomatic building, but it ranks as the oldest surviving mansion in the Dupont Circle area.
reviewed
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St Mary’s Episcopal Church
Built in 1887, St Mary’s was home to the first black Episcopal congregation in DC. James Renwick, designer of theSmithsonian Castle, created the beautiful redbrick building especially for the congregation. Above the altar are French-made painted-glass windows that depict, among others, the African bishop and martyr St Cyprian.
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Oak Hill Cemetery
This 24-acre, obelisk-studded cemetery contains winding walks and 19th-century gravestones set into the hillsides of Rock Creek. It’s a fantastic spot for a quiet walk, especially in spring, when it seems like every wildflower in existence blooms on the grounds. James Renwick designed the lovely gatehouse and charming gneiss chapel.
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Exorcist Stairs
Across from the Key Bridge is a steep set of stairs that happens to be 1) a popular track for joggers and 2) the spot where demonically possessed Reagan of The Exorcist sent victims to their screaming deaths. Come on foggy nights, when the steps really are creepy as hell, and don’t try and walk them drunk (trust us).
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Walsh-McLean House
The Walsh-McLean House houses the Indonesian embassy. Gold-mining magnate Thomas Walsh commissioned the home in 1903, when it was said to be the costliest house in the city (not surprising, considering the gold-flecked marble pillars). To honor his fortune, Walsh embedded in the foundation a gold nugget, which has never been found.
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National Air Force Memorial
Overlooking the Pentagon and adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery, this new memorial is (somewhat oddly) especially attractive from the highway. It pays tribute to the millions of men and women who served in the air force and its predecessor organizations via a series of twisting metal arcs, meant to represent flight in motion.
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Arthur M Sackler Gallery
Poring over ancient manuscripts and Japanese silk screens is a peaceful way to spend an afternoon at this quiet gallery and the adjoining Freer Gallery of Art. Together they comprise the National Museum of Asian Art. The Freer, rather incongruously, also houses more than 1300 works by the American painter James Whistler.
reviewed
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Eisenhower Building
The Eisenhower Building is done up with all the baroque flair of the late 19th-century, also known as the Gilded Age. The sloped mansard roof is European in origin, while its 900 columns are wonderfully ostentatious. Currently the building is used as an office wing of the executive branch.
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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.
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Freedom Park
Paying tribute to a free press, Freedom Park features a memorial honoring journalists killed on the job. You’ll also find icons from political struggles around the world on display, including chunks of the Berlin Wall. It’s a nice spot to sit for a while and contemplate.
reviewed
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Black Fashion Museum
This eclectic little museum showcases the work of black designers past and present. Here you can see slaves' dresses, the dress Rosa Parks wore during her historic bus ride, and the handiwork of unsung seamstresses who costumed famous figures from Mary Todd Lincoln to Jackie Kennedy.
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Anacostia Museum & Center for African American History & Culture
The Smithsonian's Anacostia Museum & Center for African American History & Culture is surrounded by the community that is the subject of its educational mission. Call ahead, as the museum closes for about a month between its excellent, rotating installations.
reviewed