Unofficial Guide to Washington, D.C.

Renee Sklarew is a native Washingtonian who enjoys exploring her city’s many attractions, especially its incomparable museums and national parks. As a young girl, her family lived in Switzerland, where she began her passion for travel. Renee is a Study Leader for Smithsonian Associates and leads tours of historic sites and parks in the Washington, D.C., area. She contributes travel articles and photos to newspapers and magazines, including “The Washington Post,” “Washingtonian,” “Northern Virginia Magazine,” and “AAA Traveler.” Renee serves as dining editor for “VivaTysons” magazine and is the co-author of the popular book, “60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Washington, D.C.”

"If you're looking for a reliable guidebook, the leader is the Unofficial series."—The Mail (London)"A Tourist's Best Friend!"—Chicago Sun-Times"Indispensable"—The New York Times"I have been to Washington, D.C., many times since my first visit in 1977. I was most recently there just this summer. We have done episodes on Washington, D.C., on Amateur Traveler, and I feel like it's a city that I know. So I will admit that I was a bit surprised how much I learned about the city before even getting to page 15 of the The Unofficial Guide to Washington, D.C.... If you want an insider’s guide to the District of Columbia, check out The Unofficial Guide to Washington, D.C."—Chris Christensen, AmateurTraveler.com

• List of Maps About the Authors Acknowledgments Introduction Welcome to WashingtonAbout This GuideWhy “Unofficial”?How Unofficial Guides Are DifferentComments and Questions from ReadersHow Information Is Organized: By Subject and by Location Washington, D.C.: Portrait of a CityPART ONE Planning Your Visit When to GoCrowdsWeather Gathering Information Before You LeaveMaking Advance Reservations for Monuments, Museums, and ToursHow to Get to Washington, D.C. Where to GoWhat to PackSpecial Tips for Special PeopleA Calendar of Festivals and EventsPART TWO Accommodations Deciding Where to StayWashington, D.C.’s Iconic HotelsB&BsVacation RentalsThe Best Hotels by Neighborhood Getting a Good Deal on a RoomThe Internet AdvantageTravel Agents and/or Vacation PackagesWhen Only the Best Will Do PART THREE Arriving and Getting Around Coming into the CityArriving by CarArriving by PlaneArriving by TrainArriving by Bus Getting Around WashingtonTaking the Metro: Just Do ItMetrobus and Other Bus SystemsTaxis and Car ServicesThings the Natives Already KnowPART FOUR Sightseeing Tips, Tours, and Attractions So Much to See, So Little TimeHappy Hours (The Sightseeing Kind)Taking an Orientation TourThe Best Tours in TownWashington’s AttractionsWashington Attractions by TypeWashington Locations by Attraction Maryland SuburbsVirginia SuburbsDay-TrippingWhat’s New in Washington, D.C.?Hidden Gems and Free Things to See and DoPART FIVE Dining The Washington Cuisine ScenePrime Dining NeighborhoodsThe Wharf on the Southwest WaterfrontRestaurants by CuisineCapitol Riverfront and Navy YardCapitol Hill and Barracks RowH Street Corridor and NoMaNational Mall and the White HousePenn Quarter, Chinatown, and Convention CenterFoggy BottomGeorgetown and West EndDupont Circle and Logan CircleU Street CorridorAdams Morgan and Columbia HeightsUpper Northwest: Woodley Park, Cleveland Park, and Van NessMaryland SuburbsVirginia SuburbsTwo Dining Destinations Worth a Drive The Best . . .PART SIX Entertainment and Nightlife Washington Nightlife: More Than Lit-up MonumentsThe Big-Ticket VenuesCutting Curtain CostsA Washington Tradition: Live Local MusicNightlife Neighborhoods: Clubs, Bars, Live Music, and DancingPART SEVEN Shopping Mall ShoppingMuseum ShopsGreat Neighborhoods for Window-ShoppingSpecialty ShoppingPART EIGHT Exercise and Recreation Working a Workout into Your VisitThe Basic DrillsBicyclingFitness Centers and Core-StrengtheningYoga Studios Recreational SportsTennis and Golf SwimmingRopes and RocksBoating, Paddleboarding, Floating, and Water ParksSegway ToursIce and Snow Spectator SportsBaseballBasketballFootball and SoccerHockey and Roller DerbyHorse Shows and Horse RacingTennisIndex Unofficial Guide Reader Survey