We're Going To DC!

[plumtreeblossom]

Yes we are, October 12 through 15! I'm really excited, as I haven't been there since I was a kid. We'll be meeting up with beowabbit's sister and her husband while there, too! I won free Amtrak tickets earlier this year, which was the catalyst of the trip to begin with, and we both really enjoy train travel so it was a big win for all. We're museum lovers, so we'll be haunting the Smithsonian to our heart's content. Yay!

What I don't know are the neighborhoods of DC, and which ones would be good to stay in. Being within walking distance of the local subway system is crucial. We like to be in the thick of things, so not looking for suburbs or outskirts. We'd love a neighborhood with some Cool Stuff where we could just kick around a bit. Since out train travel is free, we don't have to pinch pennies so much on the hotel. Who's familiar with DC?

Comments

[quilla.livejournal.com]

soooo, i've lived in DC now for almost two years? but i still don't know it as well as i'd like to. ok, AKSHULLY, i've lived in the boonies of MD, so i should be more forgiving.

having said all that, sounds like you've got a bunch of folks knowledgeably talking about DC up there. my words of caution/wisdom: Adams Morgan and Georgetown both tend to attract the younger crowd. (as in my age or younger. and you know how i feel about ppl my age) this is because EVERY Hill intern and new college student knows that that's the cool place to go clubbing. soooo, i'd highly recommend Georgetown because of teh pretty of the buildings and architecture and shopping (all the "expensive" stores are there), but not for the bar scene.

U Street is a much much better place for loungey bars and such. Off the top of my head, Google the following places in that neighbourhood:
Twins Jazz - awesome stuff to be heard.
Bohemian Caverns - more of the above.
Busboys and Poets - coolest cafe i've been to; lots of fun events happen there.
Cafe Saint-Ex - elegant little restaurant with good food.
Chi Cha lounge - if you guys are into smoking sheesha. it's got low couches, ok drinks, interesting (if a bit hit-or-miss) food. i love the vibe there. service could be better.
Tabaq Bistro - cool rooftop view, but it might be too cool/cold for that when you get here.

do NOT miss out on Eastern Market, which is much like Faneuil Hall. sadly, recently a fire burned down much of the building, but they've begun restoration. great place to hang out Saturday or Sunday morning/afternoon.

re: Dupont Circle, tons of fun, lots of decent bars (and some not so decent ones), and some very very good restaurants.

oh! at the Natural History Museum, if you're around on Friday evening, there USED to be a Jazz Cafe. it's $10 for a night of good jazz from 6-10pm. the half bar has drink specials and the food is priced ok for a museum cafe. it turned out to be the coolest date idea i'd ever come up with. very cozy setting that's still respectful of the artist (i.e. they don't stick em in a dark corner). here's the website. (http://www.mnh.si.edu/jazz/) they don't have the Oct schedule up yet but hopefully it won't have been shut down like i've heard rumours about.

if you want recommendations for places to EAT, let me know. i know a fair bit about the restaurant industry here because of the ties my organization has. give me a combination of price range, location, cuisine, ambience and i bet i could name you a couple of places.

whee! email me when you're here! i'd LOVE to see you and meet beowabbit!

[quilla.livejournal.com]

oooh about cabbing in DC, be warned: it's zoned, so it tends to be expensive if you're going from zone to zone, and no one really knows how the zoning works, except the cabbies and their meters, possibly.