Washington, D.C.—Our Cultural Gem

by Greg Petty
November 2008

We have many reasons to be thankful for living in beautiful North Carolina. One of them is the varied geography we can enjoy from the Outer Banks in the east to the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky mountains in the west.

Another great advantage is our central location on the eastern seaboard. If one has a desire to experience a large metropolitan city with extensive cultural offerings, you can go south to Atlanta or north to Washington D.C. Both are within relatively short travel times from the Triangle. This month we will travel to our nation’s capital and next month we will visit Atlanta.

The fountain located at the WW II War Memorial. PHOTO BY ALAN B. PHOTOGRAPHY, FLICKR.COM

The District is one of those locations, like New York City, that you can come to many times and continue to discover new people and places. Its cultural offerings are varied and extensive. It is this vibrant tableau that continues to draw us back. If you have not been to Washington, D.C. recently, you are in store for some pleasant surprises.

Transportation
What you intend to do while in the metro area should determine whether you drive or take Amtrak. If you are going to stay in the city consider taking Amtrak. The train allows you to relax for the entire trip and lets you off in the heart of Washington at the beautiful beaux-arts Union Station. You can then take a Metro connection to your lodging. The Metro, the circulator buses and a little walking can get you to and from your hotel to all the attractions, museums, galleries and shopping you wish to visit. Cab fares are by zone and are not too expensive.

If, on the other hand, you want to drive to Mt. Vernon, the Manassas battlefield or east to Annapolis, then perhaps you should drive. Parking in the city (Foggy Bottom) costs approximately $18-$20 per day on our last visit.

Accommodations
Location, location, location many times also means cost, cost, cost. Your hotel accommodations are no different. The city has an amazing variety of bed and breakfasts and hotels to choose from according to your budget.

Our favorite location to stay in D.C. is the Foggy Bottom area because it is near Georgetown’s shopping area, close to The Kennedy Center and also to the restaurants and nightlife of Dupont Circle. The National Mall is not far and the blue line Metro stop at Foggy Bottom can take you to more distant destinations. We have always been able to find reasonably priced rooms in Foggy Bottom. Many of us know the drill by now, but if you don’t, go online to find the best deal for your budget and the location of your choice. Check out bbonline.com/dc/washington.html, Expedia.com, orbitz.com or hotels.com. Happy hotel hunting!

Galleries, Museums and Performing Arts
This is what brings Barb and me back to Washington D.C. The cultural choices are as excellent as those found in New York City only a lot closer to Raleigh. You can see world-class art museums, visit any of the Smithsonian museums and take in the symphony or ballet at The Kennedy Center. As befitting a national capital with residents from all over the world, the sheer number and variety of private art galleries spread out across the district is amazing. Pick a style or national art you would like to see and you can probably find it here.

You can visit the Mall and, time permitting, take in all of the following museums: The Smithsonian (The Castle), American History Museum, Natural History Museum and the Air and Space Museum. For the art lovers in the family, visit the Hirshhorn, both the west and east buildings of the National Gallery of Art, and ½ mile north, the National Portrait Gallery/American Art Museum. Asian art lovers will want to visit both the Freer and Sackler Galleries that are right next to each other behind The Castle. The newest buzz is the Newseum, a six-level, high tech and interactive museum that traces the history of news reporting from smoke signals to blogs. Also inside are famous photographs, a surviving "Checkpoint Charlie" and a section of the Berlin Wall. It is located across the street from the west building of the National Gallery of Art. Another museum you perhaps should not miss is the United States Holocaust Memorial. It will be a sobering visit. The museum also explores contemporary events and reminds us how the world cannot let its guard down against hatred.

To make your visit even more memorable, contact The Kennedy Center and determine if there is a program to your liking from the symphony, ballet, theater, opera or individual performances. If possible do this before you leave and purchase your tickets ahead of time. Simply go to kennedy-center.org/ to see coming attractions. To stay in the loop with all future events at the center, create an online account and receive special offers, a monthly bulletin and streamlined ticket ordering.

Monuments
I always wondered why there was no memorial for WWII veterans, and also one of our greatest presidents, FDR. Our nation has rectified those oversights in grand fashion.

FDR Monument PHOTO FROM DMC D50, FLICKR.COM

The National World War II Memorial honors the millions who served and supported the war. It is a grand design featuring two 43-foot arches and a 17-foot pillar for every state and territory. A series of bronze sculpture panels depict Americans at war, at home and overseas. It is striking and beautifully designed. The monument is located at the east end of the Reflecting Pool.

To get to the FDR Memorial, walk around the tidal basin to the Jefferson Memorial. This monument is one of favorites because it is inspirational and informative. Spend some time downstairs if possible. Jefferson’s life and times are well documented and I found out several things I did not know about him. Continue walking around the tidal basin and after crossing the inlet bridge bear to your right. You will find the FDR memorial on your left. The 7.5 acre site depicts the pivotal years of his time in office and is laid out in a series of outdoor galleries containing waterfalls, pools and meandering walls of beautiful reddish Dakota granite in which his inspiring words are carved. Sit along a section of the memorial and ponder the words of a great president that led this country through some if our most difficult times.

A memorial to Martin Luther King near FDR’s is planned to open next year.

Shopping/Dining
I confess I did not leave enough room to inform you about the shopping and dining options available for your visit.

The shopping is truly dispersed throughout the city so if you are seeking specific items just Google them or ask your concierge for suggestions. However, as I mentioned earlier, many shops are located in the Foggy Bottom and Georgetown areas. Two places to mention are The Shops at Georgetown Park and Fashion Centre at Pentagon City.

Georgetown at dusk PHOTO BY ENANO275, FLICKR.COM

Georgetown Park is a historic Victorian site that is now home to more than 100 shops and boutiques. It is located at 3222 M Street N.W. and is a unique, truly one stop shopping venue in beautiful Georgetown.

If you need Mall stores, take the blue line Metro west to the Pentagon City stop and walk to Fashion Centre at Pentagon City. This four-level site hosts exclusive retailers such as Nordstrom’s, Macy’s, Ann Taylor and many others.

The District has as many dining options as any metro area we have been to including New York City. You can find famous chefs who prepare exotic, elegant food as well as simpler but equally fantastic fare from any number of ethnic origins. Explore the Dupont Circle area and up and down 19th street... you will not be disappointed. As with the shopping, consult your concierge or the Washington, D.C. Official Visitors Guide that I highly recommend. To obtain your guide, call 1.800.422.8644.

So here is wishing you a delightful trip to our fabulous national capital.