| Map 1 • National Mall | |
National Mall
Map 1
Here you’ll find pretty much every reason DC is a top tourist destination: The White House, the Washington Monument, the Declaration of Independence, etc. If you didn’t see them on a school trip, try to check them out on the weekdays. The Mall, on weekends, especially in warm weather, is a mob scene. Tip: When you’ve had enough of the white marble, photocopy this map and let it substitute as the tour guide when relatives arrive.
Landmarks
• The Back Door of The White House •
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Free speech has never been so entertaining.
• The Carousel on the National Mall •
900 Jefferson Dr SW
202-633-1000
Tacky, but quells crying children.
• Clinton McDonald’s • 750 17th St NW
202-347-0047
Taste what Bill couldn’t resist.
• Decatur House • 1610 H St NW
202-965-0920
Tour worth taking.
• District Building • 1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW
DC’s city hall. You can’t fight it.
• Ford’s Theatre • 511 10th St NW
202-347-4833
Lincoln’s finale.
• Freedom Plaza • 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Downtown open space. Protesters and skaters unite.
• The Hay-Adams • 800 NW 16th St
202-638-6600
The luxury lap where Monica told all.
• International Spy Museum • 800 F St NW
202-393-7798
For all the future Aldrich Ames out there.
• J. Edgar Hoover FBI Building •
935 Pennsylvania Ave NW
202-324-3000
Ask to see Hoover’s cross-dressing dossier.
• National Aquarium •
Constitution Ave NW & 14th St NW
202-482-2825
Save money, visit pet shop.
• National Mall • 3rd St SW & Jefferson Dr SW
202-426-6841
Shopping or something.
• National Press Club • 529 14th St NW
202-662-7500
Join the ink-stained hacks for a drink.
• Old Post Office Tower •
1100 Pennsylvania Ave NW
202-606-8691
Best view of skyscraper-less Washington.
• The Other FDR Memorial • Pennsylvania Ave NW
All FDR wanted was a stone outside the National Archives.
• The Second Division Memorial •
17th St NW & Constitution Ave NW
Overlooked history.
• Smithsonian Institution Building (The Castle) • 1000 Jefferson Dr SW
202-633-1000
Storm the castle for information.
• St. John’s Church • 16th St NW & H St NW
202-347-8766
Sit in the President’s pew.
• Washington Monument • Independence Ave SW
The phallus itself.
• The Willard • 1401 Pennsylvania Ave NW
202-628-9100
Historic hotel staking claim to the term “lobbyist.”
• World War I Memorial •
Independence Ave SW & 15th St SW
Often overlooked monument.
Coffee
• Bucks County Coffee •
1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW
202-312-1397
Taste of Pennsylvania in every cup
• Coffee Espress • 1250 H St NW
202-637-9334
Coffee on the run.
• Firehook Bakery & Coffee House •
912 17th St NW
202-429-2253
Like a cozy kitchen with great cake.
• Gelatissimo •
1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW
202-289-2744
Gelato! Mama mia! oh, and coffee.
• M. E. Swing Co. • 1702 G St NW
202-628-7601
DC coffee with history.
Nightlife
• Capitol City Brewing Company •
1100 New York Ave NW
202-628-2222
Great IPA.
• Gordon Biersch Brewery • 900 F St NW
202-783-5454
Five great lagers.
• Grand Slam Sports Bar • 1000 H St NW
202-379-6646
Sports bar perfection.
• Harry’s • 436 11th St NW
202-624-0053
Downtown DC dining with a hometown corner restaurant feel.
• Le Bar • 806 15th St NW
202-730-8700
An oasis in a sea of offices.
• Old Ebbitt Grill • 675 15th St NW
202-347-4800
Try to spot your local congressman at this super-touristy Washington institution.
• Proof • 775 G St NW
202-737-7663
Wine bar. Fancy. Expensive. Of the moment.
• Round Robin & Scotch Bar •
1401 Pennsylvania Ave NW
202-628-9100
Old style, old money DC. Herbal martinis.
• Shelly’s Back Room • 1331 F St NW
202-737-3003
Cigars, scotch, strip streaks and middle-aged white men in suits.
• Society of Wine Educators • 1319 F St NW
202-408-8777
Non-profit educational organization with wine academies for groups.
• Ultrabar • 911 F St NW
202-638-4663
Best DJ’s in the city on 4 different floors.
This neighborhood used to be seen as a place that catered mostly to tourists, with its many chain coffee shops and restaurants. But thanks to a booming food scene in Penn Quarter, things are changing and it seems that a new hyper-trendy spot opens daily, making this neighborhood a destination for White House staffers, K Street lobbyists and tourists alike. For a classic Washington experience, have a cocktail at The Willard’s rooftop bar and enjoy the view.
Restaurants
• Aria Pizzeria & Bar • 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW
202-312-1250 • $$
Outdoor casual lunch spot.
• Asia Nine • 915 E St NW
202-629-4355 • $$$
Asian inspired in the heart of Chinatown
• Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken • 1308 G St NW
202-809-5565 • $$
The name says it all. Mmmmm, doughnuts.
• Azur • 405 8th St NW
202-347-7491 • $$$$
Seasonal, sustainable seafood.
• Bibiana Osteria-Enoteca • 1100 New York Ave NW
202-216-9550 • $$$
Italian juggernaut; rotating band of brilliant chefs.
• Bistro D’Oc • 518 10th St NW
202-393-5444 • $$$$
Homey Provençal with spotty service and an excellent pre-theater menu.
• BLT Steak • 1625 I St NW
202-689-8999 • $$$$
Super tasty and super pricey.
• The Bombay Club • 815 Connecticut Ave NW
202-659-3727 • $$
Terribly elegant Indian food in a reminiscent British colonization atmosphere.
• Bourbon Steak • 2800 Pennsylvania Ave NW
202-944-2026 • $$$$
Another branch of Michael Mina’s steakhouse, in the Four Seasons.
• Café Asia • 1720 I St NW
202-659-2696 • $$$
Not quite as crowded as Asia but just as busy.
• Café Mozart • 1331 H St NW
202-347-5732 • $$
Walk past the deli into an authentic German restaurant.
• The Caucus Room • 2350 M St NW
202-861-3450 • $$$$
The taste of power. A favorite for DC’s elite.
• Cedar • 822 E St NW
202-637-0012 • $$$$
Clean, Californianesque.
• Ceiba • 701 14th St NW
202-393-3983 • $$$$$
Brazilian indulgence, from the people who brought Tenpenh.
• Central Michel Richard •
1001 Pennsylvania Ave NW
202-626-0015 • $$$$$
It’ll set you back a couple of hundred, but these are flush times.
• Centrolina • 974 Palmer Alley NW
202-898-2426 • $$$
Smart regional Italian and sleek decor alongside fun market.
• Chef Geoff’s • 1301 Pennsylvania Ave NW
202-464-4461 • $$$
Snooty service, great wine selection. Check out the jazz brunch.
• Co Co. Sala • 929 F St NW
202-347-4265 • $$$
Loungy, decadent dessert bar. Good if you like to peacock/spend money.
• DBGB Kitchen and Bar • 931 H St NW
202-695-7660 • $$$
DC outpost of Daniel Boulud’s updated French brasserie.
• Del Campo • 777 I St NW
202-289-7377 • $$$$
South American steakhouse, done to perfection.
• District of Pi Pizzeria • 910 F St NW
202-393-5484 • $$
Rustic thin-crust pizza emphasized by the exposed brick setting.
• Ella’s Wood Fired Pizza • 901 F St NW
202-638-3434 • $$
Tasty pizza in Chinatown
• Equinox • 818 Connecticut Ave NW
202-331-8118 • $$$$$
The finest food of the Chesapeake region.
• The Hamilton • 600 14th St NW
202-787-1000 • $$
Clyde’s group opens another Washington favorite with crab cakes and steak frites.
• Harry’s • 436 11th St NW
202-624-0053 • $$
Downtown DC dining with a hometown corner restaurant feel.
• J & G Steakhouse • 515 15th St NW
202-661-2440 • $$$$$
Washington steaks at Hotel W.
• Le Grenier • 502 H St NE
202-544-4999 • $$
Ooh la la! French on H Street!
• Lincoln’s Waffle Shop • 504 10th St NW
202-638-4008 • $$
Greasy spoon deluxe in honor of Abe.
• minibar • 855 E St NW
202-393-0812 • $$$$$
DC’s most avant-garde cooking. Foie gras and cotton candy, anyone?
• MXDC • 600 14th St NW
202-393-1900 • $$$$
Todd English takes on Mexican in DC.
• Occidental Grill & Seafood •
1475 Pennsylvania Ave NW
202-783-1475 • $$$$
Opulent White House classic.
• Off the Record • 800 16th St NW
202-638-6600 • $
Pricey hotel bar attracting DC’s power players.
• Old Ebbitt Grill • 675 15th St NW
202-347-4800 • $$$
The quintessential Washington restaurant. Try to spot your local congressman.
• Ollie’s Trolley • 425 12th St NW
202-347-6119 • $
1970s burger bliss.
• OYA • 777 9th St NW
202-393-1400 • $$
Mini food with big prices.
• The Partisan • 709 D St NW
202-524-5322 • $$$$
Butcher-forward indulgent menu.
• Ping Pong Dim Sum • 900 7th St NW
202-506-3740 • $$
”21st Century tea house” from London serves flash dim sum.
• Proof • 775 G St NW
202-737-7663 • $$$
Restaurant and wine bar. Fancy. Expensive. Of the moment.
• Ristorante Tosca • 1112 F St NW
202-367-1990 • $$$$$
Un ristorante tanto elegante.
• Teaism • 800 Connecticut Ave NW
202-835-2233 • $$
Need a teapot? Buy one with lunch!
• Teaism • 400 8th St NW
202-638-6010 • $$
Everything Zen at this hipster hangout.
• Zaytinya • 701 9th St NW
202-638-0800 • $$$$
Tasty mezze menu offered by award-winning chef. Fabulous interior.
Hit up BLT Steak for steak, Ristorante Tosca for Italian, and Old Ebbitt Grill for a quintessential DC experience. District of Pi serves up quality ‘za and Proof serves quality vino. For drinks, turn heads at Poste Moderne Brasserie and get a pint at either Capitol City Brewing Company or RFD.
Shopping
• American Apparel • 1090 F St NW
202-628-0438
Clothes that make your skin, wallet, and conscience feel good.
• Anthropologie • 950 F St NW
202-347-2160
Hippie chic finds in the heart of downtown.
• Banana Republic • 601 13th St NW
202-638-2724
Popular clothier’s Chinatown site.
• Barnes & Noble • 555 12th St NW
202-347-0176
Mega bookstore.
• Café Mozart • 1331 H St NW
202-347-5732
Germanic treats.
• Celadon Spa • 1180 F St NW
202-347-3333
Great haircuts.
• Central Liquor • 625 E St NW
202-737-2800
Great prices on wide range of libations. Wine tastings Wed-Sat.
• Coup de Foudre Lingerie •
1001 Pennsylvania Ave NW
202-393-0878
New high-end lingerie store.
• Fahrney’s Pens • 1317 F St NW
202-628-9525
Historic purveyors of pens, watches, and stationary.
• Forever 21 • 1025 F St NW
202-347-0150
Trendy, cheap McFashions.
• H&M • 1025 F St NW
855-466-7467
New downtown outlet of European clothing giant.
• International Spy Museum Store • 800 F St NW
202-393-7798
James Bond would be jealous.
• J. Crew • 950 F St NW
202-628-8690
A prep paradise
• Macy’s • 1201 G St NW
202-628-6661
Only full-service department store in downtown Washington.
• Mia Gemma • 933 F St NW
202-393-4367
High-end, trendy baubles.
• Nancy’s Flower Shop • 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW
202-408-0677
Fresh flowers for local delivery.
• Penn Camera • 840 E St NW
202-347-5777
Say cheese.
• Political Americana • 1331 Pennsylvania Ave NW
202-737-7730
Souvenirs for back home.
• Radio Shack • 615 12th St NW
202-737-9480
Great for headphones, batteries, and that special connection.
• T.J. Maxx • 601 13th St NW
202-637-1261
Deceptively huge location offers best of bargain shopping.
• Utrecht Art Supplies • 1250 I St NW
202-898-0555
Channel Picasso.
• The White House Gift Shop • 529 14th St NW
202-662-7280
White House memorabilia and gifts.
• Zara • 1025 F St NW
202-393-2810
Euro trends at affordable prices.