YOUR GUIDE TO THE 10 BEST OF EVERYTHING EYEWITNESS TRAVEL TOP 10 WASHINGTON, D.C. 3(116</9$1,$$9(18 (1: /9$1,$$9(1 1 ( : < 2 5 . 6 75(( 7 1: 1: )5((' 20 3/$=$ 3/$=$ /$)$<(77( 7 648$5( 5 67 5( (7 1: 675((7 (7 1: 1: + 67 5( (7 6 1: 7 + 675( (7 1: : : ( 6 75((7 1 : 675((7 7 7 1: : 7 + 675((7 675((7 1: 1: ( ( ( ( ( ; ; ( ( & & 8 8 7 , , 9 9 9 ( ( ( $ 9 $ $ ( 1 8 ( ( ( ( 1 1 1 : : * 67 5( (7 ) ) 67 5( (7 ( ( 67 5( (7 7+ 675( (7 1 : 3 ( 1 1 6</9 $ 4HE4HE 7HITEŽ(OUSE O 7 E 7HITEŽ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py 10 10 101 1 WASHINGTON, D.C. H I I I I N N N N N N N N N G G G G G G G G GT T T T T T T T T O O O O O O O O O N N RON BURKE R R RO O O O N N N N B B B U U R R K K K E E & SUSAN BURKE & & & S S U U S S S A A A N N N B B U U U R R R K K E E EYEWITNESS TRAVEL Y Y Y E E W W W W W W I T T T N N N N E E S S S S S T T R R A A A AV V V E TOP T T T T T T T T T O O O O O O O O P P P P P P P 10 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 TT-Wash_001-TitleUs.indd 1 TT-Wash 001-TitleUs.indd d dd dd dd d 11 1 Co nt e nt s Coes Content s W ashin g ton, D.C.’s Top 10 US Capito l 8 The White House 1 2 N ational Air and Space M useum 1 6 N ational Museum o f American Histor y 18 N ational Gallery of Ar t 20 L ibrar y of C on g ress 2 4 N ational C athedral 26 N ational Zo o 28 Arlin g ton C emeter y 30 M ount V erno n 32 Moments in Histor y 36 P r es i de n ts 38 Art G alleries 4 0 Museums 42 H i sto ri c H o m es a n d B uilding s 44 C over: Front – Alamy I mage s : David R. Frazier Photolibrary, I nc cib; S u p erStock: Bruce Dorrier main. S pine – DK Images: Scott Suc hm a n b . B ac k – DK Images: Kim S ayer c, cl, cr . T he information in this DK Eyewitness Top 10 Travel G uide is checked re g ularly . E very effort has been made to ensure that this book is as up-to-date as possible at the time of g oing to press. Some details, however, such as telephone numbers, opening hours, prices, gallery hanging arrangements and travel information are liable to change. The publishers cannot acce p t res p onsibilit y for an y consequences arisin g from the use of this book, nor for a n y mater i a l on t hi r d p art y we b s i tes, an d cannot g uarantee t h at an y we b s i te a dd ress i n t hi s b ook will be a suitable source o f travel in f ormation. We value the views and su gg estions o f o ur readers ver y hi g hl y . Please write to: Publisher, DK E y ewitness Travel G uides, Dorlin g Kindersle y , 80 S trand, London, G reat Britain W C 2R 0RL. Produced b y Sar g asso Media Ltd, Londo n R e p roduced b y Colourscan, Sin g a p or e Printed and bound b y South China Printin g Co. L td , Chin a First American Edition , 200 3 0 8 09 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Published in the United S tates by DK Publishing, Inc., 375 Hudson S treet, New York , New York 1001 4 Reprinted with revisions 2004, 2005, 2006 , 2007 , 2008 C opyri g ht 2003, 2008 © Dorlin g Kindersley Limited, London A LL RIGHTS RESERVED UNDER INTERN A TION A L A ND P A N - A M ERIC A N C O PYRIGH T C ONVENTIONS . N O P A RT O F THIS P UBLI C A T I O N M A Y BE REPR O DU C E D , S T O RE D IN A RETRIEV A V V L S Y S TEM , O R TR A N S MITTED IN A NY F O R M O R BY A NY ME A N S , E LE C TR O NI C , M E C H A N I C A L , P H O T OCO PYIN G , R E CO RDIN G O R O THERWI S E , WITH O UT PRI O R WRITTEN P ERMI SS I O N OF THE CO PYRI G H T O WNER . P U BLI S HED IN G RE A T B RIT A IN BY D O RLIN G K INDER S LEY L IMITED A Catalo g ue of Publication record is available from the Librar y of Con g res s IS BN 9780756633059 W ithin each Top 10 list in this book, no hierarchy of quality or popularity is implied. All 10 are, in the editor’s opinion, o f roughly equal merit . Le f t Lincoln M e morial Ri g h t S tate Dinin g Room, The White House 2 Note: Note: Note: Nt Following the events of September 11, 2001, heightened security measures Following the events of September 11, 2001, heightened security measures Following the events of September 11 2001 heightened security measures F ll i h f S b 11 2001 h i h d i : : : have been in place and some sights may be temporarily closed to the public. have been in place and some sights may be temporarily closed to the public. have been in place and some sights may be temporarily closed to the public h b i l d i h b il l d h bli TT-Wash_002-003_UK-Contents.indd2 2 TT-Wash 002-003 UK-Contents.indd2 22 22 2 2 2 C ontent s Lef t Washington M onument Ri g h t Red Fox I nn, Middlebur g P l aces of A f ri ca n- A mer i can Hi stor y 4 6 Me m o ri a l s a n d M onuments 4 8 G reen S paces 5 0 Children’s Attractions 5 2 P laces of Politics and Intri g u e 54 S hopping Areas 56 Th eaters 58 Outdoor Activitie s 60 N ightspot s 62 Restau r a n ts 63 F est i va l s an d Cu l tu r a l Ev e n ts 6 4 Day Trips 66 A round T own Around Ca p itol Hil l 7 0 Th e M a ll an d F e d era l T r i ang le 7 6 Pe nn Qua r ter 86 Th e Whi te H ouse an d F o ggy B ottom 90 G eor g etown 98 B eyond the City Cente r 1 06 Str ee tsmar t P ractical Information 1 1 6 P laces to S ta y 1 26 Ge n e r a l In dex 1 34 Le f t Renwick G aller y Ce n ter US Botanic G ard e n Ri g h t I wo Jima M e moria l 3 Key to abbreviations ey to abb e at o s Key to abbreviations K t bb i ti Adm Adm Adm Ad admission charge admission charge admission charge dii h Free Free Free F no admission charge no admission charge no admission charge dii h Dis. access Dis. access Dis access Di disabled access disabled access disabled access di bl d TT-Wash_002-003_UK-Contents.indd3 3 TT-Wash 002-003 UK-Contents.indd3 3 3 33 3 3 33 3 TT-Wash_004-005-Opener 1.indd 4 e r 1 . i nd n d d d 4 4 11/14/07 10:28:19 PM 1 1 /14/0 / 1 4 4/0 /0 7 7 WASHINGTON, W W W W W W A A A A AS S S S H H H H I N N N N G G G G GT T T T O O O O O N N N N , , D.C.’S TOP 10 D D D D . . C C C C . ’ ’ S S S S T T T T O O O O O P P P P 1 1 0 0 0 0 Washington, D.C.’s W W W Wa a a s s h h i n n g g g t o o o n n , D D D . C C C . ’ s s Highlights H H H i g g h h h l i g g h h ht t s s 6–7 6 6 6 – – 7 7 7 US Capitol U U U S S C C a a p p p i t o o o l 8–11 8 8 8– – – 1 1 1 The White House T T T h h e e W W W W h h h i t e e e H H H o o u u u s se e e 12–15 1 2 2 – – – 1 1 5 5 5 National Air and N N N a a t t i o o n n n a a l A A A i r r a a n n d d d Space Museum S S p p p a a c c e e M M M u u s s e e e u u m m m m 16–17 1 6 6 6– – – 1 1 7 7 7 National Museum of N N N a a t t i o o n n n a a l M M M M u u s s e e e u u m m m m o o of f American History A A m m m m e e r r i c c a a n n H H H i s st t o o r r y y 18–19 1 8 8 8– – – 1 1 9 9 9 National Gallery of Art N N N a a t t i o o n n a a a l G G G a a l l e e e r y y o o o f A A A r rt t 20–23 2 2 0 0 0– – – 2 2 3 3 3 Library of Congress L L i b b r r a a r y y o o f f C C o o o n n g g gr r e e s s s s 24–25 2 2 4 4 4– – – 2 2 5 5 5 Washington National W W W W a a s s h h h i n n g g gt t o o n n n N N N a a t t i o o n n a a a l Cathedral C C a a at t h h e e e d d r ra a a l 26–27 2 2 6 6 6– – – 2 2 7 7 7 National Zoo N N a a a t i o o o n n a a l Z Z o o o o o 28–29 2 2 8 8 8– – – 2 2 9 9 9 Arlington Cemetery A A A r r l i n n g g t t o o n n C C C e e m m m e e e t e e r r y y 30–31 3 3 0 0 0– – – 3 3 1 Mount Vernon M M M o o o u u n n nt t V V V e e r r n n o o n n n 32–35 3 3 2 2 – – – 3 3 5 5 5 Top Ten of Everything T T o o p p p T T e e e n n o o o f E E Ev v v e e r ry y yt t h h i n n n g g 36–67 3 3 6 6 6– – – 6 6 7 7 7 W ASHINGTON, D.C. ’ S TOP 10 1 2 $9(1 8(1 : 9 , 6 6 648$5( ( 7 Washington, D.C.’s Top 10 g,C p Was h in g ton, D.C.’s Hi ghl i gh t s A sym b o l of democracy the wor l d over and the seat of American g overnment, Was h in g ton, D.C. confronts visitors wit h stirrin g icons an d monuments at ever y turn. This sparkling self-styled city on the Potomac River is full of marble and l ight, with beautiful landscaping touches and centuries-old architecture. Built o n top of former swampland, Washington was deliberately designed into quadrants, with the US Capito l at its hu b . Its many unmissa bl e sights provide unparalleled access to the workings of government, internationally famed museums with pri c spiritual foundations of the city and the nation. 6 £ National Air and Sp ace Museum R eportedly the most visited museum in the world, and with good reason. The artifacts of one o f mankind’s g reatest quests – fl i g ht above and b eyon d E art h – are ren d ere d even more i mpre s - s ive b y the han g arlike architecture ( see pp 16–17 ) . @ T h e Whit e H T he most ele g ant and f a mili a r o f a ll t h e w o rl d ’ s p olitical residences, the Whi te H ouse h as w i tnesse d so m e o f t h e m ost co n se - q uential decisions o f modern hi story ( see pp12–15 ) . ! United Stat e Capitol T he Ca p itol’s desi g c om bi nes anc i ent a nd New World in n p er f ectly invoking of U S democracy (see pp 8–11 ) . $ N ati o na l M us e um of American Histor y Thi s museum, c urrentl y closed f or r enovat i on, com bi nes t h e “A m e ri ca ’ s att i c ” a pproach with c ontemporary ex hibi ts. T he arti f acts here ran g e f rom p olitical cam p ai g n b uttons to ear l y l ocomot i ves ( see pp18–19 ) . M M 11/14/07 6:30:35 A 11/14/07 6:30:35 A MM MM MM MM M M M 5( 7 &2167 ,787,21 $9(1 8( 1: 6 6 0$ & 1 Washington, D.C.’s Top 10 as gto , C s op 0 7 ) M ount V e rno n Geor g e Washin g ton’s estate a nd mansion is a per f ect example of the gentleman - farmer roots of & W as hi n g ton National C athedra l A n cie n t a n d m od - ern come to g ether i n t hi s “ nat i ona l h ouse of p ra y er,” from the G othic a r chitectu r e to the Sp ace Window ( see pp26–7 ) . ( Arlington National m eter y illi on peop l e eac h s it these rollin g s tu dd e d w i t h t h e headstones of America’s a d. A movin g and v e experience ( se e 3 1 ) . ^ L ibrary o f Congress T he breathtakin g interior of the l argest library in the world does f ull j ust i ce to i ts 120 m illi on i tems, t h e w orks fi ll 530 miles (850 km) o f sh e l ves ( see pp24–5 ) . y T he National G allery’s vast co ll ect i o n m a k es i t one o f the greatest a r t m useu m s i n the w orld ( see pp 20–23 ) . * N ationa l Zoo l ogica l Par k Anim a l s fr o m ac r oss t h e w o rl d ’ s v aried habitats can be seen and l earne d a b out at t hi s i nternat i ona ll y reco g nized leader in animal care, b reeding o f endangered species, and p ublic education (see pp 28–9) . PLOHV HVNP PLOHV PLOHV $UOLQJWRQ QJWRQ $UOL RQ QJWRQ $UO RQ - ! 29 ,!.$ 6)2 2').)! 6 2').)! 6 2').)! N LN N N TT-Wash_006-007-Highlights.indd 7 -Wash_006-007-Highlights.indd 7 TT TT T TT M M 11/14/07 6:30:37 A 11/14/07 6:30:37 A MM MM MM MM M M M Washington, D.C.’s Top 10 g, p 8 F rom the elevated s ite that Pierre L’Enfant ( see p 36 ) described as “a p edestal w aiting for a monument,” the dignified Capitol has stood unwavering as the sym b o l of American democracy throughout its 200-year history. From the l egis l ative session ca ll ed b y President Jefferson in 1803 to approve the L ouisiana Purc h ase t h rou gh to t h e House of Representatives’ vote in 1998 to impeach President C l inton, these ha ll s have witnessed an often rou g h-and- tumble democratic process. The Capitol’s frescoes and art collection qualif y it as a notable museum, but its millions of tourists c ome, above all, to brush shoulders with h istory, both remembered and in the making . For more sights on Capitol Hill For more sights on Capitol Hill For more sights on Capitol Hill F i ht C it l Hill See pp70–73 See pp70 73 See pp70–73 S7073 Unite d States Capito l Top 10 F eatures 1 C a p itol Dome 2 Rotunda 3 S enat e C hambe r 4 House C hamber 5 O l d S enate C hamber 6 National S tatuar y Hall 7 Brumid i C orridor s 8 Hal l of C olumn s 9 C olumbus Doors 0 Wes t Fron t ! Capitol Dome T h e ce n t r a l do m e ( a b ove ) de fi ne s the ent i re cit y to p eo p le wo rl d wi de. It was added , wit h th e Statue o f F r eedo m ( se e p 11 ) , by 1866 . @ R otunda A mer i ca ’s fi rst p res id ent asce n ds i n to t h e h ea v e n s in t his 4,664-s q f t (430-s q m) f r esco The Apotheosis o f W ashin g ton , linin g t h e i nter i o r o f t h e d ome ( above ) . £ Se nat e Chamb er A sem i c i rc le of 1 00 d es k s f aces t h e da i s in t hi s e m i - nen t assembl y r oo m ( below ) . De m oc r ats sit to the r i g h t , R e p ublican s t o t h e l e f t . TT-Wash_008-009-Capitolindd.indd8 8 TT-Wash_008-009-Capitolindd.indd8 8 88 88 88 8 8 8 [...]... the first time ) 1958–1962 is completely The east front George Washington 10 rebuilt, 32 ft (10 m) east of the old sandstone front The west front is restored between 1983 and 1987 This work produces the Capitol we see today F For more moments in Washington, D.C.’s history See pp36–7 t i Washington D C ’s hi t y S pp36 7 W hi gt D.C.s pp36 Top 10 Works of Art in the US Capitol The Statue of Freedom Crowning... Center 9 Washington, D.C.’s Top 10 as g o , C s op 0 Left British burn the Capitol, 1814 Right Charles Bulfinch Events in the US Capitol’s History ! 1787US Constitution authoThe % 1810Capitol is fully occupied The rizes the establishment of a federal district to be the seat of the American government by the House of Representatives and Senate, the Supreme Court, and Library of Congress @ 1791 Washington. .. SenateSenate from 1 810 to 1859, this Used by the chamber witnessed debates on the core issues of the development of the United States Plan of the US Capitol ( Columbus Doors These imposing bronze doors, 17 ft (5 m) tall, consist of reliefs picturing Christopher Columbus’s life and his discovery of America Designed by Randolph Rogers, the doors were cast in Munich in 1860 Washington, D.C.’s Top 10 g , p the... an approach of level ground This monumental symbol of liberty is 19.5 ft (6 m) tall and weighs around 15,000 lbs (6,800 kg) Washington, D.C.’s Top 10 g , p 1 Statue of Freedom, Thomas Crawford (Dome) 2 The Apotheosis of Washington, Constantino Brumidi (Rotunda) 3 General George Washington Resigning His Commission, John Trumball (Rotunda) 4 Columbus Doors, Randolph Rogers (East Front) 5 Minton Tiles... 3, 610 miles (5, 810 km) from Long Island to Paris in 1927 His 33-hour solo flight made him one of the most famous men of his age and turned aviation into a public craze NYP stands for New York–Paris 16 F For more museums in Washington, D C See pp42 3 i Washington D.C S pp42–3 W hi t 42 $ Amelia Earhart’s Lockheed 5B Vega In this striking airplane (above), Amelia Earhart completed the second solo nonstop... UdvarHazy Center This new state-of-the-art aviation area consists of two exhibition hangars, one over 100 ft (30 m) high Opened to celebrate the 100 th anniversary of the Wright brothers’ first powered flight, it allows NASM to display nearly 300 extra aircraft and spacecraft 1 23 Washington, D.C.’s Top 10 g , p ^ How Things Fly Hands-on exhibits Key First Floor 6 8 5 Second Floor 7 Museum Guide % Skylab... instrument has 10, 650 pipes On most Mondays and Wednesdays at 12:45pm, an organist gives a presentation and then demonstrates with a recital garden is the model for the cathedral’s beautiful Bishop’s Garden on the south side of the church The herb gardens are a delight to the nose as well as the eye: all the stones here originated in a quarry that George Washington once owned Washington, D.C.’s Top 10 as gto... hand This guest bedroom, with its beautiful view of the Potomac, is one of five in the house and is where the Marquis de Lafayette, one of Washington s military aides and a lifelong friend, stayed when visiting Washington, D.C.’s Top 10 as gto , C s op 0 the setting for Washington s commercial, political, and public work A famous bust of the president, commissioned by the Virginia Assembly, is displayed... were underway at the beginning of the Revolutionary War, but the dining room was completed after the war 33 Washington, D.C.’s Top 10 g , p Left 16-Sided Treading Barn Right Shipping and Receiving Dock Features of Mr Washington s Farm Treading Barn ! 16-Sided unique design, With this George Washington created one of the most aesthetically pleasing and yet efficient working barns The circular floorplan... collection F For more art galleries i W hi gt t g ll i in Washington, D.C See pp40–41 Washington D C S pp40 41 pp40 Arts * Decorative tapestries, full of Sumptuous ( European Sculpture Portrait busts and portrait medals have always been important products of the sculptor’s studio, and many fine examples are displayed here There is also an especially Top 10 Works in the Sculpture Garden 1 Puellae (Girls), . 0XV RQ 0 1DWLRQDO0XV 1 RI:RPHQ :R HQ I: LQWKH$UWV H WV R U G )R 7KHDW KH 2 OG3RV W W 1DW L RQD O LO 7 K H D WHU .FUSP FU $FOUFS OU 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 101 1 10 10 10 1 010 10 10 10 0 1 10 10 10 10 10 10 py 10 10 101 1 WASHINGTON, D.C. H I I I I N N N N N N N N N G G G G G G G G GT T T T T T T T T O O O O O O O O O N N RON. YOUR GUIDE TO THE 10 BEST OF EVERYTHING EYEWITNESS TRAVEL TOP 10 WASHINGTON, D.C. 3(116</9$1,$$9(18 (1: /9$1,$$9(1 1 ( : < 2 5 . 6 75(( 7 1: 1: )5((' 20 3/$=$ 3/$=$ /$)$<(77( 7 648$5( 5 67. 7 See pp36–7 S367 G eor g e Washin g to n TT-Wash_ 010- 011.indd 10 TT-Wash 010- 011.indd 1 00 00 0 0 0 0 0 Washington, D.C.’s Top 10 g, p 11 Th e Statue of Fr ee do m Crownin g the Capito l