kiat.net

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The grand formal vista of the National Mall contains many of Washington, DC's most important monuments and institutions. The Mall is particularly attractive during the spring when the blossom on the Japanese cherry trees is out and in the winter with the Christmas trees and lights. The elegant neighborhood of Georgetown is particularly attractive with smart townhouses, cobblestone streets, cafés, shops and lovely riverside walks. Many of the houses are occupied by Washington's elite and the area has a lively nightlife. Across town, Chinatown, with its colorful Friendship Arch, is the center for an enormous array of oriental specialty shops and restaurants. A favored recreation ground for city dwellers is Rock Creek Park in the northwest of the city. The creek itself passes through the heart of the park, which also has bicycle, bridle and jogging paths.

D.C. is also a dynamic city, famous for world-class dining, entertainment and culture. Tourists should take time to stroll through the charming shops, restaurants and cafés in historic Georgetown. Or, browse along the artsy streets of Dupont Circle. The impressive Smithsonian museums are a must for everyone, and the Vietnam and Holocaust memorials serve as poignant reminders of the tragedy of war. Landmarks such as the White House, Jefferson Memorial, Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial draw thousands of tourists each year and underscore the importance of Washington’s political past and present. If time allows, take a boat ride up the Potomac to George Washington’s Mount Vernon. As for seasonal activities, Washington is always hopping with year-round festivals and events.

And then there's my neighborhood - Dupont Circle. Dupont Circle, originally Pacific Circle, was renamed for Civil War hero Admiral Samuel Francis duPont (b. 1803, d. 1865), and sits atop the Dupont Circle Metro station. At one time the circle also housed an underground trolley. One can still see trolley tracks in some parts of the city, e.g., running along some of Georgetown's cobbled streets. Dupont Circle is one of Washington's many traffic circles, which help to manage traffic flow where streets on the grid (usually east-west "letter" streets, like K street, or M street, and north-south numbered streets) intersect with the avenues named for states, which cut across the city on diagonals. At the center of the Circle is a fountain, which replaced a statue of duPont that was later removed to his home state of Delaware. The three figures on the fountain represent the sea, wind, and the stars. The fountain was dedicated in 1921. Dupont Circle is at the intersection of P and 19th streets, and three major avenues: Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. Connecticut stretches south southeast toward the business center of the District and toward the White House, and north northwest toward the National Zoo. New Hampshire runs southwest toward Georgetown, and northeast past the Adams Morgan neighborhood. Massachusetts stretches southeast toward the Convention Center, and northwest toward the National Cathedral.

In this vibrant, cosmopolitan neighborhood you will find some of the city's finest museums and historic homes, as well as an array of ethnic restaurants, unique bookstores, and the city's largest concentration of private art galleries. Over the years, Dupont Circle has become a favorite among locals and tourists alike. Everyone is attracted to this lively section of art galleries, great restaurants, museums, theaters, parks, clubs and bars. Many of the best hotels are located here as well. You will find a diverse crowd strolling the area, which sprang from the hub where Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Hampshire Avenues meet.

IMPORTANT BUILDINGS

MEMORIALS/MONUMENTS

PARKS

HISTORIC SITES

EVENTS, FESTIVAL, MARKETS & PARADES

MUSEUM, ARTS & CULTURE

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is a world class arts venue for everything from opera and ballet to musicals and drama. Each year the “KenCen” offers, at no charge, a variety of festivals dedicated to different musical traditions and cultures.

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
www.si.edu

TOURIST GUIDES

MAPS

United States Capitol

This is a picture of the United States Capitol building which is literally the heart of democracy. The US Congress, made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives, is housed here. Well, in my opinion, I think this building is really cool even though the people in there are quite clueless and annoying *GRIN*.

  White House

This is the famous White House where the First Family stays. This picture is actually the White House Christmas Card for 1997 painted by Kay Jackson (one of my neighbors!).

k i a t . n e t :: Site Meter