06 Aug 2004 | kingbenny said...

I feel no trip to DC is complete without a stay in the Lincoln bedroom.

06 Aug 2004 | JB said...

I would highly recommend Well Dressed Burrito for lunch one day - definitely one of DC's best-kept secrets, way better than Chipotle or Baja Fresh - and Kaz Sushi for dinner. Kaz has some of the best sushi I've ever had, US or otherwise, and comes highly recommended by various web personalities. If you've ever wanted to try a blowfish, Kaz can do it (but I think you have to call ahead). Chowhound's boards have some great recommendations for food, as well.

My favorite overlooked/underappreciated DC museum is the National Building Museum, which seems like it would be right up 37S' alley. Last time I was there, they had a fascinating exhibit on the architecture and design of the workplace, with a nice historical perspective.

06 Aug 2004 | SH said...

If you've ever wanted to try a blowfish, Kaz can do it...

You love blowfish, don't ya J.

06 Aug 2004 | JB said...

Quick followup: the exhibit I saw at NBM was called On The Job, if you want to get a feel for the type of stuff the museum does.

06 Aug 2004 | dc folly said...

DC has undergone a wonderful transformation since the last time I was there. Enjoy it - it really is a wonderful city...now.

06 Aug 2004 | Brad Hurley said...

My favorite restaurant in DC is Teaism, actually there are several of them...I've been to the one in DuPont Circle (on R Street) many times and the one by the Navy Memorial. Wonderful, fresh Asian food, bento boxes, good tea, reasonable prices. Simple, nothing fancy.

The Metro is a great way to get around, clean, quiet, efficient, the best subway system I've used. I don't think I've ever taken a cab in DC.

Check out Eastern Market if you get a chance. If you have time to get out to the suburbs, Takoma Park is a cool town and also has a great farmers market.

When I was there a few weeks ago I took a long walk on the bike/pedestrian path along the Potomac in Georgetown; there's a place where you can rent a kayak and go out on the river, which I'd like to do next time I'm in town.

06 Aug 2004 | Darrel said...

I'll second the National Building Museum. Wonderful building in its own right. The holocaust museum is worthy of a visit as well, though that's probably a bit more mainstream.

Oh...and take the subway to see how we CAN do mass transit right in this country.

06 Aug 2004 | Brad Hurley said...

oh and I forgot, if you go anywhere near DuPont Circle also be sure to checkout Kramerbooks, a very nice bookstore and cafe..it reminds me a little of the great Elliot Bay Bookstore in Seattle and I think it was one of the first bookstore/cafe combinations in the United States.

06 Aug 2004 | Steve Agalloco said...

You'll be there at the perfect time. Many of the summer interns (who dominate the city social scene in the summer, along with the tourists) will be gone and most of the universities will be just about ready to start the new semesters.

These are some of my faves:

The Brickskeller - especially if you like beer, they have an awsome beer menu

Old Ebbitt Grill - great brunch

Eighteenth Street Lounge - though the building is nondescript, the lounge is a great place to hang out, fyi - there is a dress code.

Cactus Cantina - out in the northwest near American University, but they have the best frozen margaritas and decent mexican food too. If it's not too hot, try and get a seat outside.

06 Aug 2004 | JP said...

The NBM is great. Go there, if only for the massive indoor columns.

The Hirshhorn Museum, located on the Mall, is a fantastic modern art museum. Skip Georgetown in favor of Adams Morgan (between Dupont and Columbia Rd.), and skip Adams Morgan in favor of U Street (around 14th). While you're on U, be sure to visit Ben's Chili Bowl, Bill Cosby's favorite D.C. diner. And if you want to do the monuments, you'll have the most fun at night and on a bike.

Oh, and I don't know from classy hookers, but on the West Wing, they all seem to hang out in the Old Ebbitt Grill. Do notat any costvisit the Old Ebbitt Grill.

06 Aug 2004 | Carter Rabasa said...

Going out: you can walk from either Dupont (red-line) or Woodley Park (red-line) Metro stops to a neighborhood in DC called Adams Morgan. Very fun, although it has jumped the shark in the last 4-5 years. Off the beaten path (18th St) make sure to check out the bars on U St, working your way down to 14th (Chi-Cha Lounge, Cafe St. X, etc).

If you're looking for a poker game (sorry, I have a one track mind) I can hook you up.

06 Aug 2004 | Don Schenck said...

Take a short, 90-minute trip north on Rt. 83 to The Schenck Mansion :-).

I'll be ready with the wine, cigars, my wife's gourmet cooking, a fire in our backyard firepit, and the pool filter running.

Old Town Alexandria, no matter how trite it may sound, is awesome.

06 Aug 2004 | F2 said...

Living in MD and going to hs in DC here are a few places off the beaten path in no particular order:

The Brickskeller as mention by Steve. If your beer is not here it's not anywhere else in the city.

The Exorcist stairs for either a nostaglic scare or quick workout.

Dumbarton Oaks gardens if you need to unwind and get away from the city without actually leaving the city.

06 Aug 2004 | Mike said...

Hey, what's wrong with DC Summer Interns? ;) ;)

BTW: I believe that the Adaptive Path folks are planning a fieldtrip to the National Building Museum as part of the conference.

06 Aug 2004 | Steve Agalloco said...

Anyone who lives in DC can attest to the fact that the summertime in DC is dominated by interns and tourists. Personally, they never bothered me, but it's pretty funny to see all these young college-aged kids yukking it up at happy hour about what senator or congressman they work for.

06 Aug 2004 | Steve Agalloco said...

And if they aren't interning for a politician, they are most likely interning for a non-profit. Either way, it's a lot of young kids with a LOT of opinions. That and the fact that it's typically just a big summer-long alchohol induced party with a lot of casual sex mixed in.

06 Aug 2004 | JF said...

Wow, thanks for the incredible response so far. Lots of good ideas in here.

06 Aug 2004 | JF said...

Take a short, 90-minute trip north on Rt. 83 to The Schenck Mansion

An invite to The House of Don! So, what's for dinner?

06 Aug 2004 | Sunil said...

Junk Food Gems:

Five Guys - Some of the best burgers in the country

Hard Times - Chili plain, Frito pie style, or on spaghetti

Ben's Chili Bowl - A DC landmark on U St.

Max's Ice Cream - Heavenly!

06 Aug 2004 | lisa said...

while there last time, i stayed at ROUGE (near dupont circle, i believe).
cool place, nice quaint bar and free bloody marys and cold pizza on sunday mornings

06 Aug 2004 | asdf said...

Don is right, old town Alexandria is indeed a fine town.

06 Aug 2004 | John Y. said...

Hrm. I put together a not exacly comprehensive, but decent list of links to tourist attractions over on my wedding site. You may find that helpful.

What I most highly recommend is that you go check out the assorted monuments at night. They're wonderfully lit up at night, and, I think, even better than during the daytime.

Old town is good stuff; if you think you'll get down this way (which I find fairly unlikely) then drop me a line (jpyuda at pobox dot com) and I'll give you some more specific suggestions.

Unfortunately, my company isn't interested in paying for me to attend the conference and I haven't got $2k to drop out of pocket, so I won't be turning up for that. Although if the cocktail stuff is open to non-attendees I may surface.

06 Aug 2004 | Tim Greenleaf said...

Although touristy, I definitely recommend the recently opened International Spy Museum, near Metro Center. You could argue it's very DC, although it's a part of life you normally don't see. It's very well done, and you'd be wise to call ahead and make reservations. There are also several spy-themed walking tours that I've heard are worthwhile.

I second the recommendation for Cactus Cantina, though if you are near Dupont Circle you can get the same food and margaritas at their sister restaurant, Lauriol Plaza. It's located at 18th and T streets NW.

On Sundays, check out the flea markets in upper Georgetown (on Wisconsin Ave) and over at Eastern Market on Capitol Hill. These are the types of flea markets where you just might peel back the canvas on a painting and find something interesting.

The environmental non-profit I work for isn't going to spring the $$$ for the conference, but if there are any after-work gatherings, please let me know!

07 Aug 2004 | beto said...

Awesome and timely post - since we're going to UXW too and will need all the info we can get too... Keep the good ideas coming - we're looking forward to see you there.

07 Aug 2004 | Fred Blasdel said...

I was born and raised @ 1725 17th Street in Dupont circle, but I haven't been in DC much for the last few years. There is an awesome Chinese food place a few blocks from Dupont Circle. It is north of the circle on Conneticut Ave. between R and S on the right side of the street. I think it is called "China Palace" and it has a gay leather/porn shop in the basement.

Try the tofu (they deep fry it quite deliciously), they'll make it any way you like it, but I reccomend Schezuan or with Green Beans. Their dishes are quite a meal for $6.00

I also definetly reccomend a burrito @ Chipotle if you've never had one. Check out Chipotle's Website for locations.

07 Aug 2004 | Jason Rothstein said...

If you're at all interested in architecture and related topics, visit the National Building Museum, one of the great overlooked DC museums.

07 Aug 2004 | benry said...

The International Spy Museum - http://www.spymuseum.org/

08 Aug 2004 | Graham said...

How come nobody here is answering the dude's question about hookers?

Come on now, we know you've been there; done that. :)

08 Aug 2004 | Peter Steinberg said...

I second the mention of the National Building Museum. An *excellent* place.

The exhibits can be a little weak but the building itself is the centerpiece of the exhibits. Make *absolutely sure* to find out the time of the building tours and take one.

The building, in and of itself, is a massive and successful 15o-year-old embodiment of embracing usability.

Trust me, it's great.

09 Aug 2004 | noodlebrain said...

I second the mention of the National Building Museum

Actually, you fifth the mention of the National Building Museum. Four others recommended it previously in these comments! ;-)

09 Aug 2004 | Don Schenck said...

Jason -- Salmon, rice and french cut beans with ice cream for dessert. Or, whatever else my chef wife dreams up!

09 Aug 2004 | Dez said...

Its a good city, gets a bad rap with the politics. Some places I'd recommend.

Places to see...
- Spy Museum - $13 but worth every penny.
- Air and Space - Free, a bit aged now, but still, if you've never been, has some fantastic pieces.
- Building Museum - I'll second/third/fourth it. Building is amazing, and take small walk around the outside and check out the Civil War frieze. Judicary Square Metro.
- Cathedral after dark - So maybe look at it on your way to dinner, but still great use of lighting on an amazing structure.
- FDR Memorial
- Korean Memorial
- WWII Memorial - Meh.

Interesting Places of Drink, etc...
- Lucky Bar - 18th and Connecticut
- Brickskellar - Used to go, but they don't have all the beers they advertise, and the service is sometimes slow.
- Madams Organ
- 18th ST Lounge
- Local 16

Eats:
- Guapo's - better food than Cactus Cantina. Good Margaritas too. Tenleytown Metro.
- 2 Amy's - best pizza in town. Next to Cactus Cantina on Wisconsin. No Metro.
- Sushi Taro - best Spicy Tuna in town. Drop me an email if interested, I live across the street.
- The Diner - middle of 18th in Adams Morgan. Just plain good.
- Matchstick - Chinatown
- Capital BBQ - Chinatown
- Ben's Chili Bowl
- Five Guys

Also, Fred, funny I live at 1526 17th ST Now. But grew up on 20th ST in Adams Morgan.

09 Aug 2004 | geeky said...

I was just at the spy museum in DC this weekend. I definitely recommend it. Very fun museum. The art museum is also a must-see, in my opinion.

My advice to you is simple - don't drive, take the Metro. And what ever you do, don't eat or drink on the Metro. Bad things will happen.

09 Aug 2004 | Dez said...

Would be helpful to include my email. But seriously, drop me a line if there are any non-attendee happy hours / outings.

09 Aug 2004 | kirkaracha said...

The Air & Space Museum's recently-opened annex near Dulles airport is packed with planes, and there's a $7 round-trip bus from the museum downtown.

10 Aug 2004 | zara said...

I know it has been mentioned a couple of times already but I just wanted to put a note in for the spy museum as well. It is really a cool place.