If you want to get off the beaten path, there's is a Washington, DC that the tourists don't know about, away from the monuments, museums and and government institutions. Keep in mind, DC is split into 4 quadrants... NW, NE, SE and SW. If you tell a cab driver an intersection to go to, make sure to specify which quadrant... There's a HUGE difference between 14th St and K St, NW, than 14th and K St SE. You may end up in a shady neighborhood if you give the wrong quadrant:

Food:
Ben's Chili Bowl
1213 U Street NW Washington DC
Near the intersection of 12th and U St NW - Ben's Chili Bowl is the only surviving business on the U St corridor that survived the riots in DC after Martin Luther King was killed. Bill Cosby goes there anytime he's in town. Many jazz greats used to hang out there. The food is hot dogs, chili dogs, burgers, chili cheese fries... things like that - inexpensive.

The Quarterdeck
1200 North Fort Myer Road Arlington, VA 22209
This is located in Arlington, VA, right across the street from the Iwo Jima memorial. This region is known for blue crabs. I think, they have all you can eat crabs for cheap, plus, a colorful crowd of locals.

HR-57
www.hr57.org
This cool club is named for the House Resolution passed in 1987 that designated jazz "a rare and valuable national American treasure." Food is good and cheap. Very southern - collard greens, fried chicken wings, etc. Plus it's a Jazz club, so you'll hear some good music.

Pho75
1721 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA
So America is a land of immigrants. I had to tell you about this place, because it's the best bang for the buck. As some of you may know, pho is a beef-based noodle soup from Vietnam. You get a hot bowl of soup for less then $10, packed with noodles, beef, onions - good for the hangover. The closest one from DC is in Rosslyn, VA. You can take the metro.

Osman & Joe's Steak 'n Egg Kitchen
4700 Wisconsin Ave Nw, Washington, DC
This is late-night diner eating at it's best. Located north of the National Cathedral, Steak and eggs at 4am after getting back from the bars has no equal - prices are cheap. It's also open during normal times.

Five Guys Burgers
All over DC
Five Guys is a local chain that makes hamburgers, hot dogs, and fries. It's cheap, and you will be full.

DC also has pretty good nightlife, however, last call for alcohol is around 2:30am-3am. The bars close down, and as the saying goes, "you don't have to go home but you can't stay here".

The Washington, DC local music scene is extremely underrated, very hip, and very vibrant. Check out a show at places like Velvet Lounge (www.velvetloungedc.com), DC9 (www.dcnine.com), The Black Cat (www.blackcatdc.com - also co-owned by Dave Grohl from the Foo Fighters), Rock and Roll Hotel (http://www.rockandrollhoteldc.com/), The Red and the Black (http://www.redandblackbar.com/). I know the owner/managers of DC9, Rock and Roll Hotel, and the Red and the Black, so if you're planning to go there, let me know and I might be able to hook you up with some freebies. By far the cheapest of all the nightlife options.

If the clubbing/lounge thing is your scene, check out Chi Cha Lounge, Chloe, 1223, Club 5, Helix, Dragonfly, Panache. For most of these places expect to pay a cover of $10 or more... drinks are NOT cheap, and some of these places have dress codes. You can look up all these places online.

If you want something crazy:

Perry's Drag Queen Sunday Brunch
Adams Morgan
202.234.6218

Perry's sunny rooftop and its Adams Morgan location make it popular among young, hip, single locals, but what really stands out is its Sunday brunch. Drag queens, dressed and adorned elaborately, work the rooftop deck and sing show tunes while you eat. Don't be surprised if a drag queen "sits on your lap while you enjoy your eggs benedict." It's a "Sunday brunch experience like no other," and the "food is as good as the entertainment." Try to make it at 10am for the first seating, or else you'll be waiting in line for a table.

Whashington, D.C., is a lot to see. Of course do the Mall and the museums like the Smithsonian. But an alternative would be Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, for a nice day trip. It is nearly 2 hr.s away. Gettysburg National Military Park is the site where the bloodiest battle of the Civil War took place and was the turning point of the war. A great place to go if your interested in history or if your a civil war buff.

yeah, Pennsylvania would make a fabulous day trip, as there is a lot of our nation's history there. Gettysburg is really amazing, but there's also Philedelphia, which is an amazing historical city. There's so much more to the east coast than New York, D.C., and Miami.

And ditto to all of mild7s suggestions for D.C. Five Guys is an awesome place to eat. My friends and I go there all the time. And like they said, be careful you don't end up in SouthEast D.C. You'll enjoy your time otherwise

I agree that Ben's Chili Bowl is a must. There are usually cheap-to-free shows at the Kennedy Center, so make sure to check those out. A lot of shows pertain to other cultures than American. Most of the hip bars and restaurants are located in DuPont Circle, whereas Adam's Morgan is more for the party scene and ethnic food. If you're there on a Saturday, Eastern Market shows some interesting craftsmanship and fresh meat and produce. Stop into Murky Coffee there for the best drip coffee in the city!

If you want to spend time in Baltimore, here are some ideas:
If anyone is a baseball fan: go to the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum
216 Emory Street
Admission is $10.
Their website: www.baberuthmuseum.com.
Go to the Inner Harbor where you can do the following:
Browse the shops at Harborplace,walk the waterside promanade, take the WaterTaxi(www.thewatertaxi.com)($8 for all day pass) to neighborhoods like Fells Point and Canton. It also stops at Fort McHenry (www.nps.gov/fomc), the location that inspired The Star Spangled Banner.

The World War II monument at dusk is beautiful. You should check it out.

Welcome to Washington DC! A trip to America would not be complete without a trip to our Nation's Capital! I am a college student, so I am very familiar with traveling throughout the area on a budget.

You all are very lucky to be visiting the metro area during the fall! The weather is mild with an occasional breeze and the humidity levels are down. My favorite part of the season is watching the leaves and scenery change. I highly suggest taking a trip out about 1-2 hours West of DC to visit the Shenandoah Valley. I’m a native of the Northern Virginia area, but I have lived in the Shenandoah Valley for the past 12 years.

During this time of year, the biggest attraction in the Valley area is the Shenandoah National Park. I highly recommend that you all take a drive on Skyline Drive. It is an absolute must! You will see some of the most beautiful scenery in the entire world! There are 75 overlooks that offer stunning views of the Shenandoah Valley. Also, if you are interested in some physical activity, the park has over 500 miles of hiking trails. The entrance fee is $10.00 per private, non-commercial vehicle. Very reasonable! The views are truly priceless! Before you visit, I recommend calling Virginia’s “Fall Foliage Hotline” to make sure that you visit during the peak times for the most vibrant colors and views of the scenery. The telephone number is: 1-800-424-LOVE.

(The official website for the Shenandoah National Park can be found Here!)

Please contact me for more information on the attractions located in the Shenandoah Valley! Most importantly, I hope that you all have a wonderful time!

I think if they get bored in d.c. which probabley wont happen, they should vistit either baltimore,frederick, or sandy point state park on the cheasapeke Bay and since annapolis is so close to there, they should go. All of these are in Maryland. In baltimore, they could go to the aquarium which is AMAZING, go to the baltimore world trade center to go to the observation deck they have(it's called the top of the world)and From there you can get great veiws of the city and the bay. At sandy point state park, there are great veiws of the chesapeake bay bridge(which is sometimes confused with the cheasapeake bay-bridge tunnel). Also you can see a beautiful lighthouse. in annapolis, they can see the mayland state house, the navel academy and the harbor they have. In Frederick, where I live, they should see the bridge mural,all of the church steaples, baker park, and carrol creek where the bridge mural is.Frederick is 45 minutes north west of washington and 45 minutes west of Baltimore. Also from frederick, they should go to the anteitem battle feild where one of the battles from the civil war was.It lasted one day and they say it was the bloodiest battle ever fought in the civil war(although the same thing is said for gettysburg).There is a white statue there in the cemtary of one of the generals. it is very nice.

being a transplant from michigan i do not have a huge list of recommendations, BUT since i have had a ton of people from overseas and from the good ole midwest come visit me i have been sure to include a "walking tour" at night.
My friends have started calling it the "famous mo's night walking tour" although anyone who has been to DC probably has done the same thing. Nighttime on the Mall is the best-fewer people and beautiful.
Take the metro to the Smithsonian stop exit towards the mall
when you exit you will be able to see the capital building all lit up and the washington monument.
Walk toward the washington monument and check it out as much as you want.
Continue walking in the same direction toward the Lincoln memorial.
On the way you will come upon the fairly new WWII memorial which i think is beautiful at night. (there are public restrooms not too far from here)
Beyond that you will walk along the reflecting pool (yeah i am sure many of you saw forest gump!)
Keep walking and take a look and spend some time at the Lincoln memorial-cool photo of the monument with the capital building behind it and reflecting in the reflecting pool from the top of the memorial steps.
looking at lincoln the Korean War memorial is to your left and Vietnam wall is to your right...i am always sure to go to the wall as it has a lot of significance for me, but might not for you.
If you walk toward the right and cross over constitution ave. and go slightly up to the left you will find the albert einstein memorial.
Walk down Constitution Ave. back toward the Washington Monument for a ways and once you cross 17th turn left and keep walking along the elipse (the big open space) and if you continue along you will come upon the back (or is it the front?! ha) of the white house which is also cool all lit up.
from here i usually catch the metro at metro center and go get a drink and warm up in a pub in adams morgan or georgetown as it is a LONG walk that was just taken!!!.....
Well anyway, every other suggestion sounds great- i love baltimore as well
please don't hesitate to ask questions....i love history-so alexandria is a great visit as is annapolis.
peace

HEY, visit the EASTERN MARKET...in my opinion it is a great place to visit....capital hill area and the metro goes right to it....open air market with indoor area.....different days mean different things....artisans, crafts, food.....i think it is fun.......and interesting people watching is always great.....and free

Did someone say Chili?!? I am SO there! If there's something worth spending on, it's good Chili! Thanks for the tips!

I think we'll definitely visit the Holocaust Museum and Spy Museum, fees notwithstanding. And Cruisingbug, I want you to know that the monuments will mean quite a lot to me, even though I'm not an American. I look forward to being awed and inspired by Washington, D.C. Even though I'm not from your country, Freedom, Independence, Heritage... these all resonate greatly for me. I might be a little more excited for D.C. than some of the other cities, I think.

Mild7s! Thanks for the detailed tips. I really want to check out the local music scene, and drag queen lunches sound fabulous! Definitely checking out a lot of your suggestions!

And I'll definitely want someone to teach me how to sing the Star-Spangled Banner! If there's anywhere to learn it, it's probably Washington D.C.

The Shenandoah Valley is definitely a must. Especially this timeof year, when all the tree leaves will be changing color. Someone mentioned Skyline Drive earlier. It is beautiful, but I think the cost has gone up to $15 a vehicle. But it is well worth the money. The view is spectacular.

There are also tones of apple orchards around here, and many places where you can go pick your own. There's also white water rafting/ or tubing, as well as kayaking, all through October. It goes right past Harper's Ferry, which is a historical Civil War Town that has been very well preserved.

The Shenandoah Valley also has several caverns, including Lurray Caverns, which is the most famous. I'm not sure how much it is, but it is breath taking.

You must see the Iwo Jima memorial. It is very nice and looks bigger in person. From there, You can Get an awsome view of washington D.C. if you go to the near by memorial from the neatherlands to the U.S.(it is a short walking distance to get there and is on the same park). The netherlands monument is a big black thing that is from world war 1 or 2. I can't remember. But you can go up in it, but only on saturday's to veiw the city. It is tall and it can provide great veiws.

i agree with cooltwinkie and mr270 suggestions. i went to school in that area and it's beautiful plus the people are really friendly. frederick is a great place for a day trip. for the tjs interested in arts and culture their is weinberg, a great place to see a performance for not much money. Plus frederick is a great place to walk around and get lost in. Tons of little shops and restaurants, great way to get to know the locals.

oh and if there's a nature lover around you try the C& 0 Canal Towpath

quote:

Originally posted by tj_zach:
Did someone say Chili?!? I am SO there! If there's something worth spending on, it's good Chili! Thanks for the tips!

I think we'll definitely visit the Holocaust Museum and Spy Museum, fees notwithstanding. And Cruisingbug, I want you to know that the monuments will mean quite a lot to me, even though I'm not an American. I look forward to being awed and inspired by Washington, D.C. Even though I'm not from your country, Freedom, Independence, Heritage... these all resonate greatly for me. I might be a little more excited for D.C. than some of the other cities, I think.

Mild7s! Thanks for the detailed tips. I really want to check out the local music scene, and drag queen lunches sound fabulous! Definitely checking out a lot of your suggestions!

And I'll definitely want someone to teach me how to sing the Star-Spangled Banner! If there's anywhere to learn it, it's probably Washington D.C.

hey zach-monuments at night are soooo beautiful...and you all just missed the american history museum-it is closed for renovations for two years-you could have seen the original "star spangled banner".....i think i saw it eight times this past year when i was playing host to all the visitors i had..i loved it every time