CULTURE | WASHINGTON
O
n a map Washington, DC looks almost like a diamond. The state of Virginia and the Potomac river chip away at its south-western edge but take nothing from its sheen. This city is a treasure chest full of gems. Washington, as the nation’s capital, is a place that likes to show off. Whether it’s one of the grand memorials to a past president or the lanyard-wearing Capitol Hill staffer who thinks he will be president, this town has a swagger about it. Driving up broad Pennsylvania Avenue to the majestic dome of the US Capitol, it’s hard not be swept up by the power of it all. One of the great things about living in Washington is there is an abundance of things to do, so even repeat visitors could never be bored. From the stunning monuments to the museums, from the city’s sports teams to the increasingly impressive restaurant scene, Washington will make your holiday as busy as a presidential schedule. A good place to begin is the US Capitol (East Capitol Street NE & First Street SE, +1 202 226 8000; visitthecapitol.gov). It is the centre from which the city’s four quadrants are drawn. You will likely spend most time in North West where many attractions are, although the popular Capitol Hill in South East and the so-called “transitional neighbourhood” to the north, are erasing DC’s once crime-ridden reputation. Walking around the corridors of the Capitol on a guided tour, from the Rotunda with its dramatic paintings of the Baptism of Pocahontas and the Declaration of Independence among others, to the Old Supreme Court Chamber, you’ll feel like an extra on House of Cards. The National Arboretum (3501 New York Avenue NE, +1 202 245 2726; usna.usda.gov), a short taxi journey north-east of Capitol Hill, is worth visiting, if only to avoid the crowds showing up in late 94 |
APRIL/MAY 2015
Top, the steps of the Capitol Building. Above, new Washingtonian, Simon Carswell.
March/early April at the Tidal Basin, about a 15 minutedrive away, for the all-too-brief springtime explosion of colour that is the National Cherry Blossom Festival (until April 12; nationalcherryblossomfestival. org). The basin is like an Impressionist painting when the flowers on the Yoshino Cherry trees, gifts from Japan, burst into life. But peak bloom can bring peak stress when dealing with the crowds along the narrow paths around the basin. Visit early, at dawn, to avoid the gauntlet of camera tripods. The arboretum has cherry blossoms too and is quieter. It also remains in
bloom with the seasonal procession of magnolias and azaleas long after the basin’s blossoms turn to foliage. From the Capitol, the best way to travel is on foot. Head west down the National Mall and pick from one of the Smithsonian museums and galleries (+1 202 633 1000; si.edu). You are spoiled for choice. There are 19 in all, along with the affiliated National Zoo (3001 Connecticut Avenue NW, +1 202 633 4888; nationalzoo.si.edu), enough to fill a long weekend and, remarkably, at no cost at all: the museums and galleries are free. The National Air and Space Museum (600 Independence