"MY HOMETOWN" a Washington D.C. Travel Page by globetrotter_2006

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This page is dedicated to a very special city, a city that was specifically designed to hold the Federal Government of the United States of America. The District of Columbia is unlike any other city in the US as it not part of any State. I first arrived in the District in 1989 after my Mother & I moved here from Madrid, Spain. DC attracts millions of visitors every year for the same reason that I fell in love with it........cause of its history, memorials, monuments, architecture, nightlife, and cultural centers.

It was named Washington for its first President, George Washington. He appointed Pierre Charles L'Enfant, a French born American architect & urban planner, as its designer. The city has a very specific design as it is split in four quadrants (NW, SW, SE, and NE). The NW quadrant is the largest and holds the most interest with visitors. The east-west streets are named after letters (i.e.- M Street), the north-south street are named after numbers (i.e.- 22nd Street), and the diagonal streets are named after the States (i.e.- Pennsilvania Avenue). To give you an idea, The White House is located on 1600 Pennsilvania Ave. NW).

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As I mentioned before, the NW quadrant of Washington DC is the most visited among tourist and most of the famous neighborhoods are in NW:

Adams Morgan

One of DC's most colorful neighborhoods, and a hot stop for nightlife. It is centered around 18th Street between Florida Avenue and Columbia Road. It has an array of Latin and Ethiopian Restaurants along with other ethic restaurants, and boutiques.

Capitol Hill

One of the oldest neighborhoods in DC that stands east of the U.S. Capitol. Filled with Victorian houses as well as Federal Buildings (Capitol, Library of Congress, etc). Here you will find one of the oldest functional train stations in the United States, Union Station. The oldest public market in the city, Eastern Market, is worthy of a Saturday or Sunday visit.

Chinatown

This is one of the up and coming neighborhoods that seems to have exploded with nightlife, apartment complexes, and resturants. Located 7th Street & H Street you will find the largest Chinesse Arch in the world. Here you will find such venues as the Verizon Center and the International Spy Museum.

Dupont Circle

This is my neighborhood. Filled with Museums, Historic Homes, and one the best art collections in the United States, The Phillips Collection. This neighborhood has Washington's largest collection of Art Galleries. You can also find a large number of ethnic restaurants, unique bookstores, and nightlife.

Georgetown

Take a walk through this 18th century port town and admire the great brick homes of the past. Georgetown is now well known for its shopping, dining, and great night scene. Take a ride on the C&O Canal Boat, or simply relax at one of the many coffee shops.

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Hotels

Kimpton Group Hotels

Restaurants

Bistro du Coin
Citronelle
Charlie Palmer Steak

Lounges

Lotus
Play
Lima

Bars

Saint Ex
Local 16
The Reef