ATTRACTIONS

WASHINGTON D.C.

No matter where your interests lie -- politics, history, art, music, shopping, scene-hopping, or pretty much anything else -- the nation's capital has plenty to keep you busy. It's the seat of power for the entire U.S., and you can tour the White House, watch senators and Supreme Court justices debate and deliberate, and learn all about the history of the institutions on which the country is founded. At the Smithsonian Institution's 14 magnificent museums -- all of which are always free -- you can check out American folk and decorative art, learn about the country's aviation and space programs, explore the natural history of our world from prehistoric times to the present, and see some of the greatest art in the world.

Memorials to great leaders, fallen soldiers, and other prominent people from America's past abound, and there are plenty of other attractions off the beaten path, from the somber Holocaust Museum to the thrilling (and somewhat paranoia-inducing) International Spy Museum, that you should be sure not to miss. Shopping districts in neighborhoods like Georgetown and Dupont Circle cater to upscale, edgy tastes while the sprawling mall in the restored Union Station offers slightly more standard fare.

At night, the city's bars and nightclubs heat up as DJs spin in the darkened dens of places like the 18th Street Lounge (home of Thievery Corporation and their ESL record label), local and national bands hit the stages at the Black Cat, the 9:30 Club, and other places big and small around town, and revelers crowd the bars and dance floors around U Street, Adams Morgan, Dupont Circle, Georgetown, and other hot spots.

It wouldn't be possible to do all there is to do in DC over the course of a day or even a weekend, so don't be surprised if you find yourself wanting to come back for more. Fortunately, it's only about an hour's drive from Baltimore, and it's served by both a commuter train that runs to and from Baltimore on weekdays and a subway system that makes getting around the whole city a breeze