Washington, DC - Things To Do
We look forward to seeing you in Washington DC soon! While you're here, we hope you'll also enjoy some of the exciting things to see and do in the Capitol area.
Local Picks »
Washington DC Visitor's Guide Excerpts »
Local Host Committee »
The CTC Annual Conference is invaluable because it opens a connectivity door for participants, exposes CTCs to work others are doing, and suggests solutions for issues all CTCs face. [The Conference also] provides an awareness forum for the city in which it is held, and brings government officials and CTCs together to complement each other's work in helping the people.
--2005 Conference Participant
Local Picks
Restaurants
Food close to the hotel: An extensive food court as well as some nice restaurants are located inside Union Station. Union Station includes a Metro stop. Check out the Capitol section of restaurant recommendations in the Washington DC Visitor's Guide.
Fun options for groups of 4-8 people (Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro):
Jaleo (Spanish Tapas)480 7th Street, NW, Tel (202) 628-7949
Marrakesh (Moroccan) 617 New York Ave NW
Neighborhoods
-Dupont Circle (Dupont Circle Metro): Lots of food and dance club options. If you like lots of beer selections, try Brickskeller (food is also less expensive than many places) 1523 22nd St, NW. Try Teasim if you are a tea drinker.
-Georgetown (not Metro accessible, closest stops are Foggy Bottom or Rosslyn): Lots of food and dance club options. Blues Alley for dinner and jazz or dessert and jazz. 1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW, (202) 337-4141.
-Adams Morgan (Woodley Park Zoo/Adams Morgan Metro): The best place for ethnic food options. Try Moroccan, Ethiopian, American, French, Latin, Argentinian, Brazilian, Irish, Italian, Pizza, Mexican, Cuban, Greek. Check out http://www.adamsmorgan.net/restaurants/ for listing and address info.
DC Attractions
Natural History Museum - go earlier in the day to check out the Gem and Minerals collection. (See Map.ppt)
Air and Space Museum: always a favorite of visitors. Also close to the hotel. Free. Open daytime hours. (See Map.ppt)
Library of Congress if you're into books or architecture (it's a great building!). (See Map.ppt)
Arlington Cemetary--JFK's grave, Arlington House, and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Free if you want a good walk (just get a map inside the center) or $6 if you take the bus tour.
Monuments: by Night--the best way to see them. The challenge is that they're spread out enough that it is hard/near impossible to walk to many of them in an evening. So, a member of the CTCNet Planning Committee will arrange a tour bus and guide for the first 55 people to sign up. The tour will depart at 9pm on Thursday evening from the reception. Suggested contribution of $18/person to cover costs. Please email CTCNetTour@computercore.org to sign up.
Monuments: by Day--take the Tourmobile, $20 for all day. Tip #1: do not use the Tourmobile to go from one museum to another. Your hotel is close to all the museums, and you won't get the best use of your Tourmobile pass if you're inside the museums. Tip #2: If the tour guide on your bus isn't entertaining, get off at the next stop, and catch the next bus. (Most of the guides are fairly amusing.) You can get on the Tourmobile at most major sites in DC. The sites closest to the hotel are Union Station, the Capitol, and at least one place on the "National Mall" (See Map.ppt).
Night Life
Jazz at the Smithsonian's Natural History Museum, 6-10pm on Friday night: close to the hotel, cheap ($10) with cash bar and yummy treats available for purchase, and the jazz is always great. (See Map.ppt)
-Rock and Alternative Music options:
9:30 Club, 815 V St NW, Nearest Metro stop is Shaw - Howard University at 7th St & S St, NW (0.26 milesaway) Phone: 202-265-0930.
The Black Cat, 1811 14th St NW, Nearest Subway/Metro is U Street - Cardozo (green line) at 13th St & U St, NW (0.21 miles away). Phone: 202-667-7960
Events
Wednesday, July 26: 7:05 pm Washington Nationals vs. San Francisco Giants.
MLB Baseball Game. RFK Stadium Starplex. (Sports - Pro Baseball).
321-633-4487 http://washington.dc.eventguide.com/events/e101195.htm
Friday, July 28 or Saturday, July 29 at 7:30 pm Capitol Steps. Former Congressional employees perform satirical skits and songs every Friday and Saturday in the Amphitheater. Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. (Performance - Show Comedy). 202-312-1300
Saturday 12:00 pm-10:00 pm Western Market - Adams Morgan Art Market. Great outdoor arts market in the heart of Adams Morgan. Every Saturday, March through December from noon to dark on the Marie Re. Adams Morgan Art Market. 18th and Wyoming, NW
Every night at 6:00 pm Millennium Stage. Different performing and visual artists are featured. Free admission. John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. 202-467-4600 Check out http://washington.dc.eventguide.com/months/06jul.htm for more info on events, including happy hour, restaurant, and nightlife specials for each day.
Washington, DC Visitor's Guide Excerpts
All the details at the Official Washington DC Visitor's Guide (print out the sections that are of interest to you):
Cover, Visitor Services & Fast Facts and Calendar of Events (pdf)
Getting Here, Metrorail (Subway) Map, Maps, and Regularly Scheduled Tours (pdf)
Neighborhoods, Attractions, Smithsonian Institution, and Sports & Recreation (pdf)
Performing Arts, Restaurants and Nightlife (pdf)
Local Host Committee
Local information provided by our Local Host Committee:
Steve Berry - Capitol Hill Computer Corner
Richard Jaeggi - Howard University CTC Program
Shireen Mitchell - Digital Sisters
Debra Roeke - Computer CORE
Jessica Venegas - Community Preservation Development Corporation (CPDC)