Things to do near Dupont Circle?

[MusicTVstar]

I'm going to DC with my family next weekend, and we've done all the traditional DC things (monuments, Smithsonian's, etc). We're staying on Dupont Circle, and are looking for suggestions of different things to do while we are there (things that aren't well known, good restaurants, etc). DUers are always helpful when I'm going someplace..so does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks!

[thom1102]

1. The best thing to do in Dupont Circle is to

people watch. I usually head there once a year when I visit friends, though I can't think of anything specific. Wrapworks is a great fast food place, and there is a great Chinese place near Lambda Rising that is exceptional.

[Skinner]

6. Agreed.

I like to just grab a bench on the circle by the fountain and hang out. Lots of people to watch in the evening.

On one side of the circle there are a bunch of public chess boards where people come to play. Not the "typical" Dupont crowd.

[WoodrowFan]

13. Burrito Bros.

And the Flying Burito Bros have GREAT Buritos.

Make sure you walk around the neighborhood between Conn and Mass Ave. That's the embassy area, a great area to walk around, see statues of national heros like Ghandi, play guess the flag, check out the embassies, etc. I LOVE working down there!

[arwalden]

20. If You Make It To "Lambda Rising" Then Head Over To The HRC Gift Shop

and stock up on all sorts of nifty Human Rights Campaign gifts with the HRC equal-sign logo on them.

[GBD4]

2. KRAMER'S

Near Q Street, a fun bookstore & cafe! With live music some nites :)

[onehandle]

4. That's where a certain intern's records were seized...

...by a certain porno crazed prosecutor.

[MusicTVstar]

8. Isn't that the place that had the Trent Latte?

If it is, than I MUST go :P.

[Skinner]

10. Get the Dysfunctional Family Sundae

it's decadent!

[CoolerKing]

3. if you like beer...

try the Brickskeller. I forget what street it's on but it is within walking (or stumbling) distance from Dupont Circle. They have EVERY beer in the world there, and I'm not exaggerating. They even have a dumb-waiter system to haul up bottles of obscure beer from the cellar.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

11. 1523 22nd Street

Fun place!

[Skinner]

5. Things to do in Dupont circle, Adams Morgan, and U Street

I live in the Dupont/Adams Morgan/U Street area of DC, and I love it. I think some of the best places in the City are away from the monuments in the central core. What hotel are you staying at?

Here are stuff in the Dupont Circle area. There's a lot of other great stuff downtown, and in Georgetown. But I'll limit my response to the Dupont area.

Museums/Attractions/Sights:

The Philips Collection - http://www.phillipscollection.org/
Woodrow Wilson House - http://www.woodrowwilsonhouse.org/
The Textile Musuem - http://www.textilemuseum.org/
Embassy Row - Massachusetts Avenue west of Dupont Circle
The Ghandi Statue - Massachusetts Avenue and 21st street (or 22nd)
The U Street Heritage Trail - http://washingtonhistory.com/UStreet/
The African-American Civil War memorial - http://www.afroamcivilwar.org/
Dupont Circle

Best areas for Restaurants/Shopping

Dupont: Connecticut Avenue north of Dupont circle
Dupont: P Street west of Dupont Circle
Adams Morgan: 18th Street between U and Colombia
Dupont/Logan: 14th Street from P to S Street
U Street: U Street from 18th to 13th Street
(You could also take a cab to M Street and Wisconsin Avenue in Georgetown, which is a great place to wander around. Or you could take a cab or metro to Woodley Park.)

Theaters:

The Studio Theater on 14th Street - http://www.studiotheatre.org/
The Source Theater on 14th Street - http://www.sourcetheatre.com/
Lincoln Theater on U Street- http://www.thelincolntheatre.org/
Visions Cinema Bistro on Florida Ave & 20th - Indie Films - http://www.visionsdc.com/

Restaurants:

Expensive:

Gabriel - P street near 21st street
BeDuCi - P street near 20th street
Tiramisu - P street near 20th street
Local 16 - U street just west of 16th Street
Cities - 18th Street in Adams Morgan
Perry's - Columbia Avenue in Adams Morgan (The waiters used to dress up in drag for Sunday brunch. I don't know if they still do.)

Mid Price

Meskerem - Ethiopian - 18th Street in Adams Morgan - Adams Morgan has the largest Ethiopian population outside of Africa. Try Ethiopian for a uniqe experience. (You eat with your hands.)
Fasika's - Ethiopian - Across the street from Meskerem
Pizzeria Paradiso - Gourmet Pizza - P street near 21st street
Raku - Funky Asian - Corner of Q street & 19th
Thaiphoon - Modern Thai - S Street between 20th and Connecticut
Kramerbooks & Afterwords - American - Connecticut Ave just north of Dupont Circle
Lauriol Plaza - Mexican - 18th Street near T street. (Always a ridiculously long wait. Too long, actually.)

Inexpensive

Ben's Chili Bowl - Burgers, fries, and chili, a U Street African American Legend - http://www.benschilibowl.com
Wrap Works - Corner of Connecticut and Q
Chipotle - Connecticult between Q and R

Delicious Cookies:

Firehook Bakery - Q Street Between 19th and Connecticut

Hope you have fun!

[MusicTVstar]

7. thanks!

We're staying at the Marriott Residence Inn, thanks for all this info, I'm printing it right now :).

[Skinner]

9. Great Location!

You're right on P street, where there are lots of restaurants. Dupont, Adams Morgan, and even Georgetown are within walking distance.

[salin]

12. About 15 years ago there was a tiny radical little bookstore

up in Adams Morgan - I think it was called "Revolution Books". Had great stuff (got a bunch of protest South Africa postcards and other cool stuff). Anything like that still exist?

I heard the stopped having Adams Morgan Day (shows how long since I lived in the area) - that was a blast. One of the best street fairs I have attended.

[deutsey]

14. For DC doings in general

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/arts.shtml

The Washington City Paper used to be my favorite publication when I first moved to the DC area in the late '80s and on into the mid-'90s.

I lost touch after I moved away from the city area and noticed the quality of reporting went down a bit when I did get a copy; however, I always checked out the arts and cultural listings online if I happened to be going to DC.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

15. A few ideas...

National Museum of Women in the Arts
http://www.nmwa.org

National Aquarium (located in the Commerce Bldg. 14th & Constitution)
http://www.nationalaquarium.com/

If you like historic house tours:

Stephen Decatur House Museum
http://www.decaturhouse.org/

Dumbarton Oaks
http://www.doaks.org/

(You should call the houses ahead of time, to make sure they haven't been rented for private functions)

Here's a link to what's heppening around town, dining, special exhibits, etc:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/eg/section/main/index.html/?nav=hptop

Hope you have a great time!

[soothsayer]

16. Fantastic fish (to eat) at Pesce

P St near 21st

[MusicTVstar]

17. thank you everyone!

:)

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

18. You want REAL fun? try this...

Get a box about the size of a book box, seal it with duct tape and that strapping tape the USPS uses.

Then just leave the box on a bench, walk away to the other side and watch.

Fun, Fun, Fun

[WoodrowFan]

19. And When

The DC and Capital (Federal) police catch you you'll gte a nice view of the lovely DC prison system, not to mention the thrill of scaring the %$#%# out of the normal everyday worker bees who had to be evacuated from their workplaces while the bomb squad checked the box out. plus you'll be satisified in knowing just how much of DC and the Fed's money you wasted during a time of budget crunch. sheesh.