AAA Destination Guide

Check out the sites in America's Capital. Take in all of the sights, climb the steps at the Lincoln Memorial, or set up a tour of the Capitol Building. See popular american artifacts like Dorothy's ruby slippers or George Washington's portrait outfit at the Smithsonian American History Museum, or if science is more your forte head over to the National Air and Space Museum to see the Apollo 11 lunar module that took the first humans to the moon.
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The American Automobile Association (the "AAA" or "Triple-A") was founded on March 4, 1902, in Chicago, Illinois when, in response to a lack of roads and highways suitable for automobiles, Nine motor clubs with a total of 1,500 members banded together to form the Triple-A. Those individual motor clubs included the Chicago Automobile Club, Automobile Club of America, Automobile Club of New Jersey, and others.
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1Â 
AAA Destination Guide: Official AAA maps,  
travel information and top picks 
AAA Destination Guide: Washington D.C. includes trip-planning 
information covering AAA recommended attractions and restaurants, 
exclusive member discounts, maps and more.Â Â 
The nationâ€™s capital. Those three words neatly sum up Washingtonâ€™s 
global importance as governmental entity and its enormous appeal as a 
tourist mecca. John F. Kennedy once said â€œWashington is a city of 
Southern efficiency and Northern charm,â€ and although his tongue was 
likely firmly in cheek, thereâ€™s no denying the cityâ€™s role in efficiently 
governing the nation while charming millions of visitors each year. 
D.C.â€™s embarrassment of must-see richesâ€”museums, monuments, 
memorials, galleriesâ€”makes putting together a sightseeing itinerary one 
truly daunting task. The United States Capitol and the White House 
define the jurisdictional entity known as the District of Columbia. The 
Mall, that green swath stretching from the foot of 
Capitol Hill west to the awe-inspiring statue of 
Abraham Lincoln, is where itâ€™s at for visitors, 
encompassing not only the National Gallery of Art, 
six memorials and one monument but many of the 
museums identified with one of the worldâ€™s largest 
and most remarkable educational organizations, the 
Smithsonian Institution. But thatâ€™s just part of the 
picture; Washington also has vibrant neighborhoods, 
a cosmopolitan diversity and cultural facilities second to none. With so 
much to see and do, springâ€™s pale pink explosion of cherry blossoms is 
the lovely icing on a very special city. 
  
Essentials 
The seat of the federal government, the United States Capitol should be 
near the top of any visitorâ€™s must-see list. Its main ceremonial space, the 
Rotunda, is filled with paintings, frescoes and an encircling frieze that 
together present more than 400 years of U.S. history. 
George Washington is the only president who never governed from the 
White House, but it is one of the few structures in todayâ€™s city that he 
would probably recognize. Antique furnishings, presidential portraits and 
graceful decorative accents make this house a rich repository of 
Americana. 
Climb the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and contemplate Daniel Chester 
Frenchâ€™s powerful sculpture of our 16th president, serenely seated in a 
colossal armchair. Then turn around and look to the east for an inspiring 
view that takes in the Reflecting Pool and the green expanse of West 
Potomac Park. 
Few cities are lovelier than Washington in springtime. Daffodils, tulips 
and dogwoods are all in bloom, along with the cityâ€™s thousands of 
Japanese cherry trees. Take a walk around the Tidal Basin when the 
blossoms are at their glorious peak, normally early April. 
Get dressed up and attend a concert, play, opera or dance performance 
at the world-class The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. 
Gaze upon the Rembrandts, Monets and other works that are part of the 
superlative collection of paintings in the West Building of the National 
Gallery of Art. Then take the underground concourse to see the 
ultramodern East Buildingâ€™s impressive exhibits of modern art. 
 
DestinationÂ Guide:Â WashingtonÂ D.C.Â Â 
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Essentials Map 
Get maps and turn-by-turn directions using TripTik Travel Planner on AAA.com 
Spend the afternoon hanging out in Georgetown. Home to some of 
Washingtonâ€™s most politically and socially prominent citizens, the cityâ€™s 
oldest neighborhood has trendy shops and restaurants galore as well as 
that are a pleasure to strollquiet, leafy streets lined with handsome brick 
residences. 
Let your imagination soar like the wondrous array of aircraft at 
Washingtonâ€™s most popular museum, the National Air and Space 
Museum of the Smithsonian Institution. 
Wander among the flowers, plants and trees in the conservatories of the 
United States Botanic Garden. Itâ€™s a restful, rejuvenating way to spend 
an hour in the middle of a hectic day of sightseeing. 
Head to Nationals Park and check out Major League Baseballâ€™s newest 
team, the Washington Nationalsâ€”D.C.â€™s long-awaited successor to the 
much-loved Washington Senators. 
Essentials Details - Get additional information on AAA.com 
 - GEM Attraction offers a Great Experience for Members  
1. United States Capitol  
1st St & Independence Ave SW  
Washington, DC 20001  
Phone: (202) 226-8000  
 
 
2.Â White House   
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW  
Washington, DC 20500  
Phone: (202) 224-3121  
 
 
3. Lincoln Memorial   
Washington, DC 20037  
Phone: (202) 426-6841  
 
4. The John F. Kennedy 
Center for the Performing Arts   
Rock Creek Pkwy &  
New Hampshire Ave NW  
Washington, DC 20566  
Phone: (800) 444-1324 
5. National Gallery of Art  
4th St & Constitution Ave NW  
Washington, DC 20565  
Phone: (202) 842-6176  
 
 
6. National Air and Space Museum   
7th St & Independence Ave SW  
Washington, DC 20560  
Phone: (202) 633-5285  
 
 
7. United States Botanic Garden   
100 Maryland Ave SW  
Washington, DC 20001  
Phone: (202) 225-8333  
 
 
 
Washington D.C. in 3 Days 
Three days is barely enough time to get to know any major destination. 
But AAA travel editors suggest these activities to make the most of your 
time in Washington, D.C. 
Day 1: Morning 
For visitorsâ€”and many Washingtoniansâ€”The National Mall is the 
epicenter of the nationâ€™s capital. You could spend three days alone just  
visiting all the museums and attractions that surround it. Street parking is 
limited and metered, so donâ€™t bring your car; everything is within easy 
DestinationÂ Guide:Â WashingtonÂ D.C.Â Â 
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walking distance of Metrorailâ€™s Smithsonian station (Orange and Blue 
lines).  
Your first stop should be the Smithsonian Institution Building (the Castle), 
which houses the Smithsonian Information Center. In addition to the all-
important restrooms, the center has interesting exhibits and plenty of 
Smithsonian-related information. Pick up coffee at the Castle CafÃ© and 
then mosey through the Enid A. Haupt Garden, with plantings of pansies 
and ornamental cabbages in winter, daffodils and tulips in spring and 
hanging baskets of multicolored annuals in summer.  
Visit the National Air and Space Museum first; youâ€™ll beat the crowds if 
you arrive when it opens. The Air and Space is chock-full of iconic 
vessels, from the Wright Brothersâ€™ original 1903 flying machine to space-
age craft. Next door is the National Museum of the American Indian. The 
wampum belts, elaborate headdresses and primitive guns are 
fascinating, but what really makes the NMAI a must-see is the emphasis 
on human history and cultural pride.  
Take a break at one of the benches lining the Mallâ€™s crisscrossing gravel 
paths before heading to the National Museum of Natural History. Itâ€™s 
packed with cool exhibits and always brimming with kids and school 
groups, so pick a few things rather than trying to see it all. Perennial 
favorites include the O. Orkin Insect Zooâ€™s tarantulas and giant 
cockroaches, the dinosaur skeletons and the glittering diamonds, rubies 
and sapphires in the Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems 
and Minerals.  
Afternoon 
Your best bet for a convenient lunch is at one of the museums: the Air 
and Spaceâ€™s Wright Place Food Court, the Museum of the American 
Indianâ€™s Mitsitam Native Foods CafÃ© or the Museum of Natural Historyâ€™s 
Atrium CafÃ©. The Mitsitam Native Foods CafÃ© has out-of-the-ordinary 
items such as Indian fry bread and wild rice salad studded with dried 
cranberries, pine nuts and pumpkin seeds.  
Switch from dioramas and airplanes to paintings and sculpture. The West 
Building of the National Gallery of Art has an outstanding permanent 
collection and a couple of bona fide masterpieces. Make sure you see 
Anthony van Dyckâ€™s regal works of portraiture; his well-heeled subjects 
are literally larger than life. Then take the underground concourse to the 
East Building, featuring Picasso, Matisse, Warhol and other modern 
masters.  
Thereâ€™s more modern art on the other side of the Mall at the Hirshhorn 
Museum and Sculpture Garden. Shaped like a drum, it has a series of 
curving galleries spotlighting such artists as Willem de Kooning and 
Alexander Calder, whose colorful mobiles literally hang by a thread. Also 
take a spin through the sunken outdoor sculpture garden to see abstract 
figure studies and a cast of â€œThe Burghers of Calais,â€ one of Auguste 
Rodinâ€™s most famous sculptures.  
From the sculpture garden, walk back up the Mall toward the Smithsonian 
Castle. If museum fatigue threatens at this point, youâ€™re in luck. Vendor 
carts on wheels park along Constitution Avenue N.W. and the streets that 
bisect the Mall. Refuel with a hot dog, soft pretzel, ice cream or a 
popsicle. Equally ubiquitous are the souvenir stands, where you can pick 
up T-shirts, sweatshirts, pennants, postcards, you name it.  
Back at the Castle, three more art museums are just steps away. The 
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery and the Freer Gallery of Art exhibit Asian art; 
the National Museum of African Art focuses on the ceremonial regalia, 
masks and pottery of sub-Saharan Africa. If youâ€™re really pressed for 
time, see American painter James Whistlerâ€™s â€œHarmony in Blue and Gold: 
The Peacock Roomâ€ at the Freer; this interior design scheme is ornately 
embellished with gilded leather wall hangings and four resplendent 
golden peacocks painted on wall panels. 
 
 
DestinationÂ Guide:Â WashingtonÂ D.C.Â Â 
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Day 1 Details - Get additional information on AAA.com;  
AAA Diamond Rating information available on AAA.com/DiamondsÂ 
 - GEM Attraction offers a Great Experience for Members 
Washington D.C. in 3 Days â€“ Day 1 Map 
 
Get maps and turn-by-turn directions using TripTik Travel Planner on AAA.com 
Evening 
Keep it simple after all the sightseeing and have dinner at a restaurant a 
block or two off the Mall. The Capital Grille has a terrific view of the 
Capitol dome from the front door, plus steaks accompanied by indulgent 
sides, including fresh creamed spinach and parmesan truffle fries. 701 
Pennsylvania Avenue has good fish and seafood (crab cakes, roasted 
mahi mahi, spice-crusted salmon) and marvelous service. CafÃ© Atlantico 
is a big, lively place that grooves to the rhythm of reggae and calypso 
music. Have a margarita, guacamole prepared to your order tableside 
and then perhaps sauteed scallops with coconut rice.  
If youâ€™ve still got energy to burn, walk up Pennsylvania Avenue to the Old 
Post Office Pavilion and browse around. After shopping, take in a 
performance at Fordâ€™s Theatre National Historic Site. The Shakespeare 
1. The National Mall  
Washington, DC 20037 
 
2. Smithsonian Institution Building 
(The Castle)  
1000 Jefferson Dr SW  
Washington, DC 20560  
Phone: (202) 633-1000 
 
3. Enid A. Haupt Garden  
Washington, DC 20024  
Phone: (202) 633-5285 
 
4. National Air and Space Museum   
7th St & Independence Ave SW  
Washington, DC 20560  
Phone: (202) 633-5285 
 
 
5. National Museum of 
the American Indian   
4th St & Independence Ave SW  
Washington, DC 20560  
Phone: (202) 633-1000  
 
 
6. National Museum 
of Natural History   
Constitution Ave & 10th St NW  
Washington, DC 20560  
Phone: (202) 633-1000 
 
 
7. National Gallery of Art   
4th St & Constitution Ave NW  
Washington, DC 20565  
Phone: (202) 842-6176  
 
 
8. Hirshhorn Museum 
and Sculpture Garden   
Independence Ave & 7th St SW  
Washington, DC 20560  
Phone: (202) 633-5285  
 
9. Arthur M Sackler Gallery  
1050 Independence Ave SW  
Washington, DC 20560  
Phone: (202) 633-1000 
 
 
10. Freer Gallery of Art   
12th St & Jefferson Dr SW  
Washington, DC 20560  
Phone: (202) 633-1000 
 
 
11. National Museum of African Art   
950 Independence Ave SW  
Washington, DC 20560  
Phone: (202) 633-5285  
 
 
12. The Capital Grille 
   
601 Pennsylvania Ave NW  
Washington, DC 20004  
Phone: (202) 737-6200 
 
13. 701 Pennsylvania Avenue  
 
701 Pennsylvania Ave NW  
Washington, DC 20004  
Phone: (202) 393-0701 
 
14. Cafe Atlantico  
 
405 8th St NW  
Washington, DC 20004  
Phone: (202) 393-0812 
 
15. Old Post Office Pavilion  
1100 Pennsylvania Ave NW  
Washington, DC 20004  
Phone: (202) 606-8691 
 
16. Ford's Theatre 
National Historic Site   
511 10th St NW  
Washington, DC 20004  
Phone: (202) 347-4833 
 
DestinationÂ Guide:Â WashingtonÂ D.C.Â Â 
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Theatre Company (see Performing Arts under Things to Do) stages 
works by the Bard most of the year at the Lansburgh Theatre (450 7th St. 
N.W.) and Sidney Harman Hall (610 F St. N.W.) But if the weatherâ€™s 
pleasant, we suggest just heading back to the Mall for a leisurely evening 
stroll.  
Day 2: Morning 
Many of D.C.â€™s monuments and memorials are clustered in West 
Potomac Park, an extension of the Mall. Spend the morning at a few of 
those that have a special resonance for you, whether itâ€™s the Franklin 
Delano Roosevelt Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the 
Lincoln Memorial, the National World War II Memorial, the Thomas 
Jefferson Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial or the Washington 
Monument.  
Riding the elevator to the observation room near the top of the 
Washington Monument is fun and the view of the city is panoramic, but a 
ticket is required and you may well end up waiting in line. If time is of the 
essence, skip it and take a bench break near the gushing fountains at the 
National World War II Memorial. Another spot to rest your feet for a few 
minutes is Constitution Gardens; itâ€™s a peaceful little oasis in the middle of 
the city.  
Some tips: If youâ€™re here in early April when the cherry blossoms are in 
bloom, the steps of the Jefferson Memorial are an ideal spot to 
experience springtime in Washington. Do your â€œRockyâ€ jog a la Sylvester 
Stallone up the Lincoln Memorialâ€™s steps, then turn around and behold 
the expansive view stretching all the way back to the Capitol. And in the 
midst of all this grandeur the Korean War Veterans Memorial has the 
most human and haunting scale of allâ€”a squad of 19 men on ground 
patrol advancing warily, their faces a study in evocative details.  
Cross Constitution Avenue N.W. and stop at the Corcoran Gallery of Art. 
The Corcoran has an eclectic collection of American and European 
works, primarily paintings but in other media as well. Make sure you see 
Albert Bierstadtâ€™s â€œThe Last of the Buffalo.â€ Bierstadt specialized in 
romanticized depictions of the 19th-century American West, and this 
paintingâ€”the last in a series of large landscapesâ€”conveys a sense of 
drama that practically leaps off the canvas.  
 Afternoon 
You donâ€™t need to leave to have lunch; CafÃ© des Artistes, in the 
Corcoranâ€™s columned main atrium, has an airy elegance and a menu of 
salads, sandwiches and pizza. Have a house salad perked up with corn, 
pine nuts and dates or the â€œBLT & G,â€ apple wood bacon, tomatoes, 
lettuce and a dollop of spicy guacamole on sourdough bread.  
Touring the White House is fun, but you must have a group of ten people 
or more and make advance arrangements through a member of 
Congress. Instead, snap some souvenir photos with the Executive 
Mansion in the background and check out the exhibits at the White 
House Visitor Center, in the Department of Commerce Building between 
14th and 15th streets N.W. Then walk through Lafayette Square, 
stopping to view the equestrian statue of Andrew Jackson and the four 
monuments honoring Revolutionary War generals.  
You canâ€™t miss the distinctive red facade of the Renwick Gallery, the 
Corcoranâ€™s former home. It has exhibits of mostly contemporary American 
decorative arts and craftsâ€”everything from glassware to avant-garde 
jewelry. Definitely worth a look is the Grand Salon on the second floor, 
which is like walking into a 19th-century art collectorâ€™s private gallery; the 
high-ceilinged room is Victorian-era splendor incarnate, with rows of 
paintings hanging on the walls.  
Evening 
The Old Ebbitt Grill is a true Washington institution that opened for 
business in 1856. Slide into one of the comfortable mahogany and velvet 
booths and enjoy an expertly prepared New York strip steak or the rich 
cannelloni di casa, house-made pasta stuffed with spinach, mortadella 
ham and cheese. And save room for the banana bread pudding.  
There are lots of bars and clubs in the vicinity of the Connecticut Avenue, 
18th Street and M Street junction. Dupont Circle, a few blocks north, also 
has a hopping club scene. Wear black and get your attitude on while
DestinationÂ Guide:Â WashingtonÂ D.C.Â Â 
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Day 2 Details - Get additional information on AAA.com;Â 
AAA Diamond Rating information available on AAA.com/DiamondsÂ 
 - GEM Attraction offers a Great Experience for Members 
1. Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial   
Washington, DC 20024  
Phone: (202) 426-6841 
 
 
2. Korean War Veterans Memorial   
Washington, DC 20037  
Phone: (202) 426-6841  
 
 
3. Lincoln Memorial   
Washington, DC 20037  
Phone: (202) 426-6841  
 
 
4. National World War II Memorial   
Washington, DC 20024  
Phone: (202) 426-6841  
 
 
5. Thomas Jefferson Memorial   
Washington, DC 20024  
Phone: (202) 426-6841  
 
6. Vietnam Veterans Memorial   
Constitution Ave & Henry Bacon Dr NW  
Washington, DC 20024  
Phone: (202) 426-6841 
 
 
7. Washington Monument   
15th St & Constitution Ave. NW  
Washington, DC 20004  
Phone: (202) 426-6841  
 
 
8. Constitution Gardens  
Washington, DC 20037  
Phone: (202) 426-6841 
9. Corcoran Gallery of Art  
500 17th St NW  
Washington, DC 20006  
Phone: (202) 639-1700  
 
 
10. Cafe des Artistes 
  
500 17th St NW  
Washington, DC 20006  
Phone: (202) 639-1786 
11. White House   
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW  
Washington, DC 20500  
Phone: (202) 224-3121  
 
 
12. Lafayette Square  
H St & 15th St NW  
Washington, DC 20006 
 
13. Renwick Gallery  
17th St & Pennsylvania Ave NW  
Washington, DC 20560  
Phone: (202) 633-5285 
 
14. Old Ebbitt Grill  
 
675 15th St NW  
Washington, DC 20005  
Phone: (202) 347-4800 
 
15. Hotel Rouge 
A Kimpton Hotel 
 
1315 16th St NW  
Washington, DC  
Phone: (202) 232-8000 
 
 
Washington D.C. in 3 Days â€“ Day 2 Map 
 
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youâ€™re waiting in line to get into Bar Rouge, 1315 16th St. N.W. (at 
Massachusetts Avenue N.W. and Scott Circle in the Hotel Rouge-A 
Kimpton Hotel. Hip with a capital â€œH,â€ the long, narrow room throbs to 
beat-heavy world music. Dragonfly, 1215 Connecticut Ave. N.W. (at M 
Street), has a sushi bar and DJs that spin everything from old-school 
disco to cutting-edge electronic. Lucky Bar, a few doors up at 1221 
Connecticut Ave. N.W. (at 18th Street), is more laid-back, with a mix of 
DestinationÂ Guide:Â WashingtonÂ D.C.Â Â 
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live and DJ music and TVs tuned to soccer matches and college football 
games. 
Day 3: Morning 
Capitol Hill is one of D.C.â€™s most charming neighborhoods: walkable, 
tree-shaded and with ever-present glimpses of that unmistakable Capitol 
dome. Townhouses line the streets, many of them handsomely and 
expensively renovated, with tidy flower gardens enclosed by black 
wrought-iron fences.  
You could grab a quick breakfast at Starbucks or Au Bon Pain, just two of 
the familiar names with Capitol Hill branches, but for a change of pace try 
little Le Bon CafÃ© (210 2nd St. S.E., just off Independence Avenue). 
Linger at one of the small marble-topped tables over espresso and a 
fresh-baked pastry or scone, and pick up a smoked turkey or mozzarella, 
tomato and pesto sandwich to eat later.  
You need a ticket to go on the guided tour of the United States Capitol. 
Itâ€™s worth it to see the magnificent Rotunda, with its huge paintings, dome 
canopy and encircling frieze all depicting events in American history, but 
lines can be long. Do, however, walk around the grounds to fully 
appreciate the scope of this imposing structure. Then head over to the 
Supreme Court Building, a white marble edifice anchored by lofty 
Corinthian columns.  
Take the 1-hour guided tour of the Thomas Jefferson Building, the most 
architecturally interesting of the three buildings that make up the Library 
of Congress. The highlight is the Main Reading Room, a huge, octagonal-
shaped, richly decorated space. Note the 12 seated figures painted 
around the collar of the 160-foot-tall dome; each one is 10 feet high.  
Give your eyes a break from stone, marble and brick at the United States 
Botanic Garden. The main conservatory (the â€œJungleâ€) is a climate-
controlled refuge filled with exuberant tropical vegetation. The serene 
Garden Court, with its wooden benches, potted orchids and flowering 
shrubs, is an ideal spot to relax and luxuriate in the beauty.  
Afternoon 
From the United States Botanic Garden, walk along the Capitol Reflecting 
Pool to Constitution Avenue. Turn right and then turn left at Delaware 
Avenue, which will take you to Union Station (see The Capitol AAA 
Walking Tour under Things to Do). Have lunch at the food court on Union 
Stationâ€™s lower level. Itâ€™s a favorite with Hill office workers, and for good 
reason. You can get practically anything here: burgers, barbecue, 
burritos, pizza, sushi, salads, soup, pasta, deli sandwiches, hot dogs, 
wraps, Asian food, Greek food, Indian food, ice cream, smoothies, 
muffins and more. Afterward, take a spin around this grand Beaux Arts 
building, distinguished by a soaring barrel-vaulted ceiling.  
Spend the rest of the day in Georgetown, Washingtonâ€™s oldest residential 
neighborhood and one of the most popular places in the city to shop, eat, 
party or just hang out. The only thing it lacks, in fact, is a convenient 
Metro station. The closest stops are Foggy Bottom-GWU (Orange line) 
and Dupont Circle (Red line); from each station itâ€™s a leisurely 20-minute 
walk. The Georgetown Metro Connection bus departs every 10 minutes 
from the Dupont Circle station and takes only a few minutes to reach 
Georgetown; the fare is $1.50, or 35 cents with a Metrorail transfer.  
If you feel like malling it, hit The Shops at Georgetown Park (see our 
Shopping article), home to the usual high-end selection of specialty 
retailers. But the coolest shopping is along and just off Wisconsin 
Avenue. For punk chic go to Commander Salamander (1420 Wisconsin 
Ave. N.W.); the music is loud, the clientele young and scruffy and the 
clothes oh so au courant. Betsey Johnson (1319 Wisconsin Ave. N.W.) is 
equally hip, with an emphasis on psychedelic â€™60s-style fashions. A bit 
farther up is A Mano (1677 Wisconsin Ave. N.W.); from the whimsically 
painted tableware to fruit basket centerpieces to imported French stone 
fountains, itâ€™s like stepping into a European country garden.  
Head back down Wisconsin Avenue and duck into Patisserie Poupon 
(near the Q Street intersection) for a late afternoon snack. The aroma of 
freshly ground coffee pervades this delightful little bakery. Have a flaky 
almond croissant, a macaroon (in flavors from lemon to chocolate) or 
DestinationÂ Guide:Â WashingtonÂ D.C.Â Â 
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some traditional French fig ice cream while drooling over the display of 
cakes and fruit tarts.  
Do some more food browsing at Dean & Deluca (3276 M St. N.W., a 
block west of Wisconsin Avenue). This branch of the famed New York 
international food purveyors offers such regional specialties as Maryland-
style crab cakes, corn chowder and organic, locally grown heirloom 
tomatoes, herbs and other produce. Get something from the espresso 
bar and then let sensory overload take over.  
Washington D.C. in 3 Days â€“ Day 3 Map 
Get maps and turn-by-turn directions using TripTik Travel Planner on AAA.com 
 
Evening 
Youâ€™ll have a devil of a time picking a restaurant for dinner because there 
are so many good ones. For casual conviviality you canâ€™t beat Clydeâ€™s of 
Georgetown (3236 M St. N.W., just west of Wisconsin Avenue), a local 
watering hole for more than 40 years. From roasted pork loin to basil-
marinated Chesapeake rockfish, Clydeâ€™s does refined American classics 
well.  
You also can have dinner at Blues Alley (1073 Wisconsin Ave. N.W., 
below M Street), but most people come for the music. Washingtonâ€™s 
premier jazz club is yet another local institution, and the list of performers 
who have played here is legendary. The look is worn around the edges, 
but thatâ€™s what makes it a classic. Seating is first-come-first-served, and 
reservations are essential; phone (202) 337-4141.  
Most of Georgetownâ€™s bars are the friendly saloon type. Thereâ€™s Mr. 
Smithâ€™s (3104 M St. N.W., a block east of Wisconsin Avenue), the self-
proclaimed â€œfriendliest saloon in town.â€ It has a long antique bar, a garden 
patio and a piano player who always draws an appreciative crowd of 
regulars.  
Note: Metrorail operates until midnight Sun.-Thurs. and 3 a.m. Fri.-Sat., 
but the last train may depart before the system closes; final departure 
times are posted at the stations.  
Day 3 Details - Get additional information on AAA.com;Â 
AAA Diamond Rating information available on AAA.com/Diamonds 
 - GEM Attraction offers a Great Experience for Members 
 
1. United States Capitol  
1st St & Independence Ave SW  
Washington, DC 20001  
Phone: (202) 226-8000  
 
 
2. Supreme Court Building   
1 1st St NE  
Washington, DC 20543  
Phone: (202) 479-3211  
 
 
3. Thomas Jefferson Building  
10 1st St SE  
Washington, DC 20540  
Phone: (202) 707-9779 
4. Library of Congress  
1st St & Independence Ave SE  
Washington, DC 20540  
Phone: (202) 707-5000  
 
 
5. United States Botanic Garden   
100 Maryland Ave SW  
Washington, DC 20001  
Phone: (202) 225-8333  
 
 
6. Clyde's of Georgetown  
 
3236 M St NW  
Washington, DC 20007  
Phone: (202) 333-9180 
 
 
DestinationÂ Guide:Â WashingtonÂ D.C.Â Â 
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Restaurants 
Being a politiciansâ€™ town, Washington has its share of lively meeting 
places suitable for both power lunching and a sophisticated dinner out. 
Conveniently located about midway between the White House and 
Georgetown, Kinkeadâ€™s Restaurant calls itself 
â€œan American brasserie.â€ The restaurant 
occupies a town house, with a casual 
downstairs cafe/bar and a more refined 
upstairs section with tucked-away nooks and 
alcoves that nevertheless have a full view of 
the open kitchen. Chef Bob Kinkead changes 
the always-intriguing menu daily, 
emphasizing seafood dishes such as a 
pepper-seared rare tuna steak with portobello mushrooms and a pinot 
noir sauce or chile-rubbed grilled swordfish paired with corn ragout and 
mango salsa. Carnivores can opt for filet mignon accompanied by 
double-stuffed new potatoes. The wine selection is very, very nice. 
Another celebrated chef, Michel Richard, holds sway at Michel Richard 
Citronelle. A few steps from The Latham Hotel lobby, this beautifully 
appointed dining room has a â€œmood wallâ€ that changes color and a glass-
walled kitchen where the artistry of Richardâ€™s staff is on full display. This 
is impeccably prepared, flavorful French with a California influence. Start 
with a vegetable salad or Monterey Bay abalone with cream of caviar 
before moving on to roasted salmon, a New York strip steak or duck with 
a black cherry-anise sauce. Finish with an aromatic plate of imported 
cheeses. The sommelier is eminently qualified to guide your wine 
selection. As befits the restaurantâ€™s elegant formality, jackets are required 
for gentlemen. 
Georgetown is one of D.C.â€™s dining hot spots, and Fahrenheit, in The 
Ritz-Carlton, Georgetown, is one of the places diners in the know seek 
out. The room has a stylishly contemporary look: tall windows, a soaring 
ceiling and exposed brick that is softly illuminated (the building formerly 
housed an incinerator). The cuisine is regional American, and dishes vary 
according to the season. Maryland crab cakes are paired with pesto 
sauce and a medley of autumn vegetables. A robust casserole of chicken 
sausage, white beans and fingerling potatoes is topped with parsley 
crostini. Pineapple upside-down cake with coconut crÃ¨me anglaise 
provides a sweet ending. 
Diners searching for more exotic fare have all sorts of options in 
cosmopolitan D.C. For a full-blown experience try Marrakesh, very 
popular among Washingtonians for special occasions. Plush Oriental 
tapestries, the sinuous rhythms of Moroccan music and a ritual hand 
washing with rose-scented water set the stage for a seven-course feast 
that you eat sans utensils. Subtle spicing enlivens the chicken with dates, 
marinated beef shish kebab and lamb with chickpeas and onions. For 
vegetarians thereâ€™s couscous topped with vegetables, chickpeas and 
raisins, although non-meat eaters could make a meal of the salad platter 
featuring eggplant in tomato sauce, coriander-flavored carrots, and 
seasoned cucumbers and bell peppers. Enjoy your mint tea and 
Moroccan pastries while watching the belly dancers undulate. 
Another local favorite is the Lebanese Taverna, a family-owned place 
thatâ€™s also family friendly. The courtyard-like dining space has domed 
ceilings, lushly upholstered seating and hand-carved walnut decoration. 
Many people make a meal of the mezzas, or appetizers; the hummus, 
couscous, spinach pies and stuffed grape leaves, accompanied by pita 
bread from a wood-burning oven, are all winners, as are the rotisserie 
chicken and chargrilled kabobs. If the weatherâ€™s nice, angle for one of the 
sidewalk tables under the green umbrellas. 
Lauriol Plaza, in the culturally diverse Adams Morgan neighborhood, is 
consistently voted Washingtonâ€™s favorite Mexican restaurant (although 
the cooking also incorporates a number of other Latin influences). You 
could go the traditional routeâ€”tacos, enchiladas or fajita platters, all done 
wellâ€”but why bother when there are more interesting choices such as 
camarones brochette, six jumbo shrimp stuffed with cheese and 
jalapeÃ±os, wrapped in bacon and served on a sizzling plate, or lomo 
saltado, tenderloin strips with tomatoes, potatoes, jalapeÃ±o peppers and  
DestinationÂ Guide:Â WashingtonÂ D.C.Â Â 
10Â 
Restaurants Map 
Get maps and turn-by-turn directions using TripTik Travel Planner on AAA.com 
a special Peruvian sauce? Lauriol Plazaâ€™s vast, two-tiered, window-filled 
dining room is lovely, but the rooftop deck has an especially festive air. 
Itâ€™s very popular, so be prepared to wait for a table. 
Not all that many cities can claim an Ethiopian restaurant, let alone a 
number of them, but D.C. has a large and vibrant Ethiopian community. 
Zedâ€™s Ethiopian Cuisine is a good place to acquaint yourself with the 
distinctive cooking of this African nation. Stews and stew-like 
concoctionsâ€”both vegetarian and non-vegetarianâ€”are served 
communal style on large round platters. Instead of a spoon or fork, scoop 
up a bite of food with the flat, spongy, porous pancake known as injera. 
Its sourdough-like flavor counters the heat of many dishes (you also can 
specify that they be prepared mild). Wats are spicy stews with chicken or 
lamb; alechas are similar but more mildly spiced. Vegetables, whether 
buttery chopped collard greens, pureed lentils or yellow split peas, are 
delicious. Service is leisurely, so Zedâ€™s is a good choice if you want to 
linger awhile. 
Restaurants Details - Get additional information on AAA.com;  
AAA Diamond Rating information available on AAA.com/DiamondsÂ 
1. Kinkead's Restaurant  
2000 Pennsylvania Ave NW  
Washington, DC 20006  
Phone: (202) 296-7700 
 
2. Michel Richard Citronelle  
 
3000 M St NW  
Washington, DC 20007-3701  
Phone: (202) 625-2150 
 
3. Fahrenheit  
 
3100 South St  
Washington, DC 20007  
Phone: (202) 912-4110 
 
4. Marrakesh  
 
617 New York Ave NW  
Washington, DC 20001  
Phone: (202) 393-9393 
 
5. Lebanese Taverna 
  
2641 Connecticut Ave NW  
Washington, DC 20008  
Phone: (202) 265-8681 
 
6. Lauriol Plaza  
 
1835 18th St NW  
Washington, DC 20009  
Phone: (202) 387-0035 
 
7. Zed's Ethiopian Cuisine  
1201 28th St NW  
Washington, DC 20007  
Phone: (202) 333-4710 
 
8. Nora  
 
2132 Florida Ave NW 
Washington, DC 20008  
Phone: (202) 462-5143 
 
9. Obelisk  
 
2029 P St NW  
Washington, DC 20036  
Phone: (202) 872-1180 
 
10. Occidental 
Grill & Seafood  
 
1475 Pennsylvania Ave NW  
Washington, DC 20004  
Phone: (202) 783-1475 
 
11. Old Ebbitt Grill  
 
675 15th St NW  
Washington, DC 20005  
Phone: (202) 347-4800 
 
12. Clyde's of Georgetown  
 
3236 M St NW  
Washington, DC 20007  
Phone: (202) 333-9180 
 
13. Hard Times Cafe  
 
1404 King St  
Alexandria, VA 22314  
Phone: (703) 837-0050