Washington DC

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ok, so the plan is beginning to come together...

have you been to DC? do you live in DC? what did you do when you went there? what would you recommend? where did you stay? where are good places to stay? information please!

― gareth (gareth), Wednesday, 21 August 2002 09:51 (twenty-three years ago)

It's everything to me!

― DV (dirtyvicar), Wednesday, 21 August 2002 09:56 (twenty-three years ago)

it's an odd town... the weird combination of the centres sterile necropolis of museums surrounded by some really skanky neighbourhoods. I found it... interesting, but I'm not sure if I'd want to spend too long there.

the Lincoln Memorial is nice.

― DV (dirtyvicar), Wednesday, 21 August 2002 09:58 (twenty-three years ago)

I loved it. Go down to DuPont Circle or Adams-Morgan and eat Ethiopian food in Adams-Morgan (or Salvadorean at El Tamarindo), or toddle along to the Brickskeller for guest beers or the Pharmacy for an interesting jukebox (tell Kristops Pam & Mike sent you).

Ah, Rock Creek Park.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Wednesday, 21 August 2002 11:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Whoops, cut and paste repeating-myself errors there. Sorry.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Wednesday, 21 August 2002 11:01 (twenty-three years ago)

CLASSIC CLASSIC CLASSIC. Go to U Street to experience the black Bohemian renaissance that my brother's group is a part of. Also, Adams Morgan, Georgetown and the Mall are are wonderful. It's #3 on my list of cities to move to (after London, New York and Chicago).

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Wednesday, 21 August 2002 12:03 (twenty-three years ago)

I live in DC. What sort of experiences are you looking for? (BTW, everything everyone has said--good and bad--is accurate.)

― j.lu (j.lu), Wednesday, 21 August 2002 12:08 (twenty-three years ago)

i got toured around by a friend who lived in Bethesda. nice. worth seeing without doubt

― Alan (Alan), Wednesday, 21 August 2002 12:16 (twenty-three years ago)

The Holy Land of America = the best gift shop ever!!!

The National Museum of Health and Medicine has no gift shop, so it is not so good.

― rosemary (rosemary), Wednesday, 21 August 2002 12:30 (twenty-three years ago)

actually, the bits outside the centre aren't that skanky. at least not the bits I was in.

― DV (dirtyvicar), Wednesday, 21 August 2002 12:39 (twenty-three years ago)

the holocaust museum made for a cheery day out as i recall :-(

― Alan (Alan), Wednesday, 21 August 2002 12:40 (twenty-three years ago)

you should still go, though, really

the tombs in georgetown has good nachos.

― Josh (Josh), Wednesday, 21 August 2002 15:15 (twenty-three years ago)

The washingtonpost.com Entertainment Guide will tell you a lot about what's going on around town.

(Disclaimer: I used to work there.)

― j.lu (j.lu), Wednesday, 21 August 2002 15:20 (twenty-three years ago)

If you're there on a Wednesday night, go to Synergy at Club Rendezvous for a free evening of fun with my brother's DJ, DJ Stylus.

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Wednesday, 21 August 2002 15:27 (twenty-three years ago)

the holocaust museum made for a cheery day out as i recall :-(

I recall reading the scrawlings of a child on a page in a comments book placed by the exit. it said PEOPLE WERE SKINNY.

I preferred the air and space museum. I think.

― RJG (RJG), Wednesday, 21 August 2002 15:31 (twenty-three years ago)

The National Building Museum is always worth a visit. It is ny favorite museum here, and I don't think it is on many tourist itineraries, at least compared to the more museums.

Better yet, come to Ye Olde Towne Alexandria, Virginia ande see 200 yeare olde warehouse(e) buildingse thate containe T-Shirte Shoppes!

― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Thursday, 22 August 2002 01:19 (twenty-three years ago)

...the more publicized museums sorry...

― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Thursday, 22 August 2002 01:20 (twenty-three years ago)

The Hirshorn Museum is good for modern art and has a nice outdoor sculpture garden. The Sackler/Freer galleries have a great collection of Asian art if you're interested in that. Perhaps while you're at the mall perusing our taxpayer sponsored *free* museums, you would like to visit the numerous monuments dedicated to our dead presidents? In Dupont Circle there's a nice bookstore/restaurant, Kramerbooks and Afterwords. You can visit the *new* 9:30 club and wax nostalgic for the *old* one of days gone by. The Black Cat near 14th st. used to be a good place to see bands, I imagine it still is. If you have time, in Arlington, VA, outside of DC there is a cool record shop called Now and some great Vietnamese restaurants.

― Mary (Mary), Thursday, 22 August 2002 01:56 (twenty-three years ago)

I live in DC too.. am taking off to move to Providence soon for grad school, I'm going to miss it.

Now! moved to Old Town Alexandria, which is worth seeing (my fave thrift shop and fave coffee shop (Misha's) are there).
If you're going to see the monuments esp. Lincoln Memorial and reflecting pool, go at night, fewer people and a beautiful view. Seeing the National Cathedral on a summer night is quite nice too. Go to Ben's Chili Bowl on U Street, to the Brickskeller near Dupont Circle.. Pete's Diner on Capitol Hill..
If you're there next summer check out free shows at Fort Reno and the Smithsonian folklife festival on the Mall, too. I could do without the current spate of constant 95 degree humid days, though.

― daria gray, Thursday, 22 August 2002 03:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Incidentally if you are spending time in DC soon and would like more detailed info on places to go, drop me an email & I am glad to point out more of them (write to this email, I have just now noticed that putting one's regular address on this board can no longer lead to massive floods of spam).

― daria gray, Thursday, 22 August 2002 03:03 (twenty-three years ago)

You can visit the *new* 9:30 club and wax nostalgic for the *old* one of days gone by.

The 9:30

The Black Cat near 14th st. used to be a good place to see bands, I imagine it still is.

The Black Cat

If you have time, in Arlington, VA, outside of DC there is a cool record shop called Now and some great Vietnamese restaurants.

Now! is now in Alexandria, but yes, there are some great Vietnamese (and other) restaurants on Wilson Blvd. between the Courthouse and Clarendon Metro stations...and given the rate of gentrification along that corridor, some of them will probably be gone within the next year or two.

― j.lu (j.lu), Thursday, 22 August 2002 12:21 (twenty-three years ago)

NOW is good, and Alexandria has one of the best thai rests. in the country called Duangrats... it is a hassle to reach without a car, though, but still worth it. maybe an ILMer could take you out there if you love thai food...
... for vietnamese, I might even suggest the place on Rest. Row in Crystal City.

― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Thursday, 22 August 2002 13:34 (twenty-three years ago)

Is the Metro Cafe still around? I liked that place, the bathrooms were super-clean. The Galaxy Hut was cool, I got kicked out of there on my 19th birthday for being really really drunk and, like, drinking other people's drinks while they weren't looking.

There is a really good Jamaican grocery place in Silver Spring right by the Metro station, right across the street from Roadhouse Oldies where one can purchase all sorts of old funk and soul vinyl. Silver Spring is actually much cooler than the rest of DC.

― adam, Thursday, 22 August 2002 16:59 (twenty-three years ago)

The Metro Cafe is still active (although rumor has it the property it's on has been sold and will be developed as condos), as is the Galaxy Hut.

I believe the Jamaican grocery in Silver Spring is still there (as are a number of other ethnic markets and restaurants), but the neighborhood is threatened by gentrification. Still, if you do go out there, you must stop at the Quarry House Tavern.

― j.lu (j.lu), Thursday, 22 August 2002 17:18 (twenty-three years ago)

Where in Alexandria is Now now, oh DC area savants?

Gareth--Alexandria is not too hard to get to--you can take the metro to King St. and walk a bit--

Also the Metro goes right to the *heart* of Arlington...

When did the Silver Spring area have its renaissance/downfall?

― Mary (Mary), Thursday, 22 August 2002 21:31 (twenty-three years ago)

NOW music is on King St. above McDonalds just past the intersection of King and Washington. The entrance is hidden in the corner of the facade, and the store is up two flights of stairs. NOW is great, but it is not air conditioned, which becomes problematic for those of us who tend to spend 3 hours shopping ;-}.
Directions - take the metro to king st. and walk towards old town(e) until you are tired... you will reach the very obvious intersection of king and washington. the store will be on the left-hand side of king on the block after the intersection... if you are a yuppie, then I can say it is simply across from RESTORATION HARDWARE, and you will know instinctively where I am talking about. HAHAHA.

Alexandria also has Gadsby's tavern, where George Washington used to engage in capricious debauchery.

― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Friday, 23 August 2002 00:24 (twenty-three years ago)

Thanks Aaron, I do know exactly whereof you speak... Wow, seems not as cool a space as the Arlington one...

Now someone tell me about the little known phenomena of the rise and fall of Silver Spring...

― Mary (Mary), Friday, 23 August 2002 14:21 (twenty-three years ago)

Silver Spring: it's in Montgomery County and it has a Metro station = it is ripe for gentrification. A lot of the places I used to go (Vinyl Ink, most of the second-hand bookstores) had closed in previous years, but the upscaling accelerated when a Fresh Fields (organic/"whole" foods, i.e., yuppie chow) opened a year or so ago. It has been or will be followed by the usual chains (Baja Fresh, Borders, Starbucks), and the city's boosters are happy. At least they did save the Tastee Diner, even if I'm not sure to where they moved it.

― j.lu (j.lu), Friday, 23 August 2002 14:47 (twenty-three years ago)

At least they did save the Tastee Diner, even if I'm not sure to where they moved it.

It's back behind the Metro station, near Mi Rancho's (I think). Unfortunately last time I was there they had cleaned it up with nice menus and higher prices. The food is still pure grease and a good stop for late-night chipped beef on toast but it seems silly to physically move a building 8 blocks (which was pretty cool, I was working down the street when they moved it and the process was much more interesting than making endless fried green tomatoes [avoid Crisfield's]) just to destroy its carefully cultivated ambience with, like, friendly waitresses and clean silverware.

― adam, Friday, 23 August 2002 18:46 (twenty-three years ago)

two weeks pass...

i am landing in washington on friday october the 4th at 2.40 pm, i'm probably going to be around there the saturday and sunday as well before going to baltimore

― gareth (gareth), Saturday, 7 September 2002 09:47 (twenty-three years ago)

Baltimore is good if you like to see sailors fighting.

― DeRayMi, Tuesday, 10 September 2002 23:07 (twenty-three years ago)

or see what the word "Rousefication" means.

― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Wednesday, 11 September 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

can anyone recommend a good place to stay that is reasonably cheap?

― gareth (gareth), Wednesday, 18 September 2002 13:25 (twenty-three years ago)

and what kind of prices should i be looking at?

― gareth (gareth), Wednesday, 18 September 2002 13:34 (twenty-three years ago)

anyone? theres a decent youth hostel in washington apparently?

― gareth (gareth), Monday, 23 September 2002 15:27 (twenty-three years ago)

Uh.. I think there is one in Adams Morgan right next door to a Ghanaian restaurant and near Madam's Organ. Did you check w/hostelling international? This would be on 18th st NW.

― daria gray, Monday, 23 September 2002 23:45 (twenty-three years ago)

HI-Washington D.C.
1009 11th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001

anyone know if this is any good. well, i'm booked there now anyway (4-7 october)

― gareth (gareth), Tuesday, 24 September 2002 12:26 (twenty-three years ago)

I know nothing about hostels or hotels. I had drinks at the Four Seasons with my Mom once, but that is it.

Is there going to be a DC FAP in honor of your arrival? I was planning on attending the Boston one, but...
If not, we should start one...
My thoughts...
Vietnamese in Arligton or
Cafe La Ruche in Georgetown (yes DC hipsters Georgetown is lame, but worth seeing). I am sure there are good places in the more local-oriented Adams Morgan, though I don't remember offhand.

Gareth... do you know anyone in DC? I am sure some of us will be available for company during the days.
Please don't hesitate to ask.

― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Wednesday, 25 September 2002 00:19 (twenty-three years ago)

Oh, I see. You're not far from Chinatown (or should I say China Block).. Take care at night though, it's kind of too quiet around there then (downtown DC shuts down when the office workers go).

Sorry I couldn't show you around since I just moved out..

― daria gray, Thursday, 26 September 2002 00:24 (twenty-three years ago)

Gareth... do you know anyone in DC? I am sure some of us will be available for company during the days.
Please don't hesitate to ask.

no, i don't know anyone, it'd be cool if anyone is about. i arrive on the friday afternoon (oct 4), and i'm scheduled to leave on the tuesday morning (oct8)

― gareth (gareth), Thursday, 26 September 2002 09:43 (twenty-three years ago)

just seen your other thread aaron, lets do a DC FAP then, on either the 4th, 5th, 6th?

― gareth (gareth), Thursday, 26 September 2002 09:51 (twenty-three years ago)

just seen your other thread aaron, lets do a DC FAP then, on either the 4th, 5th, 6th?

Count me in for any of those days. Who else do we have in the DC area?

― j.lu (j.lu), Thursday, 26 September 2002 16:06 (twenty-three years ago)

I am going to come home this Saturday, Sept. 28, so I will surely be available for all of these. I am going to need a little time to readjust, so I will probably make job calls early in the week, but if I get anything, I won't start for a little while (ie coincidentally when Gareth will be leaving), so I will be available pretty much the whole time. So it really depends on how much time you want alone, etc. I don't know how you feel about spending large amounts of time with someone (or some people, depending on everyone's work schedules) who you don't know very well.
As for FAP, I have a lot of ideas. Some were already listed above. One way or the other, we will make sure that you eat well.
Do you have any guidebooks (I'm too lazy to reread whole thread!), or are you acting on our posts? The TimeOut Guide to DC is not bad, though there are some things in VA that they missed.

― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Thursday, 26 September 2002 17:33 (twenty-three years ago)

Gareth did I scare you off?

― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Friday, 27 September 2002 18:09 (twenty-three years ago)

no, i'm still up for 4th, 5th or 6th (5th or 6th probably be best)

― gareth (gareth), Friday, 27 September 2002 21:04 (twenty-three years ago)

*all* of these dates are fine with me... so it really depends on everyone else. Shall we start a new FAP thread?

― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Friday, 27 September 2002 21:49 (twenty-three years ago)

its v. good graham

― anthony easton (anthony), Sunday, 29 September 2002 04:35 (twenty-three years ago)

three months pass...

hey thread revival!!

Yeah!! I am leaving to Washington DC tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon. I'll be there until Wednesday morning. Any DC ILXors in the house? I'll to be busy during the day (at a conference!) but I will be free after 7 pm-ish or so each day and would be psyched to get some drinks.

― geeta (geeta), Friday, 3 January 2003 10:27 (twenty-two years ago)

"I'll to be busy" = I am dumm

But! Yeah! FAP!

― geeta (geeta), Friday, 3 January 2003 10:29 (twenty-two years ago)

I think Satruday would be the best day for me, at least for drinking. I wouldn't be averse to more wholesome pursuits on any other night, as I am a working stiff and cannot afford to be hungover during the slaveweek.

― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Friday, 3 January 2003 16:39 (twenty-two years ago)

I'd love to join you, but I accepted a work assignment for Jan. 3-9, 2-10pm each day.

― j.lu (j.lu), Friday, 3 January 2003 20:47 (twenty-two years ago)

That is really too bad, Julia. We must plan another FAP, maybe for late January or early February, and convince everyone out in Maryland and southern Virginia to come together!

― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Saturday, 4 January 2003 01:02 (twenty-two years ago)

d'oh !!! I just left DC this afternoon. Argh. Hey, did any of you DC folks pick up the City Paper's "Fake" issue ? Can some of their writers be any more cynical ? I also realized that those gigantic new lofts in Adams Morgan next to DCCD are just *begging* for the Real World: Washington to come live in them. And then the City Paper will complain about it.

― daria g, Sunday, 5 January 2003 07:19 (twenty-two years ago)

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