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The Draw
• Watching power -- and power ties -- in action
• Museums and monuments imbued with the aura of America’s history
• A surprisingly strong dining and music scene
The Scene
While the world’s matrix of political and legal clout doesn’t provide the same jolt as, say, New York City, that’s not a bad thing. Quiet pursuits like history and culture fit neatly amid the low-rise cityscape, with the ever-expanding Smithsonian and underappreciated gems like the Corcoran Gallery adding to the whitewashed dignity. And though the city is still playing cultural catch-up to Gotham, it’s quickly moving toward the cutting edge. The K Street corridor has exploded in world-class restaurants, and even the Chinatown area has gone upscale. The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown and the newly refurbished Park Hyatt have upped the hotel ante, and at night the hip U Street corridor turns JDs to DJs.
To Be Seen
• The Mall. Worthy attractions -- like the National Museum of the American Indian and the FDR Memorial -- keep needling their way into the crowded space of this heavily trafficked area.
• Chinatown. The fancy gate still stands, but the rest of this area’s been transformed with shops and restaurants. Don't miss the hip, Indian-fusion powerhouse, Rasika.
• U Street Corridor. Since the area between 9th and 16th Streets became the epicenter of D.C. swank in the 1990s, the sizzle has only intensified.
For The VIP
• Smithsonian Journeys runs exclusive tours throughout the year, with offerings like meeting FBI agents on a private visit to the International Spy Museum or behind-the-scenes access to Smithsonian Museums.
• Arrange with your concierge to cruise down the Potomac in a private yacht, dining as you pass the monuments by moonlight.
• D.C. is about power, not money. Your congressional rep is the key to getting insider looks at places like the White House, the Supreme Court, the Capitol, the Library of Congress and Lincoln Center.
Overrated
Georgetown shopping. This area still gets play as a shopping mecca, but its unique flavor has been replaced with pedestrian chains. Instead, go for the restaurants, which are sometimes in its hotels, and look closely for the independent stores still hanging on.
Underrated
The music scene. Sure, the Kennedy Center and Blues Alley dominate their respective classical and jazz scenes, but what doesn’t make national news is the number of small venues showcasing high-quality artists.
Don’t Miss
K Street dining. Restaurateurs have brought foam and foie gras to lobbyist’s alley, once home only to deals-over-steaks eateries. The Asian-fusion restaurant TenPenh and the contemporary DC Coast are both winners.
When To Go
Spring and fall. Skip the punishing August humidity and the dead of winter, when a snowstorm could well shut down the city.
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