RISMEDIA, July 2, 2010—(MCT)—You already know the museums, the monuments and the mall. But there are other sides to our capital that make it a rewarding destination. As much as this is the nation’s seat of government, it is a vibrant, international city.
Here are 5 things to do next time you visit D.C. that will offer a new perspective.
1. Adams Morgan – This neighborhood in central D.C., just a couple of miles north of the National Mall, is abuzz with international flavor. Whether you want French, Himalayan, Latin or Ethiopian food, it’s here.
2. National Museum of Health and Medicine – Established during the Civil War as a museum for “specimens of morbid anatomy…together with projectiles and foreign bodies removed,” today’s collection includes the bullet that killed Abraham Lincoln. At the district’s northern end, at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, it is far from the usual roster of sights.
3. National Museum of the American Indian cafeteria – With a mind-bending menu that spans the lower 48—because what Plains Indians ate/eat is different than what Indians of the Northwest ate/eat—it is as much of a cultural journey as any exhibit.
4. Mount Vernon bike trail – On this lovely, looping ride, you will ride past Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (watch the planes land), Alexandria (walk the historic streets and grab a bite to eat) and wind up at Mount Vernon (see where the first president lived). Just save energy to pedal back.
5. Rock Creek Park – One of the largest urban parks in the nation and a gem. Options include hiking and biking, a planetarium, ranger-led programs, golf and more. In much of Rock Creek, especially patches along the river or at the bottom of a plunging ravine, you would have no idea you are in a major metropolitan center, let alone a few miles from the White House.
(c) 2010, Chicago Tribune.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
