Discussion Board
Topic
Survey
Dec/Jan Survey
Results
My Profession

Three Days in D.C.
By Brittaney Carter



Springtime in Washington, D.C., marks the beginning of outdoor picnics and paddleboat rides as the weather begins to soften. Cherry blossoms will also rise to the occasion, making the city a visual feast for visitors and residents alike. This March, the ACC-RAC Convention in the nation's capital will afford doctors of chiropractic from all parts of the country to witness these D.C. pleasures, and there's no better time to visit.

Day One—D.C. After Dark
Begin your exploration on Friday with a unique night out at the movies at Arlington Cinema ‘n' Drafthouse. This vintage movie house and restaurant, circa 1930, offers sub run movies for just a fraction of the price of going to a regular theater. In addition, its art deco vibe and full bar make it an excellent way to break into the Friday night D.C. scene. Lounge in large leather chairs and enjoy tableside service as well as a full meal. The view of the screen is great from every seat. The Drafthouse also features live music and comedy shows on select nights.

For a more refined time, get a taste of the soul of D.C. with a trip down Blues Alley. Since its establishment in 1965, this jazz club has been a performing venue for jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughan and Nancy Wilson. It is a cozy set that draws on the charm of the red brick carriage house in which it is located. The food has as much kick as the music, so make a night of your visit by sampling some of the Creole entrées, steak dinner or seafood offerings. Dinner begins at 6 p.m.

D.C.'s nightlife offerings run deeper than you might expect, and Zanzibar On the Waterfront is musical and culinary proof. Its namesake is the island that graces the east coast of Africa, and the experience at this restaurant-slash-club lives up to its inspiration. The African and Carribean cuisine are just as inspired as the sunsets on the waterfront. Watch it from the other side of the expansive windows while listening to a pleasing mix of live jazz, blues and Latin music when the DJ isn't spinning classic R&B favorites.

Day Two—The Nation's Magnificent Mall
Begin Saturday with a trip to Eastern Market, an open air farmer's market just seven blocks away from the Capitol. Start with a breakfast worth fighting for at the Market Lunch. Here, you can dine like a local on the Market's famous blueberry buckwheat pancakes, or "Bluebucks" as they are known to most. The lines are long, but it's a good indicator of how much patrons love the food. Afterward, stroll through the rest of South Hall to find locally grown produce. The marketplace also holds weekend festivals that feature potters, silversmiths, clothing and live performers, among other vendors.

After leaving the market, head toward the National Mall to take in the must-see sights of the nation's capital. This area spans two and a half miles with amazing landscaping and architecture at every turn. First on the list is the National Gallery of Art, where you can enjoy the merging of fine art and fine landscaping in the Sculpture Garden. The path to the presidential monuments is paved with an abundance of national museums, the National Museum of Natural History and the National Museum of American History. Take your pick, then immerse yourself in the vast and varied culture of the land.

Before getting lost in the nation's most majestic monuments, break for lunch at Matchbox. With tables made from wood with matchboxes incorporated into the tabletops, the décor is as fun as the food. Although the restaurant is known primarily as a vintage pizza eatery, crabcake sandwiches and pan-seared steak drift among the other menu items. Order a slice of New York-style pizza or a plate of juicy baby burgers.

Returning back to the Mall, the first stop is the Washington Monument. Built in honor of the nation's first president, this majestic structure bears the semblance of an Egyptian-inspired obelisk. In clear weather, the view from the top of the monument extends 30 to 40 miles. The Monument sits adjacent to the Tidal Basin, an excellent place to enjoy the budding of cherry blossoms in the springtime. Seasonal paddle boat rides over the basin begin in mid-March.

Across the Basin is the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, embodying the concepts of citizenship and freedom. A visit to this monument is a quiet, insightful experience. On the inner walls are words of enlightenment, taken from his very own speeches.

At the west end of the Mall, the Lincoln Memorial poses as a tribute to the 16th president. Its design is a nod to the ancient temples of Greece, the beauty of which is enhanced by the adjacent Reflecting Pool. The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech here in 1963.

Other great National Mall sites to visit include the FDR Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Capitol Building and the U.S. Botanic Gardens.

At the end of the long day, rest your legs and delight your palate with dinner at 701 Restaurant in downtown D.C. Encompassing two bars, the restaurant has a patio that looks out over the fountains of the Navy Memorial. The fare is contemporary continental, and the menu features breakout dishes like roasted grouper and spice-crusted salmon.

Day Three—Diversity on a Platter: D.C.'s Neighborhoods
Spend your last day in the capital checking out the essence of every D.C. neighborhood with the help of guided tours provided through Cultural Tourism D.C. Start with the ultra-hip DuPont Circle, a teeming urban center filled with fine art and history. A lively urban park at the heart of the community shares that same name, and on any given day it's easy to see how the recreational area has become a home-away-from-home for commuting businessmen and tourists. While you're in the area, stop at Kramerbooks and Afterwords for Sunday brunch. This small independent bookstore, café and grill has a limited selection of literature and a seemingly boundless café menu—at least compared to most coffeehouses. Established in 1976, it refuses to give in to the mass-produced coffeehouse vibe that has swept the nation—and the locals love it all the more for doing so.

Adams Morgan is perhaps best-known for its color-creative murals, century-old rowhouses and the diversity of its residents. Its multicultural nature has given rise to some of the best shopping, dining and recreation in the city. After the sun sets, revelers come out in droves to relax at one of its many lively nightspots.

Walking through Georgetown is like stepping back in time. The ambience is calming, and you'll be tempted to spend all day wandering through its charming house museums and well-kept gardens or following brick sidewalks. Before you leave, enjoy a canal boat ride and admire the classic architecture.

Sum up your adventures in the nation's capital with one last meal at the historic Restaurant Nora. This former grocery store arrives directly out of the 19th century, but now it's home to the first certified organic restaurant. Almost all of the foods served here were harvested by organic growers, and the menu reflects it with an array of new-American dishes.

The landscape of the capital is just as diverse as the country it represents, and three days is hardly enough time to soak it all in. Washington, D.C., is a cross-section, in every sense of the word, of all the world's offerings wrapped in the package of an increasingly charming city. With international cultures and diverse flavors spilling forth from every restaurant menu, museum corridor and jazz club stage, falling in love with D.C. is an easy task.

D.C. Digest

©2006 Today's Chiropractic