Vacations Blog

I’m a pretty big fan of Dan Brown, so of course I purchased a copy of The Lost Symbol the week that the book came out. I read it in a day and really enjoyed it (though “Angels and Demons” remains my favorite of the “Robert Langdon” books). More than any other reaction I garnered from the book, I was left with an increased desire to visit some of the historical landmarks of Washington D.C., which is where the book took place.

I’ve always wanted to go, but now I really want to go. Without giving away any of the plot lines of the books, here are four of the landmarks featured in “The Lost Symbol”:

The Library of Congress, along with being the largest library in the world, is “the nation’s oldest federal cultural institution and serves as the research arm of Congress.” The Thomas Jefferson building, which hosts the Library of Congress Experience, is located on 1st Street S.E., between Independence Avenue and East Capitol Street, on Capitol Hill. It is open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. There is no charge to visit, though entrance wait times sometimes exist, and vary from 15 to 45 minutes. Tours occur daily, and various concerts, exhibitions, and other events occur throughout the year.

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We have invited friends and bloggers from across the country to share their expertise…give us the “inside scoop” on different travel destinations. We hope you enjoy this insider’s look at Washington D.C. It was written by Priscilla Macy in between flights between Vietnam and Africa. She is a global traveler, (50 countries and more) political activist and one of my closest friends. She introduced me to the idea of local travel on a trip to Mexico years ago and I have sought that local flavor ever since. She lives in Washington D.C. and is the ideal source for insider tips about this political city.

1. Give five adjectives that you would use to describe the “feel” of Washington, D.C and its residents?
Conservative, self-important, power, educated, political

2. What is your favorite neighborhood in your area?
My favorite neighborhood is Clarendon (Arlington). It has good food, good bars, great ethnic restaurants and it is a great place to live.

3. Which cuisine do you think D.C. does best? What is the runner-up?(feel free to share your favorite restaurant)
Middle Eastern and Central Asia cuisine(e.g. Afghani)- these are quite common here but hard to find in other cities.

4. What is the best free thing to do?
Visit just a few of the 19 museums that are part of the Smithsonian Institute, and of course the National monuments.

5. What is your favorite type of entertainment?
This is probably one of the most political cities in the world. I highly recommend attending a few presentations, debates and author talks on political and international issues to get a sense of the city’s unescapable, political culture.

6. List the best family friendly activity?
The best things to do with kids are the Smithsonian Institute, the national monuments and the National Geographic Museum at Explorers Hall.

7. What spot would you send a couple, looking for a romantic weekend?
Hmmm… not quite the city for romance.

8. Describe the perfect day…one that captures what your area/city is all about? In three sentences or less.
Hike at Great Falls; picnic on or near the National Mall; visit a couple of museums; go out for dinner and attend one of the many lectures and debates around town.

9. Tell us about a place that you love to go even if it is in all the guidebooks.
Taking a hikes along the Potomac- for example the Great Falls Loop or Turkey Run Park–a beautiful refuge from suburbia.

10. What question did we not ask that we should have (and answer it, of course!)?
Avoid the over-rated or too touristy areas.

Want to share, brag or tell all about your town? If so, send an email or comment and you can be the next local expert.

White house garden photo by Patrick Tierney
Turkey Run Park photo from the Turkey Run Park web site.