Stay : Washington D.C., at the heart of a political and cultural America
The American capital is an essential destination for those interested in art, especially American art. Many high-level museums are gathered on these streets, such as the National Museum of Women in the Arts or the Phillips Collection. It is a very cultural week that awaits you.
Summary of the stay
Best time to go
7 days
€€ - Charm and comfort
Where to stay ?
The map of your stay - États-Unis
Detail of the stay : Washington D.C., at the heart of a political and cultural America - 7 days
Day 1: Trolley and National Mall
Steps: Washington Dc
Start by getting to know the city by getting on a trolley. They leave regularly from the South Station (red line subway), tickets can be purchased at 50 Massachusetts Avenue. On board this old-fashioned bus, you will discover the different districts of Washington. In the afternoon, take a walk along the National Mall, the most popular spot for first-time visitors to Washington. Afterwards, stop by the large new Capitol Information Center to pick up brochures, maps and more. Jazz lovers will surely find Blues Alley a very pleasant place to spend the evening. Otherwise, have dinner in Adams Morgan (at 2 Amys, for example) and drinks at Madam's Organ (this area is most lively on weekends)!
UNITED STATES CAPITOL
Day 2: Memorials and National Gallery of Art
Steps: Washington Dc
There are so many museums in Washington (and almost all free) that you need to target those who are interested before you start the visits. To begin with a breath of fresh air, you are advised to spend the morning at the Mall, to discover the many war memorials of the last century and those in homage to the presidents, such as Jefferson and Lincoln (this is the same, there are many, so select a few beforehand). Then, before you attack the National Gallery of Art, have lunch in the cafeteria (there are no good restaurants around the Mall). The West Building is longer than the East, but the two are worth seeing, so it's up to you to judge.
NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
Day 3: Georgetown
Steps: Washington Dc
The Europeans who went to Washington often evoke the name of this pleasant neighbourhood. Here are the main places to see during the day: Georgetown University, the Old Stone House (in M Street), the fabulous Dumbarton Oaks gardens (and the small Pre-Columbian art museum), the clothing shops on Wisconsin Avenue and M Street, or the antique shops of Wisconsin Avenue. In the evening, dine at Bistro Français and have a drink at Blue Ridge.
Day 4: National Museum of the American Indian
Steps: Washington Dc
The National Museum of the American Indian is one of the must-visit museums in the city. It highlights the art and current life of American Indians who live mostly on reserves. It is generally well done and didactic, but politically correct... (there is never any question of their extermination by European settlers). You may think that this is a form of recognition by the US Government of past acts. In the afternoon, we recommend the International Spy Museum or the Museum of Air and Space.
INTERNATIONAL SPY MUSEUM / NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM / NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN
Day 5: Washington National Cathedral and U Street
Steps: Washington Dc
Start your day by visiting the Washington Cathedral, the sixth largest in the world. Admission is free. For lunch, we highly recommend 2 Amys Pizzeria. The place is full of locals and the pizzas are delicious. In the afternoon, we suggest that you go and discover U Street, a black American district in the process of being rehabilitated (jazz bars, restaurants...). The African American Civil War museum, located in the True Reformer Building (Duke Ellington and a piano are painted on top of the building), retraces the history of the black community during the American Civil War, with photos, archival documents and paintings. Almost opposite this building, Ben's Chili Bowl (one of Bill Cosby's favorite fast-food restaurants), whose frontage bore the inscription "Soul Brother" during segregation, remains an institution of the district to be discovered. Next door is the Lincoln Theater, fully restored. At the corner of U Street and 12th Street is the famous Bohemian Caverns, which can be spotted by its saxophone at the entrance. Turn right onto 12th and U Streets, and see the houses built between 1890 and 1920. Almost at the end of the street, on the right sidewalk, stop for a moment in front of the building whose door reads "Thursood Marshall Center for Service and Heritage". This building is a former YMCA (Young Mens Christian Association) or sports center for the people of the neighborhood. At the end of the street, turn right onto S Street. On the left sidewalk, Garrison Elementary School is named after one of the most important figures in the history of abolitionism in the United States. Before turning right onto 13th Street, look for the French Second Empire style houses on the left sidewalk after the intersection of S Street and 13th Street. On 13th Street, at number 1805, is the house where Duke Ellington (real name Edward Kennedy Ellington) lived before moving to New York. A little further, at number 1829, the Whitelaw building was a hotel, opened in 1919, where many black personalities passing through Washington resided. The hotel has been transformed into a building for low-income families. Turn right on T Street and 13th Street, then take the first left on Vermont Street. You will come across the African-American Civil War Memorial with, next to the monument, the names of all the soldiers who fought in that war. For dinner, we recommend Ben's Chili Bowl, a Washington institution since 1958, and a jazz club afterwards, Utopia or Bohemian Caverns. Finally, those who are in the mood for a concert can check out the program at the 9:30 Club.
AFRICAN-AMERICAN CIVIL WAR MONUMENT / WASHINGTON NATIONAL CATHEDRAL / AFRICAN-AMERICAN CIVIL WAR MUSEUM
Day 6: Phillips Collection and Dupont Circle neighbourhood
Steps: Washington Dc
This very famous museum houses the first private collection of modern art in the United States. Spend the morning strolling through the renovated house of its former owner, the collector Duncan Phillips. Over several floors, you will discover the paintings of the permanent collection (the Degas are superb). Also take a look at the temporary exhibitions, if you feel like it. Then, have lunch at Dupont Circle and go to the Kramerbooks & Afterwords bookstore, open 24 hours a day on certain days of the week. If you want to see some embassies, take Massachusetts Avenue at Scott Circle level and walk north of the city. Or take any bus N (Westound) to Dupont Circle, which will make you discover the "Embassy Row" (where the embassies of Turkey, Brazil, Netherlands, Vatican... are aligned). In the evening, have a drink at the Bravo! Bravo! or at Brickseller.
PHILLIPS COLLECTION
Day 7: White House and National Museum of Women in the Arts
Steps: Washington Dc
Before visiting the White House (from afar, since visits are no longer permitted unless you've been given a ticket), stop by the White House Visitor's Center to pick up brochures describing the various rooms in the presidential residence. After going through security (as you would at the airport), you can see a permanent exhibition on life in the White House, the American presidents, their wives and children, with supporting texts and photos. Finally, don't leave town before visiting the National Museum of Women in the Arts, one of Washington's most curious museums devoted entirely to women painters, from the 16th century to the present day. A fine tribute!
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WOMEN IN THE ARTS
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