Destination of the Week: Washington, D.C.
Fri, Jan 16 2009 at 9:25 AM EST
Read more: DESTINATION OF THE WEEK, GREEN TRAVEL
The Lincoln Memorial (Photo: cliff1066/Flickr) Inside this Article
| 1. Destination DC | 5. Eat green, drink green |
| 2. Stay green | 6. Go green, green days |
| 3. See green | 7. Party green |
| 4. Play green |
If you've been avoiding a trip to the nation's capital because you've heard it's nothing but politicos and pocket protectors, think again, green traveler.
Washington, D.C., not only boasts more green space per capita than any American city, its mid-Atlantic location, parklike layout and quirky neighborhoods full of activists, diplomats and journalists make this a can't-miss green destination for 2009.
Whether you're a history-loving hiker, an eco-foodie flower child, a vegan preservationist, or a sailor who just wants to make the world a better place, D.C. delivers any Earth-friendly explorer enough urban treasures and untamed wilderness to keep you busy for a week and still wanting more. If you're ready to visit the District you didn't know existed, read on.
Before you hit the city, download a good map that includes Maryland and Virginia. You'll want to see D.C., but locals know that much of the area's best hiking, biking, sailing and kayaking lies a short distance across the state lines.
Also, get to know the city's quirky layout before you hit town. The U.S. Capitol building divides the District into four quadrants — NW, NE, SW and SE — but the quadrants often duplicate street names. Avoid first-timers' confusion by making a note of the quadrant for every destination and fanny-packed tourists will be asking you for directions.
Now let's go to D.C.!
GETTING THERE
By air: Washington's Reagan National Airport (DCA) is about 10 minutes from the city and Metro accessible, while Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Thurgood Marshall Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) are about a 45-minute drive away. Train service from BWI is available.
By rail: Amtrak train service will drop you in the heart of the city at Union Station, complete with Metro train service to take you the rest of the way.
Link
EMAIL
Stumble
Tweet
