When most people think of D.C., images of the National Mall come to mind. Stone monuments, quiet museums, and well, not much fun to be had, remain the predominant images of D.C. , most of which are based, by the way, in the limited perspective presented in sixth-grade field trips, rather than reality.
If you haven't seen the Lincoln Memorial, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, the Vietnam War Memorial, these sites are enormously powerful, regardless of your feelings about history class in high school. However, while you owe it yourself to see the famous monuments of D.C. (which you will appreciate more than you did on that sixth-grade field trip), Washington is also vibrant, alive city, full of interesting people and great dining, entertainment, and nightlife.
Soon you will realize that saying, "I live in DC" isn't enough in this big small town. The neighborhood you choose will mean as much, if not more than the city itself. Do you have what it takes to make it in super-trendy Adams Morgan? Would you prefer the leafy, green foodie capital of Capitol Heights, where the city's most famous attractions are in view every day? Just because you've chosen to make your home in one district doesn't mean you can't appreciate the others, either. D.C. is a big, diverse city where you will never be bored. A simple stroll through another part of the District can provide you with all the entertainment you need.
Not that you will ever lack entertainment. The museums in the D.C. area are some of the most fascinating in the country. You've no doubt heard about or already visited the Smithsonian, but what about more obscure places like the International Spy Museum (for the James Bond wannabes) or the Newseum (for journalism junkies)? And if you prefer to get away from the crowd and into the peace and quiet of nature, even in the midst of the city, look no further than the U.S. Arboretum.
Whether you're more likely to spring for tickets to a performance at the Shakespeare Theatre Company, or a show at the Washington Ballet, there is an arts group in the D.C. area that will cater to you. More specialized groups like the Gala Hispanic Theatre, which wins fans with its bilingual productions, are just as worthy of your time in a city that encourages artistic excellence.
Dining out in D.C. is just as likely to be a big adventure as any other aspect of life in the Capitol City. This is the home of the organic food movement, in a way, because the first certified organic restaurant in the country opened here in 1999. Many were to follow. Now D.C. is known for some of the most innovative chefs in the country--even rivaling New York! Don't be surprised, if following your appetite, you happen to run into a few members of the city elite. Wining and dining on Capitol Hill is somewhat of an art form for politicians, lobbyists, and everyone on either side of the aisle. The Monocle, The Palm, and The Caucus Room are all restaurants you may share with a table or two of U.S. Senators or House Representatives.
As the nation's capital, Washington D.C. is a great place to build your future. Let NewHomeSource help you find the home that will be there for you throughout the journey.
