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The GW Hatchet

AN INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SERVING THE GW COMMUNITY SINCE 1904

The GW Hatchet

Serving the GW Community since 1904

The GW Hatchet

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Officials name senior vice president, chief of staff
By Fiona Riley, Assistant News Editor • March 26, 2024

D.C. sites break the tourist routine

Originally Published 05/22/00

The District of Columbia and the surrounding region are areas rich with opportunity for entertainment and enjoyment for visiting family and friends, beyond just that of the basic tourist traps.

The first priority for many visitors is to find a place to relax.

Two suggestions here: grab a blanket and plunk yourself down underneath a tree near the duck pond on the Mall; or better yet, trek out to the island in the center of the pond and get some sun.

If you get hot on the Mall, venture to Robert Latham Owen Park, which adjoins the National Academy of Science Building. Just head north on 21st Street for a couple blocks.

Nestled in somewhat of a grove is a fountain and park dedicated to Robert Latham Owen, one of the first U.S. senators from Oklahoma.

Not far from Owen Park is the Octagon Museum, located next to the American Institute of Architects. One of the oldest homes in the city, the Octagon was built in 1801, a year after the District was designated as the nation’s capital. Tours of the home, which was designed by William Thorton, are given every half-hour and last about 45 minutes. Thorton also designed the U.S. Capitol.

The Treaty of Ghent, which ended the War of 1812, was signed at the house. President James Madison and his wife, Dolly, reportedly retreated to the Octagon when the British burned down the White House.

Another museum just off the beaten path is the National Building Museum. Originally the sight for the Pension Department, the red brick building that is widely considered an architectural wonder and has held many inaugural balls since President Grover Cleveland began the tradition in 1885.

Created by a mandate of Congress to celebrate America’s building arts, the National Building Museum houses a number of interesting and controversial exhibits like the Urban Landscape display.

The National Building Museum is easily accessible by Metro’s red line at the Judiciary Square stop.

To continue the theme of spots entwined by secret and clandestine politics such as those practiced by Cleveland, visit the lobby of the Willard Hotel.

Located on Pennsylvania Avenue, near the National Theater and Freedom Plaza, the Willard is a place of Washington legend.

Now a part of the Inter-Continental chain of luxury hotels, the Willard’s lobby is where the term lobbyist was coined. This is where legislators met, and were often bribed by, people representing any number of different interests. Hushed tones, the great marble columns and the meticulously tiled floors set the building’s atmosphere.

The last museum that is a must-see for visiting families is the Newseum, located in Rosslyn, Va., just a short Metro ride from the Foggy Bottom campus on the blue or orange lines.

The Newseum celebrates press coverage of both modern and past world events. The main exhibit currently at the Newseum features presidential campaign coverage from 1896 to 2000.

Besides the main display, there are a number of interactive exhibits that allow visitors to assume the role of a reporter, an editor or a photographer at a daily newspaper.

If you are a media buff, or just simply remember back to the days of Edward R. Murrow or Walter Cronkite, don’t miss the Newseum.

After a day of sightseeing, museum-going and Commencement ceremonies, visitors must eat.

DuPont Circle boasts a variety of popular and tasty restaurants. One of the best, if you are in the mood for gourmet pizza, is Pizzeria Paradiso. The restaurant is known for its four-cheese pizza, but the potato and pesto sauce is highly recommended.

Pizzeria Paradiso does not accept reservations, so go early or be prepared to wait. If you do have to wait, use the free time to walk north of 21st Street into the beautiful Kalorama neighborhood filled with embassies and ambassadorial residences.

If you are looking for a lot of food and a great atmosphere at a fairly inexpensive price, then the Italian restaurant Buca Di Beppo is it.

The restaurant is known for its signature dish, simple spaghetti and meatballs, which is large enough to feed four to six people. For dessert, if you still have room after all the food, give the tiramisu a try. Caveat emptor, though – it weighs four pounds. Buca Di Beppo is located just north of DuPont Circle and is accessible via DuPont’s red line Metro station.

With service to die for and a wine list to match, Kinkead’s inside the 2000 Penn. mall deserves its high price tag. If you are in the mood for fresh seafood, skip Legal Sea Foods and come here instead.

For more upscale dining, check out the two blocks of 19th Street between L and N for Smith and Wollensky’s. The famed New York steak joint has opened a location in Washington.

Proceed further on the street to find Sam and Harry’s (delicious and expensive), the Georgetown Seafood Grill (good service, fair food), the Savoy (very exclusive, exquisite food) and finally, the Palm (good food, handsome setting).

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