From: unckcb@unc.bitnet
 (Karen Blansfield)
Subject: Re: Washington, D.C.
Organization: Office of Information Technology   - UNC-CH
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1992 18:40:21 GMT

In article <1g8mbhINN37v@CARDINAL.ZOO.CS.YALE.EDU> yan-dicky@cs.yale.edu 
(Dicky Yan) writes:
> Ansel Adams Collection: It is just one floor. If you are really into 
photography, you will like it. If you are not, you will enjoy the pictures 
too, but it will not take you long to finish seeing it. It is free.

Yes, I agree, this is a very nice little collection. It's not widely known 
or visited, so it's usually not a crowded place. I'd suggest stopping 
there on the way to something else.

> Philips Collection: My tour book says this is the best non-Smithsonian 
art museum. I think it is pretty good. Mainly modern art. For one night 
each week, the entrance fee is optional. It is not far from the Embassy 
Row. And they have recitals . . .

The Phillips is a wonderful museum, which was once home to Mr. Phillips. 
It's a beautiful old home (VERY large), located right near Dupont Circle, 
so it's easy to get to. There's a Kandinsky show there right now, and 
there are lots of Impressionist masters and other good stuff in the 
permanent collection. Up the block near the Metro stop, there is a very 
good bookstore/cafe, Kramer's, which is always lively and cheery. Across 
the street is a little Greek cafe called Zorba's which has cheap, good 
food, and an inviting atmosphere. Good for a snack or lunch. Be careful 
around Dupont Circle at night. There are many other wonderful museums in 
D.C., too, so you can't get to them all!

> Georgetown: is interesting. But apparently, there is no subway station 
nearby and you cannot park after quite early in the afternoon (like 4pm or 
something like that) on the streets. There are quite a few carparks 
nearby, along Wisconsin. Some of them  give 2 hr free parking if you buy 
things from certain shops. 

Georgetown is pretty for walking around. Lots of interesting shops; the 
little Mall on Wisconsin is nice. Everything is pricey, though, including 
the restaurants. But charming.

> I did not have time to see the Arlington Cem., the Pentagon, the 
Memorials, or see where they print money. I also saw some pictures of the 
Pavillion inside the Old Post Office; there seem to be some Japanese 
shops/restaurants inside? Can anyone comment on these?

Arlington Cemetery is certainly worth a visit. The Kennedy grave is 
poignant; you can always see the flame at night. The cemetery is pretty 
impressive, and the views from up below the mansion are good. The 
Pentagon--I don't know, never been there. Driving by is enough for me. The 
Pavillion inside the Post Office is fun, particularly on a Friday 
afternoon around 5, when everyone comes in for an after-work drink or 
snack. Sometimes they have music or some performances at that time. 
There's lots of shops and many different kinds of food. Worth a visit. If 
you like to walk, go from there up to the East Wing of the National 
Gallery (about 10 blocks, I think). This is really a wonderful museum, 
even if you just go into the lobby area and see the Calder mobile hanging 
from the ceiling. But there are always good exhibits going on. (I think 
there's a Stieglitz photo show there now.)

Depending on how much time you have, you might also want to go over to 
Alexandria, where the Old Town area by the waterfront is really nice. Go 
to the Torpedo Factory down by the Potomac's edge; there are dozens of 
working artists there, making wonderful things of all kind. Wood engraver, 
potters, weavers, painters, and much more. It's an old munitions factory 
converted into an artists' place.

Have fun.

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