¡Oyamel!

Hello readers. I'm so sorry it's been so long since my last post - life has really gotten away from me, with school starting, work continuing, and spontaneous trips to Charm City to see my friends! However, I am back with wonderful news: I found an amazing restaurant to tell you about.

My dad is attending a conference in DC for work Monday and Tuesday, so he came in for this weekend so we could hang out! One of his best friends, who also happens to be my godfather (no, not this kind), also lives in the area, so they're going to catch up as well.

Just being tourists! The couple who took this photo said that we look a lot alike - thoughts?

Today, my dad arrived around 3, and we headed over to the Washington Monument to go to the top. This might seem like deja vu, but don't worry, I posted about this before. Here's a Picstich of the views from the top:

After we had returned from our 550-foot journey, we headed to the Freer Gallery for about half an hour before it closed. This museum houses Asian art that was collected by Charles Lang Freer, a businessman and avid art collector. It's full of beautiful screens, bronze sculptures, and paintings, and also to the Peacock Room, a gorgeous space painted in peacock blue and is filled with shelves of all kinds of art! After that museum closed, we headed to the American Art Museum because it's open later than the other Smithsonians (until 7 pm, while the rest are open until 5:30). We saw an exhibit of paintings of famous athletes - my dad loved it; I checked Instagram a few times.

We had eaten some snacks from the food trucks near the Mall, so we weren't super hungry by 7. We decided to postpone dinner and check out a movie, This Is Where I Leave You, starring Jason Bateman, the flawless Tina Fey, and lots of other great actors. It was less of a comedy and more of a drama than I expected, and had some pretty touching moments, and was overall a great movie! I highly recommend it.

Okay, now for the good stuff: Oyamel. This restaurant, located in Chinatown (conveniently, right near Tangysweet frozen yogurt), is Mexican food served in the antojitos style. This means small plates, just like tapas, which means you can eat so many more things! The restaurant is beautiful, decorated with Spanish phrases and butterflies painted all over the walls, plenty of tchotchkes (presumably) from Mexico, and tables scattered around the various rooms in a fun, carefree way.

The guacamole is made tableside, and can be as mild or spicy as you choose. We went with medium heat, and it was delicious. Something about seeing the ingredients mixed together right before your eyes makes it even tastier. Their tortilla chips are also some of the best I've ever had; they're well-salted and not oily at all. My dad ordered Don's Margarita del Serrano, a lime margarita with serrano chile peppers in it. I tried a sip, and was surprised by how much I loved it! Oyamel also offers the option of topping your margarita with salt air, a salty foam that I now prefer to salted rims. Here is a list of the dishes we ordered:

• Chicken enchiladas in salsa verde (sorry, this was a special, so I can't find the actual Spanish name for it) - this was my favorite thing we ordered. Seriously, go to Oyamel right now so you can get these. If anyone from the restaurant is reading this, please add these enchiladas to the permanent menu. I will eat dinner there every night.
• Esquites - (sauteed corn with mayo and chile pequin) the flavor of this was not what I was expecting; I think the spices in which they cooked the corn interacted with the corn itself somehow that didn't fit the flavor profile I was expecting. After the first bite, though, I was really into it! 
• Camarones al mojo de ajo negro (shrimp sauteed with peppers, lime, and black garlic) - okay, I hate the texture of shrimp, but the flavor of the seasoning on this dish made me completely forget about it.
• Tacos pescado Baja California (fish tacos with housemade mayo, cabbage, pickled chiles, and onions) - on the same note as the above bullet, I really don't like fish, but these were amazing! The spices on the fish and the flavor of the mayo made these some of my favorite tacos that I've had in DC!
• Chilorio de res (shredded beef tacos with white onions and a tangy sauce) - I didn't like these much at all. The beef was extremely tender, which didn't fit well with the sauce, in my opinion,

Finally, to add to the long list of things I love about this restaurant, our waiter (Sam - obviously a great guy based on his name alone) was so friendly! His recommendation was the basis for most of our choices, and he was extremely attentive without being annoying at all. 

Well, that's all from me! To sum up: 1) See the movie This Is Where I Leave You, and 2) Eat at Oyamel! Tomorrow, I'm going to a brunch place which serves bottomless omelets & waffles (!!!!), and then I have my first kickball game - we're playing on the Mall! I also have quite a bit of homework to take care of... I'm sure I'll take care of it eventually.

How to Ride the Metro

The Metro is one of my favorite things about DC. Maybe it's just because I have never had great public transportation where I live (suburban Minnesota and then Baltimore), but I find it super convenient and easy to use! Pretty much anywhere within DC proper, you'll be able to walk to at least one stop in 10 minutes or less. Here's a map:

photo credit

I won't go into detail about any of the stops, but comment or email me if you have any specific questions!

I stick to mostly the Red Line, which is the oldest line, and takes you through Bethesda (a really cute neighborhood in Maryland with great shopping), Woodley Park (where Bao Bao and I live), Chinatown (home to Shake Shack and the Spy Museum) Union Station (next to the Capitol and an Amtrak hub), and Silver Spring (another Maryland suburb where a lot of people choose to live). There are plenty of places to check out on the other lines, though: U Street (Yellow/Green), Foggy Bottom (Blue/Orange/Silver), Nationals Ballpark (Green), and more!

So, here are some tips for riding the Metro:

1. Get a SmarTrip card! You buy them at a SmarTrip kiosk, and they are definitely worth the $2. When you use a paper farecard, the Metro automatically charges you an extra $1 per trip (keep this mind if you're visiting and trying to buy a farecard for just a few trips - the prices listed on the kiosks are for the SmarTrip cards). Therefore, if you're planning on taking at least two trips, it's a better deal to get the plastic card! You can keep them in the front pocket of a wallet or something, and you'll never have to even take it out, since you just tap it.

This is a SmarTrip kiosk, from which you purchase the card. The card costs $10, $2 for the physical card itself and $8 of fare already loaded on! photo credit

2. Move efficiently through the turnstiles. If you're having trouble unearthing your SmarTrip or farecard, stand to the side. There is nothing worse than being late for a meeting and getting held up behind a huge group of people who can't find their tickets. If you have a paper farecard, you'll insert it into the slot in front of the turnstile (on your right as you walk through). If you have a plastic SmarTrip card, you'll tap it on the sensor on top of the turnstile. Some possible problems you may face:

• You don't have enough money on your farecard. If this happens, your card will pop up, but the turnstiles won't open. The screen on the top of the turnstile will say something about insufficient fare. If this happens, go buy a new card! 
• You accidentally entered/exited a station without exiting/entering on the other side. If this is the case, the screen will tell you to see a station manager. These are the people in or around the booth who are wearing yellow vests. They'll help you! 
• The turnstile isn't working. The station managers will tell you what to do. They're nice and they know what they're doing. Listen to them!

3. When you get a SmarTrip card, register it online. By doing this, you'll be able to save any balance you have on your card if you lose it. You can also add money online, or set your card up to auto-reload every time your balance dips below $10. This will allow you to travel without worrying about running out of money at an inopportune time! Check here to register your card and reload it.

4. On the escalators, walk on the left and stand on the right. This is not difficult. It is a system that fosters efficiency and makes everyone a happier person - seriously! It's so much better to smile and say "thank you" to someone who moves out of the way than it is to get irritated because someone is in your way.

5. When you get off of the train, move out of the way. No matter how lost or confused you are, it is common courtesy to give everyone behind you space to exit the train and head in the direction they are trying to go. You'll be able to find a map if you just walk a little bit - or feel free to ask someone for directions!

6. Make sure others have space to get on and off the train. If you like to stand near the doors while you're riding the train, be prepared to have many people jostle you as they exit the train. Especially at the more popular stops, you might even want to step off the train while everyone else gets off, and then get back on. The train won't leave without you, don't worry!

7. Sit down if there are seats. Not only does this save your legs for all the walking you'll be doing above ground, but it also keeps the aisles of the trains as clear as possible. You won't get any more steps on your FitBit by standing up, so just take one for the team and pop a squat.

Finally, here is a random trivia fact: Wheaton (Red Line) has the longest escalator, but is not the station that caused someone to have a heart attack when the escalators were out of commission. If you ever feel like you're not able to climb all the stairs, take the elevator!!!

Up the Washington Monument

One of the coolest things I've discovered since living in DC is the fact that you can actually go to the top of the Washington Monument! The Monument was closed for repairs in July 2012, due to damages caused by an earthquake the preceding year. This May, though, it was reopened, and the trip up to the top is truly worth the visit.

photo credit

Tickets to climb (or, rather, ride an elevator) to the top of the Monument are free, and can be obtained one of two ways: First, you can go to the Lodge (on 15th street) when it opens at 8:30 to get tickets for that day. One person can get up to six tickets, and request their preferred ticket time. Get there early; apparently, people often wait in line long before the window actually opens! Information is found here. Second, you can reserve your tickets online. Now, these aren't technically free, because there is a $1.50 service charge per ticket, but I promise you the experience is worth that. Since the summer is almost over (and thus the summer interns and tourists have almost all returned to their homes), it looks like there are plenty of tickets available for September and beyond. Book your tickets and find more information here.

This is the lodge. Cute, right? photo credit

When you arrive for your tour, you'll head to the base of the monument, where you'll enter the (currently temporary) security screening center. This was built in 2001, after the September 11 attacks, and will eventually be replaced by a permanent, more attractive screening center.

The screening center. photo credit

You'll go through a metal detector, and your bag will be x-rayed, and then you'll pass through some displays on your way to the elevator. Be sure to check out the statue of George himself! You'll pile onto the elevator with the other visitors (you'll have to stand, and it might be pretty crowded) and the "tour guide," which I put in quotes because it seems that this job entails pushing an elevator button and not much guiding, who will push the "Floor 3" button. At the top, you'll be able to walk around and see the view from each of the four sides, which is AMAZING! Each window (there are two on each side) has a helpful diagram above it with the notable sites labeled. Also, be sure to look up to see the top of the Monument, and the red lights that are always blinking.

This is the view to the East - you can see the Capitol at the end of the grass!

View to the North - that's the White House!

View to the South - you can almost see Thomas Jefferson hanging out in his memorial.

View to the West - you can see the World War II Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial, as well as a beautiful sunset!

After you've looked out all eight windows and taken as many pictures as you can without completely irritating the other visitors, you'll walk down one flight of stairs to the second floor, where there are exhibits about the Monument's history. Then, you'll go back to the elevator, where another tour guide will start the descent. On the way, he or she will turn off the lights in the elevator so that you can see some of the commemorative stones donated by various governments and organizations. Keep your camera out for these - it's really fun if you can spot the one from your hometown!

As a side note, can anyone explain to me why this is called a monument and not a memorial? I was under the impression that a monument was constructed during a person's lifetime, and construction on this didn't start until 1848. George died in 1799, so I'm pretty confused.

What to Bring
You won't need anything in particular for this excursion, except of course your tickets! The entire trip should take only 20-30 minutes, so you shouldn't get unbearably hungry or anything. It might be nice to bring a blanket or something to lay down on the mall for after the tour; it's a great place to hang out and people-watch if the weather's nice! Tip: There are no water fountains or bathrooms inside the Monument, so be prepared if you foresee this being an issue!

What You'll Spend
If you book your tickets online, you'll spend $1.50 per ticket; if you get them in the morning, nothing at all! The only gift shop is inside the Lodge, and it's pretty small, so I don't think you'll be too tempted unless you're a George Washington fanatic.

How to Get There
The closest Metro stop is Smithsonian (Blue/Orange/Silver Lines), and it's about a half-mile walk from there to the Monument.

When to Go
The Monument is open year-round, every day except for July 4th, December 25th, and part of July 3rd. Visiting hours are from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, and until  Labor Day the Memorial will be open until 10:00 pm, so act quickly if you want to see the views by moonlight! Since there is a limited amount of tickets for each tour slot, it shouldn't matter much crowd-wise when you go, but be aware that you should reserve your tickets early if you have a preferred date/time for your visit.

What's Around
The entire National Mall is around! You can walk to the World War II Memorial and then on to the Lincoln, the Capitol, or the White House easily. There are also plenty of Smithsonian Museums right on the Mall: American History, Natural History, Air and Space, Asian Art, American Art (which is not actually a Smithsonian, but is still a free museum), and the Sculpture Garden. The US Botanic Garden is also on the way to the Capitol. Definitely plan to spend the day in this area. I'll do the same and post tips!

A Day in Georgetown

Yesterday, I spent most of my day traveling to/from Georgetown or hanging out on the Potomac waterfront. In the morning, one of my oldest friends, Nick, was celebrating his 21st birthday at Farmers Fishers Bakers, a delicious restaurant bordering the Potomac River that has (since yesterday) become my favorite place to get brunch. It was $30 each for endless trips to the buffet, where my favorite dishes were the yogurt with granola and the Drag Through the Garden scramble. They also have some very fun drinks (served in giant bowls with fun-colored straws for the whole table), and the waiters are super friendly!

This is the brunch menu (at least for now). It is, to say the least, an amazing and decadent way to spend a morning. photo credit

This is the outside patio, which offers year-round seating. You can see the fountain, and off in the distance, the Potomac River. photo credit

Getting to Georgetown is never an easy task; the closest Metro stop is Foggy Bottom (Blue/Orange Lines), and that's not actually very close to much. (It is, however, close to Thunder Burger, home to one of the best burgers I've ever had the pleasure of tasting.) To get there, I decided to walk through Rock Creek Park, a large area filled with trees, other green things, and a beautiful creek. It was a pleasant walk, and I got to see plenty of dogs on runs with their owners. Once I arrived in Georgetown, I got to walk through the impressive row houses and upscale shopping areas, and had no trouble at all getting to the restaurant. I walked back the same way I had come, and immediately got ready for my second trip to the waterfront.

The second half of my day was spent kayaking on the river with two of my good friends, Janie and Jess. We met near the Farragut North (Red Line) Metro stop and took an Uber (cost about $8 each way) to the Key Bridge Boathouse, from which we rented some kayaks and headed out to the water. It was a gorgeous sunny day, but wasn't overwhelmingly hot, and the water was cool and calm. The system they've set up is very efficient; you fill out a waiver form, which you can find (along with pens) on the picnic tables near the dock, put on a life jacket, line up to receive a kayak, and then pay when you leave. The kayaks were $15 per hour, and we could have also rented paddle boards if we had preferred those! It was a great afternoon. Tip: If you do go kayaking here (which I highly recommend), bring a lock so you can put your stuff in a locker! You should also know that you can rent one for $2. Nobody told us this, so don't be afraid to ask! You're allowed to bring your stuff out onto the water with you, but even if you stay in the boat the whole time, everything will get a little damp. Just be prepared!

This is Key Bridge Boathouse - it's very popular! photo credit

All in all, nothing too exciting, but I figured I'd share for those who want to keep up with the activities I'm discovering. Contact me with questions, suggestions, or comments - I'd love to hear from you!

The National Zoo: An Overview

Ask anyone who's met me since I moved to DC (or, probably, since I found my apartment), and they'll tell you that the Smithsonian National Zoo in Woodley Park is by far my favorite attraction in DC. Maybe it's because I miss my dog, Cazi, so much, or because I haven't quite given up on my dream of being a Disney princess to whom animals flock.

Cazi. You're welcome for restraining myself from posting all the pictures I have of her.

This is pretty much my dream. photo credit

Anyway, since I live so close to the zoo, I've gone there almost every weekend since I moved in. Doing so has helped me learn the tricks to making sure your zoo experience is fun and as stress-free as possible. My first Tip: go on a weekday if you can. The zoo is much less crowded when the children of the area are in school or summer camp, and their parents are at work. However, this doesn't work for most people's schedules, so here are my weekend tips:

1. Go to the zoo early. I'm talking pre-brunch early. The grounds open at 6:00 am, which is when you'll see the crazy people going on runs, and the buildings open at 10:00 am. I suggest going around 9:00 am and starting at Asia Trail (where you can hopefully see the pandas, who are more active in the morning, if they're outside).
   

   

   This is Mei Xiang, the mom. She's eating a popsicle!

   When you're almost at the pandas, you'll pass by a bridge to the Bird House. I absolutely love the Bird House, but recommend waiting to cross the bridge until after 10, when the building will open. There are some really cool birds outside, though, if you just want to make a quick trip while you're there!
   

   

   These flamingos are a small part of the enormous flock that lives outside the Bird House. 

   You'll exit the trail near the elephant house (its official name is Pachyderm Plaza) - if you can't see many elephants outside (there are seven), it's worth going inside the building to see if they're inside.
   

   

   This elephant is eating hay from the barrel on the right of the photograph. This was taken around 2 pm on a Sunday - the building was very crowded, but it was still easy to see and admire the elephants.

   Once you pass the elephants, your next stop should be American Trail, where you'll see otters, wolves, and seals/sea lions!
   

   

   The harbor seals always look relaxed and refreshed. This guy isn't at the zoo, but there are plenty like him! photo credit 

   The trail will take you right to Amazonia, which is a cool building set up to be like a field station in the Amazon, and which includes a section that is meant to be like the Amazon, with plants from the rainforest and with animals roaming free. They generally don't get very close to people, but it's really cool to look up and see a monkey just sitting in the tree above you! If it's not 10 yet, just keep walking - there's plenty more to see outside!
   

   

   This bird apparently wanted to pretend he was viewing, not a part of, the exhibit.

   After Amazonia, you'll be at the Kids' Farm. I'm not a huge fan of the farm - the animals are the same ones you can see at every county fair in the Midwest - but one of the cool parts about it is that you can pet the animals!
   

   

   The goats have a great setup and seem very happy on the farm!

   You'll get back to Olmstead Walk (the main path), and will see the prairie dogs, which are always fun to watch, and then the Great Cats. These guys are always so regal. In addition, there are two one-year-old tiger cubs who love to play (I've seen them spend over 10 minutes trying to open a watermelon), and four brand-new lion cubs! The lion cubs are only out from 11 am - 1 pm, according to the zoo's website, but their parents are usually outside throughout the day. The cubs are definitely worth a quick walk back, though, if you pass the Great Cats and don't see them!
   

   

   So cute! photo credit 

   Near the cats is Lemur Island, which is also home to a whole bunch of turtles. The lemurs are visible through the glass in the back. After Lemur Island, you'll get to the Think Tank, which is home to intellectual enrichment for the apes, and the Invertebrate House. I've actually never been inside here, but I'll report back in a future post. Surrounding the building, though, are the tortoises and the Komodo dragon, one of my favorite animals to watch.
   

   

   Look, he's not scary at all - so playful! photo credit 

   You might wonder why there are random telephone lines in this part of the zoo. That's called the O-Line! It's how the orangutans get from their place in the Great Apes House to the Think Tank, and you can see them swinging along if you're lucky!

   

   I always hope they'll climb down and hold my hand and walk around with me - so far, no luck.

   If you've made it this far, it's definitely past 10 am, so you can go into the Great Apes House and the Small Mammal House, both of which are excellent. If you're there at 2 pm, you can even meet a small mammal. 

   

   These are the naked mole rats I met in the Small Mammal House. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little grossed out and a little disappointed they didn't look like Rufus from Kim Possible...

   Finally, you're heading back to the beginning. It's an uphill walk, so this is a great opportunity to take a break and grab some lunch or a snack (or unwrap the picnic you so wisely decided to bring), and just sit down. On your way out, see if the pandas are active (you'll be able to tell by the fact that there will be a long line of people). If they are, it's worth waiting in line to see them.
   

   

   Mei Xiang is very friendly when she's inside the exhibit. She walks up to the glass and sits there looking at people!

   You can also stop by the Savannah animals (cheetahs and zebras, for example), and then pop across the street to FroZenYo if you want something cold to eat! If you do all this, it will be a long and probably exhausting trip, but you'll have seen everything, and hopefully beaten the afternoon rush!
2. Check the events calendar. The zoo has lots of cool events going on throughout the day, where you can see the animals eat, hear from the zookeepers, or watch the animals learn. The daily schedule can be found here; plan your visit accordingly!
3. Don't be afraid to go by yourself. Being with other people at the zoo can be a hassle; people get tired or hungry at different times, they like certain animals more than others, and it's much harder to maneuver a group than your own person. It's obviously more fun to go with your friends, but it's also a great place to just go for a walk if you need some alone time or light exercise.
4. Follow the children. Obviously, don't be a creep, but this is a good strategy for a few reasons. First, they're adorable, especially if they've recently learned the name of an animal or the sound that it makes. They get so excited! More importantly, they (often with the help of their parents) are always able to spot the animals within the exhibits, which can be useful when you're trying to find that easily-camouflaged giant salamander (near the pandas). Try to switch up which families you follow around, please.
5. Talk to the volunteers. These people are always able to tell you which animals are inside, sleeping, or better-viewed from a different angle. They're also very knowledgeable and have great tidbits to share! Volunteers at the zoo actually have to apply for their positions, which are quite competitive, according to the website.
6. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. The zoo is an outdoor, pretty expansive, crowded place. The last thing you want to do is have sore feet or be constantly adjusting your outfit all day. My favorite strategy is to wear workout clothes and pretend I'm coming from or going to the gym. 
7. Bring a water bottle. Drinks at the zoo are expensive! There are water fountains, but not everywhere, and you'll want to make sure you stay hydrated and happy throughout your whole visit. For reference, there are water fountains inside the Visitor Center, and at various points along the trails. They are marked on the map below.
8. Pack food. If you're planning on eating lunch/dinner at the zoo, it's healthiest and cheapest to bring your own food. The zoo does have plenty of great options (I'm partial to the paninis at Panda Overlook Cafe, and the tacos from the cart in Panda Plaza), but in case nothing on the menu strikes your fancy, bringing your own food is a safe bet.
9. Wear sunscreen and sunglasses or a hat. It's sunny in DC! You'll be outside for most of your visit, so plan accordingly. Bring sunscreen, too, so you can reapply!
10. Budget extra time to leave. The walk from the back of the zoo (Kids' Farm) to the entrance is uphill and always feels longer than the walk from the entrance, so just keep this in mind when planning your exit. You can exit the zoo from the back, but if you're trying to get to the Woodley Park or Cleveland Park metro stops, you'll want to go out the front entrance. 
11. Print a map. There are plenty of maps throughout the zoo, but I think it's always best to be prepared. Here's a link: http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Visit/zoomap.pdf  

And, in case you're short on time, here are some of my favorite places at the zoo, listed in order if you follow the route I described above:

1. Asian small-clawed otters: They're really cute, and Whole Foods named them all things like Rutabaga, Chowder, and Pork Chop. 
2. Pandas: Obviously.
3. Bird House: Just do a quick lap around the outside, and you'll see flamingos, cranes, cassowaries, emus, and kori bustards (which are pretty funny looking). 
4. Asian elephants: They're pretty active, and always look like they're smiling!
5. Seals & sea lions: They always seem to be having a good time.
6. Great cats
7. Komodo dragon
8. Great Apes building: They often interact with visitors through the glass, or with each other.

And you're done!

What to Bring
Bring a water bottle, picnic food or snacks, a camera, sunscreen, and sunglasses or a hat.

What You'll Spend
If you're planning on buying food there, plan to spend $10-15 for a meal. Otherwise, nothing, unless you visit the gift shop or make a donation!

How to Get There
The zoo does offer parking, but it costs $22 for non-members! I recommend taking the Metro; the zoo is equidistant from the Woodley Park-Zoo stop and the Cleveland Park stop. The walk from Woodley Park is slightly uphill, while the walk from Cleveland Park is flat. If you don't want to walk (about half a mile), you can catch a bus from either stop. From Woodley Park, cross Connecticut Avenue and catch an L2 or L4 bus, in the direction of Chevy Chase Circle. The third stop is the Zoo stop and is right at the Zoo entrance. From Cleveland Park, exit on the west side of the street (by the restaurant Indique) and catch an L1 or L2 bus, in the direction of Dupont Circle or McPherson Square. The third stop is the Zoo stop and is across the street from the Zoo entrance. Check here for more information!

When to Go

On weekends - I cannot stress this enough - go in the morning. It's cooler, the animals are more active, and it's less crowded. This also prevents your entire day from getting away from you; you want to be able to stay and watch if something interesting happens, not frantically rush to the exit and miss your favorite animal. If you don't want to wake up early, I suggest Sunday over Saturday.

What's Around
Right across Connecticut Avenue is a FroZenYo, which I've mentioned before as one of my favorite frozen yogurt places in the District. On the way to Cleveland Park, there is a movie theater and some various restaurants. There is also the Cleveland Park Neighborhood Library, which offers free Wi-Fi and, of course, books. Back at the Woodley Park Metro Stop, there's a Noodles and Company, Chipotle (where Barack Obama once broke a cardinal Chipotle rule), and some local restaurants. My favorite is Lebanese Taverna, where the pita and hummus is amazing!

The Crowd
The zoo is primarily filled with children and their parents, as well as plenty of tourists from other states or countries. There are also plenty of locals running through, but they don't stick around for long.

The National Portrait Gallery - A Brief Introduction

Last Friday, I met some friends for dinner at Graffiato, a delicious, Italian-inspired restaurant owned by Mike Isabella, of Top Chef fame.

Look familiar? photo credit

I had some time to kill between work and our reservation, so I took a quick trip to the National Portrait Gallery. I only got to see one exhibit, so I'll definitely be back and posting again about it, but figured I'd share my first impressions! The Portrait Gallery is a stately and very impressive building, which looks like it could hold anything from a small presidential monument to an office of the US Mint.

photo credit

I used the 8th & F entrance; it's a short block from the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro stop (Red Line). Tip: Don't be frightened by the large crowd of people sitting on the steps facing the Verizon Center. Those are always crowded with people just sitting; they aren't waiting in line or anything! I don't even think you can enter the museum from that side, anyway.

Enough about the outside; walking into the museum was a little different than the others I've visited so far! I expected to have to go through a metal detector or have my bag searched by security - neither happened. You just walk right on in. There is a security guard sitting at a desk near the door, but I doubt he or she approaches you unless you look pretty suspicious. Very confused, I walked up to the front desk and asked, eloquently, "Um, so, do I just, um, walk in?" The woman sitting there was very kind, and mentioned that the museum was only open for another 30 minutes. I told her I just wanted to waste some time, and she recommended that I check out the American Cool exhibit on the second floor.

This is a look down the hallway that serves as the main passage for the exhibit. There are 3 rooms branching off to either side that are filled with more pictures and themed music! photo credit

The exhibit is basically a collection of photographs of people who have been considered "cool." It explains the first-ever use of the word (have you ever thought about a time before the word "cool?"), and describes the types of people that have embodied it over time. The main hallway features people from 1980-today, including Madonna, Jay-Z, and Tony Hawk, and the rooms branching off to the sides go through the three other time periods: the Roots of Cool (before 1940), the Birth of Cool (1940-1959), and Cool & the Counterculture (1960-1979). Each of the rooms has music playing that fits that time's definition of "cool," and some have interactive screens where you can watch scenes from movies featuring the cool. It's a great exhibit, and it's also a good place to pick up some interesting trivia!

I had to leave pretty quickly, but I did see some paintings lining the walls near the elevator that made me excited about the next time I can come back to the Portrait Gallery! I also want to check out the atrium (Kogod Courtyard, officially - named one of 7 modern architectural wonders by Conde Nast). Check back later for another post!

photo credit

What to Bring
Nothing in particular - you can't eat, drink, smoke, or take pictures in the gallery, but I would recommend bringing a pen and notepad so you can jot down any paintings or artists you want to look up later!

What You'll Spend
Absolutely nothing, unless you visit the gift shop or cafe.

How to Get There
The Metro is definitely the easiest; just hop on the Red Line to Gallery Place/Chinatown, exit at 7th & F, and turn left to walk to 8th street. Then you'll cross to the other side of F, and be standing in front of the museum!

When to Go
The museum is open from 11:30 am - 7:00 pm every day except Christmas. Tip: The cafe closes at 6:30. There are plenty of great restaurants around, though, so don't worry if you leave the museum hungry!

What's Around

Chinatown is packed with great places to explore! The International Spy Museum and the Crime Museum (not free, unfortunately) are just down 7th Street - check back later for a post about these!

 

Matchbox, one of my favorite restaurants I've discovered so far, has great pizza (I recommend the chicken pesto or the prosciutto & black mission fig) and is located at 7th & H.

Directly from my last post about the National Archives: if you're hungry, two of my favorite frozen yogurt places are nearby: Tangysweet, home to traditional yogurt and smoothies, and FroZenYo, which is a self-serve place that has what is essentially healthier ice cream. Both are delicious and delightful. If you want cupcakes, Red Velvet Cupcakery is right next to Tangysweet, and always smells delicious, and if you want real food, Hill Country Barbecue and Jaleo are both well-known restaurants. Shake Shack is also nearby!

 

The Crowd
The Portrait Gallery, seemed to be mostly adults; it isn't the most entertaining or interactive museum around. Take this with a grain of salt, though, as I was there right after a workday and right before closing! I'll let you know more next time I go.

The National Archives

Yesterday, the interns at CBPP took a field trip to the National Archives. Quite shockingly, visiting them in person is not the same as seeing them in National Treasure.

We did not see Nicholas Cage, however that makes you feel. photo credit

We walked from the office to Union Station, where we took the Red Line to Gallery Place. From there, it was a quick three-block walk to the Archives. It's a beautiful building, which is only fitting for the home of our important documents.

photo credit

When you walk into the building, you have to go through a metal detector and bag scanner (like at the airport, but at this one, you put everything in the buckets, including your bag). The people working at security are very focused on being efficient. Tip: You can leave your belt on.

You'll end right outside the David M. Rubenstein Gallery, which is home to the Record of Rights exhibit, a collection of documents and interactive stations (see below) that chronicles the history of individual rights in the United States. It's a really cool exhibit, and it covers everything from the Magna Carta (including a copy from 1297, the version that remains in statute today) to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (which is on display until September 17) and more!

This table is like a giant iPad, with 8 stations that allow you to look at documents and events throughout history that have been important to individual rights in the U.S. You can even share your reaction to the information with other people using the table! photo credit

If you've been by the Archives recently, you've seen the banner at the entrance that advertises the current exhibit, Making their Mark: Stories Through Signatures. This exhibit is on the second floor, and features signatures from various famous people throughout history. Some highlights: the Dalai Lama's signature, Michelle Obama's dress from the night that President Obama was elected in 2008, and a letter from the current lead archivist when he was a child to then-President Eisenhower, asking for a signed photograph (which is also on display). 

And, of course, the Archives are home to the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Located in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom, on the second floor, these famous documents are swarmed with people. Above, the Faulkner murals featuring the founding fathers (aptly-titled The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution of the United States) look down on the crowds. You'll have to wait in line twice, once to get into the actual rotunda, and once to get up close to the Constitution. In the pre-rotunda line, there are some TV screens and signs that highlight historical facts about the documents, in order to keep you entertained and educated. When you're in line in the Rotunda, you can choose which side to approach from. Both sides feature educational displays about the documents and the men who wrote them. If you approach from the right, you'll see the Bill of Rights, usually less crowded than the other documents, and very inspirational. If you approach from the left, you'll see the Declaration of Independence. Obviously, you should do both. Straight ahead of the entrance to the rotunda is the Constitution, and it is, presumably, constantly surrounded by a crowd of onlookers. There are security guards on either side of the three panels, one of whom reminded us, "Folks, do not try to read the entire Constitution. You can buy a copy downstairs, you can pull it up on your smartphone. This is a viewing, not a reading."

This is the rotunda. You can see the murals, and the people looking at the documents. I don't think it's ever been this empty aside from this photo shoot. photo credit

Tip: If you don't want to go through all of the displays to see the famous documents, you don't have to, but you'll probably get some dirty looks, and won't be able to get as close. Plus, you'll miss out on the educational experience!

In conclusion, the National Archives are definitely worth a visit - after all, they're free, and they're home to the most important documents in American history. The museum curators have done a great job of making something that could be boring (pieces of old paper) into something very interesting, exciting, and interactive. It doesn't take a long visit, which gives you plenty of time to check out other attractions in the area!

What to Bring

Nothing special. There's no food, drink, or chewing gum allowed in the museum, and it's pretty hard to find a trashcan. There's a cafe on the ground floor, near the gift shop. Tip: According to National Treasure, the copies of the Declaration in the gift shop cost $35, but in the gift shop, they're only $10!

What You'll Spend

Nothing, unless you buy some food or souvenirs. 

How to Get There

There's a metro stop devoted to the National Archives; it's on the Yellow Line one stop south of Gallery Place. If you prefer not to switch lines, the Archives are walkable from Gallery Place (Red/Yellow/Green Lines), Federal Triangle (Blue/Orange Lines), or Smithsonian (Blue/Orange Lines).

When to Go

The museum is open from 10:00 am-5:30 pm every day, with the last entrance at 5:00 pm, and is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. I don't have much insight about the best times of day or week to go, but a Thursday afternoon had very manageable crowds, and we were all able to get close to the most popular exhibits without having to wait at all.

What's Around

The Museum of Natural History and the National Gallery of Art are both on the same block as the Archives, and the National Mall is right across Constitution Avenue! The National Museum of American History is also along that street - it's a great area for sightseeing. The National Air and Space Museum and the National Museum of the American Indian are right across the Mall from the National Gallery of Art.

The International Spy Museum and the Crime Museum (both of which, unfortunately, charge admission fees) are a few blocks up 7th Street (toward the Gallery Place metro).

If you're hungry, two of my favorite frozen yogurt places are nearby: Tangysweet, home to traditional yogurt and smoothies, and FroZenYo, which is a self-serve place that has what is essentially healthier ice cream. Both are delicious and delightful. If you want cupcakes, Red Velvet Cupcakery is right next to Tangysweet, and always smells delicious, and if you want real food, Hill Country Barbecue and Jaleo are both well-known restaurants. Shake Shack is also nearby!

The Crowd

The Archives seem to be a hotspot for tourists and school groups, as there were a lot of children and families there.