NationStates Jolt Archive

I'm probably visiting these cities in September, and I know bugger all about them - except what I've 'learned' from American TV programmes. So, is there anything obvious I should visit, or anything in particular to take note/be aware of? This is in the 10th-20th September period. I only have a crappy guidebook from the 80s that mainly concentrates on gay bars - which I'm not hugely interested in - for NY, and nuttin' for Washington DC.

I live in DC, and there's plenty to do around here.

If you want to soak up some history, there are all those loverly landmarks and monuments that any decent guidebook can mention. The Smithsonians are not to be missed, and I particularly recommend the Air and Space, Natural History, and American History museums. The Freer Gallery is cool, and often overlooked. Taking a tour of the Treasury is fun.

If you want some pure fun, check out the restaurants and color of Adams Morgan. Georgetown can be a very good time and should be teaming with young people during the time you would be visiting. There's also a very nice comicbook shop in Georgetown, and a couple of fun pubs.

That's a start, at least :).

Thanks Bottle. That's a great start. I shall look out for some of those places.

Thanks Bottle. That's a great start. I shall look out for some of those places.
I've been in DC for about a year now, and I have to say it's a surprisingly fun town...when I moved here I was expecting culture and history and professionalism and all that wholesome junk, but I wasn't expecting to have boogie-down fun. DC sure schooled me. :)

I've been in DC my whole life, and it's a fun city.

Like Bottle said, the monument grounds and museums are a good place to go. You also might want to check out Dupont, you can have a good time there.

If you're willing to go into some of the seedyer parts of town (which arn't really as bad as people say), you can find a great music scene. Not sure what your into, but you can find pretty much anything.

Some good places, off the top of my head, to hear music:

the 9:30 club, with the famus 9:30 club bouncer (you'll know him when you see him)

the Otobar (never been there, but people say it's good

the Black Cat

I live outside of New York, and it's a great city. If you're just walking around, I'd recommend going down to the very southern tip. Walk along Canal and Mott street (the heart of Chinatown) and you will find the most random crap there. A lot of New York is now commercialized and shiny, but down there it's pretty quirky. Unfortunately, it also smells vaguely of cat piss. However, it's still my favorite part of town. Also, just one block north is Little Italy, where you can get great food.

And don't take those tour busses. I know from experience in Europe that taking the touristy route is boring. To really enjoy a city you have to dive right in.

Cabs are a waste of time and money, unless it's a last resort. Buy a metrocard and take the subway. It's very extensive, and takes you within walking distance of basically anywhere. Busses are useful, but very slow as they stop at every damn corner.

If you're into science the natural history museum is not to be missed, howver I'm sure you can get your museum fix in Washington.

And finally, don't buy the 10 dollar Rolex, it's fake.

I've been in DC for about a year now, and I have to say it's a surprisingly fun town...when I moved here I was expecting culture and history and professionalism and all that wholesome junk, but I wasn't expecting to have boogie-down fun. DC sure schooled me. :)


You get shot yet? :D

it's really not as bad as people say

it's really not as bad as people say

Well, seeigns how the death rate in Washington is more than in Baghdad, I think its pretty bad.

Well, seeigns how the death rate in Washington is more than in Baghdad, I think its pretty bad.
I'm sure most of those deaths occur at night between rival gang members. As long as you're not wandering dark alleys at 4 in the morning, you'll be fine. The same goes for any city.

aye

Not sure in you're into this kind of thing, but DC has a big underground poetry community, and they have readings in Dupont Circle. Here are some of the dates:

Sept 5 6:30 pm

Sept 19 6:30 pm

Not sure in you're into this kind of thing, but DC has a big underground poetry community, and they have readings in Dupont Circle. Here are some of the dates:

Sept 19 6:30 pm

Wow, that sounds pretty cool - thanks. (And I'm sure I'll be able to keep myslef out of the turf wars whilst in Washington.)

I live a 'lil south of DC, and if you are visiting, I have only this to offer:

If you hear rap music, and it's not coming from a club, move in the opposite direction. You're probably going too far out of the Federal part of the city. You'll be safe pretty much as long as you don't stray out of the government part of town. And for the love of God try to avoid South East DC...it's not a place you wanna get lost in.

Well, it's good to know you all have such faith in your fellow humans. Nonetheless, thanks for the advice - I shall make sure I'm careful.

Not sure in you're into this kind of thing, but DC has a big underground poetry community, and they have readings in Dupont Circle...[on] Sept 19 6:30 pm

Damn. Turns out I won't be in Washington on the 19th. Oh well.

Well, it's good to know you all have such faith in your fellow humans. Nonetheless, thanks for the advice - I shall make sure I'm careful.

Metro is a really good way to get around, except at rush hour. Like I said, there are some fun bars and nightclubs in the seedyer parts of town. Or you can stick to Georgetown and Adams Morgan for that, if you please.

Damn. Turns out I won't be in Washington on the 19th. Oh well.

Too bad, it's good fun. Some of the people are really talented.

New York is a great town too, and I can suggest a few places/things to do.

The Circle Line offers several cruises around Manhattan -- one around the whole island (3 hours), one of the highlights of the harbor, and a sunset cruise around the southern tip. They also have a speedboat tour if you're into that. http://www.circleline.com/

The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island -- ferries leave from Battery Park. Though you can't actually enter the statue anymore, (you can go up inside the base and view the inside through a glass ceiling) the views and picture taking ops are wonderful. And Ellis Island is interesting in that it shows how many people (including my great grandparents) immigrated to the US. http://www.nps.gov/stli/

The Metropolitan Museum of Art -- wonderful. Their Egyptian collection is pretty nice, and they've a little bit of everything. I especially love their medieval works. http://www.metmuseum.org/

If you are into religious artifacts of medieval times, may I also suggest The Cloisters? http://www.metmuseum.org/Works_Of_Art/department.asp?dep=7

There is always the Empire State Building -- a lovely art deco building, now once more the tallest in NYC. It's starred in the original King Kong (it was the building he climbed) and was blown up in Independence Day. :p http://www.esbnyc.com/index2.cfm?CFID=13043918&CFTOKEN=17732464

You may wish to visit Broadway while here; a good place to get discount tickets is at the TKTS booth. http://timessquare.nyctourist.com/broadway_tkts.asp You'll have to be very flexible about what you want to see, so have several shows in mind.

Planet Hollywood, Hard Rock Cafe, Harley Davidson Cafe.... I'd skip these, honestly. Very loud, and very mediocre food -- in other words, tourist traps. However, if you feel the desire to hit a theme restaurant, this one is fun. I'd stick strictly to burgers and other simple fare, though -- the one time I went for dinner with friends it was disappointing. http://www.jekyllandhydeclub.com/splash_eerie.html