University of Georgia

Getting Around Washington, DC

Public transportation in Washington is outstanding with extensive rail and bus services.

Getting To and From Washington, DC

  • Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport – Reagan Airport is by far the closest airport to Delta Hall. It is less than 20 minutes away by car and less than 40 by Metro via the Yellow Line Train.
  • Dulles International Airport – Dulles Airport is the second and the larger of DC’s two main airports. Located near Ashburn, Virginia, Dulles is about 45 minutes away by car and an hour and a half by Metro via the Silver Line Train.
  • Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport – DC is also accessible through Baltimore’s primary airport. BWI is 45 minutes away by car and one hour away by MARC
  • Union Station – Union Station is DC’s primary light rail hub, linking the District with the MARC, VRE, and AMTRAK passenger rail systems. Located only a ten-minute walk from Delta Hall, it lies along the Metro’s Red Line Train and provides easy access to the other Metro lines.

DC Neighborhoods

Delta Hall is in the 19th century neighborhood adjacent to the U.S. Capitol known as Capitol Hill. Pierre L’Enfant, designer of Washington, selected this area’s high ground as the ideal location for the city’s capitol building. In addition to this area, which has lots of areas to explore, there are many interesting neighborhoods throughout the city.

  • Downtown, located between the Capitol and White House north of Pennsylvania Avenue, is a newly revitalized district with the Convention and MCI Centers, theaters, restaurants, hotels, and stores
  • Dupont Circle is a vibrant neighborhood adjacent to downtown and is home to many shops, restaurants, and private art galleries
  • Georgetown, located west of Dupont Circle, is a famous district that is partially residential and partly commercial – it is home to Georgetown University and a hugely popular nightlife, restaurant, and shopping area
  • Adams Morgan is northeast of Dupont Circle up 18th Street and is famous for its eclectic nightlife and its wide array of ethnic eateries
  • Kalorama, located northwest of Dupont Circle along Massachusetts Avenue’s Embassy Row (Washington’s ambassadorial quarter), is full of beautiful mansions and handsome town houses
  • Foggy Bottom, south of Dupont Circle, is home to George Washington University, the Kennedy Center, and many international organizations, including the World Bank and the U.S. Department of State
  • Cleveland Park and Woodley Park comprise the Connecticut Avenue Corridor, which is home to many shops and restaurants – the National Zoo and Washington National Cathedral are found in these neighborhoods.
  • Alexandria, Virginia, with its beautiful water-front Old Town, is a historically preserved district with tons of shopping and nightlife, easily accessible by the Metro.

Performing Arts and Entertainment

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, with six theaters and several galleries, is the dominant performing arts organization in the city and a leading authority on the nation’s arts and culture. The Kennedy Center hosts a wide variety of local, national, and international troupes and performers in over 3,300 performances a year, and you can find enjoy exhibitions of opera, symphonies, jazz, ballet, dance, theater, film, chamber music, comedy, and celebratory festivals. Depending on availability, students can obtain half-price tickets. Additionally, free performances are offered Wednesday through Sunday at 6:00 PM at the Millennium Stage of the Grand Foyer.

  • Capital One Arena – This arena in Penn Quarter hosts the Washington Wizards and the Washington Capitals, as well as a variety of concerts, skating shows, and other events.
  • National Theater – Just off the National Mall, the National Theater is a historic downtown theater that often shows Broadway musicals.
  • Warner Theater – Across the street from the National Theater is the Warner, a theater that hosts a variety of stage productions, films, and concerts, as well as the ceremony for the Library of Congress’ Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.
  • Ford’s Theater – The theater where President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, Ford’s Theater serves as a museum and performance venue for historical productions.
  • Shakespeare Theatre – DC’s resident Shakespeare Company holds superb productions of plays by the Bard and other classic theater shows.
  • Arena Stage – Washington’s premier regional theater, the Arena emphasizes classics as well as major new works.
  • Studio Theatre – This small company focuses on challenging, contemporary productions.

Historic Sites and Monuments

  • The National Mall – Flanked by the U.S. Capitol and the White House, the National Mall is home to many of the nation’s most iconic monuments, including the Washington Monument, the Lincoln, Jefferson, and Roosevelt Memorials, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, and many more.
  • S. Capitol – The Capitol, its associated buildings, and the surrounding grounds are history in motion. Across the street, you can visit are the Library of Congress as well as the Supreme Court.
  • Arlington, Virginia also hosts many sites, especially Arlington National Cemetery with its memorials to veterans, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and Kennedy grave sites. The Pentagon is also nearby.

There are, of course, many other historic sites to visit:

  • National Archives – This is where the government preserves and displays key documents, such as the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
  • Bureau of Printing and Engraving – Also known as “The Mint”, the Bureau of Printing and Engraving oversees the creation of U.S. coins and banknotes.
  • Dumbarton Oaks – Founded by Robert and Margaret Bliss, Dumbarton Oaks is a Harvard-affiliated research institute and museum dedicated to the humanities. It contains notable collections of Byzantine and Pre-Columbian art, as well as elaborate gardens.
  • Hillwood Museum and Garden – Hillwood Estate, once owned by Marjorie Merriweather Post, is a museum and garden dedicated to the decorative
  • Tudor Place Historic House – This historic home was once owned by the descendants of Martha Washington.
  • The Octagon House – Built in 1799, this is one of the oldest homes in the District. It is now dedicated to architecture and design.
  • Washington National Cathedral – The site of many of Washington’s major political-religious ceremonies, the National Cathedral is a beautiful Episcopalian cathedral built in the neo-gothic style. It houses many religious murals, a stone from Mount Sinai, and gargoyles and grotesques dedicated to pop culture figures.
  • Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception – Located on the campus of Catholic University, this neo-Byzantine Basilica is the largest Catholic church in America.
  • S. Naval Observatory – Located in the far northwest corner of DC, the Naval Observatory is one of the Navy’s main scientific research stations. The campus is also home to Number One Observatory Circle, the residence of the Vice President.
  • Mount Vernon – A few miles up the Potomac River, you can visit George Washington’s mansion and estate.

Museums and Galleries

The Smithsonian Institution is a collection of museums that offers one of the most comprehensive bodies of art and artifacts in the world. All Smithsonian museums are free and open to the public.

Find the following websites of your choice through the Smithsonian Map:

  • Anacostia Community Museum – Built in the Anacostia neighborhood, the ACM was the first federally funded community museum. It focuses on the history and culture of the historically black Anacostia neighborhood.
  • National Museum of Asian Art – This museum houses the country’s foremost galleries of Asian art dating from the Neolithic to the present.
  • Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden – Lovingly-termed “The Concrete Donut”, the Hirshhorn holds modern art from the post-WWII period.
  • National Air and Space Museum – This museum houses artifacts from America’s aviation and space programs.
  • National Museum of African Art – Complete with highlights like the Benin Bronzes and the Walt Disney-Tishman African Art collection, this museum preserves artworks from across the African continent.
  • National Museum of American History – This museum is famous for artifacts like the Star-Spangled Banner and Dorothy’s ruby slippers.
  • National Museum of the American Indian – The NMAI highlights the history, art, and culture of the Indigenous Peoples of North America.
  • National Museum of Natural History – This museum is dedicated to telling the story of life on Earth, complete with dinosaur fossils, massive gemstones, ancient Egyptian mummies, Easter Island Moai, and the remains of the earliest humans.
  • National Portrait Gallery – Located off the Mall near Chinatown, the NPG is devoted to American artists’ explorations of portraiture. Housing a diverse, exciting collection, it is most famous for its collection of portraits of the American Presidents.
  • National Postal Museum – Next door to Union Station, within the grand structure that was once the National Post Office, is the National Postal Museum. Here, you can learn about the technology behind mail delivery, view some of the nation’s rarest stamps, and begin your own stamp collection.
  • National Zoo – Located in Northwest DC, the National Zoo is home to many animals including elephants, lions, tigers, gorillas, and bison. The Zoo also often houses Giant Pandas, and it will receive two new ones before the end of the year.
  • American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery – The Smithsonian American Art Museum shares a space with the National Portrait Gallery and highlights work of all styles made by American artists. The Renwick Gallery is opposite the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue and houses unique exhibitions of quaint folk art and cutting-edge modernism.

Not all of Washington’s great museums are associated with the Smithsonian:

  • Newseum – This museum explores the history of news and reporting. It features amazing artifacts like a chunk of the Berlin Wall and a piece from the original World Trade Center.
  • S. Holocaust Memorial Museum – The Holocaust Memorial Musuem examines and pays tribute to the victims of the Nazi Regime’s systematic genocide of 6 million European Jews.
  • National Building Museum – This museum celebrates architecture, design, city planning, and engineering.
  • International Spy Museum – The Spy Museum is one of DC’s most well-regarded museums, featuring fascinating information about spies and interactive exhibits designed to give visitors a chance to practice some spy-craft of their own.

 

DC is also home to some of the best art museums in the nation:

  • National Gallery of Art – Located on the National Mall alongside the Smithsonian Museums, the National Gallery of Art is one of the largest museums in North America. With its collection spread across two wings, the West Building spotlights classical art, and the East Building displays modern art. The National Gallery houses monumental collections of some of the world’s finest art, including the only DaVinci in North America.
  • The Phillips Collection – Nestled between office buildings and embassies in Dupont Circle, The Phillips Collection, founded in 1921 by Duncan and Marjorie Phillips, is America’s first modern art museum. It is one of the country’s best small galleries and home to some great impressionist works.
  • National Museum of Women in the Arts – This elegant museum is the world’s first intended to highlight the artistic contributions of women across history. It houses the only Frida Kahlo painting in Washington, DC.
  • Kreeger Museum of Modern Art – Located in the former home of Carmen and David Lloyd Kreeger, this museum is dedicated to modern art from the 1850s to the present.

 

Sports

 

  • Washington Commanders – The Commanders are the DC area’s NFL franchise. They play their home games at Commanders Field in Landover, Maryland, and they have won three Super Bowls, most recently in 1991.
  • Washington Wizards – The Wizards are Washington’s NBA team. They play their home games in Capital One Arena in Penn Quarter, and they won the NBA championship in 1978.
  • Washington Nationals – As DC’s MLB franchise, the Nats play their home games at Nationals Park in Navy Yard. They won the World Series in 2019 in an improbable upset.
  • Washington Capitals – The Caps are the DC area’s NHL team. They play their home games at Capital One Arena, and they won the Stanley Cup in 2018.
  • Washington Mystics – As Washington’s WNBA team, the Mystics play their home games at Entertainment and Sports Arena in Congress Heights. They won the WNBA championship in 2019.
  • DC United – DC United is the Washington area’s professional men’s soccer club. They play home matches at Audi Field in Buzzard’s Point, and they have won 4 MLS Cups, most recently in 2004.
  • Washington Spirit – The Washington Spirit are DC’s professional women’s soccer club. They play home matches at Audi Field, and they won the NWSL Championship in 2021.

 

Live Music

 

  • 9:30 Club – This 1,200-seat club is DC’s most iconic live music venue. With deep roots in the District’s go-go and hardcore punk scenes, the 9:30 is DC culture, history, and entertainment all in one place.
  • The Anthem – Designed to resemble the 9:30 Club, this small arena seats up to 6,000 and hosts shows by big-name artists.
  • Pearl Street Warehouse – This small venue in the Wharf focuses on country and blues artists. They also have a full-service kitchen.
  • Black Cat – Partially-owned by Dave Grohl of Nirvana and Foo Fighters, the Black Cat spotlights independent musicians from the DC area and around the world.

 

DC Food Scene

 

Capital Classics:

  • Ben’s Chili Bowl – Pick up a Half-Smoke hot dog at Washington, DC’s most famous eatery. Ben’s iconic storefront is a fixture of the U Street neighborhood and a symbol of DC culture at-large.
  • Duke’s Grocery – This DC institution with locations across the Capital offers brunch, burgers, and other sandwiches.
  • Old Ebbitt Grill – DC’s oldest restaurant is renowned for its cold seafood bar, but also features traditional American dinners and luxurious breakfasts.
  • We, the Pizza – Also on Pennsylvania Avenue, We the Pizza is the best spot in Capitol Hill to grab a New York slice or pie. They also mix their own unique sodas.

 

Food Halls:

  • Eastern Market – Though perhaps best known for its outdoor stands and farmer’s market, Eastern Market is also home to The Market Lunch, a no-frills lunch counter offering pancake breakfasts and their famous “The Brick” sandwich. In the afternoons, they serve some of Capitol Hill’s best fried fish.
  • The Roost – One of DC’s trendiest food halls, the Roost offers options in Italian cuisine, tacos and homemade dumplings.
  • Union Market – In addition to shopping and entertainment options, Union Market is one of DC’s premier food halls. They feature pizzerias, seafood restaurants, Korean barbecue, Latin cuisine, innovative spots for American staples, and trendy coffee shops.

 

Bagels, Delis, and Coffee:

  • Buffalo & Bergen – Home of DC’s most monumental bagel sandwiches, as well as knishes and lunch fare, Buffalo & Bergen is located two blocks west of Delta Hall.
  • Bullfrog Bagels – This Capitol Hill fixture serves fresh, hand-rolled bagels and coffee.
  • Call Your Mother – This spot for bagels and sandwiches roasts its own coffee beans to deliver one of DC’s best cups of coffee.
  • Jacob’s Coffee House – Just two blocks east and one block north of Delta Hall is Jacob’s, a favorite stop for WSP students for coffee, bagels, and muffins.
  • Mangialardo’s – Located in Southeastern DC, this family-owned Italian deli serves hot and cold sandwiches.

 

Other Staff Picks:

  • All-Purpose Pizza – Find authentic Jersey-style pizza at All-Purpose, with locations in Navy Yard and Shaw.
  • District Taco – Located a few blocks from Delta Hall on Pennsylvania Avenue, District Taco serves tacos, burritos, bowls, and quesadillas.
  • Ethiopic – This restaurant serves exciting Ethiopian lamb, beef, and chicken dishes, as well as several vegetarian options. They also have sampler plates for guests interested in the full breadth of their menu.
  • Falafel Inc – Offering a straightforward menu, fresh ingredients, and a guarantee that no item will cost more than $6, Falafel Inc serves an excellent lunch.
  • Founding Farmers – Located in Foggy Bottom and majority-owned by American farmers, this restaurant serves traditional, made-from-scratch, American fare.
  • Indigo – Located in the H Street Corridor, Indigo offers Indian staples and fresh-baked roti flatbread.
  • Ted’s Bulletin – This Eastern Market fixture serves elevated American fare. In addition to lunches and dinners, they offer all-day breakfast and make their own pop-tarts.

 

Grocery Stores

  • Giant Foods – Located on H Street, Giant is one of the closest and most affordable options for grocery shopping. They also have an excellent bakery.
  • Trader Joe’s Eastern Market – Located on Pennsylvania Avenue, Trader Joe’s is another nearby and affordable option for students. Its prices are very similar to a Trader Joe’s in Georgia.
  • Trader Joe’s Union Market – For those students who especially enjoy brown paper bags, Union Market houses an excellent Trader Joe’s location. Compared to the one in Capitol Hill, it it bigger and has a larger selection of products.
  • Capitol Hill Super Market – Only two blocks west of Delta Hall, Capitol Hill Super Market is a small grocery store with limited, but reasonable, selection. Students pay a price for the convenience, but they have excellent produce and a good deli counter.
  • Harris-Teeter – The nearest Harris-Teeter is in NoMa. They have a wide selection of groceries and a robust kitchen.
  • Whole Foods – Located on H Street, Whole Foods offers a wide selection of healthy foods and vegetarian/vegan options.
  • Safeway – The nearest Safeway is southeast of Delta Hall on D Street SE. They have a wide selection of groceries and are another fine option for shopping.

 

Pharmacies

  • Grubb’s Pharmacy – Located only a few blocks south of Delta Hall, Grubb’s is DC’s oldest pharmacy. They fill prescriptions and offer routine vaccinations.
  • CVS Pharmacy – Pennsylvania Avenue NE, Capitol Hill – This is the closest CVS to Delta Hall, and it provides a limited selection of over-the-counter pharmaceuticals and personal care items. They also have vaccine and prescription services.
  • CVS Pharmacy – First Street NE, NoMa – This CVS is larger and has a much wider selection in its marketplace. It also has a more robust clinic.
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