Yeah, I know.  You’ve all been there, fought the crowds and the crowds won, and seen everything on the Mall. Try going off the path for a change.

What we do: The Phillips which has Renoir’s Luncheon of the Boating Party; Woodrow Wilson’s House; Old Town Alexandria; The Building Museum; and lots of other nifty stuff. For years we have arrived at the Capitol steps at 3:30PM or so on July 4th with an umbrella, water, fruit, and books, and waited along with 500,000 of our closest friends for the greatest fireworks show on earth.  It’s hot, but worth it.

If You Go: For access to the Capitol, Union Station and great pubs, stay at the Phoenix Park Hotel.  Must dining: The Tabard Inn (near Dupont Cirlce) the scruffiest and coolest hotel in the world and featured in the novel The Pelican Brief; the Washington Hotel (for the best view in town); Sequoia, and the Old Ebbitt (for the raw bar).

Capitol Steps July 4, 1995

Folger Shakespeare Library

Library of Congress Reading Room

Remodeled Botanic Gardens, July 2002

Carmella and Miss DC, 2002

Outdoor sculpture garden near the National Gallery of Art

Historic Old Ebbitt near the White House has a fabulous raw bar, and friendly atmosphere

Replica of Titanic at the National Geographic Headquarters

Lunch at Sequoia on the Potomac in Georgetown.