AIRLINE INFORMATION
You can find affordable flights into Baltimore (BWI), Dulles (IAD),
or Reagan National (DCA) from anywhere on all major airlines. Without
traffic, BWI and Dulles are about 45 minutes away by car. National
is 15 minutes by car, and also accessible by Metro.
AMTRAK
More than 50 trains arrive daily from the Northeast corridor and other
major cities. Depending on where you live, Amtrak may be a convenient
alternative to flying or driving. Car rentals, Metro, and taxis are
available at Union Station. You can also take Amtrak or MARC Rail
Penn Line between BWI airport and Union Station.
GROUND TRANSPORTATION
Car rental agencies are available at all three airports and at Union
Station. Taxi fare from Dulles or BWI should range from $50-$60 each
way. Taxis from National Airport should be $10-$15.
From Dulles, for $2 you can take Express Metrobus #5A to L’enfant
Plaza Metro (about a 40-minute ride-then connect to Orange, Yellow,
Blue, Green lines). Bus schedule at: www.metroopensdoors.com
METRO
Washington’s METRO subway is the easiest way to and from National
Airport, Union Station, and for getting around DC. One-way fares range
from $1.35 - $3.95 depending on distance and time of day (fares discounted
during midday and weekends). You can also purchase an unlimited one-day
pass for $6 (can not be used before 9:30am). Visit www.metroopensdoors.com
for more information.
METRO to the Crowne Plaza Hotel: The hotel is located
less than 2 blocks from the McPherson Square Metro (orange and blue
lines).
From National Airport, take Blue Line/Addison Road. Be mindful of
the train color, as the same platform also serves the Yellow Line.
Exit at McPherson Square and take the Franklin Square 14th St Exit.
Turn left onto 14th Street. Walk 2 blocks; the Crowne Plaza is on
your right, at the corner of K St.
From Union Station, take Red Line/ Shady Grove. Transfer at Metro
Center (lower level) to either Blue Line/Franconia or Orange Line/Vienna.
Take this train 1 stop to McPherson Square. Exit at the Franklin Square
14th St Exit. Turn Left onto 14th Street. Walk 2 blocks; the Crowne
Plaza is on your right, at the corner of K St.
METRO to the Howard University Campus: The Campus
is located on Georgia Avenue, 5 blocks North of the Shaw/Howard U
station on the Green line.
From National Airport, take Yellow Line/Mt. Vernon Sq. Get off at
L’enfant Plaza and switch to Green Line/Greenbelt (same platform,
same side). Take Green 4 stops to Shaw/Howard U.
From Union Station, take Red Line/Shady Grove. Transfer at Gallery
Pl/Chinatown (lower level) to Green Line/Greenbelt. Take Green 2 stops
to Shaw/Howard U.
VISITING WASHINGTON, DC
September is at the end of DC’s hot and humid summer season.
Expect the daytime high temperature to be about 80 with lows around
55. However, a late blast of summer heat, or an early chill down,
are both entirely possible. Below is a list of some favorite sites
to visit while in DC. Most are free, open to the public, and close
to a Metro stop. Attractions are grouped by location.
On the National Mall
1. White House / Washington Monument / Corcoran Gallery
2. Lincoln Memorial / Vietnam Memorial / Korean War Memorial / WWII
Memorial
3. Jefferson Memorial / Tidal Basin / FDR Memorial / Holocaust Museum
/ US Mint
4. Museum of American History / Museum of Natural History
5. National Gallery of Art East / NGA West / NGA Sculpture Garden
& Cafe
6. Air and Space Museum / Hirshhorn Museum / Smithsonian Castle /
African Art Museum
7. The Capitol / National Botanical Gardens / Supreme Court / Library
of Congress
Within a 15-minute walk from the Hotel
1. National Building Museum at Judiciary Square
2. Chinatown / MCI Center / 7th Street Shops and Galleries
3. Union Station / Postal Museum / Capital City Brewing Co.
4. Old Post Office Pavilion / Reagan International Trade Building
/ Freedom Plaza (12th & Penn.)
5. National Museum of Women in the Arts (3 blocks from hotel, at 13th
& H Streets)
Other places and sites off the Mall but definitely worth visiting:
Bethesda, Adams Morgan, Dupont Circle, National Zoo, Georgetown, U-Street.
Recommended restaurants: Lucky for you, DC is an
international, multiethnic city, making it the perfect location for
a conference on race and ethnicity. The following list complements
this fact:
$ Cottage Café (Ethiopian) 1322 U Street
$ Florida Avenue Grill (old-time Southern American) 1100 Florida Ave
$ Ben’s Chili Bowl (a long-time DC favorite) 1213 U Street
$ Potbelly Sandwiches (inexpensive, but very tasty sandwiches) 1400
New York Ave
$ Subway (sandwiches) 1444 Eye Street
$ Lei Garden (Chinese) 621 H Street, in Chinatown at 7th Street
$$ Café Asia (Asia fusion) 1720 Eye Street
$$ Capital Q (Barbeque) H Street, between 7th & 8th
$$ Coppi’s Organic (gourmet Pizzas and Italian specialties)
1414 U Street
$$ Andalé (modern Mexican) 401 7th St
$$ Louigino (Itlalian) 11th St and New York Ave.
$$ Capital City Brewery (burgers, chicken, sandwiches, and good beer),
11th St and New York Ave.
$$ Thai Tanic (moderately-priced Thai food) 1236 14th St
$$ Teaism (sushi/asian/tea/sandwiches/salads; an unusual place) 8th
and D St.
$$ Rice (Asian/Thai) 1608 14th St, near Logan Circle
$$$ Zaytinya (medeterranean/modern/trendy) 701 9th St
$$$ District Chophouse (steaks, burgers, salads, fish) 7th and E St
$$$ Café Atlantico (upscale seafood) 8th and D St
Or, try the cafeteria in either the National Gallery of Art or the
Museum of American History.
Or, venture out on the METRO to Dupont Circle (40+ restaurants) or
Bethesda (100+ restaurants)
Or, try Union Station, with several sit-down restaurants and a HUGE
food court.
Thanks to Seth Marcus, US Department of Housing and Urban Development,
for gathering this information
