DK Travel : Washington, D.C.

A symbol of democracy the world over and the seat of American government, Washington, D.C. confronts visitors with stirring icons and monuments at every turn. This sparkling self-styled city on the Potomac River is full of marble and light, with beautiful landscaping touches and centuries-old architecture. Built on top of former swampland, Washington was deliberately designed into quadrants, with the US Capitol at its hub. Its many unmissable sights provide unparalleled access to the workings of government, internationally famed museums with priceless exhibits, and the cultural and spiritual foundations of the city and the nation.

Dumbarton Oaks

Magnificent trees, including ancient oaks, soar above the park and gardens surrounding this historic Federal-style house. Designed by Beatrix Jones Farrand, the gardens range from formal to more casual settings. From March to October they are ablaze with wisteria, roses, lilies, perennial borders, and chrysanthemums. Pools and fountains tie the verdant ensemble together (see Dumbarton Oaks Museum and Gardens).
Dumbarton Oaks

The collections of Byzantine and Pre-Columbian art here are among the most important in the world. The elegant Federal-style house was the site of the 1944 meetings that ultimately led to the founding of the United Nations. The galleries are closed until 2007 (see Dumbarton Oaks Museum and Gardens).
Dumbarton Oaks Museum and Gardens

This elegant Federal-style house, with its Philip Johnson-designed wing, houses a world-renowned collection of Byzantine and pre-Columbian artifacts. El Greco’s Visitation is here also, possibly the Spanish master’s last painting. The house and museum are surrounded by acres of gorgeous landscaping (see Dumbarton Oaks).
East Capitol Street Guest House

Affordable, comfortable, and convenient, this turn-of-the-century town-house is an easy walk to the Library of Congress, the Supreme Court Building, and the Folger Shakespeare Theater.
Eastern Market

Completed in 1873, Eastern Market has been an important element in the history of Capitol Hill. Designed by a prominent local architect, Adolph Cluss, in an Italianate style, the market symbolized the urbanization of the city at the end of the Civil War. Since then, it has served as a meeting place for residents, and recently as a focal point in the revitalization of the area. The market has been repeatedly threatened with closure.
Eastern Market

The market is an appetizing source of picnic provisions any day of the week and a swarming carnival of all kinds of arts and crafts vendors on weekends. The big Eastern Market Flea Market is across 7th Street, SE, on Saturdays. Several shops – notably a vintage clothing store and an antiques dealer – and cafés are also located on the same block. On the Eastern Market side of the street (west side) between the market and Pennsylvania Avenue, SE are several shops selling toys and children’s items, books, art and prints, imported goods from Asia and South America.
Eastern Market

Weekends are the time to visit to take in the crafts and farm produce stalls.
Ebenezer United Methodist Church

The first congregation of African-American Methodists and Episcopals in Washington. It also became home to the first public school for black children after the Emancipation Proclamation.
Eisenhower Executive Office Building

The extravagant decoration is a favorite with architecture buffs.
Eisenhower Executive Office Building

This is another Second Empire building, but on a mammoth scale. Many people consider its highly embellished style and daunting proportions – 300,000 sq ft (27,871 sq m) of office space on five stories – to be magnificent, but Mark Twain called it “the ugliest building in America.” The Departments of State, Navy, and War were housed here on its completion in 1888. Today it is home to offices for executive branch employees and the vice president.

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