Erin Wright

Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. has a lot of going for it aside from the whole capital city, heart-of-the-nation thing. Add to that the iconic architecture, the fact that the district is home to some of the nation's most prestigious colleges and universities, and it houses perhaps the most famous address in the world – 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. To top it off, traveling 15 minutes north or south will take you an entirely different state.

Despite these attractions, the District of Columbia has had a reputation for being a hotbed of crime – and this is aside from the corrupt politicians. In past years, many neighborhoods have been characterized as gritty, at best, and dangerous at worst. Revitalization efforts, however, have breathed new life into many areas, making them more attractive destination for tourists who want a break from monument-hopping. There’s almost no part of Washington, D.C. that isn’t worth exploring. The question is, will you have time for it all? Probably not, so here are a few must-sees in some key neighborhoods.

Dupont Circle

At the center of this hip neighborhood is the public park within the traffic circle and the Dupont Memorial Fountain, designed by the same man who sculpted the Lincoln Memorial. Chock full of museums, bookstores and art galleries, this place was once the area for the political and business elite. After a brief period of decline, the neighborhood reinvented itself with a bohemian feel, gaining a reputation as a bohemian hangout and gay-friendly. Lambda Rising, the first gay bookstore in the District, is still a fixture.

At Kramerbooks & Afterwords, a 24-hour bookstore/café, one can start the day with blueberry pancakes and morning newspapers and end it with french fries and a novel. Explore Embassy Row and stop in on the Anderson House, the lavish home of former Ambassador Lars Anderson, which is now a museum of sorts. The most interest part of the exhibit? Murals of Anderson’s favorite motorcar tours of the city. Walking will work up an appetite, which can be appeased by any number of restaurants serving cuisine from all corners. Lounges are plentiful and get jumping after the sun goes down.

Foggy Bottom

This neighborhood west of downtown D.C. may have gotten its name from the swampy marsh that it rose from, or might’ve gotten it from the air pollution of industrial facilities that blanketed the area in a layer of smog. In any event, this is one of the oldest settlements in the District, and is preserved as an historical district. Much of its history is owed to the working-class residents who worked in the factories. Their narrow row homes are still standing, and the evidence of the African-American, Latin, German and Irish influence is evident in everything from churches to statues.

Now Foggy Bottom is the home of major institutions, such as the massive Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and the main campus of George Washington University. Visit the National Academy of Sciences and take a picture next to a statue of a beaming Albert Einstein. Drop in on the Renwick Gallery and peruse American decorative arts and crafts dating to the 19^th Century. And a trip to Foggy Bottom would not be complete without a visit to possibly the area’s most notorious landmark – the Watergate Complex.

Georgetown

More than just the home of a prestigious university, Georgetown has a reputation for being the place to shop. A visit to the Shops at Georgetown Park or the boutiques on M Street is in order, but an even better bet is to walk along the C and O canal or board a boat for a floating tour. Inspect pre-Columbian and Byzantine artifacts at Dumbarton Oaks. Movie buffs should not skip over the stretch of steps connecting Prospect to M Street, which was featured prominently in The Exorcist. The Old Stone House, part of Rock Creek Park, is one of the oldest known structures in the District and features a beautiful garden. O Street features streetcar tracks dating to the late 1800s.

Don’t leave the District Without …

• Skulking over to the International Spy Museum in the Penn Quarter neighborhood. If you love Bond movies and Spy vs. Spy cartoons, you’ll love the exhibits here, which include artifacts and spy stories from all over the world.

• Exploring Adams Morgan, a high-energy community where diversity reigns. Known locally as the heart of the Latino community, it is the home of residents of many different ethnicities, and it shows. Savor the sights, sounds and tastes. Also a great spot for some of the best Ethiopian food in town.

• Getting the best vegan chocolate-chip cookies around at Sticky Fingers bakery, which is planning a move from its Adams Morgan hideaway to a more visible location in Columbia Heights.

• Visiting Chinatown, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and the National Portrait Gallery.

• Taking at least one ride on the Metrorail system. Color-coded trains, easy-to-follow schedules, state-of-the-art ticketing. It’s public transportation at its best.