The Unofficial Guide to Washington, D.C.

List of Maps.

About the Author and Contributors.

Preface.

Introduction.

Welcome to Washington.

About This Guide.

Why "Unofficial"?

Creating a Guidebook.

How Unofficial Guides Are Different.

Special Features.

How This Guide Was Researched and Written.

Letters, Comments, and Questions from Readers.

How Information Is Organized: By Subject and by Location.

PART ONE: Planning Your Visit to Washington.

When to Go.

Gauging the Weather.

Gauging the Crowds.

A CALENDAR OF FESTIVALS AND EVENTS.

What to Pack.

Tips for International Travelers.

Travelers with Special Needs.

Getting to Washington.

Driving.

Taking the Train.

Taking the Bus.

Flying.

PART TWO: Accommodations.

Deciding Where to Stay.

Some Considerations.

Getting a Good Deal on a Room.

Special Weekend Rates.

Getting Corporate Rates.

The Internet Revolution.

Reservation Services.

Bed-and-Breakfasts.

Helping Your Travel Agent Help You.

If You Make Your Own Reservation.

How to Evaluate a Travel Package.

Tips for Business Travelers.

Lodging Convenient to Washington Convention Center.

Convention Rates: How They Work and How to Do Better.

Accommodations: Rated and Ranked.

What's in a Room?

Room Ratings.

How the Accommodations Compare.

Good Deals and Bad Deals.

HOTEL INFORMATION CHART.

PART THREE: Visiting Washington on Business.

Not All Visitors Are Headed for the Mall.

The Washington Convention Center.

Lodging within Walking Distance of the Convention Center.

Parking at the Convention Center.

Cabs and Shuttles to the the Convention Center.

Lunch Alternatives for Convention and Trade-show Attendees.

PART FOUR: Arriving and Getting Oriented.

Coming into the City.

By Car.

By Plane.

By Train.

By Bus.

A Geographic Overview of Washington.

City and Two States.

D.C.'s Street Plan.

Finding Your Way.

Things the Natives Already Know.

Where There's Smoke, There's the Feds.

News and Information.

Customs and Protocol.

The Neighborhoods.

Telephones.

Restrooms.

How to Avoid Crime and Keep Safe in Public Places.

Crime in Washington.

Having a Plan.

Personal Attitude.

Carjackings.

Ripoffs and Scams.

Help May Be Closer Than You Think.

The Homeless.

PART FIVE: Getting around Washington.

Driving Your Car: A Really Bad Idea.

Traffic Hot Spots.

Parking.

Riding the Metro: A Really Good Idea.

A Clean, Safe Alternative.

Parking at the Metro.

How to Ride the Metro.

Discounts and Special Deals.

Metro Foibles and How to Cope.

Metrobus and Other Bus Systems.

Taxis.

PART SIX: Sightseeing Tips and Tours.

Plan Before You Leave Home.

Thinking in Categories.

Putting Your Congressperson to Work.

Operating Hours.

Rhythms of the City.

If You Visit During Peak Tourist Season.

Getting Touring Info When in Washington.

Washington with Children.

The Best Inside Tours in Town.

Taking an Orientation Tour.

Get on the Bus, Gus.

Get Your Feet Wet.

Wheeling around Washington.

Wheels with Horsepower.

Hoofing It Yourself.

Get Up Close and Personal.

Optimum Touring Plan.

Touring Strategies.

Attractions Grouped by Metro Station.

Seeing Washington on a Tight Schedule.

Travel Tips.

PART SEVEN: Washington's Attractions.

Where to Go.

Time-saving Charts.

ATTRACTIONS BY TYPE.

ATTRACTIONS BY LOCATION.

The National Mall and Arlington Memorials.

Attraction Profiles.

Virginia Suburbs.

Excursions beyond the Beltway.

PART EIGHT: Dining and Restaurants.

Experiencing Washington Cuisine.

The New Washington Cookery.

Places to See Faces.

The Restaurants.

Our Favorite Washington Restaurants.

Up and Coming at Press Time.

RESTAURANTS BY CUISINE.

RESTAURANTS BY LOCATION.

The Best.

Restaurant Profiles.

PART NINE: Shopping in Washington.

Mall Shopping.

Suburban Malls.

Malls in D.C.

Flea Markets.

Great Neighborhoods for Window-Shopping.

Georgetown.

Adams-Morgan and MidCity.

Chevy Chase.

Dupont Circle.

Capitol Hill.

Specialty Shopping.

PART TEN: Entertainment and Nightlife.

Washington Nightlife: More Than Lit-up Monuments.

Legitimate Theater.

Nightlife Neighborhoods.

Live Pop, Rock, and Jazz.

Comedy in Washington.

Swing Your Partner.

Espresso and Eight-ball.

True Brews.

The Sex Thing.

More on the Safety Thing.

Profiles of Clubs and Nightspots.

PART ELEVEN: Exercise and Recreation.

Working a Workout into Your Visit.

Walking.

Running.

Swimming.

Fitness Centers and Aerobics.

Rock Climbing.

Recreational Sports.

Tennis.

Golf.

Bicycling.

Hiking.

Canoeing and Kayaking.

Ice Skating.

Skiing.

Horseback Riding.

Spectator Sports.

Baseball.

Basketball.

Football and Soccer.

Hockey and Racquet Sports.

Horse Racing.

Accommodations Index.

Restaurant Index.

Subject Index.

Unofficial Guide Reader Survey.