Getting Around DC
The RA Council has compiled the following information to encourage all of the students here to take advantage of DC.
To get to National Airport:
Take the GUTS bus or the MetroBus 38B to Rosslyn. Take the Blue line train towards Franconia-Springfield and get off at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport stop. Total trip time is 10 minutes once you are on the Metro. Total cost is $1.20 -$2.35.
To get to Dulles Airport:
Take the GUTS bus or the MetroBus 38B to Rosslyn. Take the 5A Dulles Airport bus. The bus comes roughly once an hour. Go to www.wmata.com for an exact schedule. Total trip time is 45 minutes once you are on the bus. Total cost is $2.50-$3.75.
To get to BWI:
Take the GUTS bus or MetroBus G2 to Dupont Circle. Take the red line towards Glenmont. Transfer to the Green line train at Gallery Pl-Chinatown. Take the Green line train to Greenbelt (last station on the line). Take the BWI Airport bus at Pier E. Total trip time is 35 minutes on Metro and 35 minutes on bus plus waiting time for transfers. Allow for about 1 hour 45 minutes travel time or more. Total cost is $3.85-$5.10.
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On weekdays and on Saturdays you can take the GUTS bus to Dupont Circle. You can also take the G2 Howard University metro bus that leaves from 37th and O street. Dupont Circle is also metro accessible, it is the Dupont Circle stop on the red line.
Things to do at Dupont
There is an array of restaurants to choose from. Some of the more popular ones include Raku (Asian fusion), Tomate (Italian), Buca de Beppo (Italian), Cosi (Cafe), Chipotle (Mexican), Wrapworks (wraps), Universal Pasta (Italian), Cafe Citron (Latin American and Caribbean), Cafe Japone (Japanese), Skewers (Middle Easrtern), Thaiphoon (Thai) and Penang (Malaysian). There is a great bakery called Firehook as well as a number of streetside cafes. There is a cinema on 19th street called Cineplex Odeon Dupont. There is also a Starbucks located on the circle. Other attractions include Kramer books and its cafe/bakery called Afterwords as well as a number of shops. The circle itself is a lively place most weekends with people playing chess or music as well as people relaxing in the grass.
To get to Adams Morgan
Take the G2 from the front gates to P St and 20th St in Dupont Circle. Transfer to the 42 Mount Pleasant Bus. Get off at 18th St. and Columbia Rd. Total trip time is about 30 minutes. Total cost is $1.20.
Things to do in Adams Morgan
- Variety of multi-ethnic restaurants and shops
- Live music at various restaurants and bars
- For those over 21, dance clubs, pool halls, and bars
- Go to www.adamsmorgan.net for more information.
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The Pentagon City Mall offers a world-class shopping experience with more than 170 fascinating stores and restaurants including Macy's, Nordstrom, Abercrombie & Fitch, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Bebe, Cole Haan, Coach, Crate & Barrel, J. Crew, Femme De Carriere, Jos. A. Bank Clothiers, Kenneth Cole, L'Occitane, MAC Cosmetics, Swarovski Crystal Gallery and Williams- Sonoma. The sky-lit Food Court features international specialties from the familiar to the exotic. Seven full-service restaurants also provide an additional selection of good food and atmosphere to make your trip complete.
Mall address
South Hayes Street and South 15th Street
directly off Route 1 Jefferson Davis Highway
Telephone (703) 415-2400
Hours
Mon to Sat 10:00am - 9:30pm Sun 11:00am - 6:00pm
Getting there
Take the Rosslyn GUTS bus or the 38B MetroBus to Rosslyn Metro Station and take the Blue Line to the Pentagon City Station. It is approximately a 6-minute metro ride. Take the escalator directly to The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City. The metro is $2.40 round trip, and metro tickets or passes can be bought at the Rosslyn station.
website for mall: http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=157
website for metro: The Ride Guide http://rideguide.wmata.com/
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2700 F Street, NW
Washington, DC 20566
Tickets and Information: 800-444-1324 or 202-467-4600
http://www.kennedycenter.org/visitor/directions.html
From Campus by Bus
Follow N Street to Wisconsin Avenue. At the intersection of Wisconsin and N, look for the Georgetown Inn. In front will be a sign for the bus stop. Take the blue bus, Georgetown Metro Connection, to Foggy Bottom Metro Stop. Alternatively, you can take the 30-38 MetroBuses to Washington Circle. From there, the Kennedy Center runs a red bus directly to the Center.
Georgetown Metro Connection buses leave every day, every 10 minutes Monday-Thursday: 7 a.m. - midnight Friday: 7 a.m. - 2 a.m. Saturday: 8 a.m. - 2 a.m. Sunday: 8 a.m. - midnight Fares are inexpensive $1.00 one way
By Taxi
This is bit more expensive, but a sure way to arrive at your destination! According to the Kennedy Center website, "a taxi dispatcher is available to signal cabs and assign patrons from 6:30 p.m. (3:30 p.m. on matinee days) until 30 minutes after the end of the last performance, and taxis queue in the Plaza each evening to serve patrons. Look for the uniformed dispatcher at the Hall of States entrance (on all performance days) and Hall of Nations entrance (on Concert Hall and Opera House performance days)".
There are four ways to purchase tickets to Kennedy Center performances:
Online: http://www.kennedy-center.org/tickets
At the box office: The central Box Office for all theaters is located in the Kennedy Center's Hall of States. Box Office hours are Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., and Sundays and holidays, noon-9 p.m. by phone through instant-charge
Tickets may be charged by phone through Instant-Charge at (202) 467-4600 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. The toll- Free number is (800) 444-1324 or call (202) 416-8524. There is a 9.5% service charge for phone orders. Instant-Charge accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Diners Club. Tickets ordered by phone at least 14 days in advance will be mailed, or may be picked up at the Box Office at your request. You must show your credit card when picking up your tickets.
By mail: Tickets for Kennedy Center performances usually go on sale about two months before the engagement begins. For more information about ticket sales call (202) 467-4600 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
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http://www.spymuseum.org/
1. Walk to the Leavey Center and take the GUTS bus or the MetroBus 38B to Rosslyn Metro Station. Once dropped off, walk to the Rosslyn Metro stop. The GUTS bus is free and the MetroBus is $1.25.
2. Take the Orange or Blue Line to the Metro Center. The travel time to the Metro Center is 7 minutes and the fare is $1.20 one-way and $2.40 round trip.
3. Once you arrive at the Metro Center, take a short walk to 800 F Street located between 8th and 9th Street.
4. Tickets are $13 and can be purchased in advance through TicketMaster. Last Admission: 7pm April - October and 5pm November - March
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http://www.verizoncenter.com/
1. Walk to the Leavey Center and take the GUTS bus to Rosslyn. Alternatively, you can take the 38B from M Street. Once dropped off, walk to the Rosslyn Metro stop. The GUTS bus is free and the MetroBus is $1.25.
2. Take the Orange or Blue Line that heads to the Metro Center. The travel time to the Metro Center is 7 minutes and the fare is $1.20 one-way and $2.40 round trip.
3. At the Metro Center, take the Red Line to the Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro stop. The travel time to the Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro stop is 1 minute and the fare is $1.20 one-way and $2.40 round trip. The Metro stop is located directly underneath the MCI Center located at 601 F Street, NW
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Two best ways to get to Friendship Heights:
- Take GUTS to Dupont, take metro from Dupont (Redline) to Friendship Heights station (for Cheesecake factory: when you exit the metro, go up the stairs to the mall-you'll actually be in the mall where the restaurant is)
- Take any of the 30 buses heading up Wisconsin Ave. away from M. St.and get off when you see the restaurant or Gallerie
- Both cost 1.20 each way for metrotrain and MetroBus
Mazza Gallerie
This mall is an upscale shopping mall at Friendship Heights.. Mostly more expensive stores (Williams and Sonoma, Neiman Marcus, etc.,), but also has movie theater. It is right down the street from cheesecake, so you get there the same way.
Store Hours Monday - Friday: 10am-8pm Saturday: 10am-7pm Sunday: 12pm-5pm
List of Stores http://www.mazzagallerie.net/store_list.php3
Cheesecake Factory
Average cost of meal at Cheesecake Factory (entree + dessert)=$15-25
Website: http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/locations.htm and then just choose DC location
Hours Monday - Thursday 11:30 am - 11:30 pm; Friday & Saturday 11:30 am - 12:30 am; Sunday 10:00 am - 11:00 pm
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The Fun Side of the Potomac
http://www.funside.com/
A Sampling of What To Do
- Waterfront and boardwalk (1 Prince Street)
- Bullfeathers (112 King St., 703/836-8088 Virginia's best steak, prime rib, voted "Best Burger." Mon-Sun 11:30am-2am.) Champs Elysees (115 S. Union St., 703/684-9200.
- Handbags, hats and accessories at great prices, near the Old Town waterfront.)
The Virginia Shop (104 S. Union St., 703/836-3160 The best of Virginia, with unique gourmet foods, wines, arts and crafts.)
- Discovery Channel Store (118 King St., 703/549-1352 For everyone in your family, there is nothing like the gift of Discovery.)
- Finn & Porter (Mark Center, 5000 Seminary Rd., 703/379-2346 This brand-new restaurant specializes in steak, seafood and sushi. Features a chilled wine room with 1,000 bottles.)
- The Silver Parrot, Ltd. (113 King St., 703/549-8530 Extensive collection of handcrafted and contemporary jewelry from artisans all over the world. Open daily.)
- NuYu Salon & Spa (4907 Brenman Park Dr., 703/212-6752 Elegant, full-service salon in the lovely new Cameron Station development. )
- Bread & Chocolate (611 King St., 703/548-0992 Beautifully renovated, this European-inspired cafe serves breakfast all day, plus lunch and dinner. Famous for fresh bread and pastries.)
Transportation
Just hop on over to Rosslyn and catch the metro, either via the GUTS bus or the MetroBus 38B.
Alexandria is serviced by four convenient Metro stations: King Street (blue and yellow lines), Braddock Road (blue and yellow lines), Eisenhower Avenue (yellow line), Van Dorn (blue line). The fare is roughly $1.10, but could increase slightly during rush hour. From the King Street Metrorail Station to Old Town Alexandria's Market Square, jump aboard the Dash About Weekend Shuttle -- it's fun, it's easy and it's FREE! Shuttle Service Every 15 Minutes!
Shuttle Operations January - March: Friday No Service Saturday 10am-Midnight Sunday: 11am- 7pm April - December: Friday 7pm-Midnight Saturday 10am-Midnight Sunday 11am-10pm
Metro Hours of Operation Monday - Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday 5:30 a.m. to midnight 5:30 a.m. to 3a.m. 7:00 a.m. to 3a.m. 7:00 a.m. to midnight Rush Hours: Monday - Friday 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
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Is there another site in DC you think should be posted here? Please email us the site and, if you have them, best directions from campus.
