Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Upper Northwest DC
The far reaches of northwest DC are primarily made up of leafy residential neighbor-
hoods.
National Zoo ZOO
( www.nationalzoo.si.edu ; 3001 Connecticut Ave NW; 10am-6pm Apr-Oct, to 4:30pm Nov-Mar;
Cleveland Park, Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan) Home to more than 2000 indi-
vidual animals (400 different species) in natural habitats, this 163-acre zoo is famed for
giant pandas Mei Xiang and Tian Tian. Other highlights include: the African lion pride;
the Asian trail, with red pandas and giant Japanese salamander; and dangling orangutans
swinging 50ft overhead from steel cables and interconnected towers (the 'O Line').
Washington National Cathedral CHURCH
( 202-537-6200; www.nationalcathedral.org ; 3101 Wisconsin Ave NW; suggested donation $5;
10am-5:30pm Mon-Fri, to 4:30pm Sat, 8am-5pm Sun; 32, 37) This Gothic cathedral, as dra-
matic as its European counterparts, blends both the spiritual and the profane in its archi-
tectural treasures. The stained-glass windows are stunning (check out the Space Window
with its imbedded lunar rock), and you'll need binoculars to spy the Darth Vader gar-
goyle on the exterior. Specialized tours delve deeper into the esoteric; call or go online
for the schedule.
Anacostia
The drive from Georgetown eastbound to Anacostia takes about 30 minutes - and the pa-
tience to endure a world of income disparity. The neighborhood's poverty in contrast to
the Mall, sitting mere miles away, forms one of DC's (and America's) great contradictory
panoramas. Some high end condos have sprung up around Nationals, the baseball stadi-
um for the home team Washington Nationals.
Yards Park PARK
( www.yardspark.org ; 355 Water St SE; 7am to 2hr past sunset; Navy Yard) This lovely park
is located on the north side of Anacostia near Nationals Park. It's one of the city's newer
bits of sculpted public space, with a wooden boardwalk, excellent river views, a funky
modernist bridge that looks like a giant, open-faced plastic straw, and a mini-tidal pool
that is very popular with local families, especially on summer evenings.
 
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