Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
3. CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO CANAL
Like so many features of the area, the C&O Canal grew from a dream of George
Washington's as a gateway to commerce with the west (“west” meaning Ohio at the
time). Coal, flour, fur, timber, whiskey, iron ore, and other goods traveled on barges,
towed by mules walking along canalside paths. The canal's commercial days are over,
but its entire length from Georgetown to Maryland has been turned into one of the
most beloved national parks. Visitors˙ can experience the beauty and serenity of the
canal by walking about a block south from M Street, NW and turning west onto
the towpath. The National Park Service Visitor Center for the
C&O
has terrific guid-
ance for enjoying the canal. Guided tours and seasonal mule-powered barge rides
are offered.
Visitor Center • 1057 Thomas Jefferson St, NW • 202 653 5190 • Open
9am-4:30pm Wed-Sun; Closed winter
Google Map
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4. M STREET AND WISCONSIN AVENUE
This intersection is surrounded by the main shopping, entertainment, dining, and
bar-crawling areas of Georgetown. The attractive
shops surrounding Georgetown
Park
include retailers of cool urban clothes, jewelry, fine wine, gourmet foods, art
and antiques, and other specialties. Restaurant food of every description is available,
from modern gourmet to street window kebabs.
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5. N STREET
Little attractions and oddities abound on this street, which is noted for its exemplary
architecture. Best seen from the sidewalk on 28th Street, NW, the house at No. 2726
has an outstanding mosaic by Marc Chagall, a friend of the former owner. The el-
egant Federal house at No. 3038 was home to Ambassador Averell Harriman, who
lent the house to Jacqueline Kennedy after her husband's assassination. She later
bought the elaborate 1794 Thomas Beall house across the street. Lessons in 19th-cen-
tury architecture can be learned from the Federal houses at Nos. 3327 and 3339, the
Second-Empire home at No. 3025-7, and the Victorian homes of Wheatley Row at
Nos. 3041-45.
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