Washington, D.C. City Guide (Maxwell Undergraduate Semester)

Students participating in the Maxwell-in-Washington program can find in-depth information on directions, transportation, language study options, safety and security in DC as well as tips on surviving the high cost of DC, events around town and the lowdown on the Woodley Park area on the DC program's Blackboard for the semester. 

Life in the Nation's Capital

Washington DC is a large international and multi-cultural city embedded with thriving ethnic pockets. As home to hundreds of embassies, DC has an international flair with cultural events and festivals celebrating traditions from around the world. There is always something to do in DC with events, concerts, museums and parks to explore throughout the city. Its reputation as a transient city is palpable with a population ranging from students to scholars and politicians, merging an eclectic mix of individuals from every country, background and status, jumbled into one bustling city housing the nation’s greatest and most powerful leaders. 

Washington, DC is America's number one tourist destination and has terrific recreational opportunities. For starters, there's the Mall with its monuments, free concerts, craft fairs, parades, festivals, kite flying contests, and more. 

 The Smithsonian Institution combines 18 different museums, including Air & Space, the Holocaust Museum and the National Zoo. 

In the Woodley Park and Adams Morgan neighborhoods there are scores of art galleries, theaters, concert halls plus many movie houses. For special events each week in DC, please refer to the Washington Post's Weekend section.   

Young singles set the pace in Washington--which makes for a bustling nightlife and bar scene. For Washington nightlife, and other local activities see The Washington Post and The City Paper.   

 Woodley Park itself has great ethnic restaurants and sidewalk cafes, and there are 200 more within walking distance. If you're an outdoor person, Rock Creek Park passes through Woodley Park and it's well-maintained bike path leads 25 miles up to a scenic lake in Maryland or 20 miles down along the Potomac River to Mount Vernon.   

You can also rent a canoe at the Georgetown waterfront or play volleyball on the Mall.  In fact, there are many team sports played on the Mall including volleyball, ultimate frisbee, kickball, and flag football. To find out more information on how to join a team, visit Volo City. 

 You can also jog, hike or bike the C&O Canal towpath that runs 185 miles from Georgetown to Cumberland, Maryland, or the Capital Crescent Trail, a old train track that has been converted to a paved trail that runs from Georgetown up through Silver Spring, MD. 

Within a few hours drive from DC are Baltimore and Annapolis, as well as Shenendoah National Park, the  and Antietam battlefields and other great side trips.   

 Other Washington, D.C. Resources on the Web:
 Washington, DC Convention and Visitors Association
 The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts ... concerts and more
 Washington, DC Department of Parks and Recreation ... the great outdoors
 Glen Echo Park ... dance the night away or take an art class
 List of farmers' markets in DC ... the best produce around

For more information contact maxwellindc@maxwell.syr.edu.