A Few Top Spots in Our Nation’s Capital
Make your next trip to Washington, DC extra special by visiting Old Ebbitt Grill, the National Cathedral, our US Capitol, and the intriguing International SPY Museum. Obviously, there are numerous great attractions in Washington, DC. These four are good starters to build an itinerary that fits your personal interests and time available.
Old Ebbitt Grill, Just a Block from the White House
Just a block east of the White House, Old Ebbitt Grill is one of the oldest eateries in Washington, DC, and is an iconic landmark that has fed locals, visitors, and politicians for generations. Famous for its seafood, raw oyster bar, classic American menu, and distinguished clientele, it is Washington, D.C.’s oldest continuously operating saloon and restaurant, founded in 1856.
Old Ebbitt Grill is so popular it actually ranks number 4 in annual sales nationwide among high-grossing independent restaurants in the United States. Julie enjoyed her Faroe Island Salmon Niçoise Salad with potatoes, haricot vert, soft-boiled egg, baby greens, oven-dried cherry tomatoes, olives, and dijon vinaigrette. I was equally happy with my Novia Scotia Halibut, a moist fillet with saffron-fennel purée, confit fennel and orange salad, crispy pee wee potatoes, and orange beurre blanc sauce.
The Victorian interior features rich dark woods, stylish leather booths, gas-style lighting, and a grand antique clock above the revolving front doors. The eclectic, museum-like decor includes an impressive collection of antique firearms, historical political memorabilia, and mounted animal heads – some claimed to have been bagged by President Teddy Roosevelt.
Old Ebbitt Grill has earned its reputation with consistently outstanding food and drinks served in an elevated surrounding by friendly professionals. Whether you are a state senator serving your country or an ordinary citizen visiting our nation’s capital, you’ll be impressed by this iconic landmark just a block from the White House.
National Cathedral, Highest Point in DC
The Washington National Cathedral is a cathedral of the Episcopal Church located in Northwest Washington, DC. Construction began in 1907, when President Theodore Roosevelt helped lay the foundation stone, and it was completed 83 years later, when President George H. W. Bush oversaw the laying of the final stone atop the towers in 1990.
The many stained-glass windows are impressive, including the Space Window with an actual Moon Rock embedded in the glass and the Creation Rose Window on the west side. In addition to the main sanctuary, there are several intriguing crypts in the lower level. I especially enjoyed the Bethlehem Chapel and the Resurrection Crypt. The colorful mosaics, including one depicting Christ emerging from the tomb on Easter, really stood out in the Resurrection Crypt. Notable people buried in the crypts include President Woodrow Wilson, Helen Keller, and Annie Sullivan.
We caught the elevator to the Pilgrim Observation Gallery, situated about three-quarters of the way up in the west-end towers to the seventh floor of the National Cathedral for an expansive view of the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area. Looking southeast, we could see the Washington Monument and other well-known landmarks in DC. In fact, the Gloria in Excelsis central tower of the cathedral reaches 676 feet above sea level, making it the highest point in Washington, D.C.
US Capitol, the Geographic Center of Washington DC
After making online reservations, I took the metro Red Line to Union Station, and then walked south by the renovated Columbus Circle statue on the short five minute trek to the US Capitol Visitor Center. I was excited about entering the US Capitol for the first time, where I was led on an informative one-hour tour of our nation’s Capitol.
Highlights included the amazing U.S. Capitol Rotunda, a massive 96-foot-wide circular and domed room located at the exact center of the U.S. Capitol. Historical paintings, statues, and artwork decorate the space. One of my favorite moments was looking up at the ceiling of the dome, which features a massive 4,664-square-foot painting titled The Apotheosis of Washington. This ceiling fresco painted by Constantino Brumidi in the Rotunda depicts George Washington flanked by liberty, victory, and 13 maidens representing the original colonies.
The U.S. Capitol Building is a masterpiece of history, architecture, and hidden secrets. Here are some fun facts about America’s iconic legislative seat:
• It has an empty tomb built for George Washington, but his family chose to respect his last wishes to be buried at his Mount Vernon estate.
• The original Capitol was burned down by British troops during the War of 1812. Only a sudden, torrential rainstorm saved the building from total destruction.
• Although the dome looks like solid marble from a distance, it is entirely made of cast iron.
• Despite the chaos and economic strain of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln insisted that completion of the dome served as a powerful symbol that the Union would endure.
International Spy Museum
The International Spy Museum is an independent non-profit history museum that documents the craft, history, and impact of the intelligence field and espionage. The Spy Museum contains many fascinating stories, artifacts, and exhibits that highlight the inner workings of international spies throughout history. The museum is easily assessable through the L’Enfant Plaza metro stop.
This fascinating attraction holds the largest public collection of international espionage artifacts in the world. Some of my favorites include:
• The “Kiss of Death” Lipstick Pistol: Although it looks just like a tube of lipstick, this unique firearm is a real single-shot 4.5mm pistol. This Lipstick Pistol was manufactured by the KGB during the Cold War.
• James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5: One of cinema’s most recognizable vehicles, the famous gadget-filled car from the James Bond film Goldfinger is a fan favorite, complete with revolving license plates and front-end machine guns.
• World War I Pigeon Cameras: Military forces in WWI did not have drones, but they had the next best thing. Ingenious military personnel would strap miniature, lightweight cameras onto pigeons to snap aerial reconnaissance photos of enemy positions.
I especially enjoyed an exhibit of a spy shoe equipped with a hidden microphone and transmitter. It reminded me of one of my favorite shows when I was a kid, when Agent 86, would “answer his shoe” on Get Smart. Many other items on exhibit were also reminiscient of gadgets made popular on Get Smart, James Bond movies, and other spy centered shows.
Fun in Washington, DC
Next time you come to Washington DC, be sure to add Old Ebbitt Grill, the National Cathedral, the US Capitol, and the SPY Museum to your itinerary. Read our article for more details at PlayStayEat.com.
Thanks to Old Ebbitt Grill, the National Cathedral, and the SPY Museum for hosting me. All opinions are my own.
