Capitol Hill Books: Browsing for Bibliophiles

Capitol Hill Books, a Washington D.C. institution, has a huge selection of used volumes and specializes in first edition and rare books. The store is composed of two labyrinth-like, floors that are packed with books. Even the closets and bathrooms have shelves filled with titles!

Capitol Hill Books is best utilized for browsing, specific title seekers could easily get overwhelmed by the miles of books. If you're looking for something specific, it's probably better to call ahead of time and give the staff plenty of time to locate your item.

Capitol Hill Books
657 C Street SE
Washington, DC 20003
(202) 544-1621
www.capitolhillbooks-dc.com
www.yelp.com/biz/capitol-hill-books-washington

An Impressive Collection of Used Books at Second Story Books & Antiques

Second Story Books & Antiques is Washington D.C.’s go to spot for items such as decorative leather bound books, the first edition of your favorite novel as well as collectable prints and maps. Together with its warehouse and sister store in Rockville, MD, they have over a million books for sale. Although their fiction section is small, they have a large non-fiction section with an impressive variety of art and coffee table books.

Unlike other area used book stores, their space is well-maintained and their inventory is carefully catalogued. You can search online or at the store for something specific, or just spend a few hours browsing their collection. Second Story Books & Antiques has a reputation for great sidewalk book sales, so don’t pass them by.

Second Story Books & Antiques also offers appraisal services on antique books.

Second Story Books & Antiques
2000 P Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 659-8884
www.secondstorybooks.com
www.yelp.com/biz/second-story-books-and-antiques-washington

Daughters of the American Revolution Museum: D.C. History

See American history through a new lens at Washington's Daughters of the American Revolution Museum. The museum features a wealth of information, with exhibits ranging from rare manuscripts and historic currencies to period fashions and military regalia. Exhibits of the personal effects of individuals who lived through some of the most turbulent eras of American history allow visitors a more intimate connection to the past.

The Daughters of the American Revolution Museum hosts frequent events such as public lectures, concerts, operas, and more. Be sure to get in on the action and make a trip to this fascinating piece of American history.

Daughters of the American Revolution Museum
1776 D Street NW
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 628-1776
www.dar.org/museum
www.yelp.com/biz/dar-museum-washington-2

Spruce Up Your Space With Gadgets From HomeRule

Spruce up your space with gadgets from HomeRule, honored with the Best Home Goods Store in the 2013 Washington City Paper’s Best of D.C. Readers’ Poll. They have everything from innovative items that are functional and useful, to the kind of items you know you don’t need, but love to have after you buy them.

Look for fun and functionality with everything from onion goggles to colorful, fun-shaped cleaning tools. HomeRule is a small store, so they are very selective about the products they carry, and all of them are high-quality and a great value.

Customers love the great smelling soaps and candles. Regular shoppers recommend browsing for a gift rather than setting out to shop with something in mind. You just never know what must-have item you might find here!

HomeRule
1807 14th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 797-5544
www.homerule.com
www.yelp.com/biz/home-rule-washington

Mid Century Modern Furniture at Millennium Decorative Arts

Love the vintage style of the 40s, 50s, and 60s? Decorate your apartment with furnishings from Millennium Decorative Arts in Washington DC. Forget IKEA, and go for the real deal — invest in pieces with warm woods and sleek designs that will make your home office just as chic as the set of Mad Men. This D.C. used furniture shop specializes in mid-century modern pieces in excellent condition. Customers agree that the prices are very reasonable, and the service is always friendly.

Millennium Decorative Arts
1528 U Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 483-1218
www.millenniumdecorativearts.com
www.yelp.com/biz/millennium-decorative-arts-washington

Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens

Just a short drive from the Maryland border, the Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens is a place of respite and learning in Washington, D.C.. And best of all, you can come into the park by land or sea! Take the Metro and get off at the Deanwood stop on the Orange Line. Or canoe down the Anacostia River Water Trail, but be prepared – your arrival and departure are determined by the tides. Then, take in the beauty! Come at 7 a.m. to see a fantastic sunrise. Yoga and tai chi aficionados use the tranquil atmosphere to go through their paces. Parents bring their kids to commune with nature. Take your time – this is a place of quiet contemplation. Enjoy the wildlife sightings and the fragrance wafting from the water gardens. Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens is open every day year round except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens
1550 Anacostia Avenue NE
Washington, DC 20019
(202) 426-6905

www.nps.gov/keaq/index.htm
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U.S. Capitol Visitor Center: Halls of Congress

Explore the storied halls of Congress and learn about the inner workings of the government at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center. This is a great destination for visitors to D.C., as well as residents looking for a refresher course in the history of government. Tour the Center and view the many amazing exhibits illustrating American history. Outdoor tours feature the majesty and beauty of the many botanical gardens, as well as informing visitors to the many changes the grounds have undergone since the inception of this historical place. The political process comes alive here under the guided tours and exhibits detailing the Capitol's history. Like many of D.C.'s top attractions, the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center is free.

U.S. Capitol Visitor Center
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 226-8000
www.visitthecapitol.gov
www.yelp.com/biz/u-s-capitol-visitor-center-washington-2

Dumbarton House: See the Beauty of Old Georgetown

Georgetown is a community of beautiful homes, but none as stately as Dumbarton House. Built in the Federal style in 1799, Dumbarton House is so beloved for its architecture and history that when it was discovered that it would have to be destroyed to make room for a new bridge in 1915, the home was instead moved intact to its present location! The home was again rescued by the National Association of Colonial Dames, and had it restored to its current beauty. Come into Dumbarton House and go back in time to the early 1800s, when Washington was a new city and seat of a new nation. Furnishings of the period give the home that special touch, and the tours by volunteers will make this visit complete. And the price is reasonable – just $5 for adults, with discounts for AAA members and free admission for students and other members.

Dumbarton House
2715 Q Street NW
Washington, DC 20007
(202) 337-2288
www.dumbartonhouse.org
www.yelp.com/biz/dumbarton-house-washington

National Geographic Museum: A Picture’s Worth a Thousand Words

If you are enthralled by images of nature, foreign landscapes, and exotic cultures, a visit to the National Geographic Museum is a must! Here, you can behold exhibits such as explorations of the Etruscans, reproductions of DaVinci inventions, a pictorial display of Machu Picchu, as well as fifty years of photographs of American presidents taken by the official White House photographers.

Similar to the much-loved magazine, the photography on site here is all breathtaking, inspiring, and educational. In addition, you can enjoy wonderful events that include live music, dance, film series, and lectures by Nobel Laureates. Visit the museum's website for dates and descriptions of all upcoming programs.

Admission is $8 for adults, $4 for kids, and the museum is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

National Geographic Museum
1145 17th Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 223-5074

Ford’s Theatre: Historic D.C. Theater

It’s not every day that you can watch a quality theatrical production inside of a national landmark. But Ford’s Theatre is just that – a place of entertainment and history. After being closed for a century after President Lincoln’s assassination, Ford’s re-opened and continues to thrive as a theater and historical center. The stage offers new and classic plays and musicals year-round, and it’s easy to buy tickets either at the box office, by phone or online. Or come to Ford’s for the tour of the theater museum, the Peterson House and the Center for Education and Leadership. It’s best to check the schedule, because the programming changes periodically. On a permanent basis, the Center houses artifacts and a 34-foot tower of books on Lincoln and his legacy.

Ford’s Theatre
511 10th Street NW
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 347-4833

www.fords.org
www.yelp.com/biz/fords-theatre-washington

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