Resources
Transportation
Washington is served by three airports and an AMTRAK train station. Washington Reagan National is by far the closest airport to downtown DC and the only airport that is served by METRO.
Getting to and from Washington, DC:
- Washington Reagan National Airport
- Dulles International Airport
- Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
- Union Station (Served by AMTRAK and regional rail lines)
Commuting around Washington, DC:
- The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority operates Metrorail and Metrobus service that serve Washington, Virginia and Maryland. The university participates in the University Pass Program (U-Pass), which allows unlimited access to metrorails and metrobuses throughout the semester for fulltime students. This will be included in your program fees and should be a main source of transportation.
- The DC Circulator buses offer routes through various areas of DC including a bus that travels from Capitol Hill to Georgetown.
- Capital Bikeshare
Getting to know DC Neighborhoods:
- Downtown, located between the Capitol and White House north of Pennsylvania Avenue, is a newly revitalized district with the Convention and MCI Centers, theaters, restaurants, hotels, and stores
- Dupont Circle is a vibrant neighborhood adjacent to downtown, home to many shops, restaurants and private art galleries
- Georgetown, located west of Dupont Circle, is a famous historic district, partly residential and partly commercial, home to Georgetown University and hugely popular nightlife, restaurants, and shopping
- Adams-Morgan, is northeast of Dupont Circle up 18th Street and is famous for its eclectic nightlife and wide array of ethnic eateries
- Kalorama, located northwest of Dupont Circle along Massachusetts Avenue’s embassy row (Washington’s ambassadorial quarter) is full of beautiful mansions and handsome town houses
- Foggy Bottom, south of Dupont Circle, is home to George Washington University, the Kennedy Center, and many international organizations, including the World Bank and State Department
- Cleveland Park and Woodley Park comprise the Connecticut Avenue corridor, which is home to many shops and restaurants. The National Zoo and Washington National Cathedral are found in these neighborhoods
- Alexandria, Virginia, with its beautiful water-front Old Town, is a historically preserved district with tons of shopping and nightlife, easily accessible by the metro.
Historic Sites and Monuments
A previous intern stated that if you are not getting along with your roommates, chances are you are spending too much time in the house! Take time to visit some of Washington's historic sites and monuments.
- The National Mall holds most of the top sights: The Washington Monument; the Lincoln, Jefferson, and Roosevelt Memorials; the Vietnam and Korean Memorials, and much more.
- The US Capitol, its associated buildings, and surrounding grounds offer up lots of history. Across the street are the three buildings of the Library of Congress as well as the Supreme Court.
- Arlington, Virginia hosts a large number of sights, especially Arlington National Cemetery with its Veteran’s memorials, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Kennedy grave sites, Iwo Jima Memorial, and Carillon. The Pentagon is also nearby.
Other historic sites to visit:
Bureau of Printing and Engraving
Ford’s Theater and Lincoln Museum
National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Museums and Galleries
The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex. All Smithsonian museums are free and open to the public. To see special events, museum, and zoo hours click here.
Freer Gallery and Sackler Gallery
Hirschorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
National Museum of African Art
National Museum of American History
National Museum of the American Indian
National Museum of Natural History
American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery
Other Museums in DC:
DC Art Museums:
National Museum of Women in the Arts