“The Hill” is the starting point for many on a visit to Washington DC. The political center of the world where tourists get to rub shoulders with politicians and congressmen and visit some of our nation’s most powerful buildings and treasured sites. Capitol Hill is dominated by The National Mall, America’s most visited National Park adorned with monuments, memorials and museums, known fondly as “America’s Front Yard”. See Congress in session at the U.S. Capitol, tour the impressive Library of Congress and revel in the depth of knowledge at the many museums. Picnic on the grounds alongside the Bartholdi Fountain or amidst the tulips at the Summerhouse, retreat to the tranquility of the US Botanic Garden surrounded by fountains and tropical plants or sit mindfully on the stone benches at the Moongate Garden. There is more to Capitol Hill than pomp and politics. From the vibrant stalls of Eastern Market and dusty bookstores of Barracks Row, to the ethnic restaurants and rooftop bars on Pennsylvania Avenue, the surrounding blocks are lined with colorful 19th century row houses, sidewalk cafes, galleries and eclectic shop fronts.
Metro: Within Capitol Hill lies two Orange/Blue/Silver line stops: Eastern Market (next to the year-round, indoor/outdoor local food and art market) and Capitol South. Just a few minutes walk away is the superbly restored Union Station, DC’s largest ground transportation hub, with Amtrak and bus stations and a local Red Line Metro stop. Capitol Hill allows for easy driving access in and out of the city, as the neighborhood lies along many of the area’s main arteries, including I-695, I-395, I-295 and Route 50.
