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CAMPUS GUIDE

About the Region

WASHINGTON D.C.

Just 30 miles from Janelia Farm, Washington D.C., offers residents an urban lifestyle with vast cultural offerings. Whether you choose to live in Washington or visit occasionally, the city is easily navigable on foot or on the five lines of the Metrorail system, which extends into the surrounding suburbs and is recognized as one of the country's safest, cleanest, and most efficient public transit systems. While in Washington, pay tribute to the great leaders and events of the country's past at the city's magnificent monuments and memorials; stroll past stately embassies; immerse yourself in politics; or attend the diverse festivals and events that take place year-round, ranging from the International Film Festival and the D.C. Caribbean Carnival to the Cherry Blossom Festival and Independence Day festivities on the National Mall.

Washington thrives on its diversity, and each of its many neighborhoods offer distinct shopping, dining, and nightlife. Enjoy innovative, four-star restaurants in the downtown area, or explore further to sample authentic ethnic cuisine—Ethiopian, Salvadoran, and Lebanese are just a few of the offerings. Bars, cafes, and other nightspots are equally varied. Shop at well-known and specialty stores in the bustling Georgetown area or the hip boutiques along U Street, or sample fresh produce and discover treasures from local artists at Eastern Market on Capitol Hill. Visit the eclectic Kramersbooks in the Dupont Circle area, as much a community gathering place as a store, or attend a lively reading or discussion at another popular independent bookstore, Politics and Prose.

With more theater seats than any city except New York, Washington is an excellent place to see a show. The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts overlooks the Potomac River in Georgetown, and presents music, dance, and theater from some of the greatest artists from around the world. It is home to the National Symphony Orchestra, the Washington Ballet, and the Washington Opera, and also features free performances daily on its Millennium Stage. Its Imagination Celebration presents theater, dance, music, puppetry, and opera for young people and their families. The Smithsonian's Discovery Theater also presents more than a dozen shows for children each season featuring puppets, storytellers, dancers, actors, musicians, and mimes. The Arena Stage, the Studio Theatre, and the Shakespeare Theatre are among the other prominent venues for performing arts in Washington.

From textiles to espionage, few topics worth learning about cannot be found in one of Washington's many museums. The 12 local museums of the Smithsonian Institution could take years to explore thoroughly but are only the beginning. The city is also home to myriad independent museums, including a wide range of art galleries, the International Spy Museum, and the National Academy of Sciences' new Koshland Science Museum. Guests of the National Zoo, set within Rock Creek National Park, can visits thousands of animals of 435 different species; the most popular are the two giant pandas, Tian Tian and Mei Xiang.

With a multitude of local sports teams, Washingtonians can catch a game any season of the year. The MCI Center in downtown D.C. is home to Washington's two basketball teams, the Wizards and Mystics, as well as its hockey team, the Capitals. Football fans watch the Washington Redskins in action at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. The D.C. United hits the soccer field at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, and during baseball season, it's a quick drive to Baltimore for an Orioles game.

On days when watching someone else run, hit, or tackle is not enough, the monuments provide an inspiring backdrop for the volleyball and Ultimate Frisbee games that can usually be found in the city's center. For more solitary pursuits, more than 50 miles of trails wind through the District for running, hiking, cycling, and horseback riding. Or rent a canoe or kayak and enjoy a unique vantage point on the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Arlington Cemetery, and other sights along the Potomac River.

Universities in Washington are an integral part of the area's dynamic research community. Major universities in D.C. include Georgetown, George Washington, and American.