History, Politics, Intrigue
DC Has I
t A
ll
Visit the city’s museums, galleries, monuments while at JSM
A
local ad recently called House. To the west are the
Washington, DC, “the Lincoln Memorial and reflecting
most important city in the pool. Looking south, you’ll see
world.” Indeed, it’s the seat of our the Jefferson Memorial and the
federal government. Our presi- cherry tree–lined Tidal Basin.
dent lives here, and many of the One of the nicest things about
535 members of Congress also Washington is how much you
live in the city. While Washington can do here for free. The national
may not be known for fashion- monuments, as well as many of
ably dressed inhabitants or a hip the museums and parks, are free,
arts scene, it is known for poli- as are many of the festivals and
tics—business as usual. concerts that take place through-
As you fly or drive into the city out the year. And, thanks to the
in August for JSM 2009, one of small scale of the city, nothing is
the first things you might notice really too far away from anything
is its low profile: There are no else. Your feet will get you around
skyscrapers. While a New York most areas just fine. When they Photo courtesy of Destination DC
or Boston skyline is spectacular won’t, the Metro, which is clean
for its concentration of towering and safe, will. Buses fill in the
buildings, Washington is just as blanks where the Metro doesn’t
Washington Monumen
t
breathtaking for its open spaces go (Georgetown and Adams-
and clean sight lines. It’s almost Morgan, for example).
like an amusement park, with all You might wonder if it’s safe Washington is a great place
the best attractions concentrated here. Don’t let crime statistics to visit for any number of rea-
in a relatively small area. give you the wrong impression. sons, but it’s most important
Standing at the base of the Several years ago, Washington as a place of history. At the
Washington Monument, you was known as the murder National Archives, you can see
can see some of the most famous capital of the country. What the original documents that have
and familiar sights in the world. those statistics don’t say is that created, shaped, and fine-tuned
Look along the National Mall almost without exception, vio- this country. Visit the monu-
to the east and you’ll see the lent crime is far removed from ments to our nation’s past and
Capitol, 15 blocks away. Lining the major attractions. Just use find in them the inspiration for
the mall on both sides are many common sense—if you’re out at a strong future. Or, on a more
of the Smithsonian Institution’s night in a deserted part of town pragmatic note, tour some of the
museums, as well as both build- (Washington is not an all-night government buildings in town
ings of the National Gallery of city like New York), consider and find out just what it is people
Art. To the north sits the White taking a taxi. do in them.
MAY 2009 AMSTAT NEWS 39
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