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Washington, DC As the nation’s capital, Washington doesn’t need much in the way of an introduction. It’s famous for its museums, the Mall and memorials to Lincoln and Jefferson and the Washington Monument. The Capitol Building, home to Congress, and the White House are all part of Washington’s attractions. The city and its environs also have many trails and parks for riding, running or hiking. In addition to the Washington Monument there are several other national landmarks in the vicinity of the Mall which is an expanse of grass that stretches roughly 8-10 blocks from the Capitol Building to the Lincoln Memorial with the Washington Monument sitting in the middle between the two. The Vietnam Memorial and Jefferson Memorial are also in the vicinity. In the area around the Jefferson Memorial one can see the cherry blossoms in bloom or rent a boat to paddle around the basin. The Kennedy Center which holds many great performing arts exhibitions is also not too far away from this area. The Mall itself is surrounded by many of the museums that make up the Smithsonian Institute. Some museums of particular interest include the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of American History, and the National Museum of Natural History. The Smithsonian Institute also counts several art galleries among its member institutions. These include the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden for modern and contemporary art, the National Portrait Gallery, the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, and others. The museums are usually not very expensive if there is any cost at all to enter and are well worth the time especially if traveling with the family. Of course another major D.C. attraction for the whole family has to be the National Zoo. The zoo is free and is right off the Metro. To get there by the Metro take the Red line to either the Woodley Park/Zoo/Adams Morgan or Cleveland Park station. Obviously this will put you in the general vicinity of Adams Morgan where there is much to see and eat as well. However, the zoo is 163 acres in size so plan to spend most of the day there. An hour away, you’ll find the Blue Ridge Mountains, the location of Shenandoah National Park. You can go camping, drive the Blue Ridge Parkway, and venture into any of a number of caves that dot both the eastern and western edges of the mountain range. Luray Caverns are probably the best known, but there are many other smaller caves with guided tours for those interested in an underground adventure. Civil war buffs can head west to Manassas and tour the site of the Battles of Bull Run or north into Maryland to visit Antietam. Both sites are only about an hour from the city. Many other sites of interest to the real Civil War buff are located in and around the city. Ford’s Theater where Lincoln was shot is in downtown D.C. Virginia and Maryland both boast numerous additional Civil War and Revolutionary War sites. Try this web site for more info about the Civil War in and around DC - Civil War Info. A couple of sites that aren't too far from D.C. for Revolutionary War history buffs include Ft. Washington in Maryland, Mt. Vernon in Virginia, and of course further north in the greater Baltimore area there is Ft McHenry where the Star Spangled Banner was penned. Speaking of history and soccer the Washington, D.C. area has fairly rich past in the game. The Washington Senators played in the first professional American soccer league, the ALPF for their one truncated season in 1894. Amateur leagues have played in the Washington area since the early 20th century, but for the most part, Washington area teams did not play a major role in the national cup competitions; most of the prominent clubs hailed from Philadelphia, New York/New Jersy and the New England region. Professional soccer arrived in 1967 with the USA/NASL's Washington Whips and the ASL's Washington Darts, and Washington Britannia. The Whips folded after two seasons, while the Darts quickly won two ASL titles (1968, 1969) before joining the NASL for 2 seasons. Soccer returned in 1974 with the Diplomats who played seven seasons in the NASL with middling results. But like the proverbial Energizer bunny, pro teams kept coming back. When the third ASL launched in 1988, two teams hailed from the capital city, the Stars and the new Diplomats who won the first league title. When the ASL merged into the A-League in 1990, both teams made the transition, but only lasted one season. During the early 1990's, fans had to settle for a succession of lower division USISL teams and the indoor Warthogs. But the best was yet to come, with the arrival of MLS's D. C. United in 1996 and the WUSA's Washington Freedom in 2001. If you also like to take in other sports the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League usually play at the MCI Center until May which is about a month into the MLS season while co-tenants of the "Phone Booth", the Washington Wizards of the NBA, usually play into April. If you'd like to slow down to see a baseball game in addition to the fast and furious soccer action while in the area you may want to drive up to Baltimore to see the beautiful Camden Yards and the dreadful of late Baltimore Orioles. If you’re coming for an extended visit to DC, invest in a good tour book. You’ll need it to help you decide what to do. A Google search will find a number of guides to the city if you prefer a digital guide. Either way there's lots to do for the sports fan, the family man, and everyone else in between in the Washington, D.C. area. RFK Stadium Honors: (MLS Cup - 1996, 1997, 1999; MLS Cup finalist - 1998; US Open Cup - 1996; CONCACAF Champion‘s Cup - 1998, Inter-American Cup - 1998) When it comes to name recognition, few Major League Soccer (MLS) teams can stand up to DC United. Holder of three MLS Cups, the team was one of the original 10 MLS teams in its inaugural 1996 season. That year, it also won the US Open Cup, becoming the first US Soccer team to win the double. Even though it missed out on the league championship in 1998, DC still managed to bring home some hardware that year. Invited to play in CONCACAF’s Champion’s Cup, DC United won this tournament by beating Mexico’s Toluca at home in RFK. This victory entitled them to compete against the Copa Libertadore’s Cup winner in the Inter-American Cup. The success continued as DC beat the legendary Brazilian team, Vasco de Gama 2-1 over two legs to win the cup. Bruce Arena, now coach of the US National team, coached the team from 1996-1998, winning the MLS Cup in 1996 and 1997. Thomas Rongen, who managed to reclaim the MLS Cup in 1999, succeeded him. Unfortunately, those first few glory years have recently become just a memory. The years 2000-2002 have not been good ones for DC United. After winning or running up for the MLS championship in the first four years of its existence, DC has failed to make the playoffs since. Despite the poor performance on the field, DC United has still managed to keep the fans in the stadium. The team’s attendance has been helped by the almost yearly doubleheaders the team hosts for the US National Team. These games draw diverse international crowds who come out to cheer on both country and club. DC United fans frequently cheer for the United players representing the US team in these games. 2002 World Cup team members Eddie Pope, Tony Sanneh and Jeff Agoos each have played for the Red and Black. The stadium’s parking lot number 8 is especially well suited to the pre-game tailgate. A wide expanse of asphalt, bounded and interspersed with flat, grassy areas, there are many spots to spread a blanket, grill a burger and kick the soccer ball around. The team’s supporters’ clubs, notably the Screaming Eagles, Barra Brava and La Norte, sponsor pre-game gatherings where you can meet up with fellow fans and prepare for your entry into the stadium. Washington Freedom The Washington Freedom joined the DC soccer scene in 2001, the inaugural year for the WUSA. Their first year, despite having perhaps the US’s most famous and prolific goal scorer Mia Hamm on its roster the team was not a standout. The Freedom finished near the bottom of the eight-team league. Their sophomore year saw them go to the finals of the Founder’s Cup. They had to settle for second place as they fell 3-2 to the Carolina Courage in the championship game. Colors: Blue and white Honors: 2002 Founders Cup Finalist Directions From Sheraton Crystal City From Union Station From I-66 and Constitution Avenue To RFK via MetroRail From Union Station From National Airport Take the Yellow Line towards Mt. Vernon Sq.-UDC. Travel four stops to L'Enfant Plaza. At L'Enfant Plaza transfer to the Blue-Orange Line towards Addison Rd.-New Carrollton. Travel five stops to the Stadium-Armory stop and exit the Metro. Follow East Capitol St. to the stadium. Tickets However, since this is a guide to soccer, it’s worth spending some time here on the soccer friendly restaurants and pubs in the area. Luckily, they’re on the subway line, so you can easily make these places your pre or post-game gathering place. [L=www.summers-restaurant.com]Summers[EL] (Arlington) For the 2002 World Cup, the place was open 24 hours a day, showing games live and on tape. When the US played Portugal, the place was filled to capacity and the overflow crowd stood on the streets watching the game through the restaurant’s windows. Considering kickoff for this game was 4:30am, it was quite astounding. Check their web site [L=www.summers-restaurant.com]www.summers-restaurant.com[EL] for the latest schedule and hours. Merchandise Fan Culture Print Coverage
Northern Virginia Royals Northern Virginia Majestics Capitol Lounge 9:30 Club Black Cat The Brickskeller [L=www.irelandsfourcourts.com]Ireland's Four Courts[EL] Summers (Arlington) - see "Refreshers" Try these areas of the city for restaurants and clubs: In Washington - Dupont Circle, Georgetown, Adams Morgan, U street, between 10th and 16th streets. Georgetown is the most well known and is popular with tourists. All can be a challenge when it comes to parking, so leave the car at home if you can. Alexandria, VA has a number of restaurants and pubs, some with views of the Potomac. The preserved Federalist buildings give the city a nice feel and attractive look. It’s compact area is conducive to strolling and seeking just the right place to eat or drink. The Clarendon-Courthouse corridor in Arlington is starting to sprout new restaurants and clubs. It’s become quite the destination for the trendy suburbanite and is easily accessible from the Orange line of the subway. Hotels & Accommodations Sheraton - Crystal City Double Tree Hotel Washington Marriott Watergate |