A Traveler’s Guide to Visiting the Capitol
CAPITOL HILL
New Hampshire Union Leader
Haley Shoemaker
Boston University Washington News Service
September 16, 2009
WASHINGTON – People from all over the world are drawn to Capitol Hill to learn about America’s history, to see great art, to launch or advance their careers or to catch a glimpse of some of the nation’s most influential people. The range and abundance of activities for people of all ages, interests and tastes makes the Hill a must-see place for many visitors to the capital city.
To Tom Fontana, director of communications at the new U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, the center is “the highlight of the Capitol.”
The underground facility has a restaurant, gift shops and exhibits that tell the story and history of Congress and the legislative processes.
According to Fontana, 40 to 50 historic documents are on display, as well as 24 statues relocated from the National Statuary Hall Collections. The statues are a diverse group, ranging from John Swigert Jr., the late Apollo 13 astronaut, to Sacagawea, the Native American who accompanied Lewis and Clark on their journey of exploration.
In the Capitol itself, visitors can watch Congress in session. For the architecturally minded, the building is clearly influenced by ancient Greek architecture, and yet it has a modern feeling because the statues, relief sculptures and frescos throughout that reflect American history.
For those interested in history and museums, Capitol Hill is the place to be. In the area are the Library of Congress; the Supreme Court; the National Postal Museum; the Sewall-Belmont House and Museum, which explores the changing role of women through history; the Folger Shakespeare Library, featuring the world’s largest collection of Shakespeare’s First Folio editions; and the historic Union Station, along with many more museums within walking distance.
To escape and unwind from the busyness of the Capitol, the U.S. Botanic Garden may be a perfect place to go with friends and family, or to just escape for a few minutes.
There are three main gardens, a conservatory and 15 plant galleries, as well as temporary outdoor exhibits, “There is so much diversity in the plants, said Sally Bourrie, the public relations coordinator for the garden, that “regardless of your mood you can find something that fits.” She pointed out that there is also a children’s garden with a well, a potting bench and a bamboo arbor.
The newly renovated conservatory features plants from all over the world, and there are also streams, benches and a ladies’ garden patterned after quilt designs. The gardens, Bourrie said, “are also organic and sustainable; they use less water and fewer chemicals.”
One of the gardens, Bartholdi Park, was designed by Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi, the designer of the Statue of Liberty. Its plantings, Bourrie said, change to reflect modern trends in home gardening.
Capitol Hill is also known for its wide range of restaurants.
Art and Soul, a southern and soul food restaurant, is owned by Art Smith, the former personal chef for Oprah Winfrey and a regular on the Food Network.
Chef Bart Vandaele’s Belga Café, the first Belgian restaurant on the Hill, is renowned for its wide variety of Belgian beers.
If you are looking to see politicians and other Washington influentials, a seven-minute walk from the Capitol takes you to Charlie Palmer Steak, part of a nationwide chain.
If shopping’s your game, Union Station is not only a railroad and public transit terminal but also a shopping mall with many shops as well as a variety of restaurants. And there’s more shopping throughout the Capitol Hill area, including local shops and many well-known chains.
GETTING THERE: For those who want to travel by air, Washington is only a one hour and 19 minute flight from Logan International Airport. By car Washington is xxx miles from New Bedford.
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