Capitol Hill neighborhood guide

This outdoor set-up in Southeast DC has style to spare. Long and lean, the figure-eight track in Canal Park sports two skating “paths,” a nice change from the usual rink roundabout. The four-month season is packed with special events like two-for-one admission on Tuesdays between 4 and 6 pm; “Rock n Skate” on Friday nights as well as the occasional “Icercise” class (an aerobic workout on two blades). Afterward, cozy up at Park Tavern and watch skaters whiz by the windows.

The Folger’s regular directors (including British actor Richard Clifford) produce solid, intelligent Bard-oriented fare. It was here that Lynn Redgrave developed what became the Broadway hit Shakespeare For My Father, and here that mischievous DC Shakespearean Joe Banno dramatized Hamlet’s internal debates by splitting the title role into four parts—and casting women in three of them. An Edwardian-costumed Twelth Night, directed by Robert Richmond, was running at the time of writing.

A recent addition to the neighborhood, this stylish, all-white Capitol Hill outpost of the Dupont Circle and Alexandria seafood chain boasts ownership of the Eddy Bar, a long stretch of marble offering house-made sodas in flavors such as "citrus sage" and punny cocktails (the Oh Rickey You’re So Fine features bourbon, Gewürtzraminer, and lemongrass). The beer menu is esoteric, consisting mostly of brews you’ve never heard of, from the 21st Amendment Dub Step IPA on draft to the local Port City Tartan. Come for happy hour (Monday to Friday, 5–7pm), stay for the cocktails and bowls of Goldfish crackers.

Sonoma offers a welcome grown-up respite from all the other dives and sports bars stretching down Pennsylvania Avenue. The long granite bar, exposed brick and extensive wine list make for a stylish, urban feel, and the upstairs lounge has plenty of comfortable alcoves to settle in to (although it’s often closed for political functions and events). Sonoma’s proximity to the House office buildings also allows for great eavesdropping while you’re savoring that Russian River Valley pinot gris—as long as you’re not put off by the ping of a thousand BlackBerrys.

The problem with some Washington venues is that standards of architecture and acoustics don’t always match—with monumental structures yielding muffled sound. But this auditorium in the Jefferson Building rises to the occasion on both counts. Programming is intriguing and intimate, running from classical to country to world music, with recent bookings ranging from the Moscow Sretensky Monastery Choir to folksters Noel Stookey, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott and Jimmy LaFave, performing for the Woodie Guthrie centennial celebration.

Originally built in 1873, this market became the "town center" of the Capitol Hill neighborhood and continues to be one of the liveliest spots in DC. The South Hall market, open throughout the week, hosts indoor merchants selling meats, baked goods, cheeses and flowers. On weekends the area around the market building hosts arts and crafts vendors and furniture sellers, flea-market style, along with farmers’ stands and food vendors.

Two packed and dusty floors of second-hand books—fiction, mysteries, politics, cooking and more—plus rare and first editions. Navigate the maze of narrow aisles to browse shelves packed floor to ceiling with hardbacks and paperbacks.

Only a few blocks from the United States Capitol, and nestled in the historical neighbourhood of Capitol Hill, this hotel offers spacious all-suite accommodations along with a free continental breakfast.The Capitol Hill Suites are only minutes from some of Washington's most popular sites, including the National Aquarium, the Capitol Building and the National Mall. Capitol South Metro Station is a 5-minute walk from the hotel and offers easy access to many other attractions.Guest accommodations at the Capitol Hill Suites are furnished with a number of modern conveniences, including fully equipped kitchenettes. An evening wine reception is offered Monday through Friday in the lounge. Guests can also enjoy the on-site fitness facilities and modern business centre. The property features two separate buildings.

Apartaments Capitol Hill 3000 is a self-catering accommodation located in Washington, D.C. The apartments are equipped with a full kitchen and are located 2 miles from the U.S. Capitol and National Mall.The apartments have a living room with flat-screen cable TV and a dining area. They are decorated with modern furnishings and have an in-unit clothes washer and dryer.Smithsonian museums are 2 miles away from the Capitol Hill apartments. The White House is 3 miles away.

This is a beautiful large two-level apartment which includes one bedroom with a queen size bed and a desk, one bathroom , hardwood floors, washer and dryer in the unit, offers lots of light, a city view, and a fully equipped modern kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. The living room has a flat screen HDTV, a working fireplace and a bay window.