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Congressional Internship Program: Living in DC

Housing

Things to Consider/Important features in looking for an apartment:

  • Location near Metro/Bus stop (Note: Union Station (RED Line) is closest to Senate) Parking needed/available
  • Maximum occupancy per room
  • A short-term lease
  • Security
  • Furnished or unfurnished
  • Convenience to services important to you; grocery stores, laundromats, metro/bus Maintenance within living area
  • Suggestion: see photos BEFORE paying deposit or full rent

Various Housing Options:

Other Helpful Websites:

Transportation

Washington is served by three airports and an AMTRAK train station. Washington Reagan National is by far the closest airport to downtown DC and the only airport that is served by METRO.

Getting to and from Washington:

Getting around Washington:

Public transportation in Washington extensive with rail and bus service:

DC Neighborhoods

  • Downtown, located between the Capitol and White House north of Pennsylvania Avenue, Downtown is a newly revitalized district with the Convention and MCI Centers, theaters, restaurants, hotels, and stores
  • Dupont Circle is a vibrant neighborhood adjacent to downtown and is home to many shops, restaurants and private art galleries
  • Georgetown, located west of Dupont Circle, is a famous historic district, partly residential and partly commercial, home to Georgetown University and hugely popular nightlife, restaurants, and shopping
  • Adams-Morgan, is northeast of Dupont Circle up 18th Street and is famous for its eclectic nightlife and its wide array of ethnic eateries
  • Kalorama, located northwest of Dupont Circle along Massachusetts Avenue’s embassy row (Washington’s ambassadorial quarter) is full of beautiful mansions and handsome town houses
  • Foggy Bottom, south of Dupont Circle, is home to George Washington University, the Kennedy Center, and many international organizations, including the World Bank and the State Department
  • Cleveland Park and Woodley Park comprise the Connecticut Avenue corridor, which is home to many shops and restaurants. The National Zoo and Washington National Cathedral are found in these neighborhoods
  • Alexandria, Virginia, with its beautiful water-front Old Town, is a historically preserved district with tons of shopping and nightlife, easily accessible by the metro.

Local Media

Tourist Information

Historic Sites and Monuments

Washington is home to many historic sites. Take the time to visit those that are well known in addition to seeing some places off the beaten path.

  • The National Mall holds most of the top sights: The Washington Monument; the Lincoln, Jefferson, and Roosevelt Memorials; the Vietnam and Korean Memorials, and much more.
  • The US Capitol, its associated buildings, and surrounding grounds offer up lots of history. Across the street are the three buildings of the Library of Congress as well as the Supreme Court.
  • Arlington, Virginia hosts a large number of sights, especially Arlington National Cemetery with its Veteran’s memorials, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Kennedy grave sites, Iwo Jima Memorial, and Carillon. The Pentagon is also nearby.

Other historic sites to visit:

Museums and Galleries

The Smithsonian Institution is a collection of museums that offers one of the most comprehensive bodies of art and artifacts in the world. All Smithsonian museums are free and open to the public.

The Smithsonian:

Other Museums in DC:

DC Art Museums: