Welcome to the Capitol Hill neighborhood, home of the U.S. Capitol Building, Library of Congress, Supreme Court, Union Station, RFK Stadium, the Navy Yard, the largest historic district in Washington, DC and so much more. The Hill is a wonderful discovery and destination, a delightful community of quaint shops, superb eateries, parks and charming row houses.

The Capitol Hill Historic District was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976 and was expanded in 1992. It includes over 8,000 buildings. Most of the primary buildings date from the late 19 th and early 20 th centuries, though many were built in the period between the 1820s and the end of the Civil War. Their architectural styles range from the Federal Period forward, with particular representation in the late Victorian era. For more information please view the Capitol Hill Restoration Society’s website – www.chrs.org.

Right near the Capitol South Metro at the corner of 2 nd and D Streets, SE, a real good place to pause and mingle with congressional staffers is Tortilla Coast. A little ways from the Senate side, try out two proven watering holes, Kellys Irish Times and the baseball-themed Senators Sports Grille.

The U.S. Botanic Garden - Open daily from 10am to 5pm, this flora sanctuary offers visitors lots of relaxation and plant knowledge. Established by Congress in 1820, the USBG is one of the oldest botanic gardens in North America. Public tours, seasonal displays, and lectures offered.

 The Library of Congress. Created in 1800 and reestablished in 1815 with a donation of books from Thomas Jefferson, the Library of Congress is the world's largest library, housing nearly 128 million items on approximately 530 miles of bookshelves. Free guided-tours of the restored 1897 Thomas Jefferson Building, including the Great Hall, are available Monday-Saturday at various time intervals. The Jefferson Building houses the visitors’ center (open Monday-Saturday 10am to 5:30pm), as well as various exhibits. Nearby, the James Madison Building also houses exhibits for the public and is open Monday-Friday, 8:30am to 9:30pm and Saturday, 8:30am to 6pm. (202) 707-8000.

Only a stone’s throw away from the Library, try Café Recess for a quick morning or lunch meal and the Hawk “N” Dove for great happy hours, good grub and lots of sports coverage.

The U.S. Supreme Court Building – The Supreme Court moved into its current building in 1935. Previously, the Court occupied space in the Capitol. Visitors are urged to enter to learn about the JudicialBranch, observe the court in session and hear oral arguments, October through April. Exhibits and a film illustrate the history of the court, and there are free lectures when the court is not in session at half past every hour. Statues, sculptures and friezes adorn the building's Corinthian architecture depicting justice, liberty and equality. Open Monday-Friday, 9am to 4:30pm. (202) 479-3030.

Not far from the Capitol complex is Union Station, one of the most visited attractions in Washington. This magnificent structure serves as a major transportation point (terminal for Amtrak and local trains and buses), hosts a large array of shops and eateries, has a movie theater, and is a venue for exhibitions, galas and even presidential inaugural balls.

With its breathtaking interior of gilded barrel-vaulted ceilings and Roman statuary, Union Station is truly a sight to behold. Completed in 1908, it is considered to be one of the world's finest examples of Beaux-Arts architecture. At the time of its opening, the Station was the largest train station in the world. Extensive restoration work was completed in 1988.

While at Union Station, buy a flower for a friend at KaBloom and watch the hustle and bustle of locals and tourists as you dine at America. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Store hours are 10am to 9pm, Monday-Saturday and 12pm to 6pm Sunday. (202) 371-9441.

Consider taking a tour of Washington from Union Station. Check out the many tour companies at the Union Station information desk, including Tourmobile Sightseeing and City Segway Tours, which offers day and night tours on self-balancing, personal transportation devices. When your feet get tired, hop on the Circulator, the bus whose loops include the Smithsonian and National Galleries, Georgetown, Southwest Waterfront and the Convention Center.

The semi-circle that surrounds the front of Union Station features flags from every US state and territory flying in a collage of colors. A fountain honoring Christopher Columbus and a Freedom Bell are in the plaza in front of the station.

Between the Capitol and Union Station at the intersection of Louisiana and New Jersey Avenue, NW, you will find the Japanese American Memorial. The Memorial, dedicated in 2000, commemorates both the sacrifice of those Japanese-Americans who fought in World War II, and the painful experience of those Japanese-Americans who underwent forced relocation to government camps from 1942-45. (202) 530-0015.

Across from Union Station, the family-friendly, highly interactive National Postal Museum is well worth a visit. The Museum, opened in 1993, is located in the 1914-constructed historic City Post Office Building that served as DC’s main post office from 1914 until 1986. Showcasing the world's largest collection of postal history, artifacts and stamps, the Museum also houses a research library, a stamp store and museum shop. Open daily 10am to 5:30pm. (202) 357-2700.

Moving east from the front of Union Station, if you continue along Massachusetts Avenue toward Stanton Park you are in for a culinary treat. Union Pub, Lounge 201, The White Tiger, Two Quail, and Café Berlin are fine examples of local eateries and pubs.

At the corner of 2nd Street and Constitution Avenue, NE, is one of the oldest houses on Capitol Hill, the Sewall-Belmont House, historic headquarters of the National Woman's Party and a National Historic Landmark. Built in 1800, the House was partially burned by the British during the War of 1812 and was restored shortly thereafter. The museum inside features exhibits, sculptures, portraits and artifacts depicting the campaign for suffrage and the struggle for equal rights for women. Open Tuesday-Friday, 11am-3pm, Saturday 12pm-4pm. Donation suggested. (202) 546-1210.

Nearby, at 320 A Street, NE, is the Frederick Douglas Museum and Hall of Fame for Caring Americans. Frederick Douglass, renowned orator, author and abolitionist, whose first home in DC makes up part of this historic property, lived here between 1871-1877, later moving to Cedar Hill in Washington's Anacostia community. Open on irregular basis. (202) 544-6130.

TheFolger Shakespeare Library,at 201 East Capitol Street, is one of the Hill’s treasures. The Library was founded by Henry Clay Folger, a millionaire Standard Oil executive who devoted a great deal of his life to the acquisition of Shakespearean materials. The Library is home to the world's largest collection of Shakespeare's printed works, rare Renaissance books, manuscripts, paintings, costumes and musical instruments, and also houses the Folger Theatre and the Folger Consort. The visitors’ center is open 10am-4pm, Monday-Saturday. Free tours offered at 11am (and again at 1pm on Sat.). For performance or general info call (202) 544-4600.

For a great combination of outdoor activity, flea markets, shops and eateries, Eastern MarketRow is a must – especially on weekends when in full swing. Built in 1873, the Market (located on 7 th Street, SE, between C and North Carolina Avenue, SE) is the only remaining public market in DC. Inside and outside there are merchants, craftspeople, flower vendors and farmers selling their wares and fresh produce while musicians entertain. Eastern Market’s inside is open Tuesday-Sunday from morning to 5pm; the outside and flea markets across the street are open Saturday-Sunday from morning to 5pm.

While at Eastern Market, stop in the venerable Tunnicliff’s Tavern.

Not far from Eastern Market is the federal city’s oldest commercial corridor, 8 th Street, SE, known as Barracks Row (located between Pennsylvania Avenue and M Street, SE). Established in 1801, Marine BarracksWashington, DC, is the oldest post of the US Marine Corps and was the workplace from 1880 to 1892 of the composer and conductor, John Philip Sousa. On Friday evenings from May to August the Barracks presents weekly parades and free band performances. (202) 433-6060.

All along 8 th Street there are plenty of wonderful shops and cafes. Just off 8 th Street you will find historic Christ Church and the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, which has an art gallery and evening events.

The south end of 8 th Street ends at the Washington Navy Yard, featuring the Navy Museum and Navy Art Gallery. At the Navy Yard, you may climb aboard and tour the destroyer USS Barry. The Navy Museum features interactive exhibits guiding you through naval history and is open Monday-Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturday-Sunday from 10am to 5pm, but reservations are necessary. (202) 433-6897.

Another patriotic stop would be the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Dedicated in 1991, it honors all American federal, state and local law enforcers and contains the names of more than 14,000 officers killed in the line of duty. The Memorial is outside the confines of the Hill (but close) on the 600 block of E Street, NW, between 4 th and 5 th Streets, NW, and has a visitors’ center at 605 E Street, NW, which is open Monday-Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 5pm, and Sunday noon to 5pm. (202) 737-3213.

Southwest DC’s waterfront is home to DC’s fish market, Titanic Memorial and DC’s most elegant dinner-cruising vessel – the Odyssey III . (888) 741-0281. More ‘inland,’ try a family-owned seafood landmark over four decades old - Market Inn Restaurant.

 Finally, consider paying a visit to the quiet, but interesting Congressional Cemetery where great men and women such as John Philip Sousa and Civil War photographer, Matthew Brady, are buried. Not far from the cemetery is the DC Armory and RFK Stadium – home of DC’s professional soccer team and MLS champions, D.C. United (202) 587-5000, and baseball’s Washington Nationals.