WASHINGTON, DC

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• WELL BUILT read more ›
  (1541 14th St NW. Tel. 202-299-0597)
  wellbuiltspace.com
  This modern showroom lines its concrete fl oor with minimalist furniture and decorations that make use of recycled, locally sourced and conscientiously manufactured materials. Energy effi ciency is built into many products.
• SOM RECORDS read more ›
  (1843 14th St NW . Tel. 202-328-3345)
  somrecordsdc.com
  Digital downloads are admittedly convenient, but traditional media like vinyl have certain advantages (higher fi delity, cool quotient). The DJ owner of this shop collects used, rare and imported albums of every genre.
• UNITED STATES MINT SALES COUNTER read more ›
  (801 Ninth St, NW. Tel. 202-354-680)
  usmint.gov/mint_tours
  This gift shop in the lobby of the US Mint headquarters stocks annual coins, state quarters, collector maps and medals.
• ALAMO FLAG COMPANY read more ›
  (50 Massachusetts Ave NE. Tel. 202-842-3524)
  alamofl ag.com
  Whether you’re celebrating Independence Day, Bastille Day, your favorite branch of the military or your home state, this store has a fl ag you can use to display your pride to the entire neighborhood.

• NATIONAL CRYPTOLOGIC MUSEUM read more ›
  (9900 Colony Seven Rd, Fort Meade. Tel. 301-688-5849)
  nsa.gov
  Delve into the National Security Agency’s history at this free intelligence museum/declassifi ed documents library. Oral histories of wartime ciphers are included in the many displays.
• THE MARY LIVINGSTON RIPLEY GARDEN read more ›
  (Jefferson and Seventh sts. Tel. 202-633-2220)
  gardens.si.edu
  A verdant oasis tucked between the Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building and Hirshhorn Museum, this garden blooms with seasonal fl owers in raised, multi-tiered fl ower beds and hanging baskets.
• ALBERT EINSTEIN MEMORIAL read more ›
  (At National Academy of Sciences 500 Fifth St, NW. Tel. 202-334-2000)
  nationalacademies.org
  In a 12-foot bronze memorial in the southwest corner of the National Academy of Sciences grounds, the late, great mathematician is holding equations and sitting atop a 28-foot map of the solar system.
• THE SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM read more ›
  (Independence Ave at Sixth St SW. Tel. 202-633-1000)
  www.nasm.si.edu
  The imagination takes off here, home to hundreds of historic artifacts relating to aviation and space fl ight. The Wright 1903 Flyer and a lunar rock sample (touch it!) are must-sees.
• HUNTLEY MEADOWS PARK read more ›
  (3701 Lockheed Blvd, Alexandria. Tel. 703-768-2525)
  fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/huntley
  This protected patch of freshwater wetlands in Hybla Valley is a popular birdwatching place as well as a likely place to spot beavers, frogs and turtles. Trails, a boardwalk and observation platforms offer multiple vantage points.

• DOLCEZZA read more ›
  (1704 Connecticut Ave NW. Tel. 202-333-4646)
  dolcezzagelato.com
  This sunny artisanal gelateria uses local ingredients to make creamy treats in such unusual fl avors as strawberry tarragon, avocado-honey- orange and lemon-cardamom-ricotta. $
• THE CEREAL BOWL read more ›
  (3420 Connecticut Ave NW. Tel. 202-244-4492)
  thecerealbowl.com
  This cereal bar is structured like an ice cream shop, only instead of fi lling your bowl with vanilla or chocolate, you start with Cookie Crisp. $
• THE LIBERTY TREE read more ›
  (1016 H Street NE. Tel. 202-396-8733)
  libertytreedc.com
  In this patriotic restaurant, the vibe is homey and unfussy, and the Mid-Atlantic comfort food is affordable. Regulars recommend making a meal of the small plates or following appetizers with crispy brick-oven pizza. $$
• SUSHI ROCK read more ›
  (1900 Clarendon Blvd, Arlington, VA . Tel. 571-312-8027)
  sushirockdc.com
  Forget power lunches. The new dining trend— at least at this pleather and zebra-print sushi bar—is power chords. DJs play hard rock while you eat fusion rolls (like the Dream On roll, with bacon, kimchi and sundried tomato). $$$
• BISTRO PROVENCE read more ›
  (4933 Fairmont Ave, Bethesda, MD. Tel. 301-656-7373)
  bistroprovence.org
  James Beard-recognized chef Yannick Cam serves authentic French cuisine, such as baby squid, grilled sea scallops and roasted veal, in this unassuming two-story bistro. $$$

• SIDEBAR read more ›
  (8081 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD. Tel. 301-565-9700)
  With vinyl banquettes, a well-weathered bar and a turntable with boxes of LPs for patrons to spin, this intimate bar is a natural for retro fans.
• STAR AND SHAMROCK read more ›
  (1341 H St NE. Tel. 202-388-3833)
  starandshamrock.com
  If you like your matzoh balls with a pint of Guinness, then you’ll want to visit this combination Irish and Jewish tavern. Order a Harp and a hot pastrami sandwich, then relax under the carved oak clovers and Stars of David.
• THE BUDDHA BAR read more ›
  (12701 McGregor Blvd. Tel. 239-482-4438)
  www.thebuddhabar.net
  This lavish restaurant and lounge offers pan- Asian cuisine and downtempo electronic music beneath a 22-foot-high ceiling and an 18-foottall Indonesian Buddha statue. Order the Ying Coco Yang, smooth gin infused with rich coconut cream, chilies and fresh lime juice.
• BIERGARTEN HAUS read more ›
  (1355 H St NE. Tel. 202-388-4053)
  biergartenhaus.com
  Opened just in time for the World Cup, this cobblestone courtyard updates the German drinking tradition (liter steins, polka music) with an interior bar paneled with fl atscreen TVs.

• THE NATURAL BRIDGE read more ›
  (202 miles southwest of the US Capitol 15 Appledore Ln, Natural Bridge, VA. Tel. 800-533-1410)
  naturalbridgeva.com
  This 20-story-high, naturally occurring arch was carved from the surrounding limestone by Cedar Creek. See why it’s inspired locals—from Native Americans to colonial settlers—for centuries.

This month...

Fun Fact!
The District of Columbia was named after explorer Christopher Columbus.