| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 21/08/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 53 |
| Copyright: Other |
Washington
Discover Billie, Duke and all that jazz
IF you happen to be in Washington DC this year, you’re bound to come across Downtown SAM. If you want help getting around the UScapital, he’s your guy.Downtown SAM actually represents groups of people originally employed as Safety And Maintenance teams working the 110-block neighbourhood of downtown DC.
Now, in bright red uniforms, they are expanding their role to help tourists find their way around by giving directions, walking visitors back to their cars if needed, and guiding them to local attractions, restaurants, shops and hotels.
The initiative is part of a move to make downtown Washington – bounded by the National Mall on the south side of the city, Massachusetts Avenue to the north, the US Capitol to the east and The White House to the west – more user friendly.
It is the area of the city that draws most travellers to Washington. But there is more to the city than its federal district, the White House, the Smithsonian Institute and its landmark monuments.
To get this across, the Washington DC Convention and Visitors Association is focusing attention on getting the best out of a stay in the capital. This includes highlighting the growing choice of ethnic restaurants – Washington’s Adams Morgan and Georgetown districts offer more than 150 types of cuisine – and a wide spread of entertainment and sports events (see What to do box).
what to do
n Tour the FBI Building or The White House
n Learn about Washington’s African-American history on a new themed tour called Washington’s Black Broadway, based around U Street. It is here that the likes of Billie Holiday and Duke Ellington played in the neighbourhood’s theatres and bars. The tour includes visits to historic homes, churches, museums and the Black Fashion Museum.
n Listen to some jazz. Some of the more notable venues include the Art Deco-style Butler’s, the Cigar Bar and BET on Jazz, featuring live music at weekends and videos shown on big screens for weekday diners.
Others include Blues Alley, the nation’s oldest continuing jazz supper club and B Smith’s, which offers live jazz and Cajun food.
n Book yourself onto The Scandal Tour which charts the Clinton-Lewinsky saga.
n Visit the new home of the city’s professional basketball team, the Wizards, at the MCI Centre, a 20,000-seat stadium. It features a permanent exhibition of USsports history and a Hall of Fame.