For newcomers to AU and to D.C., this list is a guide to some of the neighborhoods often frequented by AU students throughout the year. From dining and shopping, to bars and clubs, these locations throughout the city include venues enjoyed by many.
ADAMS MORGAN
Adams Morgan, accessible by Metro, and is only three stops down the red line. The neighborhood includes a wide variety of attractions, including shops, restaurants and bars.
The Metro stop is called Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan, and the entrance to the Smithsonian National Zoo is a short walk up Connecticut Avenue. Like many other Smithsonian museums, admission to the National Zoo is free of charge.
A walk in the other direction from the Metro stop and down Calvert Street will get you to the heart of Adams Morgan.
Adams Morgan is known as one of the hippest, most happening spots in town. Hookah bars, regular bars, restaurants and other attractions make this area a weekend hot spot for AU students.
Dan Raby, a junior in the School of Communication, said he enjoys the dynamic of the restaurants and nightlife of the neighborhood.
"I like Adams Morgan because if you want to do something, you can always find it in Adams Morgan ... If you want to find any restaurant, from something fancy to little holes-in-the-wall, it's in Adams Morgan."
One example is Tryst Coffeehouse, a favorite coffee shop of Florence Lumsden, a junior in the School of International Studies. The Diner is a restaurant adjacent to Tryst that Lumsden said she also enjoys.
"It is open really late, pretty much all night, and they have nice food and nice dessert," said Lumsden.
Lumsden also said that there are many popular bars in Adams Morgan, but that most of them only admit those who are 21 and up.
Another quirk of Adams Morgan is the annual "Crafty Bastards Arts & Crafts Fair" put on by the Washington City Paper. Raby said he goes every year.
"They have clothes, jewelry, and all sorts of things," he said. This year's fair is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 3, according to the City Paper Web site.
DOWNTOWN
Downtown D.C., which includes Chinatown, Penn Quarter and the National Mall, has many attractions including national buildings such as the White House, the Capitol Building, the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress and many others.
In addition, Smithsonian museums, such as the Air and Space Museum and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, line the National Mall.
"The Mall's always great. Even if you don't want to see a museum or art gallery, it's nice to go down there and find a green spot to rest," Raby said.
Many AU students tour the national monuments around the mall multiple times.
In addition, the National Gallery of Art's Sculpture Garden is open all week and includes a fountain area with seating. The National Gallery of Art also opens an outdoor ice skating rink November through March, according to its Web site.
Downtown also has a bustling nightlife. Ultrabar, Lotus Lounge and Avenue Night Club are all in that area.
"Ultrabar is a cool place because it has really awesome lights and cool music, but if you go on weekends and on Saturdays, it's really packed and really hard to get in," Lumsden said.
DUPONT CIRCLE
Dupont Circle, only four Metro stops from Tenleytown on the red line, comes alive at night with its many bars and restaurants.
"Dupont Circle is a really good location to meet up with friends," said Eric Elliot, a junior in the Kogod School of Business.
A favorite spot in Dupont Circle for AU students is Kramer's Books & Afterwords Cafe, a combination bookshop and restaurant, appreciated for its late hours. It is open 7:30 a.m. through 1 a.m. daily and 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays, according to its Web site. "It's kind of a pricey place to eat, but a wonderful place to go at night to get a fabulous dessert," Lumsden said.
Student's looking for international cuisine will find plenty to eat in Dupont Circle.
"Name a country, it's probably there," Raby said.
You can find Greek at the famous Zorba's Café on Connecticut Avenue, Italian at Pizzeria Paradiso on P street and sushi at Uni A Sushi, also on P Street.
The nightlife of Dupont Circle includes many bars, clubs and lounges open only to those of drinking age most nights, such as 18th Street Lounge, Omega DC and Gazuza.
Cafe Japonais, however, is a sushi bar and karaoke lounge open to people of eighteen years and older.
GEORGETOWN
Georgetown is an area for shopping and dining accessible from Tenleytown by the 31 Bus towards Potomac Park and the 32 Bus towards Southern Avenue station.
"If you want clothes, Georgetown is the place to go," Raby said. Shops in the area include American Apparel, Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, J. Crew and designer boutiques including BCBG, Kate Spade and many others, according to the Georgetown Business Improvement District Web site.
"Georgetown has a lot of good places for dinner," Elliot said. "There are a lot of cafes. One is Tu-O-Tu with nice sandwiches."
Georgetown also includes hookah bars and lounges. Elliot enjoys a hookah bar named Zenobia, he said.
"It's nice to walk around. Definitely, the Georgetown area is the nicest," he said.
Georgetown also features an AMC movie theatre.
TENLEYTOWN
Tenleytown, AU's home base, located on the red line of the Metro, includes many establishments that AU students patronize.
At places like Best Buy and The Container Store you can find must-have dorm room accoutrements, as well as technological marvels that will keep you entertained in between (or during) class.
Those looking to get away from Terrace Dining Room fare will find plenty of good eats as well.
You can find Italian at Armands and Angelico. Thai at Neisha. Tex-Mex at Chipotle and plenty other good quick, relatively affordable eats.
"I've been to Angelico for a pasta or salad," said Lumsden. "Armand's has good pizza and pasta too," she said.
"Of course, Whole Foods is an awesome thing to have," Lumsden said. In addition, a CVS and Safeway are only a short walk down Wisconsin Avenue from the Tenleytown Metro stop.
AU's Greenberg Theatre is also located at Tenleytown on Wisconsin Avenue.
U STREET-CARDOZO
U Street is a very busy neighborhood with a vibrant nightlife and many restaurants, according to Lumsden.
The Love Cafe, or Cake Love, is a bakery with popular cupcakes. In addition, Busboys and Poets is a restaurant and bookstore with poetry readings and other events. Every Tuesday at 9 p.m. is open microphone night, according to the Busboys and Poets Web site.
Ben's Chili Bowl is a historic restaurant on U Street established in 1958.
"[It] is ... a must-visit for great chili, fun times and sometimes a free tour," Lumsden said.
U Street is also known for its music scene.
"It has the Black Cat and other music-focused bars, including the Velvet Lounge," she said. "The Black Cat has '80s nights sometimes. People get dressed up and have a really good time dancing."
The Shins and Santigold have both played at the 9:30 club, according to Lumsden. "It's a smaller venue ... It's a great place to see alternative groups and some mainstream groups too."
You can reach this staff writer at mfowler@theeagleonline.com.
