DC diversions

Theatre

Big-name productions tread the boards at the Kennedy Center and Shakespeare Theatre Company, or try something edgier at Woolly Mammoth and Studio Theatre.

Sport

From October to April the feverishly supported Washington Capitals play their home NHL ice hockey matches in the Verizon Center downtown.

Music

The Rock and Roll Hotel in the Atlas District is one of the city’s great venues for live rock music, with many famous bands on its upcoming schedule. Other buzzing venues include the 930 Club, Madam's Organ and Black Cat.

Insider tips

“Now THIS is a jazz club” - famed trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie on Blues Alley jazz supper club

“You can get half-price same-day theatre tickets at Ticketplace, Penn Quarter.”

“Ben's Chili Bowl has been going for decades and has amazing food, atmosphere and history. Try the chili half-smoke, which has been voted Washington's signature dish, and is Bill Cosby's favourite.”

“The first thing to do when you shop at Macy’s is to pick up their free Savings Pass, which gets tourists 11% off most things.”

“If you like beer, you can’t go wrong at The Brickskeller saloon near Dupont Circle, which sells over 1000 types.”

The playful city

From hippie market to chain shop to designer store to bar, lounge, restaurant or club, Washington, DC has the goods. Not even the Metro stands in your pursuit of a good time – it closes at 3am on weekends.

Top shopping districts

… or, where to drop those delightful US dollars.

Pop up on the Metro to Chevy Chase and Friendship Heights, one of the best spots for high-end fashion, including Jimmy Choo, Max Mara, Gucci and Tiffany. This area is also home to fantastic bargains at Loehmann's, Filene's Basement, and Stein Mart, plus you can top off your shopping bags at Lord & Taylor, Bloomingdale's and Neiman Marcus.

Washington, DC Downtown has gone through a full redevelopment in recent years, so give your bank cards some exercise at Zara, H&M and Macy's.

For those who can’t decide what they want, Dupont Circle has an eclectic collection of clothes, books and accessories.

Hit Georgetown for trendy stores such as Abercrombie & Fitch or Kate Spade, quirky one-off shops, quaint boutiques and the Georgetown Park mall.

Top nightlife districts

Historical U Street is where Duke Ellington tinkled his first few ivories, and the theme continues with great historic and new jazz clubs up and down the area, along with hip-hop, indie, rock and blues.

The Atlas District is the city’s newest nightlife and arts scene, with rough-and-ready live music venues in an edgy urban setting.

Adams Morgan is young, diverse and vibrant, offering cuisine hailing from across the globe, and nightclubs and coffee bars around every corner.

K/14th Street - during the day, K Street is one of the most powerful districts, packed with lobbyists and lawyers. But once the sun goes down, it transforms into the city's newest international nightclub corridor. It's the place to see and be seen at swanky places such as Lima, Lotus and Park at 14th.

But will you have any energy left in the morning for the museums and monuments? They’re worth it…