The Guide: Washington, D.C.

Illustration: Lena Corwin

ESSENTIAL WASHINGTON, D.C. The area code is 202
Commune with nature. The Georgetown hillside estate Dumbarton Oaks (339-6401; doaks.org) features ten acres of formal terraced gardens with seasonal shows of crocuses, roses, and wisteria.	Take the path less traveled. Stroll through the FDR Memorial (nps.gov/fdrm) on the western side of the Tidal Basin at dusk when the crowds have subsided. Don’t miss the waterfalls in the landscaped outdoor rooms near the famous Cherry Tree Walk (nationalcherryblossomfestival.org).
Shop for goodies. Capitol Hill’s Eastern Market (7th St. and North Carolina Ave., SE; easternmarket.net) was damaged in a fire last year, but vendors settled in a temporary hall across the street. On weekends, locals navigate the stalls of produce, cheese, and baked goods and the adjacent open-air flea market.	Experience capital culture. The Kennedy Center (2700 F St., NW; 467-4600; kennedy-center.org) hosts more than 2,000 plays, ballets, and concerts a year. Daily free programs at 6 p.m.

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