Although the crisscrossing of the Metro’s colorful lines might seem daunting to deal with, navigating each line can be simple and straightforward once you’re on the train. From the Blue Line to the Silver Line, every stop on the metro has its own personality. If you’re looking for both proximity and entertainment, adventures await you on these stops on the Red Line.
Bethesda
With its lighted trees and seemingly endless amount of wooden benches, Bethesda combines big-city commotion with a small town feel. Bethesda’s walkability makes it a picturesque place to spend an afternoon. Whether you want to walk, jog or bike, you can take the Capital Crescent Trail, which crosses through Bethesda, Georgetown and Silver Spring.
If you’re looking for a different kind of exhilarating exercise, you can always hunt through the racks of secondhand shops in Bethesda. Mustard Seed (7349 Wisconsin Ave.) and Reddz Trading (7801 Woodmont Ave.) offer clothing, accessories and shoes at discounted prices. You can even sell some of your own wardrobe to the stores to make a bit of cash.
A trip to Bethesda wouldn’t be complete without sampling some of the tasty treats at Georgetown Cupcakes. While deciding between coconut or chocolate ganache cupcakes might seem difficult, Georgetown Cupcakes might inspire you to try DC’s other sweet shops like Baked & Wired and Sprinkles Cupcakes, which are located in Georgetown.
Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan
Kaleidoscopic murals, eccentric bistros and bright bikes decorate the neighborhoods of Woodley Park and Adams Morgan. Through its whimsy, the Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan stop gives visitors an enviable experience.
Tryst on 18th Street, with its mismatched silverware and myriad of menu items, provides a haven for coffee lovers. And while you’re there, you can taste their “Death by Chocolate Waffle” and “Nachos Locos.” It’s the ultimate utopia for a Sunday brunch.
For some breathing space, you can submerge into reverie at Idle Time Books (2467 18th St.).
Once you’ve scanned its shelves of used and out of print books, you can stay cozy in one of their chairs.
And of course, students can’t forget one of the stop’s most popular attractions: the National Zoo. From gazelles to giant pandas, the Zoo highlights some of the cutest and most endangered animals.
Dupont Circle
Etched into the entrance of the escalators in the Dupont Circle stop are lines from Walt Whitman’s poem “The Wound Dresser.” As one of the initial sights seen in Dupont Circle, the lines reveal the literary vibe of the neighborhood.
With bookstores like Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe and Second Story Books just minutes away from the Metro station, you can satisfy your bookish desires.
For more a laid-back morning or an afternoon activity, you can pack a picnic and relax at the Dupont Circle Fountain or people-watch and soak in the sun at the Spanish Steps.
The Phillips Collection presents some of the world’s most acclaimed artists, such as Claude Monet and Henri Matisse. You can also gaze at the works of Vincent van Gogh and Georgia O’Keefe at the museum.
If you need a good laugh, the DC Improv Comedy Club (1140 Connecticut Ave.) has you covered. Whether you laugh a little or a lot, you can enjoy and eat through the menu at the club too.
Metro Center
Metro Center’s lavish hotels and towering buildings might appear imposing at first, however, strolling down the sidewalks gets rid of that first impression. From American Apparel to H&M and Zara, Metro Center provides familiar chain stores and restaurants (including Starbucks and Qdoba), which span several streets.
Whether you’re particular about your pizza, precise with your taco toppings or just crave delicious D.C. fare, two places that you’ll definitely want to check out are &pizza and District Taco. &pizza lets you create your own pizza by choosing between doughs, sauces, cheeses, vegetables and proteins. Or you can top off your tacos with District Taco’s mouth-watering toppings like guacamole, grilled veggies and garlic-lime rice.
At the corner of New York Avenue and 13th Street, Metro Center houses one of DC’s most prominent and grand galleries, the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Featuring artists like Frida Kahlo and Camille Claudel, the collections in the museum show the contributions that women have made throughout time. It’s the perfect place for contemplation and creativity.
Gallery Place-Chinatown
The gilded and Chinese character-filled gate of Chinatown shows off the spirit of the stop: expressive and energetic.
Chanting and cheering can be heard at the Verizon Center, where you can catch a concert or watch a sports game. Some of the Verizon Center’s upcoming acts include Drake, Kanye West, AC/DC and Amy Schumer.
Along with the diverse cultures represented through different businesses at the stop, Gallery Place houses collections of art and artifacts at the the Smithsonian American Art Museum and International Spy Museum. From Pocahontas to Picasso, the National Portrait Gallery showcases famous faces on various floors.
So, don’t feel daunted by the size of D.C. or its metro system. There’s always something to do close to home.
