Weekending in Washington
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In the evening, head to the city's exciting and constantly evolving U Street corridor, a 10-minute walk northeast of Dupont Circle. A number of hip restaurants have opened in this neighborhood in recent years. Start off at Cork Wine Bar, a spacious haunt drawing a trendy crowd for mostly Italian, Spanish, and French wines by the glass and bottle, and light tapas (a full selection of entrees are available, in case you'd rather just dine here for the evening). For nibbles, consider the avocado served with pistachios, toasted-pistachio oil, sea salt, and grilled bread.

Next, stroll a few blocks north to Marvin, an elegant but relaxed Belgian bistro with an innovative Low Country Carolina spin. Don't miss such memorable starters as Southern-inspired shrimp-and-grits, or Belgian-style moules frites with shallots, fennel, and white wine. Country-fried chicken with waffles, and braised pork shank with French green lentils rank among the top main courses.

From here you're within walking distance of some of the city's hottest gay bars, among them Be Bar, a dark and urbane spot with a small but packed dance floor and a mixed-gender following; Halo, a cool and colorful bi-level lounge that's especially popular earlier in the night; and Nellie's Sports Bar, a modern and stylish take on a classic sports bar that pulls in a mix of women and men. Serious revelers should finish the night at Town, a late-night gay disco that's slightly off the beaten path (you might want to cab it here) - this bustling warehouse club is open till 4 a.m.

Having spent Saturday touring museums, set aside Sunday for a more relaxing, outdoorsy exploration of some of the city's charming neighborhoods, where lively shops and "family"-friendly cafes proliferate. Begin in the morning by walking north from Dupont Circle up to the artsy and international Adams-Morgan neighborhood, which is home to a mix of West African, Asian, and Latino restaurants and residential enclaves. Have brunch at gay-popular Perry's, an Asian-influenced modern American restaurant with a commendable sushi bar - the acclaimed Sunday drag brunch is a delightful experience if you don't mind a towering drag queen plopping down on your lap and scrambling your eggs to the disco remix of "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina."

Head back to Dupont Circle for a leisurely tour of the neighborhood, which has been one of the nation's most gay-identified enclaves for more than four decades, although it's becoming increasingly more eclectic each year. The area possesses a wealth of open spaces, parks, statuary, and grand 19th-century architecture. You'll find quirky and engaging shops and eateries on virtually all of the major streets fanning out from the Dupont traffic circle.

In case you still have the energy to tour one more museum, consider stopping by the neighborhood's top cultural attraction, the stunning Phillips Collection. The first permanent museum of modern art in the nation, the Phillips contains many works by Georges Braque, Mark Rothko, Paul Klee, and Henri Matisse, as well as creations by such gay artists as David Hockney, Thomas Eakins, and Marsden Hartley.
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