Congratulations on landing a summer internship in Washington, DC! With its plethora of free museums, national landmarks, world-famous cupcakes (more on those later) and a thriving political scene, spending the summer in the nation\u2019s capital is sure to be one that you won\u2019t forget. DC has such a rich cultural history: from its French-inspired design by architect Charles L\u2019Enfant to the historic March on Washington, it has always been a place that both artists and activists could comfortably call home. Most of the young professionals who currently live in the city are transplants from all over the world, making DC a cultural hybrid of some of our nation\u2019s most well-known politicos and changemakers. So whether you want to discuss foreign policy while sipping fair trade coffee or attend a concert by your favorite band, you\u2019ll definitely discover your perfect fit.<\/p>\n
We want to make sure that you get the most out of your summer in DC so we created this Internship City Guide to give you an idea on how to maximize your summer in the city. This guide covers it all: from transportation and housing to avoiding common pitfalls (ever had a boot on your car?). More importantly, this guide was designed for a person like you in mind \u2013 someone who wants a more unique, off-the-beaten-path experience.<\/p>\n
While interning in DC for the summer, you\u2019re bound to visit the usual suspects like the National Monument, WWII Memorial (make sure to go at night), Embassy Row, Ben\u2019s Chili Bowl and the Smithsonian museums, but the city has so much more to offer! From hidden gardens and espionage exhibits to discussions with journalists and policymakers, you will definitely find your niche.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s tons of great food but if you really want to eat like a local then join the FoodTruckFight, discover your favorite\u00a0Ethiopian restaurant<\/a>\u00a0on historic U St., dine at the best Indian restaurant (Bill Clinton\u2019s words not ours)\u00a0Bombay Club<\/a>\u00a0and elbow strangers for a soul food feast at\u00a0Ohhs and Aaahs.<\/a>\u00a0More than anything, a true DC resident knows great cupcakes and for good reason: they\u2019re home to the first ever cupcake shop \u2013\u00a0Sprinkles.<\/a>\u00a0So if you really want to earn your local stripes then head over to their famous shop in Georgetown and taste one of their award-winning cupcakes (red velvet is our favorite).<\/p>\n Hidden Gems<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking for a calorie-free way to spend the day, then check out some of DC\u2019s most overlooked treasures. Conveniently located on Capitol Hill, the\u00a0U.S. Botanic Garden<\/a>\u00a0is a living plant museum and home to some of the world\u2019s most exotic collections of plants and flowers. Treat yourself (for free) to a day of beauty and discovery. Another place that you don\u2019t want to miss is the\u00a0Newseum.<\/a>\u00a0It\u2019s not free like most of the museums in the area, but it\u2019s the only place in the world where you can experience 5 centuries worth of interactive media exhibits. Like the Berlin Wall, Pulitzer Prize winning photography or the Watergate door. Those with a serious appetite for politics should visit the\u00a0Brookings Institute<\/a>\u00a0and the\u00a0Center for American Progress.<\/a>\u00a0These think tanks usually offer summer events that are open to the public. Past speakers include Arianna Huffington, Timothy Geithner and Condoleezza Rice. Washington, DC is more than just politics and the city also boasts plenty of ways to stay entertained and take a break from long days on the Hill. Sports fans can take the metro over to\u00a0Nationals Park<\/a>\u00a0and catch a baseball game or sign up to play flag football or soccer in one of the cities summer leagues. The newly renovated\u00a0Howard Theater<\/a> DC is commuter-friendly and accessible by most major forms of public transportation. While the getting around part is easy, parking can be a hassle. Most of the city\u2019s available parking requires meter fees (credit cards accepted and you can pay from your mobile) Monday-Saturday. While there are plenty of parking garages, most cost an average of $15 to $25 per day. On-street parking is available in some residential neighborhoods, so if you plan to bring your car make sure to register for a parking permit or be prepared to move it during odd times for street sweeping and rush hour. Meter maids in DC are really aggressive, so don\u2019t get caught parking in the wrong space or forget to feed the meter, because multiple tickets can result in a boot.<\/p>\n Public transportation is the best way to get around DC!\u00a0WMATA<\/a>\u00a0offers multiple bus lines and trains that run throughout the city and surrounding Maryland and Virginia suburbs. Beware of morning and evening rush hour. Plan your route ahead of time with WMATA\u2019s\u00a0Trip Planner<\/a>\u00a0or Nextbus to make on-the-go travel plans. One of WMATA\u2019s newest implementations is the\u00a0DC Circulator<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 a specialty shuttle bus whose route includes only the hottest stops in the city ($1 and they arrive every 10 minutes).<\/p>\n Paying for public transportation is simple. Pick up a\u00a0SmarTrip card<\/a>, available at DC Metro stations and local convenience stores. You can add value and manage your card right from your mobile device. Make sure to register your card, because you can redeem its value in the event that it\u2019s lost or stolen.<\/p>\n There are plenty of other alternatives to the metro. DC has multiple\u00a0Zipcar<\/a>\u00a0lots or you can participate in the\u00a0Capital Bikeshare<\/a>\u00a0and grab a lift from more than 160 bike racks around the city.<\/p>\n Just incase flag football and outdoor yoga aren\u2019t enough to keep those endorphins going, there are several gyms to choose from in the city. Local gyms like\u00a0Results<\/a>\u00a0and Golds are great for those serious about a hardcore workout or weight lifting. For an all-in-one health and spa gym, Vida Fitness and Mint are the perfect places to go. Their facilities are high-end, including a full health bar, squash court and tons of cool classes.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re on a budget, then check out the Washington Sports Clubs and the\u00a0YMCA<\/a>. They often offer a seasonal discount to students. Yogis will want to join\u00a0Yoga District,<\/a>\u00a0a non-profit yoga studio where you have the option to pay or volunteer in exchange for your class.<\/p>\n There are plenty of ways to get in and out of DC. The three major airports are\u00a0DCA,<\/a>\u00a0IAD<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0BWI.<\/a>\u00a0All three are accessible by public transportation, Shuttle Bus or a $20-$60 cab ride depending on which airport you choose.<\/p>\n DC\u2019s great location means that it\u2019s only a few hours away from Philadelphia, New York and Boston, so if you\u2019re looking to hop on the bus for a short weekend trip then try the\u00a0BoltBus.<\/a>. Warning: weekend tickets go fast and they\u2019re known to overbook so always purchase a round trip ticket and arrive at the stop early.<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t have room on your couch for friends and family, then direct them to cool sites like\u00a0Airbnb<\/a>,\u00a0Hotel Tonight<\/a>, or suggest they rent a bed in one of the cities numerous\u00a0hostels.<\/a><\/p>\n Searching for a new doctor or health clinic in a major city can be frustrating. Use\u00a0ZocDoc<\/a>\u00a0to book appointments and search for a physician based on your location and insurance provider. If you\u2019re in a real emergency then you can visit one of the cities local hospitals \u2013Howard University Hospital<\/a>,\u00a0George Washington University Hospital<\/a>, Next, get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as What is an Internship?<\/a>\u00a0and find answers to common interview questions such as What’s Your Dream Job?<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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\nMore than Politics
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\nis a great place to take in a concert and if you want to spend the evening outdoors, check out WolfTrap\u2019s summer concert series. If you enjoy spoken word, then stop by\u00a0Bus Boys \u2018n Poets,<\/a>\u00a0grab a cup of java and catch one of their late night performances.<\/p>\nNeed a lift? The Need-to-Know About DC Transportation<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Working Out<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Getting in and Out of Town<\/strong><\/h2>\n
What\u2019s Up Doc?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nor\u00a0Georgetown University Hospital<\/a>.<\/p>\n