My husband is traveling on business to D.C. He wants to see the museums and monuments with me so I have to fill my four days alone. I would like to do some shopping, malls are fine but I would also like some bargain shopping and unusual shops. We are staying at the Washington Hilton and Towers. Excluding the Hinkley incident, is this a safe area? Can I walk around alone? Also some good cheap, romantic restaurants in that area. Anyplace with a great view of the monuments and city that we can have a drink? Thanks.

Haven't been to DC in awhile, but I always really
enjoyed the top of the Key Bridge Marriott for great
views (I think it's still the Key Brige Marriott, but right across from Key Bridge on the VA side). You can easily get there on the metro. Also loved Old Town Alexandria. They have some really cute shops on King Street. And Georgetown has great shops.

In my opinion, the dangerous part of DC is southeast, so the Hilton should be fine. Also enjoyed Old Ebbitt Grill by the White House. It's not really romantic, but interesting! They people with chains around their necks are white house staff

Crystal, you should have no trouble filling four days on your own. First, assuming you and your husband were planning on seeing the museums together on a Saturday and Sunday, there are a number that you'll likely not get to in those two days. For example, the Museum of American Art and the National Portrait Gallery are in the same building about six blocks north of the Mall. They're excellent, but because of the location, they don't get the crowds. See those on your own and then tell him what he missed. Ditto the Phillips Collection, which is a private museum not far from your hotel and just west of Dupont Circle. It's "big draw" painting is Renoir's "Luncheon of the Boating Party," but there's lot of other stuff to see there, as well. You'll also find the unusual shops you're looking for just north of Dupont Circle along Connecticut Avenue. The suggestion about Old Town Alexandria is also a good one; you can get there via Metro (King St. station). Malls? It depends on whether you have a car. The "monster" mall in the Washington area is Tysons Corner, near McLean,with 200+ stores, eight department stores (including Tysons Galleria across the street). But Tysons isn't near any Metro stop... it's get there by car or you're out of luck. The same is true for a discount mall: Potomac Mills, about 20 miles south of D.C. in Dale City, VA. Potomac Mills has (really) 2 million square feet of outlet stores. It is reputed to be the largest mall of its kind. As to a "good, cheap romantic dinner," let me suggest I Matti in Adams-Morgan, a short cab ride away from your hotel. I Matti is, as the name suggests, an Italian restaurant. It is an excellent value yet offers what may be the best food of its kind in the city (at a quarter of the price of Galileo) and, yes, it is romantic. You'll also enjoy strolling Restaurant Row in Adams Morgan. If you want views with your meal, the Key Bridge Marriott above is a good suggestion --- but leave your expectations about having a good meal at home. Views and food don't mix in DC. Finally, the area around your hotel is quite safe. Enjoy.

For a good view of the city, the Hotel Washington has a rooftop veranda where you can have a cocktail and look out over the White House and Washinton Monument. It's right by the Treasury bldg. at 15th and Penn. NW.

I ditto Potomac Mills for great discount shopping, Georgetown for pricey shopping, the Key Bridge Marriott--dining room at the top for monuments lit up during a late dinner, Hilton is fine and safe, Alexandria ---try the Seaport Inn upstairs room on a Saturday or Sunday for lunch and to watch the action on the Potomac. I wouldn't go to Uniion Station as a woman alone or anyway in Southeast, but the Mall is fine with all the museums etc. You can spend a whole day in Georgetown browsing only if you choose. Downside, you'll have to take a taxi as the Metro doesn't go to Georgetown. Good news, I think the fare is about $8. Cute place for lunch in Georgetown is Martin's Tavern on Wisconsin or Clydes on M Street. If you just want a salad or sandwich, try the American Cafe on Wisconsin. I'd love to have 4 days in D.C. to do what I wanted to do and not have to compromise with my husband!! Enjoy!

I am writing this from work a half a block from Union Station, and am a bit disturbed by the last post which said she would not go to Union Station alone as a woman. Except for the wee hours of the morning, Union Station is a perfectly safe place to go when in Washington. I highly recommend it. It has some wonderful restaurants and beautiful stores. The architecture is also outstanding. It is situated within walking distance of the Capitol. Yes, Washington, DC has its bad areas, but so does every city. Getting alarmist is not going to help. I am really disturbed by all the people that feel the entire city is an urban wasteland and battlefield.

Lavandou is an excellent, romantic restaurant (though no views), especially for fish, that is several blocks up Connecticut Avenue away from downtown DC, and reasonably priced too. Coppi's Vigorelli, few stores down from Lavandou, has very good Italian food - fresh pastas and pizzas, but it is more modern than romantic. There are alot of small ethnic restaurants in Woodley Park, which is a short walk down Connecticut Ave. from the Hilton (before those other 2 restaurants). Most have patios so you can eat outside, which is very nice, but the food isn't as good, except for one, called Lebanese Taverna, which is great if you'd like to try Middle Eastern/Mediterranean food.