Two of my close friends and bridesmaids are moving to DC in August, and we have decided to now have the bachelorette party/weekend there to make it more convenient...(since I am making them fly to Florida for the wedding )

So, the problem is, we are all NEW to the area, and would really like some advice on where the classy bars/lounges and restaurants are...as well as some fun day activities. If you are familiar with bachelorette parties in the Atlanta/Buckhead area (where I am from), that is NOT my style...parading around with a crown, among other things, on my head...while taking part in a crazy scavenger hunt asking random guys for various items...

Although, that does sound kind of fun, not that I think of it Just kidding

But seriously, I would also love to see the sites, museums, etc. We will be there in early October.

Thanks so much for your help!

You would probably enjoy staying in the Dupont Circle area.

Thanks Lauren, I don't know where my friends will have an apartment yet, probably outside the city a bit.

Any others? I've heard that DC has a great young crowd so I know there have to be some popular areas to go out at night.

There are a few areas you can hang out.

Dupont Circle -- While the "gay" neighbohood, it is also the most NYC "cool" neighborhood. A number of restaurants have new, hip lounges and resaurants. Consider Rouge, Helix, ria 15, Firefly.

The New Penn Neighhborhood - Around 7th and K. Lots of hot new restaurants, bars, galleries. Very hip, more euro.

Adams-Morgan/U Street - This is where Washingtonians go. More "old school" but lots of great clubs. U Street is a little edgier and more popular with "cool" middle-class African Americans.

G-town - An odd mix of college frat boy and Euro trash. Some think it's fine, most wouldn't be caugh dead there unless they enjoyed hanging with A&F wannabes and trust fund babies of deposed Middle Eastern oilmen or Latin American narcoterrorists.

The poster above has named some good places. I've lived in both Atlanta and DC, and so will try to draw analogies. If you don't like Buckhead, you also won't like Georgetown. Dupont Circle is like Midtown, but with row houses instead of detached houses. Adams Morgan/U St. is comparable to Little Five Points, but with fewer body piercings and mor ethnicity. Penn Quarter is like Virginia Highlands about 15 years ago. If I were you, I'd go with Dupont Circle--lots of decent hotels and clubs.

Thanks so much for your ideas. Sounds like there is plenty to do!