Where the Pros Play

If you're going to a pro sports event, chances are you'll be headed here.

Nationals Park. D.C.'s baseball team, the Washington Nationals, plays in a spacious, 41,888-seat state-of-the-art park, on the fast-developing Capitol Riverfront in Southeast Washington. Since its opening in 2008, the park has been a catalyst for the renaissance in this area. Inside the stadium, there are dozens of outstanding food venues and craft beer vendors among other concessions. Tours are available. 1500 S. Capitol St. SE, Capitol Hill, Washington, District of Columbia, 20003. 202/675–6287; www.washington.nationals.mlb.com/was/ballpark. Tours, $15.

Robert F. Kennedy Stadium. Soccer is incredibly popular in the nation's capital, finding many of its fans among the international crowds who miss the big matches at home, as well as families whose kids play soccer. Robert F. Kennedy Stadium, the Redskins' and Senators' former residence on Capitol Hill, is currently home to Major League Soccer's D.C. United, though the team is working with the city to build a stadium near the Southwest waterfront and not too far from Nationals Park. Within RFK Stadium, the Capitol View Club is a pub-style eatery with full bar. 2400 E. Capitol St. NE at 22nd St., Washington, District of Columbia, 20003. 202/587–5000; www.dcunited.com/stadium.

Verizon Center. One of the country's top-grossing sports and entertainment venues, the 20,000-seat Verizon Center averages more than 200 events each year and has helped to turn the surrounding area into the most vibrant part of Downtown, where you'll find several of the city's best restaurants. But there are also decent food and beverage options inside the Center, going beyond the standard stadium fare of hot dogs, chicken fingers, and light beers, including good local chili from Hard Times Café and Chesapeake Bay crab cakes, paired with craft beers and Angry Orchard Gluten-Free Hard Cider. Sporting events include Washington Capitals hockey; Washington Wizards, Washington Mystics, and Georgetown Hoyas basketball; and figure-skating events. Outside, street musicians of all kinds and styles add to the Center experience. The Metro station is directly below the Center. 601 F St. NW between 6th and 7th Sts., Chinatown, Washington, District of Columbia, 20004. 202/628–3200; www.verizoncenter.com.