First-time visitors will be forgiven for assuming Capitol Hill, the
geographic and legislative heart of the city,is all about the majestic
icon that sits atop its hill. While the U.S. Capitol - with it towering
cast-iron dome topped by the bronze Statue of Freedom, ornate
fountains, and marble Roman pillars -- is no doubt the centerpiece
of this area,there is more to Capitol Hill than its namesake building.
The Capitol Grounds is a lush landscape of sweeping lawns and
more than 4,000 trees. At the base of the hill, the Capitol Reflecting
Pool echoes the larger, rectangular pool at the other end of the
National Mall. House and Senate office buildings surround the
Capitol, while the Supreme Court, the three Library of Congress
buildings, and the Folger Shakespeare Library & Theatre lie east.
But as you head east from the storied steps of the Capitol dome,the
neighborhood turns into a lovely tangle of residential brownstone
row houses,shaded by big, elderly trees teeming with gray squirrels.
The center of gravity on the Hill is the Eastern Market. This
covered bazaar and the surrounding blocks showcase local food,
outsider art, handmade crafts, and a general bohemian vibe. It’s the
place to be seen on weekends with families and friends.
