Going Green in Washington, D.C.

  By Shakira Hightower
    

There’s a certain cosmopolitan cool to the American national capital.

It’s soulful–blessed with a built-in breeze factor that comes no doubt from the fact that it was co-designed by an African-American. Master surveyor and scientist Benjamin Banneker was one of the leading minds behind the city’s lay-out some 200 years ago.

Then there’s the vibrancy that comes from the legacy of free Blacks who helped build the spirit of the city. There’s the founding of historically Black university Howard and the landmark civil rights history that was made and continues to be made there. The new Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial should top your list of places to visit while in the city, for instance.

If you’ve never been to D.C., make travel to there a priority. If you have been, consider returning soon.

But travel there from a green perspective.

The city has lots to offer in the way of bookstores and cafes in bohemian and arts and culture districts such as Adams Morgan, H and U streets . Many of them are at various stages of online presence-building yet not to be missed. Walking and biking will bring you to the hippest venues, giving direct access to the underground, urban vibe that can add lots of texture to your stay in addition to being a green way to tour.

The public rail system in Washington D.C. is among the best of America. Use it during warm months to get to Georgetown shops or neighboring museums and galleries in Maryland and Virginia to further reduce your carbon footprint while you travel.

After you’ve green-toured the best enclaves of the city, enjoy relaxing in a LEED- certified hotel. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) hotels insure third-party verification of green buildings. So water, energy, and air resources are conserved according to a green code.

When you’ve properly refreshed, hit up Adams Morgan again for your choice of vegetarian fare at one of several Ethiopian restaurants like Meskerem or Keren’s Coffee.  You’ll find D.C., when done organically translates into D.C. “done correctly.”

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