Page 106 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Washington, DC

104  W ASHINGT ON , DC AREA B Y AREA

to the early 20th century.
“Spies Among Us” examines
the making and breaking of
codes during World War II. Other
perma nent exhibits such as
“Weapons of Mass Disruption”
explore technology and cyber
attacks, while “War of the Spies”
looks at espionage from the
Cold War to the present day,
featuring spy planes, listening
and tracking devices, and the
lives of spies, such as Aldrich
Ames and Robert Hanssen.
o Verizon Center
601 F St, NW. Map 4 D3.
Tel (202) 628-3200. q Gallery Place-
Chinatown. Team Store: Open 10am–
5:30pm daily (later on event days).
The unique and innovative International Spy Museum & for National Sports Gallery. 7 0
= ∑ verizoncenter.com
i International a film on the real life of a spy,
Spy Museum revealing what motivates Opened in 1997, the Verizon
people to enter this clandestine Center is a sports and enter-
800 F St, NW. Map 3 C3. Tel (202) 393- world. The “School for Spies” tainment complex that houses
7798 (EYE-SPY-U). q Gallery Place- exhibit displays over 200 many shops and restaurants.
Chinatown, Metro Center. Open artifacts used by spies to The 20,000-seat Verizon
10am–6pm daily (some days 9am–
7pm). Closed Jan 1, Thanksgiving, Dec disguise and protect them selves stadium is the home of
25. & - = 8 group tours by during operations. “The Secret Washington’s basketball
reservation. ∑ spymuseum.org History of Histories” traces the teams, the Wizards (men’s
art of spying from biblical times team), Georgetown Hoyas, and
The Spy Museum is the first the Mystics (women’s), as well
museum in the world devoted as the ice hockey team, the
to international espionage. Its Capitals. The presence of
huge collection includes the the complex has revived the
German Enigma cipher machine surrounding area beyond recog-
from World War II, a Soviet shoe nition. Half of the arena’s seats
transmitter, a wristwatch camera, are below ground level, in a vast
and a lipstick pistol, displayed in but harmonious structure. It
a variety of themed exhibits. A World War II cipher machine, essential hosts rock concerts as well as
visit to the museum begins with for breaking enemy codes sports events and exhibitions.

Penn Quarter Renaissance
During the 1990s, Washington’s Penn Quarter was transformed
from a derelict historic area to prime real estate. The
construction of the Verizon Center and renewed
appreciation for the restoration of dilapidated Victorian
buildings helped to accelerate this process. As a result of
losing its shabby image, Penn Quarter also lost many of
the artists who carved studios out of the high-ceilinged,
low-rent spaces, but their influence can still be seen in
the large number of art galleries and exhibitions in the
area. Some of the non-profit organizations and small
businesses that leased offices in the big, aging buildings
were forced to relocate due to an increase in rent. Soaring
prices also closed a number of traditional Chinese restaurants
around the Verizon Center, which have been replaced by
upscale eateries. Today Penn Quarter is a safer area for
those on foot, with a buzzing selection of nightly activities
available, including sports events, theater shows, concerts, A contemporary office building linking two Victorian
and lively restaurants. facades on 7th Street

104-105_EW_Washington.indd 104 04/04/17 2:39 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2)
Date 14th November 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm