Jeff Dickey: Visitors to D.C. often ask me about unusual or unexpected attractions to the city, and luckily there are many appealing options, depending on your taste. One of my favorites is the National Building Museum, in Judiciary Square, which occupies the opulent Pension Building, built in the Gilded Age, a marvel of huge brick columns painted to look like marble and a towering atrium—not surprisingly, it's often the home of political fundraisers and presidential inaugural events and parties. The architectural exhibits on view aren't bad, either. For art institutions, the Hillwood Museum is well off the beaten path in Upper Northwest (requiring a bit of a walk or a cab ride if you don't have a car), but worth a look for its treasure trove of Faberge eggs, Orthodox icons, and other priceless material purchased when the Soviet Union under Stalin decided to unload it on an American cereal-company heiress. Modern art lovers will enjoy the Kreeger Museum, out in Foxhall beyond Georgetown, for its collection of Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art, and earlier works going back to Munch and Van Gogh. Finally, if you're into history, don't miss the newly opened President Lincoln and Soldiers' Home National Monument, where Uncle Abe made his summer retreat during the Civil War, at the so-called Lincoln Cottage. The national monument isn't far from the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the biggest Catholic church in the U.S. as well as one of the most eye-opening.

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Lester, Long Beach, Calif.: I am going to a Washington Nationals game in a few weeks. What kind of tips can you tell me about parking, the stadium and food concessions?

Jeff Dickey: A very timely question, given that Nationals Park just opened. I haven't seen a game there yet, but can tell you that the stadium sits in a Southeast neighborhood that the city plans to redevelop, so parking is problematic (take the Metro by all means) and eating and drinking options in the area are few—though this should be changing in coming months and years. Overlooking the Anacostia River, the stadium occupies a picturesque site, and is slated to offer countless more amenities than RFK Stadium, the Nats' temporary home up until this year. If you can find a ticket, by all means attend a game!

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Raleigh, N.C.: We get to D.C. about 6 to 12 times a year and are looking for something new and interesting ato do, especially with 15 to 17 year olds. Also looking for things they can do on their own. Jane

Jeff Dickey: For outdoorsy endeavors with teens—which potentially they could enjoy on their own—you could try rollerblading or hiking in Rock Creek Park (esp. the former along closed-off Beach Drive on the weekend), canoeing or kayaking in the Potomac (renting from Thompson's Boat Center near Georgetown), taking a mule-drawn boat ride along the historic C&O Canal in Georgetown, hiking Theodore Roosevelt Island, or taking a serious bike ride along the Capitol Crescent or Mount Vernon Trail. Indoors, some of the new youth-friendly attractions that will be opening include the Newseum (next week), a splashy institution covering how the news gets made, with plenty of interactive exhibits and colorful graphics, and the National Museum of American History, which is undergoing a huge renovation with plans to reopen in fall 2008.

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Chesterton, Ind.: What is the best steak place in D.C.?

Jeff Dickey: The easy answer to this would be The Palm, at Dupont Circle. However, partisans of places like Sam & Harry's, the Capital Grille, and Ray's the Steaks all make good arguments (along with the expected Morton's and Charlie Palmer fans), though my own personal choice, for the historic ambience especially, is the Old Ebbitt Grill.

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Stockton, Calif.: Hi Jeff,