San Jose, Calif.: Hello, My best friend and I are 30. We're going to DC from April 25th to the 29th for a girlfriend's wedding shower and bachelorette party weekend. We'll basically have Monday and some time Sunday to explore the city. We know there are a lot of great free museums and sites so what do you think are the MUST SEES for a one day adventure? We love art and music and literature and would lean more towards that aspect of travel rather than the super patriotic route... Any pointers would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Sarah

Jeff Dickey: Sarah, you're headed to the right place: the District is loaded with art, music and literature, though it might take a little planning to narrow down your list to just a few must-sees ¿ so I'll give you some options. Along with the institutions mentioned above (and especially the National Portrait Gallery), I'd recommend the Renwick and Corcoran galleries near the White House, respectively home to a great array of decorative arts and to some of the country's greatest eighteenth- and nineteenth-century paintings, and the redoubtable Phillips Collection, which boasts an amazing collection of European Impressionism and early modernism, as well as more contemporary works. Downtown, the National Museum of Women in the Arts holds a number of treasures by women artists over the centuries. For music, the Kennedy Center, Carter Barron Amphitheater, and the Barns at Wolf Trap present a wide range of music, from classical to folk and blues (especially the latter two at Wolf Trap), or you can go for an indie rock concert in Adams Morgan or a blues or jazz concert in Shaw—D.C. was one of the founding cities of the punk movement, as well as the onetime home of Duke Ellington. Finally, for literature, drop in for a late-night read or a snack at the Afterwords Café inside Kramerbooks, which on weekends is open 24hr.

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New York, N.Y.: I'm visiting DC this weekend with my family (husband, infant & 3 year old) and staying close to Union Station. Do you have suggestions for up-market restaurants that are relatively kid-friendly? Plus, if you could choose only 2 museums that my 3-y-o would love (and we would enjoy too), what would they be? Thanks. Charis

Jeff Dickey: Charis, around Union Station and Capitol Hill, Johnny's Half Shell for seafood and Two Quail for New American cuisine are both smart and tasty spots that shouldn't have a problem with children. More clubby, but still worthwhile, is the Monocle, where D.C.'s political elite make appearances. And for a pair of youth-oriented museums, the obvious choices have to be the Natural History Museum and the National Air and Space Museum. Both are loaded with kids and feature giant dinosaur skeletons and many curious fossils and gems in the former, and towering rockets, spacecraft, and planes in the latter—sure to delight any youngster with a flair for visual learning.

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Los Angeles, Calif.: Hi Jeff!

We will be moving from California to Washington, D.C. in August. Can you recommend some restaurants that we should try? I'd love to find a great 50's diner, a great vegetarian restaurant, and a fabulous coffee shop. Thanks!

Jeff Dickey: Yes, indeed. The Diner is, what else, a classic diner in Adams Morgan that doles out gut-stuffing omelets and pancakes with flair; Luna Grill in Dupont Circle has plenty of excellent, affordable vegetarian dishes; and 14U and Tryst are stylish coffee haunts, while Capitol Grounds will suffice for an immediate caffeine jolt.

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Washington, D.C.: Hi Jeff

I have been living in Washington, D.C. for many years now and during the Spring, the amount of tourists in my neighborhood (next to the zoo) makes me want to run in the other direction. My husband and I are looking for an inexpensive 3 day weekend retreat--one that is close to D.C. We were thinking of going down to Williamsburg, but any thoughts would be helpful. Thanks!