Checking out the colourful side of Washington, D.C.

julia dimon/for metro toronto

When visiting Washington, D.C., there is more to see than the Capitol building, presidential statues and towering phallic monuments.

When visiting our neighbour’s national capital, there is more to see than white houses, presidential statues and towering phallic monuments. Beyond politics and government buildings, Washington, D.C. offers trendy hoods, cozy restaurants, cool clubs and good times.

While in D.C., here are a few fun things to do:

Cirque du Soleil’s visual spectacular Corteo runs until Nov. 26. This world-famous style of performance art has the usual Cirque ingredients: aerial acrobatics, surreal sets, awesome juggling and carefully choreographed routines that can make anyone want to turn gymnast. See www.cirquedusoleil.comfor more information.

For a freakish twist to an average night of boozing, head to Place of Wonders (1210 H St. NE; 202-398-746). Decorated with sideshow oddities, this newly opened circus-themed bar is a fun choice for a few bevvies. Sword-swallowers, fire-eaters and Tuesday-night ladies arm wrestling.

For a killer meal, dine at Café Atlantico, a chic restaurant serving contemporary Latin American cuisine. It’s an eclectic menu with a few gimmicks will surely appeal to jaded foodies. Start with a candy-floss cocktail. Like a bartending Houdini, the server drowns the sweet pink cotton in vodka; making it vanish into the martini glass.
For starters, try the coconut ceviche, scallops with squid ink oil or guacamole prepared table-side. For something a little different, ask for the lime air — a drop of tart soap suds designed to wow your palette. It’s a little strange but, like it or not the air‚ makes for an interesting eating experience; www.cafeatlantico.com.

The f-word — “free” — is censored in many U.S. Cities, but in Washington, D.C. they use the word liberally From museums, to live music events it’s possible to enjoy culture without spending a lot of cash.

You could spend days, strolling through the Smithsonian museums: American Art Museum, Air and Space, Natural History, the National Museum of the American Indian, or the zoo, for a new exhibit on giant pandas; www.si.edu.

The Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, near the historic Watergate building, has free music events everyday. From African a cappella to Brazilian dance troupes, the Kennedy Center offers a variety of free entertainment. See www.kennedy-center.org for upcoming events.

When in doubt about what’s hot and happening, pick up the Washington City Paper. The free rag lists D.C.’s weekly music, theatre and local events. Published every Thursday, it‚s available near Metro stops across the city or online at www.washingtoncitypaper.com.