Local Information
Weather
People who live here expect August in the Washington, D.C. area to be hot, humid, and horrible. It often is. Daily high temperatures above 90°F are common, relative humidity above 90% is also common. Nightly lows above 80°F are not uncommon. However, on average you should expect high temperatures in the 80s and lows in the 70s with a slight breeze. In other words, hot but far less horrible than the folklore would have you believe.
Washington sometimes has dramatic thunder storms in August, and a hurricane is possible (although unlikely). For more details, see What is Washington, D.C.’s weather like in August?
Indoor Weather
While it will probably be hot outdoors it may be chilly indoors. Air conditioning is used both to cool and to dry the air. This means that it is sometimes too chilly indoors for people dressed for the outdoors. Bring a light sweater or jacket; you may want it.
Places to eat
There are quite a few restaurants within walking distance of the conference hotel. Here is list of restaurant recommendations on the hotel web site.
The new Pike and Rose development is about 3 blocks from the conference site, and has an ever-growing selection of stores and restaurants.
The center of Bethesda is 4 Metro stops south of the hotel. (The hotel is a few steps from the "White Flint" Metro stop. Bethesda is at the "Bethesda" Metro stop. Bethesda is a vibrant area with hundreds of restaurants and bars. (It really can be thought of as the equivalent of Montreal's Crescent Street area.) A local friend has supplied a personal take on Bethesda restaurants. It doesn't list all the restaurants in this area, or even try to; just some she likes and some she knows of. For more information see Bethesda Row and Downtown Bethesda.
Rockville Town Square is two stops north of the coference hotel on the Metro. Rockville Town Square is a little less expensive than Bethesda, and a bit more relaxed. The merchant's page list 25 restaurants, all within a couple of blocks of the Metro. Local favorites include: Giuseppi's Pizza, Lebanese Taverna, and Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant.
Things to do in Washington
Start with an overview at washington.org
We provide a list of some of our favorite activities at LocalActivities.html
Getting Around in Washington
Do what the locals do: Take the Metro! The hotel is at the White Flint stop of the Red Line. (The hotel doors are closer to the entrance to the Metro than the Metro parking lot is.)