A Few of Your Favorite Things

ederal workers are nothing if not savvy travelers, if the results of an informal survey by Government Executive are any indication. We asked you to share your tips on favorite places to stay, eat and unwind in the top federal destinations. General Services Administration data show the 10 cities government travelers frequent most are Washington; Los Angeles; San Diego; San Antonio; Denver; Atlanta; Chicago; New York; Albuquerque, N.M.; and Dallas.

Some themes emerged: Stay near public transportation to avoid big-city traffic (though in several sprawling metropolises, many said renting a car is a must). As for eating, you recommended walking around because "you can always find incredible, inexpensive local or ethnic food. Ask some locals or search around on the Internet before you go." Some of you avoid chain restaurants-"I don't travel looking for what I left behind, and they don't usually serve real food anyway," said one Air Force civilian. Others, however, prefer the consistency of the chains.

In your free time, many of you said you liked to stroll, tour museums or gardens, or spend time at the hotel gym. Some go to casinos. And quite a few answered the question about leisure time with a snort and a guffaw. "Leisure time?" said one Defense Logistics Agency worker. "Not with a Blackberry, a laptop and a cell phone."

Here's what you recommended.

1. WASHINGTON

Where to stay-Washington: "Downtown, as close to the Mall as possible" for the convenience, says a Justice Department employee. A visitor to the Energy Department's headquarters likes the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel and the Holiday Inn Capitol.

Virginia: The Doubletree Crystal City near Pentagon City and the Holiday Inn Rosslyn at Key Bridge because they are "very good" and close to Metro. Another traveler likes the Holiday Inn as well as the Key Bridge Marriott because "if you are a member, you get a great breakfast." Crystal City earns high marks from those visiting the Pentagon and nearby areas "because it is convenient, has indoor access to the Metro and several restaurants in The Underground mall. In fact, you can walk for miles and never have to go outside. That's important for a California guy in the D.C. area during the winter." Also recommended: the Embassy Suites in Old Town Alexandria ("because it has nice facilities, is near the King Street Metro station and has about 30 restaurants within a mile or so"). In Springfield, check out the Hampton Inn.

Maryland: The Woodfin Suites in Rockville has "large" suites and "tremendous" work areas. "It is worth the inconvenience of the 20- to 25-minute drive" to the work site, says a frequent traveler for the Navy. Best eats-Washington: Adams Morgan, Dupont Circle and Georgetown are home to many ethnic restaurants (Indian, Thai, Ethiopian, for example). Dona Flor (Brazilian, near Tenleytown) is "great, but rather expensive." Another favorite is Ruth's Chris Steak House in Dupont Circle-"always good food." Also popular is Paparazzi, an Italian place that "specializes in thin crust pizza" and Old Glory BBQ, both in Georgetown.

Virginia: In Arlington, Queen Bee, Tivoli's and Orleans House (recommended almost unanimously by D.C.-bound travelers who love its prime rib). Near Crystal City, an Air Force civilian recommends Café Italia for reasonably priced "great" food: "You can usually eat dinner with a glass of wine for less than $20." For good seafood, check out the Fish Market in Old Town Alexandria: "A seafood platter there runs about $25, but is great for the price." Ecco Café in Alexandria is an excellent choice for a pre- or post-dinner stroll. Also: Mike's American Grill and Bugaboo Creek Steak House in Springfield and Captain Pell's, a crab joint in Fairfax.

What to do. On the Mall, hang out, watch softball games, read a book or go jogging. "Sometimes I am fortunate enough to see the president land in his helicopter," says one traveler. Tour the monuments in the evening when they're all lit up. Also, walk to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial or drive through Arlington National Cemetery, across the river. Walk around Georgetown or Dupont Circle. First-time visitors should check out any one of the Smithsonian Institution's 20-plus museums. If you've seen them, check out the National Building Museum, the Postal Museum, the medical museum at Walter Reed Army Hospital, and the Squished Penny Museum-it's in someone's living room; go to www.squished.com. Tip: Many museums close at 5 p.m.

One regular says his evening destination is the Pentagon City Mall in Arlington: "It's easy to get to by Metro and has lots to do, including restaurants and movies." In Alexandria, says an Air Force traveler, walk down King Street to the Potomac River and watch the planes land and take off at National Airport. "The walk is especially nice since there are about 150 stores selling everything from antiques to books to knickknacks."

2. LOS ANGELES

Where to stay The Renaissance near the airport ("a great hotel in a convenient location"). In Orange County, Dana Point has a Holiday Inn Express and other hotels that "offer government rates, free breakfast, and easy access to the beach and freeways." Consider staying on the Queen Mary, a luxury ocean liner docked at Long Beach, now a hotel: "The room was a little small, but the atmosphere was wonderful. The ship's restaurant served good food and had a wonderful view of the city." The Mandalay Bay Beach Resort near the Navy's Point Mugu: "This is the best room I have ever had traveling," declared an Air Force civilian.

What to do. Tour the Queen Mary. Run on the beach. Take an extra day and go to Disneyland, Universal Studios or Magic Mountain.

3. SAN DIEGO

Where to stay. Woodfin Suites offers the "most amenities," says a Navy traveler. No one recommends the Navy's bachelor officers quarters.

Best eats. Miguel's Concina in Coronado, Casa de Bandini in Old Town, Royal Thai Cuisine in the Gaslight District.

What to do. The San Diego Zoo, the wild animal park, the trolley to Tijuana, Mexico, just 45 minutes away.

4. SAN ANTONIO Why you go. Two major Air Force bases and a huge civic center for meetings.

Where to stay. The Marriott Plaza on South Alamo: "a four-star hotel with a government rate and complimentary limo service downtown."

Best eats. Casa Rio on the Riverwalk or any of the restaurants in or around the Mercado, billed as "the largest outdoor Mexican marketplace outside Mexico."

What to do. Ramble along the Riverwalk, taking in its views, shopping, restaurants, fairs and special events. Take a Gray Line tour of the five historic missions or the Hill Country.

5. DENVER

Where to stay. The Radisson-Aurora at the OPM training center.

What to do. The OPM training site has a "great fitness center" (the Colorado Athletic Club) and a park with biking and walking trails. Take in a Colorado Rockies baseball game, go to Cherry Creek Mall, take a bus trip to the casinos or hop on a Gray Line tour of the area.

6. ATLANTA

What to do. Take in athletic events; tickets are usually available for the Braves (baseball), Hawks (basketball) and Thrashers (hockey). Check out Philips Arena for special events, and visit Lennox Square Mall and Phipps Plaza for shopping.

7. CHICAGO

Where to stay. Swissotel gets two thumbs up from one traveler. A Defense Logistic Agency civilian usually stays at the airport Ramada "for no reason other than habit and because it has a government rate."

Best eats. Mama Desta's: "the mother of all Ethiopian restaurants in the country"; the Foodlife food court at Water Tower Place; The Berghoff, a German restaurant in the heart of the Loop (you must go "at least once to say you have been there"); the Billy Goat Tavern.

What to do. The art museum and the parks near Lake Michigan are "a soothing place to walk on a spring or summer evening"; take the boat tour.

8. NEW YORK

What to do. "Always a temptation to go to the theater, walk in Central Park, walk in Battery Park on the southern tip of Manhattan (below where the World Trade Center towers were), the museums, the refurbished Brooklyn waterfront for great restaurants." Check out the Lower East Side Tenement Museum "to see how our immigrant parents and grandparents lived when they arrived in New York City."

9. ALBUQUERQUE

Best eats. "Any place that serves sopaipillas" (Mexican pastries). Visit Quarters BBQ, insists an Energy Department worker from the Savannah River Site. "Living in the South, I really miss western BBQ," says another traveler. "Quarters is the best." Other picks: Ron's Camino Real ("check out the carne adovada and the specials"); Los Cuates ("marvelous chile rellenos and very good tamales"). One traveler cautions, "Remember, the official state question is: 'Red or green?' Chili, that is. And it's wise to ask which is hotter."

What to do. Take the tram up Sandia Mountain-"a wonderful experience." (Tip: "Do not think of eating [at] Sandia Crest. Pricey and not good.") Shopping tips from an Energy employee: The Chile Pepper Emporium has an amazing selection of chiles and hot sauces; Hispaniae offers a wide selection of Mexican crafts.

Tip: "Stay anywhere, but rent a car at the airport. Nothing is in walking distance."

10. DALLAS

Where to stay. The Wyndham just outside the city is a "huge, luxurious hotel" that offers government rates. The Wyndham Anatole has "good meeting facilities." The Adolphus is "wonderful."

What to do. The Dallas Farmer's Market, the Texas Schoolbook Depository (from which Lee Harvey Oswald shot President Kennedy) and the famous grassy knoll nearby.

Tip: "Everything in Dallas is a long drive from anywhere else."