It is a slightly overcast, balmy 85 degrees out. This is the perfect weather for people to venture into the great outdoors or putter around a shopping mall, searching for snacks. I get my gear ready. I pack a homemade trail mix of Lucky Charms (all marshmallows), slather my nose with sunscreen (SPF 150), and adjust the focus on my binoculars. This is an ideal time for hobbyists like myself to watch humans, wherever they may be.
“Watch other humans?” you ask.
“Yes, of course!”
But, “People watching,” you say, “what is it exactly?”
It is kind of like anthropology or archeology except more lively. It is the age old pastime of lurking in a nearby park, meadow, or Denny’s and observing the strange intricacies of your fellow man. It is not voyeurism per se; it is simply a healthy interest in human behavior. And humans never fail to be interesting.
From one people-watcher to another, here are 10 of the best places in the District for enjoying the company of others, from museums to taverns to neighborhoods.
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