Maybe it’s not obvious from some of the current discussions inside the Beltway or the White House, but Washington, D.C., is a gay-friendly city with a vibrant gay social and political scene.

Nestled midway along the eastern seaboard between Maryland and Virginia, the District of Columbia’s primary industry after the federal government is tourism, offering a wide array of cultural and historical attractions.

Popular must-see sites include the White House, U.S. Capitol, the Smithsonian Institute museums, the war memorials, the National Gallery of Art and the Washington Monument. Three hidden gems are the FDR Memorial, the Holocaust Museum and the Awakening at Hains Point. Most of the attractions are free and open seven days a week.

Washington is also the home of the Human Rights Campaign and the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, among many other gay lobbying and political special interest groups.

The city is easy to navigate and has one of the cleanest and user-friendly subway systems in the world. Spring, early summer and fall are the most comfortable seasons to visit. And with three major airports serving the region, inexpensive flights are easy to find.

Washington is divided into four quadrants. The U.S Capitol building marks the center where the quadrants meet. Always check the quadrant indicator (NW, NE, SW or SE) of a local address before setting out.

The gay sites are mainly located in the Northwest and Southeast quadrants.

The Dupont Circle neighbor-hood has long been the focal point of gay life in the District. It offers an abundance of gay-owned and gay-friendly retail shops, art galleries, restaurants, bars and hotels.

A good place to start is Lambda Rising, a bookstore that has served as the city’s unofficial gay community center since the 1970s. The store offers an extensive collection of gay books and magazines, gifts and copies of the city’s free gay publications to help guide your tour.

When it comes to gay nightlife, the District offers plenty of options to satisfy any taste.

Somewhat hidden in an alley just off P Street NW is Omega, a two-story video and pool bar that attracts a laid-back, racially diverse clientele. Adjacent to Omega is Apex, a popular and newly expanded dance club.

Cobalt and Chaos sit just east of Dupont Circle along the 17th Street corridor. Cobalt has a trendy lounge bar on its second floor and a small dance floor on the top level. It has some of the city’s hottest bartenders and a young, hip crowd. On the ground level is FoodBar restaurant with outdoor seating that is great for people watching.

Chaos, a basement-level bar and restaurant, is just two blocks south of Cobalt. Its weekly drag shows are over-the-top fun, with drag bingo on Tuesday nights and a drag brunch on Sundays. The bar draws a large Latino crowd and offers a Latin dance night each Thursday.

Directly above Chaos is Universal Gear, a clothing emporium with the latest in designer club wear, bathing suits, shoes and underwear.

If lovable bears beyond the Pandas at the National Zoo are a priority, head to the Eagle, just steps from the city’s new convention center. The surrounding neighborhood is changing, but the area is still dicey, so be alert.

Across town in Capitol Hill is Remingtons, a country western bar with line dancing and karaoke. Just a few blocks from Remingtons are Banana Café & Piano Bar and its sister restaurant Starfish Café. Banana Café serves a great blend of Cuban, Mexican and Puerto Rican cuisine. At Starfish, gay executive chef Miguel Rodriguez offers a variety of unique seafood specialties.

VelvetNation is a large dance club that draws a huge crown on Saturday nights. It easily rivals the super-clubs of New York and Miami. The nation’s hottest DJs often make special appearances.

Each spring, the District plays host to Cherry, a weekend circuit party with a multitude of events and pumped bodies.

Unfortunately for the ladies, Phase One on Capitol Hill is the only club in the District that caters exclusively to lesbians. But with a little research, ladies’ nights can be found at several of the male-dominated establishments.

Washington offers plenty of excellent choices for lodging. Two Northwest hotels to consider are the Wyndham City Center and the Washington Plaza. The Wyndham is a 352-room beautifully renovated property located on the edge of Dupont Circle. The hotel is gay-friendly, and it often plays host to local gay events. Shula’s Steak House, the hotel’s onsite restaurant, features generous portions, including a signature 48-ounce porterhouse steak.

The Washington Plaza, designed by the same architect responsible for Miami’s famous Fontainebleu and Eden Roc Hotels, is charming and surrounds a large outdoor pool. The hotel and its pool draw gay visitors and locals regularly, and it serves as the host hotel for Mid-Altantic Leather Weekend, which draws hundreds of leather men and women each January.