Washington DC

I get it all the time: "Where can you see a good vaudeville or burlesque show in this town?" And I always respond, "Why, at the Palace of Wonders, of course!" Located on the slightly difficult to get to H Street NE, it's a short cab ride from Union Station. Now seven days a week you can get your fill of sideshow acts, burlesque dancers, and live acts of a variety of styles and tawdriness. As if the action on stage couldn't be enough to keep your attention, the second floor's decor of "oddities, specimens, artifacts and homages to the great dime museums of the past" are on hand to entertain and get a conversation going. "Oh hi there, I just noticed you noticing that mummified merchild... can I buy you a drink?" Perhaps you'll even find love amidst the fire eaters and acrobats. If so, maybe you'll consider the Palace of Wonders for your wedding ceremony. They do weddings, especially the odd or Elvis variety.

Photo:  Elisabeth Grant