Never mind the museums lining the National Mall or the halls of power in and around the Capitol. An authentic taste of washington, D.C., says native daughter Twanda Williams, requires a trip to the Maine Avenue fish Market on the city's Southwest waterfront.

washington's fish market, which locals like Williams call “the fish Wharf,” has operated continuously since at least the early 1800s. It was moved a short distance following redevelopment in the 1960s and 1970s. More planned waterfront development is expected to maintain at least traces of the market's comfortably grungy character.

Williams began coming to the wharf at age 9, when her mom “turned me on to cod and black bass,” she says. Now she brings her own daughters: Sally, 30, and Sunaya, 10. Sunaya carries a teacup Yorkshire terrier named Chip (the Williams' other terrier, Chocolate, stayed home).

Williams, a private nurse, comes to the wharf at least a couple of days each week for seafood. On this day, her purchases will include jumbo shrimp for grilling or for jazzing up tuna macaroni salad topped off with Miracle Whip salad dressing, she says.

And, before any family reunion, graduation, birthday or other celebration, Williams stops by to stock up on crabs or whatever's in season.