They ogle at maps quizzically. They crowd sidewalks. They cut in lines. Their faltering, 10-minute-long attempts to buy a Metro card makes purchasing from an automated machine look like rocket science. Meanwhile, you stand behind them in line, helplessly watching the ticker declare that your train is arriving in one minute.

Some wear T-shirts proclaiming "I <3 DC" or, my personal favorite, "FBI: Female Body Inspector" that they bought off a street vendor for $5.

There's no need for fanny packs or a Canon Power Shots to identify them. D.C. residents can smell a tourist a mile away, especially in the summer months.

Tourists from across the country descend on the city to see a variety of attractions, congregating chiefly at the national monuments and Smithsonian Museums. And who can blame them? These are their nation's treasures, too.

But, for the less-conspicuous tourists who have already done the basic sightseeing, there are less traveled, less obvious and more unique places to be explored.

Whether you're planning on living here someday or just taking a day trip during the last weeks of summer, here are some of the favorite D.C.- area finds from a semi-local:

Bureau of Engraving & Printing: Take a tour of the factory and witness the steps of currency production from blank sheets of paper to wallet-ready bills. During your tour, you'll see millions of dollars being printed. If you succeed in escaping with some, teach me how.

Great Falls Park: This is the most spectacular natural wonder of the area. There are multiple lookouts where visitors can view waterfalls of the Potomac River cascading over a series of steep, jagged boulders. The park is 800-acres and also has hiking, biking and horseback riding trails. There are picnic areas that overlook the waterfalls. I think it's all very beautiful and romantic. And, judging by the used condom I happened upon the last time I went hiking there, others agree.

Washington National Cathedral: This famous, vast, non-denominational house of worship features stunning architecture and an interesting history. It's been the site of numerous presidents' funerals and the prayers of President George W. Bush after the September 11 attacks. The cathedral also offers tours, like one that focuses on the gargoyles that adorn its exterior. If you are anything like me, you'll take the gargoyle tour just to see what sort of other people actually go on a gargoyle tour.

Glen Echo Park: This former amusement park is now a national park that preserves the arts. On weekends, it provides dancing lessons, and the park also offers rides on its refurbished 1921 carousel. And yes, carousel rides are still simultaneously fun and nauseating, even as a 21-year-old.

U.S. National Archives and Records Administration: Here you can look at original copies of documents like the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Also, you can trace your family's history using census, military, immigration and naturalization records.

U.S. Naval Academy: All right,

so I'm cheating a little. Annapolis, Md. is about a 40 minutes from

D.C., but it's well worth the drive. A visit to this academy will leave you grateful that you can return to Penn State and a dorm room that is not subject to white glove inspections for dust.

Skipping the most common D.C. tourist attractions may allow you to avoid long lines, hordes of people and dirty, run-down facilities.

From historical records to cultural enhancement to natural wonders, so many amazing experiences await in Washington. Places like Great Falls will provide a more exciting, complete picture of the best the D.C. area has to offer.

Now, if only you can figure out the Metro card machines, you'll blend right in.

Caitlin O'Malley is a senior majoring in international politics and public relations and is The Daily Collegian's Tuesday columnist. Her e-mail is cmo160@psu.edu.