I first visited Washington, D.C. as a sophomore in high school. I spent the summer traveling the U.S. with 95 other teens and our courageous chaperones. This adventure may have been the inspiration for a lifelong love of travel. I remember seeing The National Mall for the first time like it were yesterday. Now, with children of my own, I’d love to experience it again with them. Today, travel blogger Christina Saull, who writes My View from the Middle Seat, shares her favorites things to do in our nation’s capital and where she calls home, Washington, D.C.
My husband & I have lived in Washington, D.C. for over 10 years. Like many others, we moved to the city right out of college internships and jobs in the government (his at the White House, mine on Capitol Hill). Unlike many others, we stuck around after our entry level positions. We fell in love, got married, bought a house & started building careers in a city that is one of the most transient places in the nation. We have fallen in love with living in America’s capital city. The “work hard, play hard” attitude of the D.C. region is perfect for our lifestyle, yet many visitors don’t ever get past the monuments, museums & memorials to see why so many young professionals love calling D.C. home.
What to Do
The great thing about visiting D.C. is that there are tons of free things to do: all the world class Smithsonian Museums, monuments & memorials are free to the public. Tours of the White House can be requested up to six months in advance through your Congressman and tours of the Capitol are first come, first served. But once you’ve checked off the tourist box, follow the locals to a few hidden gems that support our work hard, play hard motto. Whenever you visit, make sure to check the local events calendar, as there are always new and interesting things going on in the city.
- Nationals Baseball – While they haven’t quite lived up to their World Series hype expectations the last few years, there’s nothing better than an evening at the ballpark & Washington has one of the best. Throughout the ballpark are views of the Washington Monument and Capitol.
- Great Falls National Park – It’s hard to believe you’re only 45 minutes outside a major metropolitan area when hiking the quiet trails of Great Falls National Park. There are trails for every level, including the popular (but challenging) Billy Goat Trail. The park spans both sides of the Potomac River in Virginia and Maryland.
- Mount Vernon – George Washington’s plantation home just south of Alexandria has been beautifully restored and is now open daily for tours. Sure, you could go on the regular public tour, but instead check the calendar and visit during the holidays for Christmas by Candlelight or head over during one of their popular wine events.
Where to Eat
The food scene in D.C., one traditionally filled with wood paneled steakhouses and bourbon drinking lobbyists, has vastly improved over the past decade. Areas which used to be off-limits are now bustling food destinations where you’ll find some of the city’s best eats, including 14th Street & Capitol Hill. Brunch is a institution in the District, with tables full every Sunday morning. My favorites include:
- Le Diplomate – a French bistro straight out of Paris with to-die-for steak frites and a bread basket that would make even the toughest francophile proud. Reservations are a must.
- Ted’s Bulletin – Ground zero for weekend brunch, their homemade pop tarts are worth the wait. Two D.C. locations, but the one on Barrack’s Row is well situated for a post-Eastern Market visit.
- Fiola Mare – Situated along the Potomac River in famous Georgetown, this relative newcomer has made a big splash with their incredible raw bar & hidden tasting menu
- District Taco – Morning, noon or night, you cannot go wrong with a stop here. Be ready for long lines of devoted taco lovers. Their shrimp tacos on Tuesday & Thursday are one of my favorite foods. Anywhere. In the entire world.
Where to Shop
D.C. is not really a shopping town. You’ll see residents mostly dressed in black suits (we’re always getting dinged for our conservative attire) & designer handbags aren’t a status symbol, but the norm. While Ann Taylor & Brooks Brothers might be the go-to uniform, there are still local boutique districts & shops worth stopping by.
- Eastern Market – A farmers market/flea market/community gathering place. On any given Saturday, you can pick up produce for the week, a hand drawn map of the District & a piece of large metal art to stick in your front yard.
- Old Town Alexandria Boutique District – Not in D.C. proper, but a short Metro train ride away, is Old Town Alexandria. One of the oldest areas in D.C., it’s where George Washington called home & now is home to many boutique shops & cafes.
- Hill’s Kitchen – A housewares store on Capitol Hill full of all kinds of functional & fun cookware & kitchen items. The kitchen towels themed after each state make a great souvenir.
Where to Stay
I’m going to be honest: hotels are crazy expensive in D.C. Finding a room, even far from the city center, for under $200 a night is virtually unheard of. But there are many wonderful properties here that are worth a bit of a splurge:
- Willard Intercontinental – Stay right next to the White House in the same hotel Lincoln lived leading up to his inauguration
- Hotel Monaco – A popular Kimpton property housed in a former post office, smack in the middle of the city. Their in-house restaurant has an awesome courtyard patio that’s popular with locals for after work happy hour
- Lorien Hotel and Spa – If you want to get a bit out of the city and indulge in a wonderful spa during your visit, the Lorian Hotel (also a Kimpton property) is located in Old Town Alexandria, a 20 minute Metro rail ride from downtown.
Thank you Christina! You can find Christina writing about her travels at My View from the Middle Seat or follow her adventures on Twitter, Instagram & Facebook.
We are big fans of urban travel and this city guide sure tops the list. You can see posts about some of our favorite U.S. cities like New York, Chicago (forthcoming), and San Francisco. We can’t wait to add D.C. to this list!
