Andrew’s guidebook
What to do in DC (Spring 2019)
A spring guide for enjoying Washington DC!
Spring is all about blossoms. It gets crowded, so go early or check them out at night since they are lighted! If you go at night, the monuments are also well-lighted so you can do both!
123 locals recommend
Tidal Basin
20245 National DrSpring is all about blossoms. It gets crowded, so go early or check them out at night since they are lighted! If you go at night, the monuments are also well-lighted so you can do both!
This is also a great place to see the cherry blossoms with less crowds. The memorial to WWII interred Japanese Americans is quite moving too. The blossoms there open later in the season.
National Japanese American Memorial
This is also a great place to see the cherry blossoms with less crowds. The memorial to WWII interred Japanese Americans is quite moving too. The blossoms there open later in the season.
The azaleas pop later in spring and the Arboretum is great for checking out what's blooming with your pet (leashed dogs allowed) or riding a bike share.
U.S. National Arboretum
3501 R St NEThe azaleas pop later in spring and the Arboretum is great for checking out what's blooming with your pet (leashed dogs allowed) or riding a bike share.
In an amazing building shared with the Smithsonian American Art Museum, it has the U.S. President and First Lady portraits including the recent popular Obama portraits. They also have an live orchid show in their courtyard which is very relaxing.
365 locals recommend
National Portrait Gallery
In an amazing building shared with the Smithsonian American Art Museum, it has the U.S. President and First Lady portraits including the recent popular Obama portraits. They also have an live orchid show in their courtyard which is very relaxing.
The newest museum on the National Mall is well worth the visit. Plan ahead as you need free timed passes. M-F, there are daily and walk-up pass options. Visit this link for more information - https://nmaahc.si.edu/visit/passes
451 locals recommend
National Museum of African American History and Culture
1400 Constitution Ave. NWThe newest museum on the National Mall is well worth the visit. Plan ahead as you need free timed passes. M-F, there are daily and walk-up pass options. Visit this link for more information - https://nmaahc.si.edu/visit/passes
Their "Objects of Wonder" exhibit is amazing and is all about collecting, so the hoarder in all of us will enjoy it.
647 locals recommend
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
10th St. & Constitution Ave. NWTheir "Objects of Wonder" exhibit is amazing and is all about collecting, so the hoarder in all of us will enjoy it.
A great family-friendly pick that has an exhibit that lets kids build with giant blue blocks. Plus the free courtyard is great for running around. They have major, immersive installations each summer.
92 locals recommend
National Building Museum
401 F St NWA great family-friendly pick that has an exhibit that lets kids build with giant blue blocks. Plus the free courtyard is great for running around. They have major, immersive installations each summer.
The Smithsonian has a range of family-friendly exhibits and programs listed here - https://www.si.edu/visit/kids
I also recommend the Kid Friendly DC blog for timely recommendations.
92 locals recommend
Smithsonian Castle Information Center
1000 Jefferson Dr SWThe Smithsonian has a range of family-friendly exhibits and programs listed here - https://www.si.edu/visit/kids
I also recommend the Kid Friendly DC blog for timely recommendations.
Where to eat and drink!
H St is known for its excellent restaurants and bars.
Open all day. Breakfast includes the best coffee and delicious pastries. Lunch and dinner is very creative and tasty East Asian fare with dim sum brunch on weekends. Their version of fried chicken is the bomb!
284 locals recommend
Maketto
1351 H St NEOpen all day. Breakfast includes the best coffee and delicious pastries. Lunch and dinner is very creative and tasty East Asian fare with dim sum brunch on weekends. Their version of fried chicken is the bomb!
Sospeso
1344 H St NECreative mediterranean and a lovely bar to boot.
Ramen and dumplings. Don't let the name fool you as it's on the 2nd floor. Line up early to get in!
256 locals recommend
Toki Underground
1234 H St NERamen and dumplings. Don't let the name fool you as it's on the 2nd floor. Line up early to get in!
RedRocks H Street
1348 H St NEGood pizza nearby. Doesn't deliver.
Upscale British fare but also does good fish and chips. Great beer menu.
100 locals recommend
The Queen Vic
1206 H St NEUpscale British fare but also does good fish and chips. Great beer menu.
Chock full of popup food stands, purveyors, and lovely home goods and other shopping to be done here. Has one of the best fish purveyors, District Fishwife. Great burgers at Red Apron, bagels at Neopol fish smokery, ice cream at Trickling Spring. Always something new to check out!
906 locals recommend
Union Market
1309 5th St NEChock full of popup food stands, purveyors, and lovely home goods and other shopping to be done here. Has one of the best fish purveyors, District Fishwife. Great burgers at Red Apron, bagels at Neopol fish smokery, ice cream at Trickling Spring. Always something new to check out!
Totally fun early American decoration with delicious, creative fare. Book a table as this place gets crowded! Wonder around Union Market after.
57 locals recommend
St. Anselm
1250 5th St NETotally fun early American decoration with delicious, creative fare. Book a table as this place gets crowded! Wonder around Union Market after.
One of the best Ethiopian places in DC where we have many 1st and 2nd generation Ethiopian immigrants.
147 locals recommend
Ethiopic Restaurant
401 H St NEOne of the best Ethiopian places in DC where we have many 1st and 2nd generation Ethiopian immigrants.
Fancy Radish
600 H St NEUp scale vegan that is also a win with non-vegans.
Farmbird
625 H St NESous vide chicken with creative sides. Mostly to-go.
Copycat Co.
1110 H St NEDumplings and drinks! A winning combo.
Red Bear Brewing Co
209 M St NEHot and new DC brewery!
Hill Prince
1337 H St NEWell-priced cocktails and friendly staff.
Great bar that's been on H street for awhile.
119 locals recommend
Little Miss Whiskey's Golden Dollar
1104 H St NEGreat bar that's been on H street for awhile.
Delicious coffee and pastries. Wifi is limited to 1 hour. Also do good cocktails if you happen to be working late!
57 locals recommend
The Wydown at the Apollo
600B H St NEDelicious coffee and pastries. Wifi is limited to 1 hour. Also do good cocktails if you happen to be working late!
Where to shop!
Lovely shops in the neighborhood.
Sweet book and gift store with nice place to hang out and work, or hang with the kiddo. They often have readings and special events.
19 locals recommend
Solid State Books
600F H St NESweet book and gift store with nice place to hang out and work, or hang with the kiddo. They often have readings and special events.
Super funky women's clothing with both new and resale. Owners are super nice!
The C.A.T. Walk Boutique
1000 H St NESuper funky women's clothing with both new and resale. Owners are super nice!
Whole Foods Market
600 H St NEPick up some groceries or take-out.
Trader Joe's
1109 N Highland StPick up well-priced groceries and flowers!
Belle Nail & Spa
Super nice staff for your mani/pedi.
Fun to wander here on weekends with food, jewelry and craft purveyors.
699 locals recommend
Eastern Market
225 7th St SEFun to wander here on weekends with food, jewelry and craft purveyors.
Salt and Sundry has beautiful home goods. There is also a liquor store, butcher, smoked fish vendor, tea shop, and more.
906 locals recommend
Union Market
1309 5th St NESalt and Sundry has beautiful home goods. There is also a liquor store, butcher, smoked fish vendor, tea shop, and more.